Moonlighting at the Mews

Dining and shopping at the same time? Exploring the latest concept in dining out with the Park Street Mews

By Nizla Naizer

What makes Park Street Mews so unique? Is it the exotically shaped lamps and pieces of furniture that dot the interior of the restaurant with price tags attached? Or is it the airy open spaces of the warehouse like interior which was once the stables of the Moosajee family and then utilised by a bank? Is it the airy breezes and mellow lighting which creates an ambience so cozy that you can spend hours feeling relaxed? Or is it the tasteful and artistic atmosphere which inspires creativity even as you dine?
Whichever reason you decide upon, the minute a waiter approaches you with a fishbowl like glass bowl with the menus rolled into scrolls for you to pick, you know there is something different about this restaurant.
The urban mews
The restaurant aims to live up to its name and convert the entire area into a fashionable street of mews, which are stables and warehouses converted into urban residences and retail outlets.
Situated amidst the bustling hub of Park Street, the aptly named restaurant opened their doors recently to diners in Colombo who were in need of a change in scene. The inspiration of Harpo Gooneratne whose other restaurants The Commons, Bayleaf and Harpo’s Pizza have already been established as popular dining spots for many, Park Street Mews brings a different concept to the boards altogether, the ‘retail restaurant’.
“It’s a combination of shopping and dining,” the restaurant’s Public Relations Executive Mihiri Salpitikorala explained, “We have items of handpicked furniture and lamps from Bali and other parts of the world along with select pieces of jewellery for sale.” The lamps which vary from egg shaped to branching out in illuminated appendages contribute directly to the incredibly cozy atmosphere and artistic lighting within the restaurant.
The entire restaurant calls for a relaxed, casual experience. Most of the dishes and special offers of the day are written in colourful chalk on large black boards above the brightly lit bar, in front of the open kitchen. Although the restaurant does not serve alcohol a delicious array of juices and coffees are continuously being prepared behind the bustling counter. The service is friendly and you can request items on the lunch menu for dinner if you are a fan and they will do their best to provide you with your request.
Breakfast till 7pm anyone?
On weekends the restaurant has a unique all-day breakfast offer where till 7 pm on Saturday and Sunday, diners can walk in and have continental breakfast of a bakery basket, Danish pastries, croissants, fruit skewers and the works, or an energy breakfast of garlic chicken sausages, baked beans, hash brown and grilled tomatoes or a Sri Lankan breakfast of fish mustard curry, hoppers and pol sambol to name a few.
“It’s specially designed for those who have a hard night of partying and need a scrumptious breakfast whenever they feel like waking up,” Mihiri explained. The breakfast menu is also available till 11 am on weekdays.
The cuisine at Park Street Mews is a delightful fusion. From a range of wraps, burgers, panini and sandwiches in the lunch menu along with unique rice specials like the Balinese Mixed Rice, the Caribbean fish curry with steamed rice and the Thai chicken curry with rice, the menu brings the best from across the globe.
Dinner is equally exotic with a range of grills from jumbo prawns and yellow fin tuna to feta cheese stuffed chicken breast served with mushroom risotto cake and pesto sauce. Along with a selection of soups, salads and main dishes such as Penne Carbonara and Potato Gnocchi on spinach and blue cheese, there is something to fit every palette.
And of course, the desserts need special mention with their Rhubarb Crumble and Cold Cheesecake sinful delights. I found comfort in the Ice Mocha however, which is a signature drink in their range of cold and hot coffees.
Under the sea
My favourite part of the restaurant however was the former People’s Bank vault which is now converted into a private dining area in the restaurant. The entire room was painted by international artist Nuriya as an underwater landscape so real that you pause before entering down to the room. As you sit under a deceptively harmless looking shark to a sea turtle in an elaborate dive, to dolphins gallivanting in one corner, the ambience is an ‘under the sea’ experience to be relished with family and friends.
So head to Park Street Mews yourself and find out how stables and warehouses can be converted into an urban restaurant that is at once chic and comfortable. The restaurant which is wi-fi equipped is located at 50/1 Park Street, Colombo 2 and is open from 8 am to 11 pm on weekdays and 8 am to midnight on weekends. Call 2300133 for more information.
Pix by Ursula Gonsalves