Gemi Uyana first opened up in Panadura, but now they have an outlet right opposite McDonald's on Galle Road. They have been fully operational for a few months so we decided to pay them a visit.
The Food
While it looks like your average buth kade with the curries on display, unfortunately, you cannot pick your curries, only the protein. There are only about 4-5 curries at a time and you will be served 4 of their choice.
We got the Chicken Rice and Curry (Rs. 230) which came with kankun, dhal and kesel muwa. The dish was at best only average. The rice was good so there's nothing special to mention here. The curries were decently prepared but they could have used a bit more seasoning. The kesel muwa especially tasted pretty bland. The chicken, however, was spicy and delicious enough that it saved the dish.
The Cuttlefish Rice and Curry (Rs. 280) had the same curries except for a gotukola mallun instead of kesel muwa. The red rice was tasteless, it tasted dry and crumbly. Not because it was undercooked, but because the rice itself was a low-quality sort. The mallun however was really delicious as well as the cuttlefish, but again, it would have been better if it came with a gravy.
They seem to have the same flaw that many buth kade have, the curries were not enough for the amount of rice served.
The Watalappam (Rs. 50) had a good texture to it albeit a little too sweet for our liking. It was decent, and for 50 bucks, I'd say pretty solid.
Service and Ambience
Their service can certainly improve because we found ourselves waiting in line for a good 15 minutes, at least. The could use more manpower, especially considering the wave of hungry customers they get during the lunch rush.
The place is spacious but it is congested, especially the small dining room inside for the lack of proper ventilation. The wooden chairs and tables are not the most comfortable, but it's not like you plan to spend hours here.
Conclusion
We suggest that you stick to white rice here and also, takeout is your best bet.
