Everyday Sri Lankan restaurant Hotal Colombo will close at the end of June, marking the end of an eight-year chapter on Elgin Street.
Throughout June, Hotal Colombo will celebrate its final month with a series of special collaborations and a menu of the restaurant’s most beloved dishes over the last eight years. Guests are invited to return to Elgin Street one last time to share a hopper, raise a glass and celebrate the restaurant.
Since 2018, Hotal Colombo has been a nightly celebration of the island’s culture, generous hospitality and vivid culinary traditions. The restaurant became known for its hoppers, karis, kothus and the unmistakable warmth of Chef Gisela Alesbrook, affectionately known as “Gizzy”.
Chef Gizzy holds a special place in the Black Sheep story as one of the group’s very first team members, and over the past eight years, she has become the soul of Hotal Colombo, bringing her food, memories and spirit to the restaurant every day.
The idea for Hotal Colombo was solidified after an early team research trip to Sri Lanka, where Chef Gizzy guided the team through the food, markets and rhythm of her city. What stayed with the team was not only the flavour of the food, but the feeling of being welcomed, fed and cared for with complete generosity. From those memories, Hotal Colombo was born.
“Hotal Colombo has been one of the great joys of my life,” says Chef Gizzy. “For eight years, I have had the privilege of sharing the food I grew up with, the memories of my home and the warmth of Sri Lankan hospitality with Hong Kong.”
While Hotal Colombo will close its doors at the end of June, it will not be the end of Black Sheep’s Sri Lankan story. Chef Gizzy and her team will take on new roles within Black Sheep to be announced in the coming months.
HOTAL COLOMBO FAREWELL TOUR
Greatest Hits Farewell Menu – All Month Long
Chef Gizzy’s curated selection of guests’ favourite karis, kothus and Sri Lankan classics from the last eight years | More details here
“Gettin’ Gizzy With It” from Messina | from Monday 8 June
Kaffir lime leaf yoghurt gelato, available at Hotal Colombo and Messina Pottinger and Peak locations.
Crab Club with Chef Teya Mikhael of Maison Libanaise | Wednesday 10 June
Chef Gizzy and Chef Teya present a savoury feast of Hot Butter Crab with mussels, clams and Middle Eastern zest | $448 per guest | Book here.
Crab Club with Chef ArChan Chan of Peng Leng Jeng | Wednesday 17 June
Chef Gizzy and Chef ArChan present a fiery night of Sri Lankan-style Black Pepper Mud Crab and Steamed Alaskan King Crab, all served with dai pai dong heat | $488 per guest | Book here.
Chef Palash Mitra of New Punjab Club | Wednesday 24 June
Chef Palash Mitra takes over the Hotal Colombo kitchen for a MICHELIN-Starred tribute to Sri Lankan spice | $448 | Book here.
Visit here for all Black Sheep Happenings.
