Flower Drum was synonymous with my childhood. On Sundays, my dad would take my cousins and I out for lunch and one of our staples used to be Flower Drum on Thurstan Road.
The Flower Drum of my childhood has closed down and re-opened on September 9, 2015 in the same premises under a different management under the name Oak Ray Flower Drum Restaurant.
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The menu is pretty much the same but the place, at least the interior has changed a great deal. As you walk in, you will find a jewellery shop on to your left and a wood carving and souvenir shop on to your right. You proceed down the corridor which takes you to a staircase on your right which leads you to the restaurant.
Taste and Value for money * * * *
The food here is what we are all so familiar with – Sri Lankan Chinese Food which include staples like the all time popular Cuttlefish with Hot Butter Sauce (Rs 850 – small/Rs 1,350 – large) and Chilli Chicken with Cashew Nuts (Rs 750 – small/Rs 1,200 – large). The Cuttlefish really hit the spot for me.
How can you enjoy Chinese food in the city without starting off with Vegetable Spring Rolls (Rs 600)!? These were crunchy on the outside and packed with a delightful filling.
Head Chef Sumith Rathnayake and his team also dish out a decent Seafood Tom Yum (Rs 750 – small/Rs 1,050 – large).
Our mains consisted of a yummy Singapore Chilli Crab (Rs 500 per 100g) and a delicious Fried Grouper with Cantonese Sauce (Rs 300 per 100g).
The latter was loaded with sauces but is still a favourite of ours.
A dish that came highly recommended was the Fried Mixed Vegetable (Rs 650 – small/Rs 850 – large) consisting 14 items which was as delicious as we were told it would be.
The two rice dishes we selected were the simple Vegetable Chow Fan (Rs 700 – small/Rs 950 – large), and one of those all time Lankan favourites, Nasi Goreng (Rs 700 – small/Rs 900 – large). Both were flavoursome and really enhanced the sides.
Friendly staff * * *
The staff are relatively young and seem to still be getting used to the groove of things under the watchful eye of their manager Kenneth Paktsun while Sean Peiris, Senior Captain is ever pleasant, knows the menu well and is always with a smile.
Parking – * * * * *
There was ample space and we had no trouble finding a spot.
Toilets – * * * *
The toilets were clean and had toilet paper. They were still under renovation when we visited so a few finishing touches still needed to be looked into.
Hours of operation: 11.30am to 10.30pm (Monday to Sunday)
Address: 26, Thurstan Road, Colombo 05
Tel: 011-257-7350
Text by Natasha Fernandopulle
Pics by Kanishke Ganewatte
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