Here’s a small tidbit of historical significance: the Galle Face Hotel (GFH) is the first hotel in the country to be featured on a postage stamp. That admission touches just the cusp of the celebrity status of GFH. It has been visited by a potpourri of celebrities, royalty, and a great many VVIPs ranging from Carrie Fisher and Roger Moore; to Prince Sadruddhin Aga Khan, Princess Alexandra of Denmark, and Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh; to the Gandhis. This list does grow longer as the years progress. While a great many historical figures have indeed enjoyed the hospitality that GFH offers, there is no dilution in the sense of warmth and occasion that the property offers all its guests.
But, in my opinion, the real star of this inimitable location is 1864: the fine dining restaurant of Galle Face Hotel. The restaurant has gained rave reviews on TripAdvisor as well as many other lifestyle and review websites like Zomato for its high quality food and service. The Wine Cellar in this haven of sorts also offers an array of some of the world’s finest wines from the best vineyards to you at any time – it is located down a spiral staircase, opening up to a private area that can be used for small soirees.
I’ve dined here quite a few times, and I do have to state that the service and the ambience is something that is ethereal almost. There is a sense of sureness when it comes to the service that is offered where you really do feel you are special to say the least. The menu, which is inimitable to say the least, is curated to a point where you know you are going to indulge in something that is very much a heady affair. Moreover, it must be said that 1864 does curated dinners for special functions whether it be a birthday or anniversary or entertaining VIP guests.
The Crème Brûlée of Goose Foie Gras complemented with an Apple Celery Salad is everything what your taste buds would dream it to be. Another admission is that this is a fine dining establishment and hence the pricing is quite steep, yet this is something that is fully justified when it comes to the finery and quality that is given to you. At this point, once you have indulged in something as delicious as foie gras, which is a rarity locally, you will scan through the finely-printed pages to choose your main course. And what a choice you have.
Australian Black Angus Steak is heavily mentioned while Yellow Fin Tuna Steak is also included. There are plenty of sauces to choose from; the namesake 1864 Signature Butter is something that is special and is a great accompaniment when it comes to the great range of steaks residing with delicious promises on the menu pages. One recommendation though: Go for the Rib Eye Steak and the Lime Long Pepper Beurre Blanc sauce; I assure you that you will not regret it. There are plenty of sides that can accompany these steaks, I for one, prefer to indulge in something as special as Sautéed Forest Mushrooms, which promises a party of Oyster and Abalone mushrooms adroitly veiled with a hint of Thyme.
A fitting end to a fine dining experience surely is dessert, and there is a great spread to choose from. One of my personal favourites happens to be the Chocolate Marquise, which is a chocoholic’s paradise on a plate. So what exactly is it? What you are assured of is: Triple Chocolate Mousse, Poached Orange Compote, Caramelized Hazelnuts, and Artisan Butterscotch Ice Cream. Of course, I can go on and on, but instead, I encourage you to send your palette on a vacation to something akin to paradise by indulging in the star-class offerings of 1864.
Besides the excellent dining options on the property, the hotel offers so much more. I do encourage you to do visit GFH and settle into one of the chairs at the checkerboard, which can be found next to the excellent Seaspray Restaurant. In the late afternoons, you will witness a fiery sunset resplendent with oranges, reds and violets, which surely is a magical experience. In the mornings, though, one can enjoy a mellow comforting sunrise that promises a day filled with nostalgia in a hotel, which will offer you luxurious memories fit for a lifetime.
For more information on GFH, please visit: www.gallefacehotel.com
Text: Rohitha Perera
Images: Sampath Munaweera