A fusion of Sri Lanka’s natural essence, crab and pepper are the main feature at Black Pepper (BP). Taking its name after the king of spices, Black Pepper is located at one of the most happening parts of the city – Dutch Hospital. The restaurant is owned and managed by Earl’s Hotel.
An array of authentic local recipes has been selected from the four corners of the country to highlight the flavours of each region.
BP is a multi-cuisine combination of Sri Lankan crab, seafood and meat. They have a simple menu, focusing on the main culinary treasures. The head chef Charles Samarapala has been in the industry for years and heads the action inside the kitchen. He makes it a point to ensure that all ingredients are very fresh.
Service
A key to customers is good service and that is something BP is excelling at. From greeting you to showing you to your table, they are on their toes to serve you. Food arrives in 15 to 20 minutes, which is faster than other seafood restaurants and the waiters are very friendly and courteous.
Manager Manoj Fernando took me on an exclusive tour including a visit to the kitchen to experience the cooking. He made an effort to enlighten me about the concept of the restaurant and made my visit more pleasurable.
Ambience
The pristine black and white interior is the first thing that hits you when you enter. The restaurant has an upscale and elegant set up. It is on two levels and can accommodate more than 150 people in one dining room. The walls have been decorated beautifully, adding a very cozy vibe.
The standing wine rack is a significant feature. There are two fully-stocked bars and they have an exclusive menu, where they serve mocktails and cocktails as requested. The open kitchen is an interesting feature as diners can watch the cooking through the glass paneling.
Food
I started off with an iced tea, which was very refreshing as it was very different to the standard iced teas I have tried elsewhere. It was very flavoursome and made me go for seconds! Moving on to a light starter, I opted for the ‘chef’s special mixed salad with ‘kochchi’ sauce’. It was a generous portion of a vegetarian option with a spicy kick from the kochchi. Next, I got my apron on, because I just had to indulge in the crab with my fingers. The star of the night without a doubt was their signature ‘black pepper crab’. It was huge and very fresh. The black pepper did justice to the lagoon crab, highlighting the authentic taste of our country. It was super flavourful and made my tongue tingle for more! Complimenting the crab curry was the oven-roasted bread (dara paan). It was a classic combination, which cannot go wrong!
Being a person with a sweet tooth; the dinner wasn’t complete without dessert. I tried the watalappam served with a kolikuttu banana; the presentation was worthy of notice since it was served on a king coconut decorated with banana leaves. I always tend to compare the watalappam to my grandmother’s, which is always the best for me. Well, this was beyond my expectations to be honest.
It was delicious, with the right amount of jaggery. It was delicious and complemented the banana well. Overall, I had a very heavy indulgence of crab and the messy hands were worth it. Will I visit again or recommend it to my friends? That’s a big, fat crabilicious yes! Bon Appétit!
Reviewed By Shafiya Nawzer