Eat your heart out

By Cheranka Mendis

Nestled in the heart of Colombo, almost hidden if you don’t keep your eyes peeled for it, is Colombo latest hotspot – Colombo Courtyard, in all its quirky wonder. A very ‘artsy’ boutique hotel, Courtyard is the perfect combination of modern, chic and comfort.

From the recycled iron tree and the birds in front to the industrial style bar with a ‘tin roof’ and recycled tractor seats as bar stools to the recycled paper chairs we sat on during our meal there, calling the hotel ‘unique’ is an understatement.

Having heard so many good things about the place, with its food being described as ‘must tries,’ we decided to see for ourselves what the hype was all about. And what we saw, we liked; there were no disappointments whatsoever.

Having chosen lunch time to venture out, our choice was the Scarlet Room even though we hear that the Cloud Café is easily one of the best places to chill out in the evening.

Executive Chef Dr. K. Jayanthan (a Doctor in cuisine!) sent us the most fabulous dishes that we thoroughly enjoyed. In the midst of planning a new menu, having tested the likes and dislikes with the original one launched in March with the opening of the hotel, Jayanathan and his team delivered well on the promise of serving the best.

 Lead up to lunch

Portions were just the right size, not too big so you don’t feel too stuffed halfway through, playing with just the right amount of spice and zest. All the dishes were presented beautifully and the meats were done perfectly. It was a meal we thoroughly enjoyed.

The first bite was off the garlic bread sprinkled with herbs. A common dish, perhaps, but what was unique was that each flavour was rich on the palate and we could actually feel the different ingredients used. This quality was maintained throughout the meal.

Then came a thick cream of vegetable soup. It was not a huge bowl of soup where you are inclined to leave some behind; the soup was creamy, as the name indicates. If you are a salad person, the chicken and vegetable salad is a must try. The salad comes on a huge salad leaf while the chicken is soft and crispy. Herbs were part of the dish as well, making it all the more special, adding a pleasing fragrance to the dish.

A delicious main

The main was a combination of things – spaghetti, vegetables rolled in ham, stuffed steak and potato stuffed with chicken. It tasted just as good as it sounds. The vegetables (carrots, potatoes and leeks, if we are not mistaken) rolled in ham were, in one word, ‘super.’ You wonder why you haven’t thought of this before and if any mother is wondering how best to feed your kids green, this is probably the best option.

One thing the Chef or the waiters don’t tell you is what to expect when you cut your meat or that the really huge potato standing upright is not what it seems. We were easily deceived and pleasantly surprised when parts of filling came off when we cut off a piece each.

There actually is no proper phrase to describe the steak there. Tender with a bit of spice; the creamy sauce they had poured over both the steak and the potato added the needed gravy-like texture to the dish. The chicken and mushroom filling in the potato was a welcome addition. Total silence prevailed during the course; it was too good to be put on hold for conversation!

 The dessert rush

Once the main is taken away, you think you’ve seen the best. Like nothing else could surprise you anymore. But the dessert manages to change your mind with a snap. Laid out before us, after giving enough time for the food to settle in, was homemade ice cream – mint, cinnamon and chocolate, tiramisu with a soft crunchy biscuit fort holding it together and apple pie – warm and melting with ice cream, also homemade.

Giving the chocolaty taste we have learnt to eagerly look forward to after every meal, whether at home, office or out, was chocolate mousse. They all held their ground with unique flavours and melt-in-the- mouth textures.

I am not one for apple pies. McDonalds’ apple pie somehow made me dislike the dish in general ever since I was a kid. But this was an exception. Mixed with the great blob of ice cream, it was soft and truly tasty.

Something that stood out in all desserts was that they weren’t too sweet. The tiramisu is easily one of the best in Colombo and the ice creams are truly mind-numbingly brilliant. This is one meal where we had nothing to complain about at the end of the day.

We only managed to grin and walk off with happy memories and well-fed, bulging tummies. At Colombo Courtyard, the food truly speaks for itself.

 Pix by Cassandra Mascarenhas