The Robata Grill At Mövenpick Colombo | Restaurant Review

“Experience the best flavours of Japanese and Thai cultures in one exceptional dining destination.”

Primarily being a Japanese restaurant, the Robata Grill at Mövenpick Colombo has now opened its doors to some of the best Thai cuisine the city has to offer. With the Japanese kitchen headed by Mr. Heenkenda and the Thai kitchen run by Aree Jitman, or “Thai Mama” as referred to by the team with love, the two come together to give us a gastronomical adventure unlike anywhere else.

 

APPETISERS

 

Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce — LKR 1,700 (4/5)

Now with Thai cuisine on the menu, we just had to try out the Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce. The chicken was delicious and tender but it was the peanut sauce accompanying the chicken that made it so special for us — sweet, nutty and buttery, it really was something.

 

Pork Belly Salad with Cucumber — LKR 1,500 (3/5)

The Pork Belly Salad with its side of cucumber, we must say, was a meal in and of itself. Coming in a hefty portion – well worth the price – the pork was sweet and spicy, but we did feel it was a little too overcooked making them a wee bit tough and chewy.

 

Sashimi Moriawase — LKR 6,500 (5/5)

The ‘Sashimi Moriawase’, translating to ‘an assortment of raw fish’, was the first appetiser we tried off of the Japanese menu, and boy we were not disappointed. The salmon and the tuna were both exceptionally fresh and we truly had nothing to complain about – it was flawless! At LKR 6500, the platter would usually include 4 types of fish (5 pieces each) with the addition of Octopus and Modha, which were not available on the day.

 

Nigiri Matsu Platter — LKR 6,500 (4/5)

Out of everything on the Nigiri Matsu Platter, our favourite had to be the Salmon and the Crab Nigiri. Once again, all the seafood was as fresh as they come, and the rice was portioned into the most perfect bite-sized pieces with just the right amount of vinegar in them. And we were also intrigued by the salmon roe (a caviar substitute) that was present in the platter. The roe has a slightly firm outer layer that gives way to a delicate, juicy interior popping with every bite.

 

Dragon Maki and Rainbow Maki — LKR 2,500 (4/5) | Volcano Maki — LKR 3,250 (5/5)

Being a holy grail when it comes to Japanese cuisine, we couldn’t not order from the extensive Maki menu. We ordered the Dragon Maki, Rainbow Maki and Volcano Maki on a single platter since we had a lot more dishes we wanted to try, but if you were to order them on a usual day, you’d get them in portions of 8 pieces each. And in terms of flavour — exquisite! Need we say more?

 

MAINS

 

Massaman Beef with Potato and Peanuts — LKR 4,750 (4/5)

Fork-tender beef, soft potatoes, sweet peanuts, creamy coconut milk and aromatic spices – what’s not to love about a Thai Massaman curry? And this one in particular is definitely one to write home about. Best accompanied with a warm bowl of sticky white rice, Robata Grill’s Massaman curry was to die for. 

 

Thai Green Curry Chicken — LKR 2,400 (3/5)

Bursting with aromatic spices, lemongrass and juicy chicken, the Thai Green Curry was a treat for all senses. Complement this with a side of sticky white rice to soak up the creamy and spicy sauce, and we can guarantee you will be in utter bliss. Overall, this was a deliciously balanced and satisfying meal that was well worth the price!

 

Pad Thai Prawn — LKR 4,400 (4/5)

The Pad Thai was a symphony of flavours and textures. The stir-fried rice noodles were perfectly cooked and coated in a sauce, which was a tad bit too sweet for a savoury dish. But the plump and juicy prawns added great flavour and beautifully complemented the overall dish. The crunchy shiitake mushrooms that sat on top of the noodles added a satisfying texture that helped hit all the right notes. 

 

Pork Katsudon — LKR 3,500 (5/5)

Now this is that one dish I could go on and on and on about. This comforting and flavourful bowl was truly the crème de la crème of our experience here. The fried pork cutlet was perfectly crispy, and was perfectly balanced with a touch of umami from the egg and onions. The dish, garnished with some bright green scallions and crispy seaweed for a pop of freshness, made this truly hearty and comforting.

 

Chicken Karaage — LKR 2,600 (5/5)

Karaage chicken is Japan’s take on crispy fried chicken and they do it well. The chicken was accompanied with a special sauce, which together, gave the whole dish a delicious umami flavour. In the end, we couldn’t stop ourselves from demolishing it and were left wanting more.

 

Bento Box — LKR 5,100 (4/5)

The Bento Box was a meal that had something for everyone. The Karaage chicken was once again deliciously crispy and flavourful, while the coleslaw provided a refreshing, cool crunch. The sashimi on the other hand, was fresh and delicate, with a clean and subtle taste. The sticky white rice provided the perfect neutral base for all the components. While the portion sizes were just right, there was a lack of umami flavour which would have made the dish a winner.

Note: The Bento Box meals are available only during lunch service.

 

DESSERTS

 

Thai Sticky Rice with Mango — LKR 600 (5/5)

The Thai sticky white rice with mango was surely the winner when it came to desserts. Having never tried the dish before, we were a little sceptical about how the combination of mango and rice would work, but we can now confidently say that this left a lasting impression on our taste buds. The coconut milk added a subtle creaminess and brought all the elements together, making it the perfect end to a meal with a touch of tropical sweetness.

 

Coconut Crème Brûlée — LKR 1,800 (3/5)

This was a pretty good dessert overall. The caramelised top cracked perfectly under the spoon, and the texture was smooth and creamy. We were expecting a stronger coconut flavour that unfortunately, did not come through as much as we had hoped. Nevertheless, the dish was enjoyable owing to its rich vanilla and custard flavours.

 

Tempura Ice Cream — LKR 1,800 (5/5)

Now this dessert was one of those unique treats that blends elements; both hot and cold beautifully. The crisp and golden tempura batter provided a perfect crunch that contrasted nicely with the cold and creamy vanilla ice cream inside. The dish was drizzled with a chocolate sauce that added a perfect touch of sweetness without overpowering the rest of the components.

 

DRINKS

 

Achcharu — LKR 1,900 (4/5)

Now for someone that never really got around to properly liking traditional ‘achcharu’, Mövenpick’s signature ‘Achcharu’ cocktail was a welcome surprise. The drink had everything to make it quintessentially achcharu-esque — sweet, a little sour, and with a hint of gin.

 

Long Island Iced Tea — LKR 3,200 (3/5)

A perfect choice for those who like their cocktails bold, this blend of gin, rum, vodka and tequila was complex, but balanced with a touch of lemon juice and cola. While the drink was pretty potent, it was surprisingly smooth and easy to drink. 

 

AMBIANCE

 

With a delightful fusion of modern sophistication and traditional Japanese charm, the Robata Grill provides a cosy experience. With plenty of seating to go around, the restaurant offers a number of booths as well as two private dining rooms for an intimate setting. The highlight at the Robata Grill is undoubtedly the staff. Everyone there was exceptionally warm and welcoming, and had a good understanding of all the items on the menu and even the ingredients of dishes.

All in all, our experience at The Robata Grill was one that we could not complain about. The food gave us quite the gastronomic experience. The staff were all exceptionally well-trained, answering any and all questions we had for them. And the ambiance of the overall experience was nothing short of exquisite.

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