Looking for the ultimate spice island experience in London? Welcome to Copper Ceylon
By Eastern Eye StaffJul 28, 2022
NOT too long ago, the brilliant hues of a conspicuous-looking tuk-tuk enlivened the pavement of East Street. It brought with it an escape to a tropical paradise, luring one in with tantalizing aroma of the best spices of Ceylon or modern-day Sri Lanka. The vision for Copper Ceylon was to bring the culinary essence of the spice island, wrapped in the warmth of an authentic Sri Lankan experience, to the British shores.
Today, it proudly holds the title of the ‘Best Sri Lanka Restaurant in London, 2022'.
For the non-resident Sri Lankans who are deeply worried about their country fighting a battle for survival, this is undoubtedly a news that gives them a moment of satisfaction and celebration.
The colourful tuk-tuk parked outside the Copper Ceylon restaurant, London. (Picture: Copper Ceylon)
tuk-tuk
The team at Copper Ceylon aims to deliver the charm of the tropical island on a plate, a culinary getaway for the people of London and a taste of home for the Sri Lankans in the community.
Some exquisite dishes and drinks that emanate from the kitchen of Copper Ceylon, London. (Picture: Copper Ceylon)
The aroma that emanates from the kitchen, spiked with a consortium of spices, stirs up a memory of sneaking a taste of Grandma’s cooking before lunch is served at the table. The flavour of curry, straight from the copper cooking pot is beyond compare, served always with the glowing hospitality synonymous with Sri Lankan heritage. Their dream to make the experience as authentic as possible has been realized and their efforts recognized through this award.
The bar at Copper Ceylon, London. (Picture: Copper Ceylon)
Copper Ceylon’s signature dishes pay tribute to the iconic cities of Sri Lanka and their most revered spices. The Jaffna mutton curry, one among several distinctive dishes, is packed with flavour and a unique spice blend. The prawn red curry is rich and creamy, a signature of Trincomalee, one of Sri Lanka’s oldest cities. The Lamprais is an absolute must-try, featuring every critical element of the complete meal, wrapped neatly in a banana leaf. Aromatic ghee rice served with delicious curry, a delightful mix of meat and vegetables, topped with cutlets and sambol. Everything you could ever ask for in a delectable spread!
The Copper Ceylon restaurant, London. (Picture: Copper Ceylon)
And that exotic summer vacation you’ve craved? You get it right over there at the bar. Ceylon Dream is a signature cocktail worthy of its title. It is the perfect blend of Gin, Royal Chambord, with the freshness of cranberry and elderflower, spiked with kaffir lime leaves.
Another popular signature, appropriately named Spice Island, brings the heat to a cool glass of gin, mandarin syrup and fresh orange juice, with a hit of chilli and ginger. The cocktails are exotic and vibrant in both flavour and presentation, definitely one for the gram!
Copper Ceylon has put their best foot forward to create an authentic, transcending experience from the ambience to the plate.
Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami highlighted inclusiveness and sustainability.
Leicester hosted scaled-back celebrations without fireworks after a safety review.
Cities across England marked the festival with community events.
THE ROYAL Family and UK prime minister Keir Starmer shared Diwali greetings on Monday, as the High Commission of India in London highlighted inclusiveness and sustainability as key messages of the Festival of Lights.
“Wishing a very happy Diwali to everyone celebrating the Festival of Lights in the UK and around the world,” reads a message from Buckingham Palace, shared across all its social media platforms.
Starmer also took to social media to wish “Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across Britain a joyful and peaceful Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas”. The prime minister, who attended the Gaza peace summit in Egypt during the Diwali festivities at 10 Downing Street last week, reflected on his visit to Mumbai earlier this month in his post.
“Earlier this month, I lit a diya in Mumbai as a symbol of devotion, joy, and renewed bonds. As we celebrate this Festival of Lights, let’s keep building a Britain where everyone can look ahead with hope,” he said.
Opposition Conservative Party Leader Kemi Badenoch described the festival as a “celebration of light over darkness, hope over despair, and the power of family, community and faith”.
“Wishing a very Happy Diwali to all those celebrating the festival of lights in the UK, India, and around the world. May this Diwali bring blessings, peace, and prosperity to everyone,” said Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary.
Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, in a video message, called Deepavali one of the central elements of India’s festive calendar.
“It is celebrated across all communities as an opportunity to bring together families and friends and celebrate the joys of the changing season, and the start of the cool season,” said Doraiswami.
“It is one of our most beloved festivals, not least because of the lights and traditional diyas that are lit up, but also for the opportunity to spend time with friends and family. Diwali these days is seen as an opportunity for an inclusive festival, a sustainable festival,” he said.
“Sustainability not just purely in the environmental sense with the use of renewables in our lights and displays, but also in terms of ensuring that you make it sustainable by bringing together all communities amongst whom you live,” he added.
“That is particularly applicable here in the United Kingdom as we celebrate the start of what is a longer festive season that continues right through to the end of the year,” he said.
Many of the annual Diwali festivities in the UK, including the Mayor of London’s Diwali on the Square, took place earlier this month.
In Leicester, known for its large-scale Diwali celebrations, this year’s event was scaled back with no fireworks display following a local council safety audit. The city’s Diwali Day celebrations were centred around a Wheel of Light — a 110-foot-high Ferris wheel on the Golden Mile at Belgrave Road — which was closed to traffic and lit up with thousands of colourful lights.
“We know that this year’s celebrations will feel different, but our priority must be the safety of the public,” said Councillor Vi Dempster, Leicester’s assistant city mayor for culture.
“We are absolutely determined that Diwali continues to be part of the city’s festive calendar. We will be working with partners and the local community to explore options for how the city builds on its proud tradition of bringing our communities together to celebrate the Festival of Light,” she said.
Meanwhile, Basingstoke and Reading in southern England hosted outdoor Diwali celebrations organised by Kala the Arts over the weekend, attracting hundreds of people.
The events featured theatrical processions with illuminated puppets, dhol music, classical dance performances, and lantern installations as part of the free-to-attend festival, now in its fifth year.
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