Colombo, Dec 29 (@serial.eaters #Instagram)
Caramel Pumpkin is quite possibly one of my most favorite spots in Colombo, and it’s honestly no secret that I’m a big fan. If it were up to me, I would just suggest the place for any and every meet up (…and most of the time, I actually do!). Not only do they have yummy food and a plethora of selections, but the place is also ideal for a catch-up session with friends, or even great if you’re looking to chill somewhere by yourself.
What we ordered: Better Than Kayefcee (Rs.580), Penne Carbonara with Roast Chicken (Rs.750), Ciabatta with Roast Chicken (Rs.700), This DJ Rocks (Rs.860), Chicken Summer Salad (Rs.750), The Break Up (Rs.860), Orange Juice (Rs.400)
I’m not usually a salad kind of person, but the Summer Salad was seriously so good! The citrus and garlic dressing drizzled generously on the variety of fresh veggies, along with the crunchy herb croutons sprinkled on top, had me craving more – which even surprised me! I, however, have to add that if you’re on a bit of a diet and thinking of ordering this, maybe get the Garden Salad instead. Not sure how healthy this one really is!
The Better Than Kayefcee – crispy chicken tenders – was also so good! Crispy, as promised and packed full of flavour. The spice blend that they sprinkle on top of the chicken is amazing, and that – along with the dipping sauce, which is sort of like a chilli mayonnaise – really ups its flavour. It’s the perfect appetizer to share with a bunch of people, although if you ask me, I’m not sure I’d want to share this one with anyone. It’s just that good!
So I almost always get pasta when at Caramel Pumpkin. I’ve been here a bunch of times, and to be honest only remember it not being up to par once. If you’re picky about what goes into your pasta, their ‘Make Your Own Pasta’ section allows you to pick a type of pasta, sauce, protein & topping(s), so you can make your perfect pasta. This time around, I went with penne pasta, carbonara & roast chicken as the sauce & protein, & oregano & chilli flakes as the toppings and the combo was spot on! The pasta-sauce ratio was on point, and the sprinkle of parmesan on top really enhanced the flavour of the dish. It wasn’t heavy like many white-sauce based pastas are, and the portion was pretty decent; more than enough for one very, very (albeit forever) hungry girl!
The menu also has a ‘Make Your Own Sandwich or Wrap’ section, which we, of course, decided to try out. From the choice of carbs, proteins & add-ons presented to us, we picked ciabatta with roast chicken. Honestly though, you get a lot more than what you ask for. The sandwich comes loaded – which makes it almost impossible to eat gracefully (who am I kidding, I’m far from it anyway) – and I sure as heck am not complaining. Apart from the roast chicken mix; which is delicious on its own, the sandwich also comes with some crisp veggies, a slice of cheddar cheese and some thick, golden fries on the side. It doesn’t look big enough but is really filling and so worth the price. The bread is fresh and holds the filling in place perfectly. For those of you’ll who are a little more concerned about your health, there is also a brown bread option, which I’m sure tastes just as great!
The dijon mustard flavoured chicken pot pie – This DJ Rocks – was exactly what I pictured in my mind when we placed our order for it. The filling was rich, creamy and delicious, and the buttery pastry on top was golden and flaky. It came with a decent portion of salad on the side, both of which were demolished shortly after. If I had to point out one negative, it would be that the more of this we ate, the saltier the filling got. So, if they adjust the salt level here, it will be a real winner!
On to the drinks, the Break Up was perfection. I mean, what’s not to like about a milkshake with Oreos!? It was thick and creamy, with the perfect amount of Oreos blended in. What I really liked about this one apart from its rich Oreo flavour, was that it wasn’t overpoweringly sweet, like most milkshakes I’ve tried are. It is however quite filling, so be prepared to be stuffed at the end of your meal!
The Orange Juice was nice and fresh, not too sweet, with the perfect amount of sourness. We would have loved for it to be a little cooler, but I’m just nitpicking here. It really was a good OJ, and ideal if you’re ordering something quite filling in terms of food.
The restaurant has a space for everyone. There’s a private room, and outdoor spaces, regular tables, high tables running along the restaurant’s windows, and even bean bags. They also have some delicious looking desserts, none of which we tried this time around cause we just couldn’t stuff ourselves some more – but we have tried a few of them on previous occasions, and they’ve been quite good.
There’s also an Isle of Gelato counter, with some drool-worthy, unique options like Puttalam Sea Salt & Caramel, & Lychee Raspberry Sorbet. I highly recommend getting one of the sorbet’s if you’re looking to beat the heat with something refreshing and not too filling.
If you’ve been to Caramel Pumpkin, we really want to know your thoughts, so drop by our page and let us know!
Halal | Good Options | A Wicked Acoustic Cover Playlist | Approx Rs.1400/person
Caramel Pumpkin
38 Ward Pl, Colombo 00700
-The above content is taken from @serial.eaters Instagram page and is not the original content of News.In Asia.
