The Sanctuarii | Restaurant Review

“Welcome to the Jungle, make yourself at home!”

The Sanctuarii’s tagline couldn’t be more spot on, because we indeed felt perfectly at home in their newly renovated and flamboyantly jungle-themed restaurant and bar.

At first glance, The Sanctuarii won me over with its colourful interior and its picturesque location right opposite Diyawanna Lake. However, after having a taste of their menu, this place exceeded my expectations. This new and improved establishment went by the name of Cafe Beverly prior to its more tropical and vibrant rebranding just a few months ago.

The Sanctuarii is more than just a restaurant and bar, frequently hosting interactive events for its customers. Live music brunches, artistic workshops, wine tastings, quiz nights as well as collaborative ventures with other bars are just a few to mention. The latest additions to the Sanctuarii are the Bonobo Bar and The Terrace, located on the second floor, which will frequently host acclaimed DJs, bands and live music performances catering to Colombo’s nightlife.

 If you want to know just how our time at The Sanctuarii went, read on!

Appetisers

Chaat – LKR 1,590 (5/5)

This traditional Indian street food is crunchy, bite-sized and a definite treat for your taste buds! A portion of Chaat comes with a serving of 10 per plate, and you’ll get your money’s worth once you get a taste of what’s inside.  Its crunchy shell is complemented by the soft and tangy filling of potato, sweetcorn, tomato, onion, and chickpeas.

Nelum Yam Chips – LKR 1,290 (4/5)

The Nelum Yam Chips at The Sanctuarii pay homage to the local Sri Lankan street food, whilst also adding a refined touch to elevate this simple dish. This all boils down to the blend of special homemade spices added to the lotus roots. The dish is served with a mix of veggies to balance out the oiliness with some freshness and to give you that extra crunch!

Mains

Chicken Cacciatore – LKR 1,890 (5/5)

In Italian cacciatore means ‘hunter’, it’s a part of the phrase alla cacciatore which means ‘hunter-style’. This dish is traditionally prepared to be a rustic and hearty tomato-based chicken dish that’s comforting and calming. At The Sanctuarii it’s served as a full meal alongside garlic rice and a salad. Staying true to its Italian roots and contrary to our usual Sri Lankan palate, this meal wasn’t packed with spices and condiments. I’d recommend this if you’re in the mood for a comfort meal.

Veg and Paneer Biriyani – LKR 1,690 (4/5)

One of the more familiar dishes in The Sanctuarii menu is the Veg and Paneer Biriyani. This dish does justice to the standards of the Biriyani we all know and love with its rich flavours. If I were to have the dish a second time, I’d wish for a bigger quantity of paneer, however, I do concede that whatever the dish lacked in quantity, it made up for in flavour.

Garlic Naan – LKR 480 (5/5)

As an avid garlic naan lover, my usual qualm with the way it’s served at restaurants is the insufficiency of garlic added to the naan. Thankfully I did not have this problem at The Sanctuarii. The naan itself is mixed, kneaded and baked in a special tandoori oven, and the thickness of the bread is just right. Take it from me, this naan pairs well with the Butter Chicken and Prawn Panang.

Butter Chicken – LKR 1,790 (5/5)

The Butter Chicken was prepared masterfully thanks to their in-house spices drawing out the unique flavour of the much-adored South Asian dish. The spices carefully tied the dish together to create a perfect harmony with the tender chicken. Much like how the dish is traditionally made, the gravy was thick and creamy. Need I explain more as to why this is a signature dish at the restaurant and a crowd favourite?

Chicken Fried Rice – LKR 1,490 (5/5)

One of the most remarkable features of The Sanctuarii is its ability to add its own twist on ordinary dishes and turn them into something original. I believe they have done this with the chicken fried rice as well because for such a seemingly simple dish, it tasted exquisite. The dish was served generously with chunks of fried chicken which was soft and crispy in every bite.

Prawn Panang – LKR 2,090 (5/5)

If for some reason you only try one dish at The Sanctuarii, I recommend this one. This traditional Thai dish is creamy and rich and would pair well with any main dish. I’ve also discovered that the secret ingredient behind this dish is none other than coconut milk, which brings in a totally enhanced spectrum of flavours. I for one can also testify that this dish is truly authentic to its roots because it is prepared by the Thai chef at The Sanctuarii. He adds special Thai spices and pastes into not just the Prawn Panag, but every other Thai-inspired dish as well.

Papaya Salad – LKR 1,290 (5/5)

The Papaya salad at The Sanctuarii is another one of their more popular dishes, and I understand why. Made with raw papaya, green beans, tomato, peanuts and Thai sweet chilli sauce, its crunch and freshness pair well with any meal. The skills of the chefs at The Sanctuarii also shines through with this dish because while it’s packed with flavour, it’s also vegan!

Black Pepper Beef – LKR 2,090 (4/5)

This dark peppery dish is another Thai speciality and it tasted just as good as it looks. This dish is made on the wok and relies heavily on Thai spices and oyster sauce to give it that charred and rustic taste. The meat itself was juicy and the portion size was considerably big for a side dish, so it’s definitely money well spent.

Dessert

Gulab Thandani – LKR 1,290 (5/5)

What’s one dessert you can never get enough of? For me, it’s the Gulab Thandani at The Sanctuarii. It was simply one of the most unique desserts I’ve had the pleasure of trying. The dish came with three bite-sized balls of gulab jamun, accompanied by a thick and rich cardamom syrup. With every bite, there’s a burst of flavour in your mouth from both the spices and sugar. Furthermore, the presentation of the dish was as colourful and vibrant as its surrounding, because it was bright pink in colour. You’d no doubt be doing yourself a favour by ordering this!

Drinks

Phoenix Fire – LKR 1,690 (5/5)

Made with Vodka, ambarella, lime and fiery Sri Lankan spices, the Phoenix Fire will give you the kick you need to enjoy the rest of your evening! As with all the other treats on The Sanctuarii menu, the presentation of this drink was delightful. It had a bright red hue and was topped off with spices for that extra razzle-dazzle.

Kara-Gin-Pa – LKR 1,590 (4/5)

Who knew the little curry leaf herb that’s probably growing in your backyard would be the chief ingredient to an outstanding drink? The Kara-Gin-Pa is made with gin, lime and of course, curry leaves. This one carries a strong aftertaste of the curry leaves which surprisingly, goes very well with the gin.

Tamarind Smash – LKR 1,590 (5/5)

Don’t we love a good drink that’s localised to our Sri Lankan palates? The Tamarind Smash was probably my favourite drink of the night. With every sip, you are met with the bittersweet aftertaste from the tamarind. Made with arrack, tamarind and lime, I’d recommend this drink to anyone!

Ambience

The flamboyant jungle-theme of the restaurant and bar blends seamlessly into the surrounding Rajagiriya area which is also filled with wildlife, birds and greenery. I had the pleasure of speaking to the co-owner of The Sanctuarii who explained that they wanted the overall vibe of the restaurant to embody serenity and homeliness, and homely it is.

The art and interior of the restaurant and bar have a tasteful combination of bespoke furniture and art. This gives the overall space a unique charm that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.The layout of The Sanctuarii is divided into three sections, firstly; The Aviary, which is the main dining space located on the ground floor with its own bar, secondly; The Bonobo Bar, which is a lounge bar and club located on the second floor, and lastly; The Terrace, an outdoor bar overlooking the lake.

Whatever the occasion, you’re in for a treat at The Sanctuarii. Their delectable food and drinks, attractive interior and reasonable prices give you more than enough reason to go and indulge yourselves.