Coco Veranda, the pioneering café which is famous for its coffee, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. Founded by Sarath Sathimoorthy, it has proved a popular fixture in Ward Place, with many patrons visiting the place for close upon a decade to enjoy its ambiance, friendly service and unique, high quality menu. Indeed, it has become so popular that it has since opened a branch in Nawala.
While it serves a variety of food and beverages, Coco Veranda is arguably best known for its coffee, which is made from exclusive Filicori coffee beans sourced directly from Italy. Having a cup of the brew has become part of the daily routine of many customers who pop in at the end of a brisk walk or jog. Indeed, coming to the café has even become a reason to exercise for some residents, so Coco Veranda can legitimately claim that it has played a part in improving the health of its customers!
The coffee served here has a rich, creamy taste and is best appreciated without sugar. The smooth, distinctive flavor leaves you in no doubt that you are tasting a premium coffee. For aficionados who wish to make their own coffee at home, Italian coffee beans can also be purchased.
Coco Veranda does far more than simply sell coffee, however. The café also offers casual dining, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of the year, apart from May 1st where employees enjoy a staff holiday. A wide range of food is offered, including sandwiches, burgers, New York hotdogs, and fish and chips.
The focus of the menu is French and Italian cuisine. Spaghetti Bolognese and Lasagna have proven extremely popular with customers. A specialty is the mutton stir fry, which is a French dish that is made with a secret sauce. In fact, Coco Veranda make all their sauces to their own recipe, ensuring that quality levels remain exemplary.
For those with a sweet tooth, Coco Veranda offers a range of mouthwatering desserts. This includes a variety of cheesecakes and date and carrot cakes that have been made to a special recipe. Chocoholics can indulge themselves in exclusive ‘Dead by chocolate’ products. Coco Veranda also boasts an impressive juice menu that includes mojitos, fruit juices, smoothies and milkshakes.
Given the impressive range of food and beverages on offer, it is not surprising that Coco Veranda caters to people from all walks of life. Many businessmen find the café a convenient spot to combine a meal with an impromptu meeting. The café actively encourages students to visit, offering free Wi-Fi so that customers can engage in their studies or office work while enjoying the meal.
Like many businesses, Coco Veranda has been impacted by the recent Covid-19 epidemic. On the plus side, it has encouraged the management to begin offering a door to door delivery service, allowing anyone in Colombo to enjoy the products of Coco Veranda in the comfort of their own home.
As restrictions are slowly lifted, Coco Veranda has returned to normal operation. Having taken all safety precautions, it continues to serve its loyal customers with its unique take on gastronomy and, of course, coffee.
By Suresh Ginige
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