The pasta is great, but that’s not all Cucina by 3 Brothers will be known for!
In Italian, Cucina has two meanings; kitchen and cuisine, and this new eatery by 3 Brothers Group of Restaurants adds a whole new level of ‘Italian-ness’ to this word. This is the brainchild of Chavan Mendis, who (in case you didn’t know) is also the brains behind the Bavarian German Restaurant, Burning Bird and Apero. They are on a mission to prove to everyone that Italian “cucina” doesn’t just include pizza and pasta.
Let’s dig in, shall we?
APPETISERS
Bruschetta (3 Pcs) – LKR 1,600 (5/5)
Our selection of bruschetta came with Italian mushrooms, truffle oil, shaved parmesan, thyme and parmesan chips. This dish could be the poster child for freshness. With crispy bread as the base, the earthiness of the mushrooms and herbs, and best of all, the parmesan chips, we had no complaints. If you do try other flavours, let us know, ‘cause we are dying to go back for more.
Pork and Chorizo Meatballs (3 Pcs) – LKR 2,500 (5/5)
Their take on pork and chorizo meatballs is roasted and served with pepper sauce and grana padano cheese. The careful balance of spice, saltiness and sweetness is just *a chef’s kiss*. It might sound small in terms of portioning, but each meatball comes in a hearty size, shareable for two.
MAINS
Five-Hour Braised Lamb Shanks – LKR 12,900 (4.5/5)
This dish might just be my Roman empire. Though the price of the dish may come as a shell shock, it was so worth it. Perfection definitely cannot be rushed, and that’s why Cucina braises their lamb shanks in red wine for five long hours (that’s about 4 episodes of Game of Thrones). The dish comes with a complementary side of parmesan risotto and mashed potatoes. I do have to say that the lamb alone stole the show. The sides (as good as they were), could’ve been elevated with something like a fresh salad.
Gnocchi – LKR 3,200 (4.5/5)
My brain is still debating whether gnocchi is pasta or potato. Traditionally, hand-made gnocchi is actually both – hey, you learn something new every day. The gnocchi is paired with roasted chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian mushrooms and parmesan cream. The sun-dried tomatoes do the heavy lifting, bringing an acidity against the buttery-ness of the sauce. The subtleness of the chewy potato goodness with the boldness of the sauce gets you addicted to every bite you take.
Spaghetti Carbonara – LKR 4,800 (5/5)
It’s made with pecorino cheese, egg yoke and crushed black pepper but the real star of the dish is the guanciale; an Italian cured meat from pork jowl, which immediately had our mouths watering. Brilliantly prepared and presented, this dish was way too good for words – and a personal favourite of our photographer.
Lasagna – LKR 4,500 (4.5/5)
Eating this was a bit messy, but it tasted heavenly, so who cares? The lasagna was filled to the brim with braised beef and tomato sauce, and the pasta seemed to have gotten lost in the sauce, not that we are complaining. The crispy cheese top was one of the highlights of the dish, mixing in with the rest of the ingredients, from the first forkful.
Brick Oven Pizza
Fun fact: Cucina ferments its pizza dough for a whopping 36 hours! It’s totally worth it because the pizza base is extra crispy, airy and fluffy by the time it comes out of the brick oven. We tried four of Cucina’s crowd favourites.
Half and half pizza: Spicy Chorizo + Bacon
Spicy Chorizo – LKR 3,800 (Full) (5/5)
The slices of chorizo, a fermented and smoked pork sausage, is the hero of this dish. The spicy kick of the sausage is balanced out by the zesty tomato sauce and the creaminess of the cheese. For something made entirely with Italian ingredients, it felt almost Sri Lankan but in the best way possible.
Bacon – LKR 4,900 (Full) (5/5)
We all love a good bacon pizza. But it was their addition of caramelised onions that really did it for me. The juicy chunks of bacon and the tanginess of the gorgonzola (an Italian version of blue cheese), work wonders when met with the sweetness from caramelised onions – elevating the flavour entirely.
Half and half pizza: Charred Leeks and Potato + Prosciutto
Charred Leeks and Potato – LKR 2,600 (Full) (4/5)
The charred leeks bring a smoky depth and satisfying crunch to the already crispy pizza. The potatoes add a hearty, creamy texture that, combined with the gooey melted cheese, is just irresistible. I would have preferred it to have a couple of more veggies other than potato or leeks, but hey, that’s just me. So, if you’re a veggie lover searching for more plant-based options on Cucina’s menu, I can vouch that this will be an experience you won’t forget!
Prosciutto – LKR 4,900 (Full) (5/5)
If you decide to get this pizza, you’ll be biting into an exquisite blend of prosciutto, tomato sauce, and creamy mozzarella. The saltiness of the prosciutto perfectly balances out the sweetness of the tomato. Finished with a drizzle of olive oil, this delightful combination had us salivating with every bite.
DESSERTS
Tiramisù Frutti Di Basco – LKR 1,950 (4.5/5)
Filled with colourful berries, creamy mascarpone, and soft savoiardi (a delicious egg-based biscuit), this elevated tiramisu is a dream for every sweet tooth. We also loved how classy it felt to eat it out of a wine glass.
Coconut Panna Cotta – LKR 1,300 (5/5)
Made with toasted coconut and organic treacle, the dish was one of the most heavenly desserts we’ve had. After one bite, the first words that came out of my mouth were, “it’s marshmallow pol toffee”! Its light, fluffy and perfectly balanced textures made it so, so, good. Even as a non-coconut fan, it won me over – I say, it’s a must-try, regardless of your coconut preferences.
DRINKS
Cucumber Basil Cooler – LKR 850 (5/5)
A perfectly balanced fusion of fresh and minty all at once. Garnished with basil, the drink was topped with what was almost cucumber ‘slush’. I wouldn’t usually opt to order a cucumber-based drink voluntarily, but this had me rethinking my ways.
Cinnamon Orange Iced Tea – LKR 750 (2.5/5)
The combination of the sweetness of the orange with the cinnamon’s zest was unique, with a stunning presentation that is very Instagram-worthy! Flavor-wise, this drink was satisfactory, but it lacked the ‘wow’ factor compared to what we’ve tasted so far.
Passion and Mint Mojito – LKR 800 (5/5)
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and that is the only way we can describe the taste of a classic drink. The vibrant colours of the beverage hint at the refreshing blend of tropical fruits, creating both a visually appealing and delicious experience that you and your Insta-fam will surely love.
AMBIENCE
From seating and setting to service, Cucina is, by all means, filled with all the makings of a quality restaurant. You will meet the nicest and most accommodating staff from the moment you walk in until you walk out. Their stunning aesthetics not only want you to take pictures of their food but even the restaurant itself.
We were lucky to stop by the restaurant during the golden hour, so even if you’re just looking to have a nice cuppa for the evening (you’ll 100% stick around when you smell the food), this place is a gem of a find. Need I say more?
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Source From Pulse.lk
Author: Anagi Kariyawasam
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