The top line: This new Sri Lankan street food restaurant is from Eroshan and Aushi Meewella, the founders of two-strong Sri Lankan restaurant group Kolamba. Located on Covent Garden’s Maiden Lane, the 70-cover restaurant draws inspiration from the country’s roadside eateries.
On the menu: Quick, hearty eating, is the premise behind ADOH! with a menu that is succinct and to the point. The snacks selection features well-loved Sri Lankan classics such as crispy mutton rolls; devilled sausages; vadai - savoury lentil doughnuts served with tomato, coconut, and mint chutneys - and chilli prawn toast with tamarind sauce. Following on from that are just five style of main, not least its kothu - a dish of chopped roti, vegetables, and eggs, tossed together on a grill and finished with curry sauce that comes in four different versions: crab, chicken, mutton and jackfruit - as well as fried chicken with curry leaf waffle, a dish inspired by Aushi’s childhood; and roadside seafood fried rice. For dessert Eroshan and Aushi have kept it simple with only one option - a salted jaggery soft serve. By contrast the drinks is surprisingly expansive with a large range of interesting cocktails and mocktails that include and arrack Old Fashioned, and Milo Shake. Wine lovers have fewer options, however, with one each of red, white, sparkling and skin contact available by the glass or bottle.
The vibe: The Meewellas have pursued an authentic approach to their new project with the interior design taking inspiration from traditional Sri Lankan lorry art. The space is bright and casual with a red, teal and yellow colour palette designed to ‘capture the chaos and vibrancy of Colombo’s streets’ with two custom murals by Sri Lankan artist Ruwangi ‘Roo’ Amarasinghe dominating the space. Overall, the space has a utilitarian feel that sits in contrast to much of what can be found on Maiden Lane.
And another thing: The unusually named ADOH! gets its moniker from the popular Sri Lankan exclamation used in greeting or surprise. The restaurant is also walk-in only, but with space for 82 covers in total, including 12 al fresco ones, being able to bag a table shouldn’t be too much of a surprise.
36 Maiden Lane, London, WC2E 7LJ // www.adoh.co.uk