326232 Fri Sep 15 15:53:05 -0700 2006 7 18 Manhattan 0 1878917 Hi again - Well we finally booked a table for 10 at Sigiri. I know there's a liquor store nearby that sells beer, but I was hoping for a bar or lounge where we could meet before dinner for a cocktail. Any suggestions? Also, some people in the group don't enjoy beer. Any suggestions on types of wine that would compliment Sri Lankan food? I'm in the dark on this one. Thanks. Fri Sep 15 15:53:05 -0700 2006 26975 spicehill 1 1879986 I usually find that a spicy Gewurztraminer goes well with Indian food. Might work well with Sri Lankan as well. Fri Sep 15 22:12:12 -0700 2006 1878917 13104 tamasha 2 1880308 Thank you Tamasha - appreciated. I'll give it a shot Sat Sep 16 00:57:26 -0700 2006 1879986 26975 spicehill 1 1880767 Depends on wha you are ordering - With stews I'd have arrack (Oops, :) ) Hard Lemonade/Vodka-spritzer With Appam and curries Beer or Light bubbly white wine. Some how, I've tried Shiraz,Chianti etc. with spicy south indian non-vegetarian and it kind of did not jell with me :( Sat Sep 16 12:41:52 -0700 2006 1878917 11694 anil 1 1881275 Thanks Anil - I'm going to attempt to pre-order a selection of foods so we don't have to deal with ordering as a group when we arrive. The person I spoke to on the phone seemed very accomodating with this, and I look forward to the whole experience. None of us have ever eaten Sri Lankan food before. If you have advice on what we should try I'd love to hear it. I guess I'll try to bring some kind of white wine as an alternative to beer. Maybe the Gewurztraminer Tamasha recommended - if I can find it. Sat Sep 16 19:28:41 -0700 2006 1878917 26975 spicehill 1 1881605 Do order Appams - These are thin crepe to eat with stews and curries. I also have one or two egg appams (I guess one comes with the order) have kotthu Roti and a fish curry. Sun Sep 17 00:00:32 -0700 2006 1878917 11694 anil 1 1883085 I had an amazing pumpkin dush when I ate at Sigiri Mon Sep 18 00:46:03 -0700 2006 1878917 12171 bolletje 1 2388782 kind of a late reply here.... i spent a couple months in sri lanka last year and what the locals normally drank with their meals was beer. the local brand is called Lion Beer--if anyone knows where i can get my hands on some in the city please do let me know! Lion is also a brewing partner of Carlsberg, which can also be found in Sri Lanka. if you want to go the liquor route, the local booze in sri lanka is Arrack, which is distilled from coconut sap. the flavor is a cross between rum and whiskey. of course generally only saw the locals drink it before or after their meals. again, if anyone can get ahold of sri lankan arrack some info would be greatly appreciated! by the way, i went to sigiri a couple months ago and thought it was really good! Thu Mar 15 10:59:57 -0700 2007 1878917 14598 waxyjax