Café Alfresco wishes an Ufaaveri Minivan dhuvas to our customers, President Nasheed and our beloved country. The day started early morning with the special flag-raising ceremony held at Jumuhooree Maidhan in celebration of our 45th independence day.

President Nasheed opened the speech addressed to our Nation by declaring that the responsibility given by the public to strengthen democracy and to build a solid foundation for good governance would be fulfilled.

He stated that the government would remain steadfast in freeing our country from the bondage of corruption for our future and the generations yet to come. That it was a national duty to free the public from the suspicions of bribery and corruption in our system.

He noted that the presidential change in 2008, did not completely end the power of those connected to the previous regime and discussed the reasons for our current political impasse.

The influence of the officials from the previous regime, and public’s restrain against them was highlighted. This power struggle was said to have lead to disruption of the constitutional framework along with the provision of basic services to the people.

This government will not accept to be run by the force of “bidi and badi,” If the political parties want to maintain the current presidential system, it must be an effective system. Guns and shackles are not the answer he said.

In order to find a long term solution for our current political deadlock there were necessary amendments to make to some of the articles in our constitution, and without hesitation was ready to give way for any elections required to bring about these changes.

President Nasheed stated that the government’s power that we believe in was in serving the people.

The speech also discussed the government’s aim to increase people’s ownership of land in the country. He said to be able to say we are Maldivians and own part of this country’s land no matter how small will reinforce each individual’s citizenship of this Nation.

He concluded the speech by noting that the big picture of a developed Maldives is now coming to light as it proceeds into becoming a reality.

Alfresco SMS & WIN promotion’s lucky draw will be aired on TVM this Friday (30th of July 2010) at 1:30pm, so turn on your TV and see if you are one of the lucky winners to win these fabulous prizes!

-thank you-

You know how sometimes you end up feeling like just another customer who comes up to a queue to be given a pre-made heated up something? Today was definitely NOT that day! Today I felt like I was on a special date and my special someone spend a whole lot of time making me this melting chicken sub. I could almost hear the humming in the kitchen to the sound of veggies being chopped to go with the perfectly grilled chicken pieces.

It felt almost rude to eat this like a fast food sandwich, I wanted to put in on a nice plate, cut them into little pieces and savor the bites. Stopping for a bit, I reset myself with a sip of coke, wanting to start all over again the deliciousness that was this sandwich.

Cucumber slices still crunchy, the surprising little piece of pickle, that I had missed finding in all the recent submarines, and everything so fresh and hot keeping the cheese, sauce and the chicken together enveloped in the light bun.

I’m thinking of ordering in the sub, pouring some coke into a fancy glass and inviting a friend over, maybe start a new tradition of an ‘eat in’ night. Truly this was much lighter and healthier than the many subs that I had tried. I am looking forward to going through Alfresco’s menu to see what other dishes that I could add on to my menu.

Next time you’re at Alfresco shell out just 35 rufiyaa and enjoy the sub with a coke. Eat while the dish is hot and the drink is cold, and you will taste what I am talking about.

-Anyu-

Recent headlines seem to overshadow one after the other. Last Tuesday, the mass resignation of all the ministers left everyone stunned, prompting an ongoing investigation that lead to this unusual situation.

Ministers reported that they were unable to work with the parliament blocking their steps and that this power struggle to control the government is denying the public of their rightful services.

While the opposition parties accused the President of trying to undermine the parliament, the cabinet declared their resignation due to “scorched earth policy” conducted by the parliament.

Opposition MP’s effort to get the parliament to veto government plans which included the recent privatization of the airport and loan law changes, has become a much talked about issue.

The resignation of the ministers was a brave stand. We applaud the cabinet for refusing to sit back while the public suffer.

Hoping to see justice for Aneh Dhivehi Raajjeh, we, the Alfresco club, stand by our president Mohamed Nasheed and trust that his decisions are in the best interest of our country.

A chance to win a COFFEE MACHINE, PUMA KIT or FLAT TV simply by sending an SMS! Every 25th customer sending an SMS will get a FREE COFFEE.
To participate SMS the keyword of the desired prize and send to 501.

Sponsor                                   Item                        keyword
Euro marketing                          Coffee machine        (CM)
Puma                                         Puma Kit                  (PM)
Neutronics                                 Flat TV                     (TV)

SMS (keyword) to 501.

Revenue will be donated to Care society. Rf. 2 will be charged for each SMS.
Promotion Valid till 11th July 2010.

-Thank You-

All conversations seem to be branching out somehow to lead back to one topic. It’s absolute frenzy here, one can’t help but get a rush stepping into the zone where sport befriends the coffee culture. Yes, once again the big screen is up uniting together the patrons of Café Alfresco.

Let me tell you about the latest craze going on in the dish department. We have set up a whole new menu, (Alfresco’s diski special menu) to celebrate the World Cup. This week’s pick is Kulhi and Foni Faaroshi; the perfect combo to snack on while rooting for your team.

Perhaps it was the memories of the very dhivehi get-togethers, or simply the non-fuss nature of this tasty combo, whichever the reason, I was compelled to load a plate to balance the hot and sweet of these opposing yet complementing dishes. Faaroshi, the small crispy bread is used as the main ingredient for both Kulhi (spicy hot) and Foni (sweet) mix.

One spoonful of kulhi faaroshi, and I was on a roll. The quick slivers of lemony flavor blending perfectly with the rihaakuru tasted neither too heavy nor too light with the finely grounded faaroshi. The spoonfuls found their way to my mouth until it was left wandering around an empty plate, and surprisingly I didn’t even feel stuffed. The dish was light enough to leave plenty of room to savor the sweet version that waited temptingly.

So as you can guess, I dug into the sweet mix of banana and scraped coconut letting the sugar soothe my taste buds after their long interlude with the darker half.

The age-old recipes handed down from generations of Maldivian celebrations still continue, and it was truly a nostalgic and delicious perk to munch on them with fellow fans. My hats off to the chef’! It’s rare to find Maldivian dishes still living up to par to the olden days. As for the score, it has to be a tie, but myself being more of a hot supporter, will let kulhi faaroshi win this round.

-Anyu-

Sneak a peek at Alfresco’s diski special menu:

Zakumi noodles, bafana bafana, kulhi and foni faaroshi, vuvuzela fish cocktail, jubulani kulhibaiyen. (Mfr. 20 each) Dishes available whenever a game is on!