Best of many worlds – combining Italy and Sri Lanka with a retro touch

Saturday, 10 September 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Set in a grand colonial mansion, the Bay Leaf restaurant has been refurbished with a return to the polished teak wood furniture, warm earthy colors setting a cool, refreshing ambiance.

The Retro Bar has also received a complete makeover in the process, with a more vibrant and exhilarating look with special LED lighting effects that can set the mood through the day creating a dramatic, yet a cool charm, a far cry from its previous more muted settings. The signature Retro Bar along with a new look now offers special Sundown Deals, liquor and wine promotions as well as classic cocktails by the pitcher – be it margaritas, sangria or closer to night time, mojitos.

The mastermind behind the Bay Leaf menu, Chef Saroj also pitched into the extensive refurbishments to the establishment, by giving the menu a complete overhaul as well, making some scrumptious additions to the many traditional Italian favourites already available. The new extensive Italian menu includes a selection of anti pasti, salad and soup as starters. The main course has been expanded, offering fettuccine, tagliatelle spaghetti and ravioli dishes along with grilled meat and seafood dishes among many others.

The new starters presents a choice of Insalata Russo con salsa di Avocado - shrimp salad mixed with a avocado sauce, Carpaccio di Pesce – thinly sliced raw fish fillet with sundried tomato and parmesan cheese, gamberetti della casa – marinated pan fried prawns served with a apple chutney among many more. It must be noted that the starters are rather substantial whole meals on their own, especially if looking for just a light meal on a hot afternoon.

The fresh pasta dishes introduces Tagliolini con codine di Aragosta al cartoccio, home made pasta with shoe lobster with garlic herbs and paper wrapped and oven baked and choices of home made ravioli including spinach ravioli, duck ravioli or shrimp ravioli. The chef has also included several vegetarian pasta dishes with eggplant, zucchini, capsicum. Readymade pasta dishes include linguine, penne, spaghetti and fussili dishes tossed with a choice of vegetarian, seafood and meat. There are special risotto dishes for all who enjoy Italian rice, with chicken, sautéed vegetables or with prawns.

I Pesci dishes brings the flavors of the sea to the table with pan fried fillet of sole, medallion of red mullet, pan fried seer fish and grilled jumbo prawns or lobster. Le Carni dishes offer Stinco di Agnello – oven braised lamb shank, Costolette di agnello alla griglia – marinated lamb shank cutlets, Fillet di manzo alla griglia in salsa rose - grilled beef tenderloin, to name a few.

Chef Saroj left no stone unturned as seen by the variety of 14 desserts ranging from the traditional Italian favorites such as pannacotta, tiramisu, zabaglione to the peaches and cream pavlova, orange lime crepes and amaretto nougat cheese soufflé.

The garden terrace offers an idyllic setting for outdoor dining under the stars. The Bay Leaf outdoor catering service also offers special menu selection for cocktails, dinners and special events along with customised service by experienced staff.