To say candlelight dinners by the sea are one of life’s great indulgences is a well-argued case. It is thereby only fair to establish that the Sea Spray restaurant at Galle Face Hotel is an equally indulgent affair. Located almost too perfectly centered between the colonial structure of the hotel and the Indian Ocean, the restaurant is, by all means, the closest one could be to the sea short of being drenched. A splendid alfresco dining area complemented by a less appealing, yet required indoor space, Sea Spray is the choicest pick for dinner by the sea within a driving radius of Colombo city limits.
While the location itself grants great merit for Sea Spray as a top of the line dining option, the food is far more than lackluster. Serving an almost exclusively seafood based menu that is both surprisingly comprehensive and delightfully varied; the restaurant merges the best of all things culinary in a match made at sea.
1. Fresh Water Prawn – Lightly Battered with Chilli Soya
Lightly battered as per the namesake, the Prawn starter is a winning side for any dinner table and combines with the Chilli Soy dip to great effect. Although a far cry from the most exotic dish on the Sea Spray menu, the Battered Prawn does great service to get the night started.
2. Whitebait – Crispy with Fresh Lime and Chilli Salt
A loved local delicacy, the crispy fried Whitebait is that go-to choice for a sun-downer by the sea. The unobstructed view of the sunset by the Indian Ocean is only complemented by the Whitebait dish which serves as a great conversation accompaniment and starter to a night that promises great food.
3. Tiger Prawn – Crispy with Salt and Pepper
The Tiger Prawn is a starring highlight on the Sea Spray menu and comes in a variety of presentations including the Crispy variant. While retaining the succulent charm inherent to Tiger Prawns, the preparations also add their own twist to the loved seafood item. The Tiger Prawn is a must-try item for the casual diner and a good choice of side for the serious diner.
4. Tiger Prawn – Grilled with Garlic Butter and Lime Chilli
If it isn’t easy to tell by now, my obsession with Tiger Prawns needs its own segment. However, the fascinating variants of Tiger Prawns served up at Sea Spray deserve a mention. The taste and texture of the Grilled rendition that is whipped up at the live station with the fire and sizzle characteristic of its charred flavour is simply exquisite, to say the least.
5. Sharing Plate – Chilled with Sea Spray Dipping Sauce
Your love for seafood is just not complete without the highlight piece on the Sea Spray menu – the Sharing Plate. An aesthetic masterpiece served in the light of a crowning main dish, the Sharing Plate is a mix of Yellow Fin Tuna Sashimi, Sea Crab, Raw Oyster, Fresh Water Prawn and Shoe Lobster. To say the platter is excessively indulgent is fully justified.
6. Seafood Mulligatawny
Mulligatawny is a dish with an interesting backstory. The English soup draws its origins from Indian cuisine and the name itself loosely translates from Tamil to mean “Pepper Water.” The rendition served up at Sea Spray, however, is far from being Pepper Water given the generous servings of Cuttlefish, Seer Fish and Fresh Water Prawns that have been thrown into the mix. I imagine the soup dish is a great touch for a cold evening or dinner with a twist.
By: Dilshan Writes
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