Three Elephants & Co serves up Sri Lankan cuisine with a modern twist
A new St Kilda restaurant serving up traditional Sri Lankan cuisine with a twist is proving so popular with diners that some are coming back twice a week for a hearty helping.
Inner South
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A Sri Lankan restaurant in St Kilda is leaving people with a taste for more.
Several diners have just kept on returning to get their fill of Three Elephants & Co’s fragrant cuisine since it opened on Fitzroy St about two weeks ago.
Owner and head chef Laki Wijethilake says he has been blown away by the support from loyal locals.
“They’ve been amazing — we’ve had people come back three times in two weeks,” Wijethilake said.
“We had a family in the other night who made a booking to come back in two nights’ time.
“That’s great considering it’s the middle of winter and less people are going out.”
Wijethilake said Three Elephants & Co focused on authentic Sri Lankan fare — but with a modern twist on presentation.
Seasonal produce is carefully selected for the dishes, including potato lamb tacos, negombo fish curry and chicken kotthu.
“I try to give people a taste of traditional Sri Lankan cuisine but I’ll sometimes put a modern spin on it with some different herbs,” he said.
Wijethilake moved to Australia nine years ago and spent the past six years in rural Victoria as head chef of the Birchip Hotel.
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He said he forged a strong bond with many of the area’s farmers in the area. He continues to use their products at his St Kilda restaurant.
“They produce a lot of lamb in Birchip and I get my chickpeas and lentils from Mallee too,” he said.
“I like to support the farmers there.”
Wijethilake said the lamb curry pot was a favourite among diners, which comes served with creamy potato and a mint salad.
He said Three Elephants & Co marked the beginning of a new chapter for him and “hopefully Fitzroy St too”.
“It has been tough here for a long time but things seem to be getting better,” he said.
“It’s a tough street but as long as we serve great food, and people know about it, they will come.”
Three Elephants & Co, 97 Fitzroy St, St Kilda.
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