As the Tricity's culinary calendar fills up with diverse pop-ups, each more tantalizing than the last, food lovers are in for yet another treat. After Vietnamese and Rajasthani flavours, it's now time to embark on a journey to the Island of Spices -- Sri Lanka.

Spice Route to Sri Lanka at JW Marriott Chandigarh brings the rich, bold and aromatic flavours of Sri Lankan cuisine right to your plate. Running from September 12 to September 21, the festival offers dinner service daily and special Sunday brunches on September 14 and 21.

At the heart of it is Chef Chaminda Silva, flying in from the Sheraton Kosgoda Turtle Beach Resort. The celebrated chef is no stranger to Indian palates. His 20th stint in India, Chef Silva brings a curated menu designed to introduce guests to the vibrancy of authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, spiced to perfection and served with warmth.

At the preview lunch, Chef Silva's confidence was evident -- and rightly so. His carefully crafted Sri Lankan thali, served traditionally on a banana leaf, was a hit from the first bite. The vegetarian platter includes Creamy Peas and Cashew Curry, Red Lentil Dal Curry, Fried Potato with Curry Leaves, Brinjal Moju along with rice.

But it's the sides that steal the show. The Sultana Pineapple Pickle offers a sweet contrast. The Peanut and Green Peas Baidun can give any chakhna run for its money.

For non-vegetarians, the menu delivers a symphony of flavours -- Mutton Curry,

Prawn Mustard Curry, Black Chicken Curry and Dry Fish along with veg servings. Each dish brings a taste of the coastal Sri Lanka, elevated with spices that feel familiar yet excitingly different.

The live counters offers Chicken and Egg Vegetable Kottu (chopped roti, vegetables, eggs, and spices, with a choice of meat like chicken, mutton or seafood). Their rotating menu is a blend of signature dishes from Chef Silva. Chicken and Soya Rice, Devel Pork, Chicken Kalu Pol Malu (a coconut-based dry preparation), Capsicum and Mushroom Tempert, Colombo Fish Masala, Sri Lankan Fried Shear and Dhal Wade along with soups and papads that are as big in Sri Lanka as in India. The brunches come packed with Egg Hoppers, Crab Curry and Lamprais - a flavour-packed banana leaf parcel of spiced rice and curries, baked to perfection.

Chef Silva serves Indian biryani with a bold and aromatic Sri Lankan twist. While this Sri Lankan spread is sure rich for meat eaters, vegetarian too get ample to choose from too.

Spice Route to Sri Lanka is on at The Café@JW, JW Marriott Chandigarh, till

September 21, dinner daily, and Sunday brunches on September 14 and 21.