Food
Clove Bistro's food menu is mainly a mix of burgers, sandwiches, shawarmas and a range of grilled goodies.
We were quite let down by their Hummus & Pita (Rs. 250). There was a splash of olive oil, but the chick-pea presence was almost non-existent. In terms of texture, it was too watery; almost like a sauce, but with a very slight graininess. The Grilled Shrimps in Garlic (Rs. 650) was a generous portion of the said elements and a salad on the side. The garlic sauce didn't overpower the shrimpiness of the meal but enhanced the flavour. This is a good one to kick things off. My vegetarian half (Dinithi) got this Veg Shawarma (Rs. 350). Packed to the brim of a store brought roti with a mixture of peppered up lettuce, tomato, and onions, it was all right. A few chunks of tofu/curried up potatoes/grilled sweet potatoes would have made it better.
The helping of hand-cut fries on the side was superb. Dusted with salt, they were chunky, but not annoyingly so, and had a wonderful crisp to the bite. The star of the show was this; Grilled Chicken Fried Rice (Rs. 550). A grill-kissed chicken leg, a serving of fried rice, a side salad, and two tiny helpings of nai miris sauce and chilli paste arrived in this one.
The rice was fluffy, not sticky nor oily, and presented a nice wok-fried aroma. A little tough from the outside with a bit of charcoal-ed spots to go around, the chicken was grilled adequately, while retaining its juicy and soft texture from the inside. The nai miris sauce brings its flavours to the next level by providing tangy and spicy kicks. Highly recommend that you make good use of that.
Drinks
*Pictured above – Strawberry Mojito (left) and Choco Coco (right)
Out of the two drinks, Strawberry Mojito (Rs. 550) was our favourite. Limey and minty, it was refreshing, had a lovely fizz going on, and was sweet in the best way possible.
The Choco Coco (Rs. 580) was like a watered-down take on a Chocolate Milkshake. The ripples of chocolate sauce in the glass added some sweetness, but aside from that, we weren't too happy about its flavours.
Ambience & Service
With soft lighting, comfortable chairs, wooden tables and good music that fills the room, the ambience at Clove Bistro can cater to many encounters. They seem to get a lot of family/friends dinner outs, and it's good for date nights too, especially if you're in the area.
Our server Sean was a cheerful, friendly fellow who was quite excited about having us there. He explained the menu to us and the food didn't take more than 15 minutes to land on our table.
Conclusion
This is a good dining option if you're passing by or live in the area. There are certain aspects that they can improve in terms of food, but for that price, it's value for money.