Striking it lucky, at the Four Leafed Clover
Located in Colombo 5, at No. 168 Maya Avenue is a magical door that takes you some 5,745 miles away to the land of St. Patrick. Warm, honey tones of the wooden floors illuminated by a cascade of bottled light bulbs, a spiralling staircase and a mural, the Four Leafed Clover restaurant draws you in with its Celtic knots, mystical figures and Irish themed menu with a Sri Lankan twist.
Managing Director Hasanthi Wijewardana tells us the mural narrates the story of a Viking ship attacked by pirates. The pirates escape and find themselves in a land of goddesses, spirits and dragons. A land filled with myths, legends and magic -a land that is called Ireland.
The two-storeyed building has a lovely ambience perfect for intimate dinners, private parties, business meetings or even a lazy evening with friends. The rooftop with its seemingly endless view of Colombo 5 and keg inspired tables has a welcome juxtaposition of class and comfort. From the Irish inspired wall designs, the corner dedicated to famous Irish actors, the atmosphere is distinctive.
We start our culinary journey with the Cashel King Salad, a crisp fresh mix of Rocket leaves with a pairing of sharp blue cheese with sweet pear slices. The croutons and toasted walnuts added texture and crunch to the salad while the balsamic vinegar dressing tied together the elements of the dish beautifully.
A delightful Irish fruit strudel and right, the interior lit by a bottle chandelier. Pix by Sameera Weerasekera
Beetroot soup is not a particular favourite for Sri Lankans who prefer their traditional Kola kenda. This though was a delightful change as a starter, the strong beetroot flavour coming through with every sip.
The Spinalis priced at Rs. 2, 200 is a beef tenderloin steak enriched with the subtle flavour of rosemary. The beer sauce that is poured over this fancy cut of meat ensures a flavoursome experience, quite strong but not overpowering. The baby potatoes were well seasoned and juicy.
The lamb shank priced at Rs. 2, 950 was a delicious dish. The meat slightly overcooked, had hints of rosemary and red wine coming through.The polenta accompanying the shank was creamy, delicious and cooked just right. The dish had a roasted head of garlic,grilled and boiled vegetables for a hit of freshness.
The Mustard flavoured pork chop (Rs.1550) was very well seasoned and crisp around the edges being cooked to perfection. The jacket potato loaded with cream complemented the dish as did the fresh vegetables.
Apart from their large portions of protein and potato based dishes, the restaurant also offers ‘Pub bites’. We tried the Minced Mutton Toast (Rs. 700 a platter) which could have done with a little more spice and kick perhaps. Other options that looked interesting were bruschetta, calamari in chilli oil, fried cashew nuts and potato wedges.
The desserts at Four Leafed Clover are a complete show-stopper. From the brownie that was sinfully stuffed with cashew nuts and decadent dark chocolate to the apple crumble cake, to the Irish fruit strudel paired with the silkiest salted caramel sauce, they had us putting the definition of greed to shame. It was the perfect balance of pastry and fruit.
Come Fridays, the restaurant has a live band called TripSwitch featuring vocalist Deshith Gamage and guitarist Kavindu Welivtavithana. There are also occasional magicians who appear on Saturdays to entertain the guests.
Check out their menu on their webpage www.thefourleafedclover.com or follow them on Instagram at thefourleafedclover.lk