By Warsha Dissanayake
We visited Clements brand new outlet based in Chilaw towards the evening and we were pleasantly greeted with the traditional ‘Ayubowan’ which made us feel welcomed and also gave us a great sense of familiarity. We dined surrounded by the beautiful waterfront and glistening lights the restaurant was adorned with.
Ambience
A great playlist was being played throughout the restaurant which was not too loud but just right. The restaurant’s seating was very comfortable, you could dine for quite a while but not feel any discomfort. The bright lighting and greenery really added to the experience.
Drinks
We ordered multiple drinks to taste on your behalf!
The Watermelon Juice, Soursop Juice, Vanilla Milkshake and the Chocolate Milkshake.
Before we placed our drink orders we were asked the sugar level we preferred which was great and surprising as some customers would prefer their drinks sweet while the others would prefer a much less sugar level.
The watermelon juice tasted great, you could really taste the watermelon and it was not too watery. We really enjoyed the soursop juice as it was a new flavour and tasted sweet but not overly sweet. The vanilla milkshake and chocolate milkshake tasted just right, you could say that they were not stingy with the icecream and the milk added to the drinks were spot on. Scoops of icecream were added into the drinks which really enhanced the flavour of the milkshakes.
The only downside for the drinks were the temperature, the drinks were not as chilled as we preferred. Some of the drinks were room temperature, additional ice could really help elevate the drinks.
Mains
For mains we ordered the Margherita pizza, Chinese Set Menu, BBQ Chicken Burger, Fish and Chips Meal, Masala Chicken Kotthu, Indian Set Menu.
The Margherita tasted great, it was not too salty however there was more room for additional cheese. The olives and mushroom really added to the taste of the pizza, the marinara sauce punched a great tomato flavour but was not overbearing in any way.
The Chinese Set Menu allows you to choose from the egg and vegetable fried rice, nasi goreng or chow mein to be served along with the other accompaniments. We chose the fried rice which proved to taste great, the devilled egg packed quite some amazing flavours along with the devilled cuttlefish. We also had batterfried mushrooms which really added to the flavour of the dish.
Next we tasted the BBQ Chicken Burger, you could right away feel the home cooking in this dish. The patty served was quite generous along with the lettuce and onions. The sauces used tasted tangy, sweet and hit the right spots. However the sauce added was slightly too much as keeping grip onto the burger was difficult. Overall it was a satisfying and filling burger.
The Fish and Chips Meal had no room for errors. We were provided with some lime which we squeezed onto the fish. The fish and fries were perfectly cooked and crispy. We all unconsciously found ourselves going for more. It was truly gratifying!
Moving on to the Masala ChIcken Kotthu, right off the bat you could tell that they were not stingy with the meat provided in the dish. The kotthu tasted great, nothing out of ordinary but nevertheless a good kotthu that had just the right amount of vegetables and roti. Alongside the dish you are also given a slice of pineapple and egg which tasted great!
Finally we tried the Indian Set Menu which consisted of biryani rice and other side dishes. This dish was amazing, the rice was perfectly cooked and the spices were just right. Adding a bit of everything along with the rice really synchronised all the flavours. The egg was perfectly cooked and the Mutton which we selected for the meat was slightly salty but just right.
Dessert
We chose the Cream Caramel, Fruit Salad with Ice Cream and Chocolate Ice Cream.
The Cream Caramel was amazing, perfectly moist but sturdy and topped off with whip cream. My first bite had me wanting for more!
The Chocolate Ice Cream had a larger quantity than expected, served with three generous scoops and chocolate syrup.
Ice Cream and Fruit Salad is a great combination, the tangy and sweetness from the Fruit Salad paired perfectly with the Vanilla Ice Cream, a great way to end your meal on a good note.
Conclusion
Overall we had a great experience, the food quantity and pricing was worth it even though there is room for improvement in a few of their dishes. If you are looking to have a satisfying and fulfilling meal, hit up Clements in Chilaw!
Price range per person: Rs. 500 to Rs. 1500 (excluding 10% service charge)
Opening times: 6AM to 10PM (Daily)
Contact: 0327 489 502
Location: Chilaw Road Bangadeniya, Chilaw 61238
Visit their Instagram page @clements_chilaw or Facebook page @Clements Chilaw for more information.
