After braving the wilds of Horton Plains, https://youtu.be/Nx3NgAVdVZw, we descended upon Haputale, hunger growling like a stampede of wildebeests in our bellies. My cousin Jabi, the self-proclaimed foodie guru, proclaimed that Olives restaurant was our oasis because, apparently, it had both heavenly food and a scenic view fit for the gods—probably even better than what Mount Olympus offers.
Perched majestically on the Colombo to Badulla road in Haputale, Olives sits atop a hill, flaunting one side of the road and, on the other, a panoramic feast of mountains and tea plantations. It's like Mother Nature decided to showcase her finest tapestry right outside the window.
Our order could have won an award for patience; it took its sweet time getting to our table. But when it finally arrived, oh boy, it was like a symphony of flavors playing a sweet melody on our taste buds. Mind you, the weather outside was throwing a cold, rainy tantrum, but the food came to the rescue, piping hot and delicious. The chicken noodles and Nasi Goreng did a victory dance on our palate.
The fish fry—imagine fish cubes partying in hot oil with garlic and chilies—created a sensation that made us forget our table manners. The Chicken Devil, on the other hand, sounded like something out of a spicy fairytale—fried chicken gallivanting with onions, capsicum, and some secret sauce. Sure, the chicken chunks were the size of mini-dinosaurs, but the taste was fire, a perfect balance of sweetness and spice.
The chicken noodles, a delicate tangle of thin noodles waltzing with carrots and leeks, became the star of the show, especially when they met the chili paste—a match made in culinary heaven. The Nasi Goreng and the white sauce pasta also knew how to play their part in this flavorful drama.
In the end, it was a feast fit for royalty—a symphony of tastes dancing in our mouths, accompanied by a breathtaking view and a climate that gave us chills in all the right ways. A meal so fantastic.......
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