Ahead of the Curve

Wednesday, 11 September 2013 00:43 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Harpo opens stylish new bar at Park Street Mews By David Ebert Restaurateur Harpo Gooneratne seems to have gotten the art of conceptualising and building up successful night-time entertainment spots down to a ‘T’. His latest addition to his ever-growing portfolio of fine establishments is a sparkling testament to this fact.

The artfully done Curve Tapas & Music Bar was launched last week at the Park Street Mews, adding some much-needed colour and style to Colombo’s choice of up-market bars. With a centrepiece polished cement curved bar counter that accentuates the purple colour scheme of the walls in addition to the circular chrome ceiling fittings, the lounge bar is definitely a standout nightspot for the stylish. The bar’s ambience looks to have been designed specifically to relax and chill you out offering a choice of seating arrangements from barstools and cocktail tables, to plush couches. Curve’s Bar Manager Sushantha promises to mix up an exceptional range of creative cocktails that sound ideal if you’re in the mood for an after office pick-me-up.

With an extensive wine list and a Tapas menu conjured up by Park Street Restaurant’s resident Chef extraordinaire Stephen Graham, one can be assured of a gastronomic treat as well, with his amazing Tapas selection that consists of tantalising crab croquettes, salt and pepper squid with aioli, jamón bruschetta, patatas bravas or even tortillas to go with your favourite beverage. However, if you’re in the mood for a light meal at the start of your night, Curve’s kitchen also serves a range of sandwiches such as my personal favourites, the beef tenderloin wrap with sweet and sour relish, smoked salmon with cream cheese on house brown bread and the grilled chicken panini with tomato and basil. If you’re up for a sweet treat, the menu also offers a choice of homemade ice creams with the most tempting and exotic flavours you could find in

Colombo such as the cherry brandy, burnt caramel and chai tea. But if you think that’s the only surprise chef Graham has in store for you, you better think again. He’s also thrown in a range of sorbets and liqueurs and ice as well with a little twist. The sorbets come in spiced apple, strawberry, passion fruit and gin and tonic, while the liqueurs and ice come in combinations of spice apple with cognac, passion fruit with Bacardi, vanilla with Baileys, chocolate with Kahlua, orange with Grand Marnier and strawberry with vodka. The bar is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., but it really comes alive when the sun goes down. With live music by soul band Phat Groove featuring vocalist Melissa Perera, the bar at night transforms into a soulful and jazzy little hub, with the sounds of Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye and other soul greats accompanying you on your night time rendezvous. The band plays from Wednesday to Saturday, 9 p.m. onwards. Curve’s highlights don’t just stop there though. The bar also boasts a quaint little nook called the Vault, that serves up your favourite choice of single malt whiskey and cigars cosily tucked away from the crowds at the main bar. With ample parking at the Park Street Mews car park and service standards that are a hallmark of Harpo’s bars and restaurants coupled with a central location and easy access, the Curve Tapas & Music Bar looks to be a hard act to follow. Pix by Upul Abayasekara