READING'S only Sri Lankan restaurant has opened in the town and it's arrived with a bang.

The street food phenomenon is growing in popularity, providing that quick and tasty food fix for people who lead busy lifestyles.

The Coconut Tree in Reading has my heart after I was fortunate enough to visit on Thursday, September 2 and get a taste of Sri Lankan cuisine.

A short-lived walk away from the Riverside and you'll find yourself at the swanky premises, located in King's Road opposite Abbey Gardens. It feels like a place where colleagues congregate after work and catch up on office dramas whilst sipping on a Pina Colada out of a pineapple.

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There's a fun, lively buzz about the place- one of a small out-of-London chain centred on Bristol and Cheltenham- where you see straight into the kitchen as the expert chefs cook up delicious dishes filling the room with smells that draw in passers-by into the busy restaurant.

It's got that open, welcoming feel with comfy cushions on small wooden benches - no faff, just easy and relaxed dining aimed at attracting students and younger diners.

Equally, the bar area illuminated with its bright red neon sign gives it that modern, hip touch where the staff showcase their cocktails in fancy Tiki style cups.

Reading Chronicle:

I started with the Sriki-Tiki cocktail which has golden and coconut rum, pineapple, guava, lime and raspberry whilst my partner opted The Drunken Sri Lankan cocktail which came in an adorable elephant glass. (Of course, I had to take a picture...)

Then the waitress turned up with our drinks and I was quite literally blown away. Having your drink being served on fire just makes the experience more memorable.

Food is ordered tapas-style in small dishes, although be prepared as the portions are generous. Dishes cost anywhere between £4 and £7 and a meal can be as cheap or expensive as you like.

Reading Chronicle:

You could easily fill yourself on the egg hopper, which is a bowl-shaped coconut milk pancake served with coconut sambol, seeni sambol (caramelised onions) and lunu miris (Sri Lankan salsa). This is priced at £3.50.

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The great thing is the variety of dishes you can choose from, catering to meat lovers and the vegans out there. The pumpkin cooked in coconut cream curry was equally delightful as the devilled chicken wings.

Reading Chronicle:

What makes the restaurant even quirkier is their 'cant decide?' menu. If you're indecisive, then one of the waiters will choose their favourite dishes along with a hopper as a set menu for £20 per person, and if you didn't like one of the meals they will replace it with a different one on the house!

To save yourself even more pennies, you can bring your friends between Monday and Wednesday and enjoy 50 per cent discount on all eat-in food. I can't account for whether the restaurant was busy or not on those days but if it was anything like Thursday, then it's a great opportunity for the business to thrive after lockdown.

The best dishes were the Jaffna goat curry – a rich, flavoursome and modestly spiced stew of slow-cooked goat (the chef’s dad’s recipe, apparently); devilled chicken wings–fried in a spicy, sticky sauce mixed with peppers; and the delicious chicken and cheese Kotthu- luxury street food made up of chopped rotti cooked with egg, vegetables, cheese and meat.

The Coconut Tree really is a place like no other with its fun atmosphere and friendly team to guide you throughout.

Visit: https://www.thecoconut-tree.com/ to book your table