Opal Restaurant

We found Opal Restaurant on our first day in Negombo Lagoon.  We've eaten there several times, and brought home take-out a few times too. Why do we like it so much?

The Opal Restaurant only has one table, and very modest decor. But each day, there are several dishes to choose from.  Some are too spicy for me, but they're all delicious, and really well priced. Two big and filling meals cost about 360 Rupees, about $3.00 Canadian. Amazing!

There's usually a fish curry. But Toby really wanted some crab or shrimp curry.  So one day he asked the owner/operator, Tissa, if he'd make some. And let us help/watch.  Tissa agreed!  It was really interesting to watch how Tissa  prepared our food.  With pride and efficiency.  And some compassion.  He only put half a mountain of chiles in our dishes.  So I could actually eat them.  He might have noticed how much water I drink and how my nose runs when I eat his food...

Pictures
1&2 - Tissa's modest kitchen, and the ingredients he had pre-cleaned and chopped for us.
3- His stove only had 2 burners and he cooks in well used clay and steel pots.  But he prepares about 8 dishes fresh every day. 
4- I was amazed at how much spice Tissa put in his dishes.  The yellow/orange is turmeric!
5-Tissa is from Sri Lanka.  He lived in London and California.  But chose to return to Sri Lanka because it offered him the quality of life he wanted.
6- Tissa's regular serving area.  There's no menu.  You can look in the pots to see what's available .
7- Toby is ready to eat!!!
8- The restaurant entrance.  I love the bilingual signs and fresh air hand washing station.

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