One of Galadari Hotel’s signature restaurants, California Grill has time and time again created some delicious menus while also creating a romantic ambience and offering one of the best views of the city of Colombo. The restaurant is currently offering a journey of the senses to their customers, with the introduction of ‘Journey’ – A sit down dinner which includes 22 items. In general the food average, while some items in each course stood out.

Taste and value for money – 3 stars 

Our journey kicked off with Raw Riverina Seabass in Lemon Olives with Greens, Norwegian Fresh Salmon with Avocado and Pickled Herring with Mustard Vinegar. This course was easily the best out of the lot. The combination of the three made the starter quite delectable while the sour and slightly sweet notes in all the items were refreshing. Our second course comprised of a Crab Stick with Winter Salad, Lagoon Prawns in Vodka Cocktail and Flash Fried Baby Lobster with Orange Marmalade which was also quite delicious.

The soups consisted of a Louisiana Chicken Consommé, Artichoke and Button Mushroom Bisque and Roasted Red Bell Pepper Chowder. The former was not served piping hot as a consommé should which was a bit disappointing but the other two soups were delicious. I would have preferred my chowder to have been a bit creamier.

Our next course was that of a Chicken Liver Mousse in Cranberry Jam, Savoury Duck Sushi with Wasabi Foam and Honey Marinated Seared Quail Breast with Peach Marmalade. Out of the three the Quail was a bit overcooked and dry but the other two items were flavoursome. The combinations of the jam and marmalade added a lovely touch to this course.

A seafood course was to follow and it was scrumptious; Oyster Fricassee Gratin with Hollandaise, Pan Seared Cashew Coated Tender Scallop with Dil Butter and Clams Chowder with Ocean Pearls. We moved on to a Pomegranate and Gin Sorbet prior to heading onto the last leg of our journey.

The next course was that of Baby Chicken Confit with Vodka Cream, Grilled Beef Fillet with Burgundy Jus and Pan Seared Victorian Lamb Chop with Rosemary Sauce. The chicken was too dry for my liking but the beef and lamb were juicy and absolutely delectable.

The desserts were sadly a downer! They included, French Almond Lemon Macarons, American Chocolate Chip Mousse with Spicy Passion Fruit and Lychee Cheesecake with Berries. The macarons were tasty but lacked a sense of freshness while the chocolate chip mousse was not chocolaty enough and the cheesecake had too much gelatine and was therefore more like a pudding-like in texture than a cheesecake.

Overall in terms of the price I felt it was relatively good value for money but there are definite improvements that can be made in order to make it a more exciting ‘Journey’.

By Natasha Fernandopulle
Photographs by Kanishke Ganewatte