Townhouse by &Co.

Townhouse at Liberty Arcade is the latest addition to the food scene, identifying themselves to be a "modern day teahouse with delicious food and ingenuous drinks". We dropped by for lunch a week after they officially opened, and were slightly surprised to see the likes of rice and curry and lamprais available. So we promptly ordered them.

Unfortunately, half of the drinks which are tacked on the menu right at the entrace, weren't.

Service and Ambience

The interior of Townhouse is lovely. They've got an off-white theme going on, with slight gold accents (in the form of beads) highlighting some of the furniture. It's got a very soothing atmosphere, but could use some good music, which was completely lacking. 

It's an exceedingly comfortable space, and quite spacious as well.

Soon as you move on from the ambience though, things get a bit hilarious (depending on your sense of humour). It seems that though &Co opened shop about a week ago, they're yet to staff or stock the place, which is weird. As in, there were no staff nor were there half the things displayed on the menu which was proudly displayed just outside the entrance. There was, however, a nice caretaker who mentioned that there'd been a change of management and she was filling in from the old management until adequate resources (human and otherwise) were sent over.

In all honesty, she did the best she could managing the place single-handedly.

Food and Drinks

They've got a few rice parcels displayed at the counter, along with lamprais and a couple of sandwiches. The meat options are fish, chicken, and pork.

We decided to try their main options before hitting up the desserts, so we went for their Pork Rice and Curry (Rs. 300) and Lamprais (Rs. 500).

For 500 bucks, we don't think the lamprais was worth it because the flavours didn't really come through. The main ingredients (well, most of) checked out, with there being a decent frikkadel, ash-plaintain curry, a somewhat okay brinjal pahe, and a very flavoursome blanchan, along with a boiled and fried egg, and dry chicken curry within. However it was rather underwhelming, and we've tasted better.

The pork rice and curry was rather more satisfactory.

It's basmati, with a side of malluma and milky parippu, came with a rather spicy pork curry and an even spicier baduma which was, according to Bhagya, quite delish. So this is a win. 

(Moral of the story? Stick with the rice and curry.
Nah, jk).

We asked for a few drinks highlighted on their menu, only to be told that they only had tea stocked in at the moment, and the coffees and whatnot would come in later. Pity, because they legit have an item named 'Virgin Blow Job' which apparently consists of pineapple, coconut cream, passion fruit and grenadine, and Bhagya wanted to try it.

Our conversation with the lady behind the counter went thus (I dared him to ask it out loud as well):

Bhagya: Hi, I'd like a virgin blowjob please.
Waitstaff: Sorry?
Bhagya: Umm… a virgin blowjob?
Waitstaff: ?
Bhagya: The pineapple and coconut drink?
WS: Ah, sorry sir, new management, we don't have any of that yet. Only teas.

So. Tea it is.

The Raspberry Iced Tea is super reasonably priced at only a hundred rupees, but we'd recommend not going for it even if it was free. The aroma of sweet raspberries wafted out to the dining area soon after we'd placed our order, which rather made us wonder if they were pouring in syrup instead. But the tea in itself, when it came, had a very muddy texture and was overpoweringly bitter, with the kahata overwhelming all other senses.

We couldn't finish it.

The Chai (by which they mean masala chai instead of just chai, which is tea anyway) was described as black tea mixed with spices, strong, with a 'pick me up spicy flavour', but this sadly wasn't so. What arrived instead was a tea bag, along with some nice white porcelain, filled with hot water, milk, and brown sugar respectively.

The tea was disappointingly mild, with the barest hint of spice in it. Weird. No, the right word is disappointing, especially at Rs. 250.

Conclusion

Townhouse is all set to be one of the nicest new hangout spots, especially with that interior, if they only got their food and staff sorted. It's been about a week now, and such an experience is understandable if the chef and staff are new and still finding their footing — but it's a different story altogether if there are no chef or other staff at all except for the nice caretaker aunty who didn't really know what to do about the lack of items. Or to prepare the flavoured iced tea.

Meanwhile, tip No. 01: Don't Open Without Your Chef.

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp

Highlights.

Latest.

KAMU.

Cinnamon Life Brings Authentic Korean Cuisine to Colombo with “A Taste of Korea”

By Sharon Nonis, Cinnamon Life recently hosted “A Taste of Korea,” a spectacular dinner buffet

Highlights Kamu Trending

Korean Food Lovers, This One’s for You – Cinnamon Lakeside’s “Korean Themed Buffet”

By Sharon Nonis, We recently experienced the Korean themed buffet at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, and

Highlights Kamu Trending

Serendib Feast at Sheraton Colombo – A True Sri Lankan Buffet Experience

If you’re craving a proper Sri Lankan buffet that doesn’t hold back on flavor or

Highlights Kamu Trending

7 Late-Night Eats in Colombo: Where to go after 10 pm!

Shamrina Carim So you’re starving, it’s well past 10 PM, and the usual restaurants have shut

Kamu Trending

Sri Lanka’s First Hotpot Conveyor Belt Launches at We Ai Family in Colombo

Colombo has just welcomed an exciting new culinary experience with the launch of Sri Lanka’s

Highlights Kamu Trending

A Vintage Affair at Sky Lounge

An Evening of Fine Wine and an Italian Touch The Kingsbury, Colombo, invites you to

Highlights Kamu Trending

Trending.

Cinnamon Life Brings Authentic Korean Cuisine to Colombo with “A Taste of Korea”

By Sharon Nonis, Cinnamon Life recently hosted “A Taste of Korea,” a spectacular dinner buffet

Highlights Kamu Trending

Korean Food Lovers, This One’s for You – Cinnamon Lakeside’s “Korean Themed Buffet”

By Sharon Nonis, We recently experienced the Korean themed buffet at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, and

Highlights Kamu Trending

Serendib Feast at Sheraton Colombo – A True Sri Lankan Buffet Experience

If you’re craving a proper Sri Lankan buffet that doesn’t hold back on flavor or

Highlights Kamu Trending

7 Late-Night Eats in Colombo: Where to go after 10 pm!

Shamrina Carim So you’re starving, it’s well past 10 PM, and the usual restaurants have shut

Kamu Trending

Churros at The Kingsbury Celebrates World Chocolate Day

The Kingsbury Colombo's beloved pâtisserie, Churros, marked World Chocolate Day in true decadence with an

Highlights Trending

Sri Lanka’s First Iris Photography Experience by Eye Craft

On June 29th, the iconic Virticle by Jetwing hosted the grand launch of Eye Craft,

Trending

Yamu Guide.

A Curated List of 9 Japanese Restaurants in Sri Lanka

1.Salmon and Maki - Thalawathugoda Japanese Fusion Cuisine 11.00 AM - 10.30 PM (everyday) Visit:

Highlights Yamu Guide

Best Waterfalls in Sri Lanka (Including Hidden Gems)

By Fathima Rukaiya, There are many beautiful waterfalls in Sri Lanka, but are you unsure

Highlights Trending Yamu Guide

The 2025 High Tea Round-Up

Looking for the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing high tea? Whether you're into sweet

Highlights Yamu Guide

Father’s Day Gift Guide 2025

By Linara Wimalaweera Father's Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the dedication and influence of

Yamu Guide

Top Must-Try Restaurants in Ahangama for 2025

Ahangama, a charming surf town on Sri Lanka's southern coast, is becoming a popular spot

Highlights Yamu Guide

8 Gift Ideas to Celebrate Your Mom This Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a special time set aside to honor the amazing women who shape

Yamu Guide