La Vista at The Ocean Colombo | Restaurant Review

“Get ready to samba for these Latin American delicacies!”

The La Vista Rooftop Bar, inspired by the vibrant culture of Latin America, is a rooftop bar and restaurant located right atop Marine Drive’s Ocean Colombo. With a stunning view of the ocean horizon and colourful interiors, this was definitely a review we were excited to get on with!

 

APPETISERS

La Coconut Shrimp LKR – 1,550 (5/5) 

Crispy on the outside, sweet, salty and creamy on the inside, these coconut-covered deep-fried shrimps had us hooked from the first bite. And the peanutty, spicy Mexican sauce was the showstopper for sure, leaving us craving for more. Alas, we had to resist, since our stomachs were on a mission to conquer all the delicious dishes they had on offer for us. But trust us when we tell you, this dish is a must-try fiesta for your taste buds!

Fried Calamari – LKR 1,950 (5/5) 

This generous portion of crispy deep-fried calamari at La Vista had us reeling with delight. Each bite was a delightful crunch-fest, full of hefty pieces of squid and the tangy jerk mayo added a zesty kick that made us do a little salsa-salsa at every bite. This was another one of those dishes that we just kept wanting more and more, and will definitely be trying out sometime again soon!

Trinidad Shrimp – LKR 1,650 (3/5)

Vibrantly red and tiny at first glance, we were unsure as to what to expect with these shrimps, but boy did they pack a punch. The shrimp was tangy and spicy; we found the tanginess to be a wee bit too overpowering, so the spice only came to us in the form of a burning mouth and less in taste. Paired with zucchini and mango chutney – which was also tangy – this shrimp could have ranked a lot higher if only they had toned down on the zest. 

Nachos Vista – LKR 1,950 (5/5)

Now these nachos were a TREAT! Accompanied with the classic guacamole, sour cream, and ‘chilli con carne’ (a chilli made with beef), this was a full blown meal if we’re being completely honest. 

 

MAINS

Jerk Marinated Chicken – LKR 1,750 (4/5)

Alright, so this jerk marinated chicken took us on quite the ride! The marinated chicken was packing some serious punch – spicy and flavourful – and then there was the Jamaican slaw – a complete contrast to the chicken, this added a cool and refreshing twist to the whole dish. Add to this the accompanying rice, and all these elements came together to make the perfect meal. The rice was also fluffy and had a spicy kick to it that we couldn’t really pinpoint. While this dish, overall, was pretty damn good, we did however wish there was some element of sweet in the dish – maybe like some raisins in the rice – that would’ve made this a real winner. 

Moho Pork Tenderloin – LKR 2,550 (5/5)

So the Moho Pork was by far one of our favourite mains we tried here at La Vista and for more reasons than just one. The pork itself was cooked to perfection – juicy and drenched in the most amazing sauce – but the sweet potato hash? Sensational! Together with the summer vegetables that accompanied the pork, and the tenderloin itself, the hash was paired so well together, and might have even stolen a little bit of the spotlight from the star of the show. While the dish was a little bit on the pricier side, we definitely suggest trying it out at least once!

Herb Marinated Lamb Chop – LKR 5,550 (3/5)

The herb marinated lamb chop was something we were definitely excited to try out but… it didn’t quite make it to our list of La Vista favourites. The lamb itself had a lot to offer in terms of flavour but we were caught off guard by how overcooked it was. The same was the case with the roasted baby potatoes, which were pretty unevenly cooked – some bites, soft and just right, others, hardy and not quite done. The salsa verde was almost a saving grace that elevated this dish to the next level.

 

DRINKS

La Baya La Vista – LKR 1,850 (4/5)

Picture this: you’re lounging on a tropical beach, the warm sun kissing your skin, and a cool, refreshing cocktail in hand. That’s exactly the setting that the La Baya La Vista is meant for. The taste of the vodka did come off a little too strong for our liking, but this was still the perfect drink to help channel your inner island explorer or simply for an exotic escape from the ordinary.

Reina Hansi – LKR 950 (5/5)

Named after Piumi Hansamali, an inspiration for much of what was on show at the La Vista, the Reina Hansi was definitely a drink we’d be coming to try out again. Not too strong, not too sweet, this cocktail reigned supreme with its blend of Butterfly Pea-infused gin, a little zesty citrus, and a touch of fizz.

 

AMBIENCE

Located atop Ocean Colombo on Marine Drive, the La Vista Rooftop Bar & Lounge offers you a one-of-a-kind experience. Decked in the most colourful interiors and live music, the vibes at La Vista were ON POINT – perfect for a date night or a girls night out! When it came to service, we were a little disappointed by how long it took for our food to come out, but the staff was extremely friendly and the good views and the vibes made up for it!

All in all, the La Vista Rooftop Bar & Lounge is definitely something you should try out the next time you’re looking to go out for dinner or a night of sipping some amazing cocktails with your friends!

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