SKY YARD - MaRadha Colombo — Restaurant in Colombo

Had dinner and drinks here on New Year's night 2024, and I was very impressed with the quality of the food. My compliments to the kitchen for being able to serve a delicious seafood platter and pork chops in a short period of time despite it being a busy evening. The food was affordable and delicious. It arrived to the table slightly colder than expected, but the only good waiter there was happy to re-heat it for us. There was a slight rain, so the outdoor space was unusable, but the roofed area was cozy and good. Right amount of lighting and cool features, it has a good vibe at night, although it might be too hot to visit before sunset. Except for the service of one young man, who was very polite, attentive and very accommodating with our requests, I must say that the other wait staff are quite disappointing. The guy who took our order was probably new, not well trained, and has a problem communicating clearly. He was quite unfamiliar with the menu, so we had to keep repeating our choices multiple times by pointing at the items on the menu before he could understand what we asked for. We tried avoiding him for the rest of the night and spoke only to the better trained guy. The older guy who happened to be the bartender, was very loud, having constant arguments with his colleagues and impolite towards some guests, whose order he had messed up. It was uncomfortable for us as our table was by the bar. The only time we saw him being decent was to a young Sri Lankan lady from abroad - no surprises there. I watched in shock as he and the untrained guy prepared Shisha for some guests, and actually drew smoke with their mouths to check the quality and then served it without changing the nozzles to the guests! Yuck! We promptly decided not to order anything but neat shots of alcohol from the bar, worried about the hygiene practiced by the bartender. We were there until after midnight, and we ordered three rounds of the same two drinks - 1) Gordon's Gin, tonic and lime slices separate, 2) J & B Rare Whisky, neat. The bartender was not around for the third and last round, so the untrained guy made the drinks for us. The idiot served the whisky with a lime slice in it! I told him that I didn't ask for lime slice in the drink, and he just removed it. My drink was ruined, but I had not the energy to make a scene, so I reluctantly gulped it down, paid the bill and left. As some of the other reviews have mentioned here, except for the one good waiter (lean guy) everyone else need a ton of training or else this place will become unpopular soon. Kottu shops staff have better service. I will come again for the delicious food, and hope to catch the sunset too. But I'll avoid those undesirable staff...

Last night, my husband and I decided to celebrate our anniversary at a much-talked-about rooftop restaurant, lured in by its acclaimed ambiance and decorations. Upon arrival, we were not disappointed. The setting was indeed beautiful, enhanced by a musician who serenaded us with the guitar, adding a layer of magic to the evening. Our order included pineapple juice, chicken kottu, and chicken à la Kiev, all of which promised a delightful dining experience.

However, the night took an unfortunate turn when a waiter, in an attempt to serve our drinks, accidentally spilled pineapple juice on me. The incident not only stained my dress but also dampened the spirit of our special night. Despite the waiter's repeated apologies, the situation was poorly handled from thereon. The lack of immediate and thoughtful action to rectify the mishap was palpable. I found myself using a towel cloth provided for dinnerware to clean the spill off my face and blouse, feeling embarrassed as no one around seemed to know how to react or offer assistance.

The follow-up by the staff, though well-intentioned, felt delayed and inadequate. Though they offered another towel cloth, the damage was already done, and my discomfort was evident. The replacement of the soiled chair I was sitting on came only after my request, highlighting a lack of proactive care for customer satisfaction.

Despite the evening's downturn, the food, when it arrived, was nothing short of delicious. Yet, the joy of savoring these dishes was overshadowed by the earlier incident, forcing us to rush through our meal with a sense of urgency to leave.

In a touching attempt to lighten the mood, the musician played a song requested by my husband earlier in the night. While his considerate gesture was appreciated, it could not salvage the evening's tainted experience.

Reflecting on the night, it's clear that a simple verbal apology was insufficient for the inconvenience and embarrassment caused. A more thoughtful, immediate response and perhaps a gesture of goodwill would have gone a long way in mitigating the situation and preserving the specialness of our anniversary dinner. It's a reminder that while accidents happen, it's the manner in which they are addressed that truly defines the...

I’ve visited Sky Yard at Maradha Colombo a few times, and while it has some great aspects, there are definitely areas that could use improvement.

Food: The local dishes here are well-prepared and flavorful, making them a good choice if you're looking for Sri Lankan favorites. However, I found the pasta and lasagna quite disappointing. Both were undercooked and lacked seasoning, leaving them bland and unenjoyable. This was consistent across multiple visits, so I’d recommend sticking to local dishes rather than Western options.

Drinks: The cocktail prices are quite reasonable, which is great, but unfortunately, they lack the expected balance of flavors—particularly the alcohol content. The drinks tasted diluted, almost as if they were missing the key ingredient. Even after raising the issue with the staff, there was no noticeable improvement, which was disappointing.

Ambience & Vibe: One of the biggest highlights of Sky Yard is its stunning location. The rooftop setting offers a fantastic view of the Indian Ocean and Marine Drive, making it a great spot to unwind, especially at sunset. The decor is stylish, and the music adds to the laid-back yet vibrant atmosphere, making it an enjoyable place to hang out.

Service: The staff here are friendly and welcoming, which adds to the experience. While they are attentive and polite, the lack of responsiveness when addressing concerns about the drinks was a letdown.

Overall, Sky Yard at Maradha Colombo is a great spot if you're looking for a rooftop venue with stunning views, a relaxing vibe, and friendly service. It's the perfect place to unwind and enjoy. While the local dishes are tasty, the pastas and cocktails could use some improvement. With a little more attention to food and drinks, this place could easily become a top favorite. If you're visiting, go for the ambiance and experience, and hopefully, they’ll refine the...