The Chef’s Table | Food Review

“Chef’s Kiss at The Chef’s Table”

Amidst the swarming bustle of Kollupitiya, this cosy, unassuming dining space offers a welcome slice of comfort. Whether you want a quiet meal during a hectic day, or a wholesome dinner to end your day with, this is the place to be. 

The Chef’s Table, headed by Chef Andre, aims to promote premium quality food at affordable prices. Chef Andre believes that good food should be enjoyed without compromising on quality and that is exactly what he delivers!

 With the name The Chef’s Table, Chef Andre gave himself room to truly flex his creative muscle and make changes to the menu to fit the season. The menu’s highlight would definitely be Chef Andre’s own varieties of artisan gelato, which you absolutely must sample when you visit. Marrying homeliness with quality, The Chef’s Table offers up a unique dining experience for your tastebuds.

So here’s what we tried out!

Appetizers

Batter Fried Prawns – LKR 2,200 (5/5) 

These crispy, crunchy, batter-fried prawns, which were cooked to perfection, were a real crowd-pleaser and this dish was gone before I got it. Dusted with herbs, the batter was not only light and crunchy, but well-seasoned too. The tartar sauce was creamy and well-balanced, with just enough tanginess to provide another dimension of flavour. 

Mains

Carbonara – LKR 2,590 (5/5)

Calling it cheesy is an understatement. Not only is it smothered in a creamy and silky cheesy sauce, but it is also dusted with cheese. The cheesy aftertaste is complemented well by the bits of salty bacon, preventing such a rich dish from becoming too overpowering. 

Mushroom Risotto – LKR 2,290 (5/5) 

Risotto is one of the toughest dishes to get right, as it requires precise techniques to achieve a creamy texture with rice al dente. However this risotto dish is just perfect. Cooked to the right amount, the earthy mushroom flavour shines through and is accentuated by pieces of mushroom that can be found in every bite. It is seasoned well, preventing it from being monotonous in taste. 

Crispy Chicken Burger – LKR 2,590 (3.5/5)

The chicken is crispy and well-cooked. Paired with the soft buns, coleslaw and mayo, it made for the perfect bite. It is served with salty crunchy french fries, which are a great accompaniment. However, in terms of actually eating it, it was quite a tall burger, making it hard to cut through and/or pick up and eat. 

Desserts

Cookies and Cream Gelato – LKR 800 (5/5)

The Cookies and Cream flavour was simply out of this world. It was creamy, soft and rich in flavour. The cookie flavour shone through in every bite and provided a crunchy element that was a welcome addition to cut through the creamy texture. 

Creme Brulee Coconut and Pandan – LKR 950 (4/5) 

The caramelised crispy top was a work of art – especially when you dip into it with your spoon and the crispy texture gives way to a creamy silky smooth texture of pandan and coconut beneath. Personally, the pandan was too overpowering for me. 

Drinks

Market Punch – LKR 890 (5/5)

This bright yellow drink really did pack a punch. At its forefront is sweet mango which is then turned up a notch with a sour hit of passion fruit. It also features ginger beer and mint, which adds the tangy element that makes it a well-rounded punchy drink. 

Spiced Ceylon – LKR 890 (5/5) 

This is the total opposite, as it is more on the spicy side. There is no doubt that cinnamon is the real star of the show, and when paired with kochchi, the cinnamon flavour is further enhanced. The addition of ginger beer is the perfect vehicle to compliment these spicy tangy flavours. The heat of the cinnamon and kochchi is contrasted with the treacle so that the overall flavour is not overpowering on the palette; hence you are left with a spicy but sweet taste. 

Decadent Chocolate Gelato Shake – LKR 1,600 (5/5) 

The drink looks every bit as delightfully decadent as it tastes. Topped with whipped cream and drizzled with rich chocolate sauce, this shake is so good, diabetes might be a fair trade. 

The chocolate gelato shines through, with the whipped cream balancing out the richness of its flavour. It is quite filling, so make sure to bring your appetite. 

Ambience

It maintains a green undertone throughout its architecture, which is accentuated by plants, creating an atmosphere of simple luxury. The exposed brick walls along with the cane lampshades add a layer of contrast, providing a homely interior, and tie in the colour theme of green and brown. The theme continues with the outdoor space being adorned with more plants and exposed brick, which is ideal in the night as fairy lights brighten up the space to create an intimate setting. Batik artistry adorns the walls, bringing a Sri Lankan feel to this experience. 

A special mention to the staff who were very friendly and accommodating. They treated each customer with care and paid great attention to detail in every dish they served.