Someone's on a roll – not that we're complaining. After opening Cloudstreet and Michelin-starred Cheek Bistro, chef Rishi Naleendra is back at it again with his third and highly-anticipated venture Kotuwa. After a slight kink in the works thanks to the pandemic, Singapore's first full-service Sri Lankan restaurant will open its physical doors on December 10 at the eclectic Wanderlust Hotel.
Trained as a chef in Melbourne, chef Rishi's first two ventures have skimmed the world of culinary influences from modern Australian to European and Asian with a deft and skilful touch. This project is much closer to the heart. Drawing deeply from his Sri Lankan heritage, Kotuwa aims to bring the lively, casual street food culture of the South Asian nation to Singapore. Meaning 'fort' in Sinhalese, the restaurant will also pay homage to the Portuguese, Dutch and British influences on Sri Lanka.
You might have gotten a sneak peek at what Kotuwa has to offer when it launched a takeaway and delivery service back in April. Dishes like chicken kottu and black pork curry were our delicious companions during the dreary lockdown days. But if you haven't tried, then get excited for famous Sri Lankan short eats – usually stuffed and fried, reminiscent of curry puffs or samosas – and a myriad of curries and housemade sambols (a traditional dish made from freshly grated coconut) and preserves.
Kotuwa will be open from 6pm to 9pm from Wednesday through Sunday, with an extra lunch service on the weekends. And you know the drill – regular safe distancing measures apply. If you're anything like us, you'd be heading over to kotuwa.sg to secure your seats right now.
