Peninsula (Sri Lankan & Indian Cuisine) — Restaurant in London

Title: A Flavorful Journey at Peninsula (Dammika's) Sri Lankan & Indian Cuisine

Rating: ★★★★☆

Recently, I had the pleasure of dining at Peninsula (Dammika's) Sri Lankan & Indian Cuisine, and it proved to be a delightful culinary experience. Located in [city/neighborhood], this restaurant offers a fusion of Sri Lankan and Indian flavors that tantalize the taste buds.

Upon entering the restaurant, I was greeted by a warm and inviting ambiance. The decor reflected the vibrant cultures of Sri Lanka and India, creating a visually appealing atmosphere. The attentive and friendly staff added to the welcoming vibe, providing excellent service throughout my visit.

The menu at Peninsula (Dammika's) offers a wide variety of dishes, showcasing the rich and diverse culinary heritage of Sri Lanka and India. From fragrant curries to mouthwatering biryanis, there was an array of options to choose from. As a fan of spice, I was particularly impressed by the robust flavors and aromatic spices that infused each dish.

For starters, I opted for the samosas, which were perfectly crispy and filled with a delicious blend of spiced vegetables. The accompanying chutneys provided a delightful balance of tanginess and heat. As for the main course, I tried the Sri Lankan chicken curry, which was a highlight of my dining experience. The tender chicken cooked in a rich coconut-based sauce with a perfect blend of spices was simply divine. Paired with fluffy basmati rice and freshly made naan bread, it was a truly satisfying meal.

The restaurant also offers a selection of Sri Lankan and Indian desserts to round off the dining experience. I indulged in the traditional Sri Lankan dessert called Watalappam, a creamy coconut custard with hints of jaggery and spices. It was a sweet and delightful way to end the meal.

What truly stood out during my visit was the authenticity of the flavors. The chef's expertise in blending traditional spices and ingredients resulted in dishes that felt true to their origins. The presentation of each dish was also noteworthy, demonstrating attention to detail and a commitment to delivering an exceptional dining experience.

While the overall experience was fantastic, I would like to note that the restaurant could benefit from a wider selection of vegetarian and vegan options. Although there were a few choices available, a more extensive range would cater to a broader audience.

In conclusion, Peninsula (Dammika's) Sri Lankan & Indian Cuisine offers a captivating culinary journey through the flavors of Sri Lanka and India. With its welcoming ambiance, attentive service, and mouthwatering dishes, it is a recommended destination for anyone seeking a memorable dining experience. Whether you're a fan of spicy curries or longing to explore the diverse cuisines of Sri Lanka and India, this restaurant is well...

This was booked in advance as a team get-together as such we had advanced viewing of the menu.

I went for the 'Rice&Curry' with my choice of curry being the Mutton.

We arrived on time at 5.30pm and after being warmly greeted were seated. The orders were confirmed and it appeared that the staff had a hard copy of our pre-order, there were of course a few last minute changes which seemed to be no problem.

We ordered drinks, I had a large Cobra which arrived in good time.

We then waited for just over an hour before enquiring into the meal, I was told that it shouldn't be too much longer so myself and others ordered 2 x poppadoms whilst we waited, I had another Cobra.

The papadums arrived in good time but after 20 minutes asked where the chutneys were, we were told that there wasn't any but could have some chilli sauce. This arrived a few minutes later but wasn't very nice and appeared to be mildly flavoured tomato ketchup with chilli added.

One of our group had in between received her main dish and ate that whilst we ate our papadums, she had finished by the time our main arrived which was nearly an hour and half after we had sat down.

The food was ok and neatly presented in a banana leaf which was a nice authentic touch, which was welcome having waited over an hour and a half for it.

I became aware that people were now queuing to pay and were unhappy with the bill. I waited to pay for mine.............

So to re-cap I had the following:

2 x Papadums 3 x Cobra's 1 x Mutton Rice Curry

This came to an eye watering £68.20

The advertised price on the menu was:

Rice&curry - £17.00 2 x papadums (with Mango Chutney) - £3.99

That equated to £20.99 for the food and £47.21 for 3 Cobras, service charge and VAT.

I queried the price and was told that there was a service charge and VAT added, a colleague also challenged the price and was advised that the restaurant had very high rates of over £70k per year - glad we managed to help out there!

Overall the food was ok but no different to any other that I have visited in London. The service was friendly but had to wait over an hour and a half for it to arrive.

I rate it as 1 star because the food was ok but the service whilst friendly was slow, based on price alone it was less...

As a British-Sri Lankan, possessing the ability to try Sri Lankan food in the UK is important. My wife and I previously attended the restaurant when it was named Dammika's, and we thought we attend again, including my parents and children last week - big mistake.

Firstly, they do not acknowledge any online-bookings nor do they answer their telephone. I made an online booking but received no confirmation. I telephoned the restaurant six times, with no answer. I assumed it was closed, however I paid a visit and saw a neon sign in the window stating that it was open.

We entered the restaurant and we were greeted and seated in quick succession. Whilst I appreciate this is a small restaurant, the owner seems to think it is pleasant on the eye for him to be leaning against the bar as if he is on a night out. He showed no form of professionalism and it appeared he did not want to be there. He was more interested in his friends who came in for dinner.

Atmosphere wise, not impressed. I was seated below one of their speakers. At one point during my dinner I heard loud sound effects and noises, which made me startle. I then realised it was an advertisement from the radio/spotify, which was not impressive. I would suggest either paying for Spotify Premium/YouTube premium to ensure the atmosphere is maintained throughout people's experiences. Moreover, may be play some Sri Lankan music instead of some random playlist?

The food quality was questionable. I would recommend not ordering the Masala Thosai. The Thosai is only stuffed in the middle and the rest of the thosai is dry, empty thosai. The Mutton curry was a joke. They had priced this at £14.00! Whilst I appreciate the location and the cost of living, to charge £14.00 for a small bowl of mutton curry is a farce.

Sadly, my family and I will never be returning and I would suggest you duly take heed of my feedback. Being a British Sri Lankan from the younger generation you are sincerely alienating your younger crowd. Do better and keep up...