Cinnamon Grand’s Echo to be touched by traditional Italian flair

Friday, 26 April 2013 04:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Cinnamon Grand’s signature Italian restaurant Echo welcomes new Chef Dell Ascenza Riccardo all the way from the Italian capital Rome. Echo, the preferred dining destination of Colombo’s Italian food lovers and famed for its top notch cuisine made with the freshest of ingredients, continues to provide its promise of absolute authenticity.

Armed with over 30 years of experience, Chef Ricardo has previously worked in a variety of locales, including Italy, Russia, England, Egypt, Germany, Ukraine and Australia, to name a few, attached to the mar-theme, Movenpick and Jarvis Hotel chains as well many authentic Italian restaurants in Sicily and Rome. However, this is his first time in Asia.

Having desired a motorcycle as a kid and being informed by his father that he’d have to figure a way to purchase it off his own accord, Chef Riccardo started off as a dishwasher at a restaurant, at the age of 11.

There he grew fond of and familiar with the work in the kitchen, learning through observation. At the age of 12, he embraced a culinary role in the kitchen and hasn’t looked back since. Driven by his passion for cooking and his love of travelling and discovering new cultures, Chef Riccardo is certain that his life’s choice in becoming a Chef is the correct one.

With a typically Italian flair to his personality, he vows to introduce truly traditional tastes to the Echo menu, while profoundly promising to put his heart and soul into the creations that come out of the Echo kitchen.

In fact, ‘passion’ he says, is a vital ingredient for Italian cuisine. Of course, he admits to also needing his basil, rosemary and thyme to make a successful dish. With his ardent passion in the kitchen and Echo’s selection of authentic Italian herbs, spices and truffle products, he is excited about imparting the art of Italian gastronomic culture to Sri Lankans.

Commenting on the Cinnamon Grand, he said that he is extremely excited to be attached to Colombo’s grandest hotel. He commended a sense of ‘family’ and ‘friendliness’ he has noticed at the hotel, suggesting it to be one of the main factors for the hotel’s success.

Nothing says ‘Italian’ like authentic dishes prepared lovingly by an accomplished Italian Chef, qualitative ingredients to add flavour, a choice selection from the cellar and cheeses to supplement the meal with an elegant dining ambience for sitting, eating and enjoying.

So drop by Echo and meet Chef Riccardo as he creams his soups, bakes his bread, tosses his salads, tops his pizza’s and masters his mains with true Italian gusto. Echo offers a luscious spread of the most authentic of Italian food, made from the heart, with soups, starters, mains and desserts that will make any day truly special.

Echo opens its doors to Colombo’s busy businessman, or woman, with its antipasti lunch menu, on offer for lunch, Monday to Friday. For reservations, call 0112 497 485.