- An afternoon at Gatz, Cinnamon Life
There are few places in Colombo that can offer a dining experience quite as elevated – literally and figuratively – as Gatz at Cinnamon Life. Perched 24 storeys up on a floating cantilever at the City of Dreams, this champagne and cocktail bar is known for its dramatic 270-degree views of the city and ocean. On a clear afternoon, it’s nothing short of spectacular.
The Sunday Morning Brunch visited Gatz for its recently introduced ‘Afternoon High Tea’ experience, which strikes a careful balance between style and substance. Gatz, with its vintage Ceylon-meets-contemporary-cosmopolitan aesthetic, makes for an inviting space. The views reign supreme, offering a unique view of the city, especially when looking north.
The ‘Afternoon High Tea’ offering at Gatz, which launched last week, is presented as a thoughtfully designed two-person stand with both savoury and sweet bites, accompanied by a selection of tea or coffee. The stand arrives looking like a miniature architectural sculpture of Cinnamon Life itself and is carefully stacked to be visually balanced for pretty picture taking.
Among the cold savouries, the tuna tataki with avocado on grain toast stood out for its light freshness – clean flavours that set the tone for the rest of the experience. The mackerel rillettes sandwich on charcoal bread was decadent but unexpectedly heavy; it leaned more towards a posh fish sandwich than a canapé, but was tasty nevertheless and had its charm for those who enjoy bold, fish-forward flavours. The prosciutto with truffle mushroom duxelle on a baguette brought together rich umami notes.
The warm savoury selection included a chicken pie (nicely executed and full of chicken mince) and a vegetable spring roll filled with vermicelli noodles and savoury Asian-style seasoning that made for a lovely umami bite. This was our favourite from the savouries.
The mini beef slider was also surprisingly good. While there was nothing particularly inventive in terms of ingredients (a beef patty, caramelised onions, and cheese), it was well executed and satisfying – proof that classics, when done right, still shine.
The highlight of any afternoon tea is the sweets. The dark chocolate tart was a rich, velvety offering that chocolate lovers will adore, though it could feel a bit much for those seeking something lighter. The berry velvet cake had an interesting fruit-filled interior that added freshness and texture. Our favourite was the strawberry tart: crisp, buttery shortbread crust topped with just the right amount of fruit and cream – simple, balanced, and perfect.
A yuzu macaron added a touch of citrusy sophistication to the spread, and while the caramel choux wasn’t a favourite of ours, it was well constructed and technically sound. No high tea is complete without scones, and Gatz’s plain and raisin versions – served with cream Chantilly and fruit preserve – did not disappoint.
Service was attentive but discreet, adding to the calm elegance of the afternoon. Overall, the ‘Afternoon High Tea’ at Gatz is a lovely way to spend a few indulgent hours with good food, good company, and truly stunning surroundings.