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Coffee brewed with KC’s touch
By Natasha Fernandopulle
"How sweet coffee tastes! Lovelier than a thousand kisses, sweeter than Muscatel wine!"-Johann Sebastian Bach (Coffee Cantata). Coffee certainly is one of the most popular beverages around. It can help you relax, make you stay awake, aid you when you need some creative inspiration, not to mention being one fantastic option to accompany you when hanging out with friends.
With all these ideas in mind, Cami and Karen De Almeida have launched ‘Cafe KC’s’, a coffee shop, on High Level Road in Nugegoda, just outside the buzz of the main town area.

The atmosphere is certainly unique. One walks in to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. The décor is black and white and has a retro feel to it. The 3D wall hangings also contribute to this atmosphere. Even the menu card, is one of a kind.

A framed picture of the Beatles hangs behind the main counter. Asked why he chose a picture of this legendary band, Cami smiles. The concept of “chilling out”, came about in the mid 60’s, and the poster symbolises this, he says.
Opening a coffee shop had been a dream of theirs for 11 to 14 years. It was a certainly a challenge to make it a reality, he added.

The name KC’s came out of their two names Cami and Karen. They wanted a name to reflect their friendly personalities. And to make sure that those visiting the place would be able to be themselves and just enjoy it.

It was Karen who insisted on having the coffee shop in Nugegoda and not in Colombo. Why Nugegoda? According to Cami, it is one of the fastest growing towns in Colombo, with two international schools, leading banks and other restaurants around the main town itself… so why not a coffee shop!
He also feels that he should invest into the community and help make Nugegoda develop that much more.

“Everything is owned and operated from here,” said Cami in response to whether they get any help from outside. They also make all their own food from the sandwiches to the pastas and the cakes. The home made flavour certainly enhances the visitor’s experience at Café KC’s. Karen does the baking and it is not a problem for her, because she loves baking. They currently have four staff working full time.

Why a coffee house and not a tea house, I ask, considering Sri Lanka is famous for its tea. “I love coffee,” Cami replies. He adds that there is a growing demand for espresso coffee at present. They use two types of coffee bean at KC’s- ‘Gaggai’ and ‘Lazvaza’, because they have a better flavour.

The music at the café is also another detail which has been looked into. Cami has a love for music and he wants to add that Spanish sort of ambience to the café, while maintaining its essentially Sri Lankan friendly, homely service. I notice Gloria Estefan songs being played, which did enhance the ‘Latino-Salsa-Spanish’, sort of atmosphere. Come December, they hope to have a few live bands playing at the coffee shop.

Located at No. 215, High Level Road, Nugegoda, Café KC’s is open from Monday to Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and from Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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