Mad Dogs | Restaurant Review

“Classic Italian off the Negombo coast!”

Mad Dogs, one of three dining spots at Banyan Negombo Restaurant in Sentido Heritance Negombo, is your go-to for authentic Italian cuisine by the sea. Featuring freshly caught seafood, locally-sourced ingredients and classic Italian dishes made completely in-house, it delivers bold, authentic flavours.

Pair your meal with their extensive wine collection or sip on classic Italian cocktails and mocktails infused with a Sri Lankan twist. For a unique experience, try their signature dishes that blend the best of Italian and Sri Lankan flavours, all in a laid-back, open-air setting perfect for beachside dining.

Appetisers

Bruschetta Al Pomodoro – LKR 1,400 (5/5)

Fresh tomatoes, basil leaves flavoured with garlic and olive oil on top of a crunchy slice of homemade baguette, all pair together to give one of the best ways to start a meal. We found the bread soft but also crispy on the outside and set the perfect foundation for this appetising treat. The juicy tomatoes, chopped into smaller bits, provided a refreshing taste that we enjoyed greatly.

Arancini – LKR 3,900 (5/5)

Three crispy rice balls filled with mozzarella on top of a base of tomato sauce gave the perfect mix of carbs, savoury taste and cheese for this Sicilian treat. The risotto mixed with mozzarella set the perfect tone to mix with the sauce, which we were told was made in-house, and was the stand-out part of this dish. We recommend trying this dish served hot, which makes the mozzarella also come into the spotlight in flavour.

Panzanella Salad (4/5) – LKR 1,000

This Italian summertime favourite made with tomatoes, rocket lettuce and bread topped with parmesan cheese create a refreshing salad that’s perfect for a warm evening. The Italian red wine vinegar and olive oil plays off the flavours of the veg and cheese and hides the ‘raw green’ feeling that this salad would have given, which we appreciated. If you’re looking for a lighter option to start your meal, we recommend this salad wholeheartedly. However, compared with the other appetisers we tried, we found this salad not as exciting in terms of the flavours put on the plate.

Mains

Classic Margherita (5/5) – LKR 2,200

While it may not be complicated on the surface, it can be difficult to perfect a classic margherita pizza, but Mad Dogs has achieved just that! The pizza dough is baked to perfection, and the rich tomato sauce with mozzarella cheese blends perfectly, bringing down the taste of the sauce, and allowing it to blend into the pizza bread, which is also seasoned with thyme to enhance this perfect balance of flavours, making this classic margherita pizza a must-have when at Mad Dogs.

Focaccia Pizza (5/5) – LKR 3,500

We were pleasantly surprised with Mad Dogs’ unique take on this Italian bread. The soft, pillowy bread, seasoned with herbs was baked to add a crispy covering, and then topped with rocket salad, tomatoes, tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese with a dash of olive oil. Together, the end result is a pizza-inspired dish that has the same flavour of a pizza, but with fresher toppings, and a softer bread for the base. We also appreciate the added layer of sweetness that the focaccia bread brought, merging flavours to create a new experience from two distinct Italian classics.

Pollo Al Marsala (4/5) – LKR 3,900

The subtle sweet flavour of the marsala wine is absorbed by the meat, allowing the perfectly cooked chicken to give off a depth of flavour that is perfectly complemented by the earthy taste of the shitake mushrooms served on the side. The well-cooked chicken breast easily gives way to the knife, which glides through it like butter. All of this comes with garlic rice and a piece of garlic bread as well, which is welcome if you crave carbs with every dish.

Spaghetti Alla Carbonara (4/5) – LKR 3,300

Pork bacon, eggs, black pepper and parmesan cheese create a great dish of spaghetti carbonara that is hard to beat. We enjoyed the flavour of the pork bacon that has evenly spread throughout the pasta, which was fluffy and seasoned to allow the rich, creamy taste of the entire dish to take the spotlight, while providing great accompaniment.

Spinach Gnocchi (4/5) – LKR 2,400

Adding spinach puree to the soft potato dumplings brought a green colour we found interesting to see on the plate. However, we found the gnocchi great when served piping hot and served as the perfect base for the flavours of the spicy tomato sauce and parmesan cheese to step to the front.

Desserts

Triple Chocolate Semifreddo (5/5) – LKR 1,900

Chocolate crumble, chocolate sauce, berry coulis and roasted nuts all together create a delectable dessert that stole the show on our tasting. The thick chocolate sauce over the three layers of rich semifreddo with chocolate and vanilla flavours was a great combination that we encourage everyone to try.

Tropical Baba Au Rum (4/5) – LKR 2,200

A Mad Dogs signature dessert, we found that the brioche bread soaked in milk, filled with passion chantilly cream and pineapple jelly brings together a mix of Italian and tropical flavours which we found heavenly. While we expected this dessert to be a fast-track to diabetes, we loved that the sweetness was perfectly balanced and not enough to overpower the palate. There’s even a helping of coconut ice cream on the side which elevated the dish even further and worked perfectly together.

Beverages

Negombo Beach Water (5/5) – LKR 2,400

A Mad Dogs signature drink, inspired by the turquoise waters of the Negombo ocean, we loved the blue hue it gave off, and the balanced flavour of coconut and lime (just like the song, but better) and is our pick for anyone to try when at Mad Dogs.

Amore (4/5) – LKR 5,300

Amore, just like the name, reminds us that while love can be sweet, it can also bring a twinge of bitterness. The red hue of the drink was exciting to look at, as was the unique presentation it came with. The sweet and bitter flavours of the drink complemented the citrus smell and flavour it gave, but the bitterness can be a little overpowering unless it’s something you appreciate in your drink.

Mamma Mia (4/5) – LKR 1,600

If you thought beetroot didn’t have a fun side, destined to forever be in smoothies for people who take being healthy a little too serious, we implore you to try this mocktail, which will leave you exclaiming, mamma mia! The refreshing mint and orange juice combined with the beetroot and Sprite was a great combination, and while great, we found that the Sprite had a tendency to overtake all the other flavours, ever-so-slightly.

Rum Pincha (4/5) – LKR 2,100

The name gives away the drink, and we found the addition of curry leaves (karapincha) brings a distinct aroma and flavour to the drink, with a touch of sweetness that leaves you with a well-balanced and refreshing beverage that has a local twist. While we enjoyed the drink’s unique aroma and flavour, we also know that it might not be for everyone, however.

Ambience

Mad Dogs provides a dining experience that gives no distractions, allowing for the food to do all the talking. Outside, there’s plenty of tables to enjoy your meals al fresco, and if you’re looking for a more indoor experience, you’ll find yourself enjoying the sleek and modern interior, with seating for groups and parties of all sizes. While our visit was during the daytime with sunlight shining down on us, once the sun sets and dinner is out, we heard that the lighting is perfect for enjoying a meal at your own pace, enjoying the flavours and good company.