Sigiri: Fresh, Fiery Sri Lankan in the East Village

Published on Monday, August 14, 2006, by C. Thi Nguyen / Edit Post

Sigiri showcases the robust spicing and surprising flavors of Sri Lanka in specialties like devilled kingfish, which is cooked on the grill, then tossed in a fiery-sweet sauce of chile, onion, and tomato. Devilled dishes (which are also made with beef, pork, or chicken) go nicely with milder yet flavorful aapa, or hoppers–steamed rice pancakes served with coconut or onion sambol, suggests bennyt.

Manhattan’s only Sri Lankan restaurant, open since late last year, also wins praise for its chicken curry and chicken lamprais (chicken, fish, egg, rice, and plantain baked in a banana leaf), among other things. Also on the menu: fried rice and biryani; fish-potato cutlets, lentil patties, and other appetizers; Sri Lankan curries of beef, pork, or seafood; and special stews such as Ruhuna-style beef and Colombo-style pork.

Over all it’s fantastic and unique, declares heavymeta, who recommends finishing with kiri-peni (yogurt with palm treacle). Another recommended dessert: watalappam, a flanlike pudding flavored with coconut, cashew, cinnamon, and cardamom.

Sigiri is BYOB; you can find a decent selection of beer at a nearby grocery.

Sigiri [East Village]
91 1st Ave., between E. 5th and 6th Sts., Manhattan
212-614-9333
Locater

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great find–sigiri on 1st b/t 5th and 6th

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  • The wait is almost over, on August 23rd 2008 the third annual Sri Lanka Day Expo will bring to you the tastiest Sri Lankan cuisine at the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica from 10 AM to 10 PM.

    Annually, Sri Lanka Foundation throws the biggest event on the 3rd Street Promenade and this year will be no exception with more than a dozen food vendors serving delicious Sri Lankan cuisine and two...+READ

    The wait is almost over, on August 23rd 2008 the third annual Sri Lanka Day Expo will bring to you the tastiest Sri Lankan cuisine at the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica from 10 AM to 10 PM.

    Annually, Sri Lanka Foundation throws the biggest event on the 3rd Street Promenade and this year will be no exception with more than a dozen food vendors serving delicious Sri Lankan cuisine and two stages packed with non-stop entertainment.

    The first year at Sri Lanka Day, the food was sold out by 1 PM and in the years following the demand was well met, but come early to avoid disappointment!

    You will see the most exciting live cooking you have seen, with;

    * Hoppers-crispy pancake type item made with many a twirl. The edges are crispy and the middle is soft. Usually eaten with meat or veg curry.

    *Rice and curry-made Sri Lankan style.

    * Kottu Roti-similar to a mongolian barbecue-made with eggs, meat and vegetables-a treat to watch the cooking and taste good!

    *String hoppers-soft stringy type item accompanied by curry-delicious!

    *Pol rotti-bread made of flour and coconut-served with spicy onions or curry-yummy!!

    *Sri Lankan savory short eats-that’s the name for Sri Lankan snacks similar to Tapas and Empanadas-once you start with these you can't stop!

    *Sri Lankan Sweets-Colorful and sweet-love at first bite!

    A stage on Wilshire/3rd Street corner will host Sri Lankan and American musicians and the stage on Broadway/3rd Street corner will be hosting the Miss Sri Lanka-America and the Miss Teen Sri Lanka America beauty pageants and teen performers.-COLLAPSE