Kaema Sutra at Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo

Located on the fourth floor of Colombo’s newest skyline is Kaema Sutra and it claims to take Sri Lankan cuisines to the next level! The atmosphere of the restaurant indeed makes you feel relaxed and homely as it overlooks the Indian Ocean. The seating is arranged in a spacious area and is quite laid-back and comfortable. The staff goes to great measures to extend their assistance as soon as you step in through the doors.

In spite of loving and enjoying international cuisines there’s nothing like a good Sri Lankan meal; which is why we had to try out this place to see if they do justice to our traditional dishes.

Drinks

The first thing you notice when served cocktails are the tribal inspired mugs. As you take a sip, you are reminded of the unique ingredients that are used concoct the drinks at their own cocktail bar.

Sympathy for the Zombie – LKR 800

A combination of 3 types of local alcohol, along with passion-fruit, coconut and apple jam. Just like the name suggests, it claims to bring out the zombie in you if you have more than one of these. It had a tangy taste and was super refreshing. A good cocktail to kick start an evening.

Moonlight Avenue – LKR 800

Taking a sip of this makes you feel like you’re walking in the moonlight. The specialty of this drink is that it combines the delicate taste of Elderflower – yes, a type of flower. You can really taste the tropical feel of the flower which constitutes a perfect blend with cucumber, lime, and chilli. I would definitely recommend this to be enjoyed at any time of the day.

Lychee Colada – LKR 1000

Instead of the usual pina colada, this drink is made with local coconut alcohol, coconut oil, lychees, and pineapple. Being a fan of coconut I was taken on a tropical journey with the first sip itself. The flavour of the lychees and the pineapple was well combined.

Walking with Elephants – LKR 1000

This was a bit too spicy for me, which is maybe because it’s made with chilli, fresh coriander and mango chutney. Certainly very Sri Lankan! If you are a lover of spicy cocktails with a rich flavor, this drink would do you well.

Appetizers

Pol Roti Squares – LKR 800

These were little cut-up pieces of pol roti, topped with the four famous Sri Lankan sambols : Pol sambol, Kochchi Sambol, Seeni Sambol, and Lunu Miris. I felt that the roti was a bit tough to bite into and could have been tenderer. The sambols, however, were made to perfection as the spices and ingredients were mixed in well.

Black Hopper – LKR 500

This is one of their specialties, and was a definite thumbs up from me. Not just a plain old hopper, it’s made with a batter infused with squid ink. It comes with a drizzle of olive oil and a dollop of curd in the middle, in which you could dip a piece of hopper and enjoy. The curd is rich and creamy and the hopper was quite crispy. It really is an innovative way to eat a hopper!

Idly Slider – LKR 800

If you prefer gluten free, then this is the burger for you. It’s made by replacing the usual burger bun with idly – a savory rice cake, which is a popular northern Sri Lankan food item, along with a chicken patty, a slice of tomato, and lettuce. The patty was juicy and tender, the veggies fresh, and were a great combination with the idly. It also comes with a side of potato wedges and a mayo dip. This dish is another must-try from the menu!

Hot chilli wings with buffalo sauce – LKR 1200

No appetizer menu is complete without a dish of chicken wings. However, rather than the regular BBQ sauce or any type of hot sauce, this dish’s specialty was that it was served with a side of buffalo sauce. This is a mix of curd, onions, and other spices, and it most definitely provided a unique taste along with the wings, though I did feel the wings alone to be a bit bland. This dish is good for those who prefer a less spicy version of chicken wings.

The Galle Face Green Isso Wade – LKR 1600

Isso wade is noted as a quintessential street snack and is enjoyed by many. Kaema Sutra does not fail to provide a platter of this and is very generous in doing so, as you are treated to a large plate of these Sri Lankan delicacies topped with huge tiger prawns. The wades were fried to perfection; quite crispy and not too oily, and the prawns were succulent. There was also a side of chilli sauce, which was really spicy but went great with the wades. You won’t be able to get enough of this dish for sure.

Kaema Sutra is a go-to restaurant if you are craving an authentic local dish. It’s a great place to treat a bunch of your foreign friends or relations to Sri Lankan delicacies, and even though,we Sri Lankans might feel that we might not find anything new to tackle our taste buds in a place like this, there are dishes and drinks that would indeed blow your mind. Just keep in mind that they do Sri Lankan cuisine right, and pay a visit soon!