Next Innings set to bowl you over
A place to chill out with a sporty ambience at the Dutch Hospital. Pix by Eshan Fernando
Even if you’re not a sports fan and it’s just idle curiosity about the new contender amongst the many popular food and drink havens inside Dutch Hospital that has drawn you in, Next Innings has all the potential to become a new favourite hangout spot.
Colombo’s newest sports lounge is the next innings of cricketing greats Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, in collaboration with renowned chef, restaurateur and TV personality Dharshan Munidasa – the team behind Ministry of Crab just next door.
Walking into the long sweeping space, it’s hard to know where to look first. Elevated above the room are eight large screens – three 75 inch screens with two 13 foot video walls on each end, interspersed with smaller screens.
Perhaps the best feature of all is that they can broadcast up to eight sporting channels simultaneously, or the same sport on multiple screens depending on what is in demand that night. If there is a World Cup or an important final, they can play it on all screens and wire it to the sound system for commentary.
The inclusivity of all sports is what makes this place unique. Fans of sports other than cricket will find themselves just as welcome and catered to, making it a refreshing change from staying home to catch a game.
The space was renovated to Dharshan’s exact specifications. The utmost care is put into every detail, from the angle of the screens for optimum viewing to the chairs and long couches inspired by billiard parlours.
The sleek bar bisecting the entire length of the space is as eye-catching as it is functional, with seats all around guaranteeing unrestricted views. Small booths are available for groups of four, with a glass-topped carrom board table.
For anyone who prefers conversation and good music over sports, Next Innings will have live music outside every Monday through Sunday from 7 p.m. to 11. 30 p.m., featuring a talented line-up of artists and bands. Patrons can relax to the music with drinks and bites, or perhaps enjoy a game of chess or checkers on the painted tables.
This dedication to the sports theme is reflected in the menu, which is divided into (surprisingly reasonably priced) drinks in the 1st Innings and food in the 2nd Innings.
Dharshan’s inspiration for the menu comes from finger food, as sports bars around the world have simple everyday food that makes it an amazing start to an evening.
The spicy, succulent filling in the Thin Skinned Patties take centre stage, because of how thin the pastry is. The spices radiate in waves off the hot wings, paired beautifully with a buffalo curd dip in a local twist on the traditionally American Buffalo wings. The Bacon Spare Ribs is a truly unique take on a classic, with pure crispy bacon in spare rib form.
Hot favourite: Hot wings and buffalo curd dip
Dharshan believes that the best ingredients are the ones closest to you. “There’s no use looking for imported ingredients when for instance buffalo curd with hot wings makes a better combination.”
Kade paan is a recurring inclusion in the menu – from the Kade Paan Garlic Bread as part of a curated selection of signature dishes from sister restaurant Ministry of Crab, the kitul treacle-soaked Kade Paan French Toast served with cream and strawberries, to the bun of the juicy Oval Burger.
The MVP of the menu is undoubtedly the Bone Marrow Curry, served inside an entire loaf of traditional kade paan. The deeply satisfying joy of digging juicy marrow out of the bone and dipping the bread in the rich and spicy curry isn’t reserved for Sunday lunch any more.
Next Innings is also home to the world’s only woodfired oven mosaic tiled to look like a leather cricket ball, producing authentically Neopolitan pizza made with Caputo flour imported from Italy.
“Keeping it as authentic as possible is something that I normally do,” Dharshan says. “There’s no use Sri Lankan-izing pizza as done by most. Real pizza is very light and this pizza is probably the lightest pizza you can find.”
With a menu this good and enough entertainment to keep you going all night, Next Innings is bound to draw the fans.
For reservations contact +94 77 5 624 624, or visit their Facebook page or Instagram @nextinnings