As I entered the restaurant, I noticed the large display on a side wall that showcased glass jars containing Sri Lankan spices, a very creative culinary expression. As I took my seat I was exposed to the serene view of the ocean just a few metres away. The ambience of the venue was perfect for a Sunday afternoon with the sunlight gently invading the restaurant. The buffet is actually a culinary voyage; I say this because of the amazing variety of cuisine and the magnificent presentation. It was immediately evident that the Kingsbury Chefs headed by Kithsiri de Silva were very passionate about their food. The salads 
were fresh and pleasing to the eye. I tasted the Tom Kha Talay seafood soup which was the right consistency and blend of spices. This buffet had the best vegetable terrine, presented in such exquisite fashion that it almost looked like glass, and melted in your mouth. It isn’t often that one encounters a vegetable terrine in Colombo. It was somewhat fun eating the oysters and caviar- something not very familiar to a local palette. The caviar was rich in taste. The fresh fruit juices were very refreshing; the only mild lapse was that the papaya juice was too thick.
I moved onto the cheese and bread section. This is one of the few places where the cheese is presented in its complete wheel, and placed on wooden boards capturing that essence of dairy nostalgia. The olives and pecan nuts were also a good accompaniment. The buffet has loads of seafood and meats in various forms of preparation. The smoked salmon wrap in hibachchi sauce was nicely done. A separate stand with an assortment of gourmet sausages fried and grilled to your desire is a jolly side dish to your lunch. The Indian section under Chef Sanjay Prasad was a lovely food station. Another unique feature was the marinated fish gently rotating above a tandoor oven, and served hot.
The Sri Lankan food was well balanced with a separate corner for relishes, chutneys and sambols- again this is not found often in Colombo and is very popular with Sri Lankans domiciled overseas and returning on holiday. Even at the dessert section there was a delightful array of local sweetmeats, including a very cute miniature halape wrapped in kande kole!
The main course or hot dishes were succulent, again offering the right kind of texture and taste. The pork curry and grilled pork with caramelized pineapple really redefined pork. The Kingsbury buffet is totally capable of captivating anyone with the variety. The desserts were done with immaculate precision, and good visual appeal. The kids were seen busy holding their marshmallows at the chocolate fountain. The buffet at the Harbour Court is a lovely eating experience for the family.
- Dishan Joseph