Most of the greatest cuisines of the world can be traced back to a grandmother’s kitchen and recipes that have been passed on through the generations. In fact foodies around the world have often found their love for all things gastronomic stem from dishes that are prepared to perfection at home kitchens with that secret ingredient of “love”. Amrita de Saram will testify to both of the above.
Amrita grew up, surrounded by lots of love and tons of good food. Her grandmother Aida Suby hailing from Beirut, Lebanon, arrived in Sri Lanka in 1946 as a young bride, bringing with her authentic Middle Eastern recipes. As the story goes, Aida immersed herself in preparing her exotic dishes for friends and family. With authenticity and taste at the helm of her wares, Aida soon became a household name in Colombo. As her popularity increased she would soon be dubbed “Mama Aida”.
In 1998 Aida’s daughter Najah decided that it was time to pay tribute to her mother’s culinary prowess and Mama Aida’s Restaurant and Catering became the pioneers of Arabic food in Sri Lanka. Simultaneously, they also began manufacturing Aida’s signature pita bread which has made its way to kitchens across Sri Lanka.
Growing up in such a setting Aida’s granddaughter Amrita often toyed with the idea of getting in to the restaurant business. “I was always open to what inspired me. And growing up around my grandmother was amazing. She has played such an integral part in my life. In our family we call her mother love. I am so blessed to have such a strong woman as a role model. Her cooking together with my mom’s raised me to be who I am today”.
“August” is not just Amrita’s tribute to her grandmother’s heritage but also a representation of her own culinary journey. She tells me that the name stemmed from her birthday being in the month of August and she added on “by Mama Aida” to create the connection. The menu at August was created by Amrita and inspired by Lebanese cuisine. “One of my fondest childhood memories involving my grandmother is how she would have 10-15 of us kids in a circle around her while she fed us our meals. It would drive us all crazy waiting for our next mouthful! She taught us that food is more than just taste and texture. It’s an experience which I strive to bring to August.”
Nestled beside the Shirohana outlet on the corner where Horton Place meets Tickell Road, “August” is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 7pm onwards. With a seating capacity of 40-45 it is best that you make reservations as Amrita’s little restaurant is quite the talk of the town and often finds itself overbooked especially on weekends. Most often you will find Amrita herself heavily involved in the operations of the restaurant. “When we started off I used to basically do everything on my own but now I’ve trained the guys to take care of certain aspects of the business. This allows me to engage more freely with guests. I feel proud to be able to carry on a family legacy but I also have my own unique style and flair that I want my restaurant to portray.”
“August” serves truly authentic Middle-Eastern cuisine and the response from Colombo has been phenomenal. “Most of our guests are repeat customers and they often bring someone new along every time and I am so grateful for their loyalty and support. I want to be able to connect with everyone who walks in through our gate”, Amrita says.
“I love everything that I have put together on the menu and it is a reflection of me. All our dishes are made from scratch with premium produce and are wholesome. The variety of dishes and diversity of ingredients caters to all tastes and preferences. If I had to choose a couple of favourites it would be my grandmother’s rice dishes such as sayyadiyeh and Lebanese rice which evoke childhood memories”, she adds before suggesting what we should try from the menu.
When it comes to Lebanese cuisine “hummus” and “falalfel” are must-haves and Amrita has the most authentic Tahini in town to serve them with. One of our favourites was the slow cooked lamb served with pomegranate molasses that is just melt-in-your-mouth divine. The “harissa honeyed chicken wings” is another winner which is tossed in a chilli and honey sauce. The sauce is “hot” to say the very least so we recommend tiny bites of the chicken with lots of pita bread. To cut down the burning in your tongue and throat try their mint tea which is both fragrant and delightfully tasty. For dessert you have the option of picking traditional sweets like “mamoul” (butter shortcakes stuffed with dates) or “baklawa” (pistachio and cashew nut stuffed filo pastry fingers served in sugar syrup). These are ideal for those who prefer less sugary treats but if you are a true sweet tooth then we recommend (highly), the “August Mess”. In presentation the dish does indeed look a gooey mess of strawberries, meringue and cream but every bite is a little bit of heaven, especially with the crunchy bits of pistachio’s on top.
With staff who love the food they serve as much as the guests do, a menu that is simple but satisfying and a place that just helps you unwind and relax, Amrita has got many things going right for her where “August” is concerned. But I am tempted to ask her how she manages it all. “It was hard at first as I started out on this journey but I think I have a great balance now. Work hard and play hard is my motto. The key I believe is to stay true to yourself and what matters to you the most.”
With hopes to grow “August” into a brand that is recognized for quality, taste and a true reflection of what I stand for, Amrita also hopes that her restaurant will come to be known for her grandmother’s legacy of family, food and love.
Information
Full Name: Amrita De Saram
DOB: 10/08/1982
Alma Mater: Ladies College
Role-Model: Many in my life
Philosophy in Life: The better you become the better you attract
Favourites
5 Essentials in Your Handbag: Lip balm, money, phone, keys, pen
4 Favourite Travel Destinations: Mirissa, Haputale, London, Bali
3 Favourite Brands: Too many to mention
2 Favourite Foods: Cheese and Chocolate
Favourite Person: My sister
By Nishu Hassim
Photo Credit: Sanura Gunawardana