A new Sri Lankan wine and dine restaurant, Chef Lanka, is now open in Tamavua, owned by Awadai Veeriah Gnanarajah.
It was an investment of about $200,000.
The almost 300 square metre diner can cater up to 130 people.
Chefs are from Sri Lanka, India and Europe with Sri Lankan and Indian cuisine, European menu will include pizza and grill, sandwiches, burgers and salads and the collection of wine -red, white, rose and sparkling.
This is Mr Gnanarajah’s fourth restaurant in Suva in a span of five years.
His first restaurant was set up at the Fiji National Provident Fund Plaza, followed by Chaplanka at Suva Central, and a Sri Lankan Coffee shop and Food Court at MHCC.
He is also the owner and managing director of Tau Sports.
For him the desire to begin a chain of restaurants was basically because he had missed the authentic taste of Sri Lankan food.
Mr Gnanarajah has been in Fiji for the past 22 years and has now become a Fijian citizen.
He never regretted his decision to come and work in Fiji as a production manager of Lautoka Kalacraft.
“We also opened another restaurant Europe Pizza at Suva Central but due to the pandemic we had to close. However, the same operation has now been extended on a bigger scale at Chef Lanka wine and dine in Tamavua.
“This is our first wine and dine that will provide employment to 25 people.
Mr Gnanarajah said there were plans to also branch out to Sigatoka and Labasa.
Meanwhile, Fiji Sevens player Meli Derenalagi was the chief guest at the opening on Friday night.
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