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The Scarlet Room

May 14 2014.

An Italian epicurean feast

Colombo Courtyard down Duplication Road is one of those hotels in Colombo that goes unnoticed but if you take the time to walk in, trust me, you will be pleasantly surprised. The detailing that has gone into the interior as well as the architecture of the building is quite spectacular. It is incidentally the first carbon neutral city business hotel in Asia.

In spite of the hustle and bustle of this busy Colombo street the tranquil setting allows you to forget it all and relax while you indulge in a refreshing cocktail or some of their fabulous dishes.

The hotel itself focuses particularly on Mediterranean food but the Scarlet Room dishes out some fine Italian influenced cuisine from starters to soups and mains as well as an array of sinfully delectable desserts. What I liked about the restaurant is that even though you could see the madness that is Colombo just outside the restaurant windows there is a sense of calm and warmth within the restaurant.

Our epicurean evening started with an Antipasto Misto served by the poolside, which was an equally romantic setting. This Mixed Starters Plate was a warm seafood salad consisting of Seared Prawns with Caponata, Tomato, Mozzarella and Mushroom Bruschetta. The lightly seared prawns coupled with a delightful mix of vegetables seasoned with herbs and olive oil along with the Mushroom Bruschetta and a touch of the mozzarella and tangy tomato complimented the warm seafood salad making it an exquisite experience.

The salad that of Insalatona Di Dadolata Di Salmone or Salad with boiled fresh Tasmanian Salmon cubes was as amazingly delicious as it sounds. The cubes of fresh poached Salmon and boiled egg drizzled with fresh lemon flavoured Olive Oil blended perfectly with the light mixed crispy green leaves, sweet cherry Tomatoes and crunchy Julienne carrot and courgettes topped with that familiar hint of tangy Parmesan.

If you love the marriage of bacon and pumpkin then the Crema Di Zucca E Pancetta is the ideal soup for you on the menu at the Scarlet Room. The thick and creamy Pumpkin puree topped with cream and garnished with crispy strips of bacon is such a cosy, which can be savoured even on a warm and balmy Colombo evening.

The Scarlet Room is known to serve some fabulous fresh homemade pasta like the Pappardella Alle Crema Di Gamberi, Salmone Affumicato E Funghi. This fresh soft homemade Papparadelle Pasta perfectly dressed in creamy salmon, prawn and wild mushroom sauce with white wine and fresh herbs is so tasty, my mouth waters just thinking about it.

And if meat is on your mind, they have plenty to choose from but I’d suggest trying out the Involtini Di Pollo Primavera. This honey glazed spring chicken breast stuffed with cheddar cheese and served with Italian potatoes and buttered mixed vegetables is a hearty and delicious treat. These delicious dishes are all prepared by Malindu Jayasooriya, the Executive Sous Chef and his team. Jayasooriya spent a number of years in Italy where he was able to pick up the ideas for these amazing dishes.

I’d recommend cleansing your palate with the Carrot, Cardamom and Orange Sorbet so that you can really enjoy the sinful desserts prepared by Jean Pierre, Patisserie Chef. We were served two amazing desserts and frankly, it was tough to decide which dessert was more sinful and delicious way to end this dining experience.

I loved the light, Cheese and Honey Pancake with Sweet Cream and Fresh Strawberries because it really complimented the heavy meal that we had. The flavours were extremely subtle and pleasant on the palate. The Triple Layer of Cashew Nut, Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Raspberry ice creams with Fresh Strawberries was definitely the naughtier of the two desserts. I loved the textures in this dessert which had a layer of cashes nuts at the bottom followed by a layer each of Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Raspberry ice cream and whipped cream topped with candied orange. It was almost like delving into a refined Snickers Bar!