Level 4 – Pub and Restaurant is something of a hidden gem in Colombo’s food and drink scene, though this may simply be because the business originally opened up in late 2019. Late 2019, of course, led to 2020 which as we all know was when the world became an introvert and so, Level 4 doesn’t quite have the same reputation as Colombo’s other rooftop pubs and bars.
Occupying the fourth and fifth floors of a small building located on Canal Row right opposite the World Trade Centre, which is how it gets its name, Level 4 is a charming pub and restaurant a stone’s throw away from the Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct.
Level 4 recently saw a change in management with chef and food entrepreneur Dyllon Ekanayake taking over the reins to elevate Level 4 across the board and make it synonymous with food and drink that is of excellent quality and pays homage to Sri Lankan flavours.
“My vision for this concept is to make sure that we as Sri Lankans are bringing our best to the table,” Ekanayake shared at an exclusive media viewing of Level 4’s new and improved offering. “We will be elevating our beverages towards the international community. One day, hopefully, people from other countries will talk about Level 4 as the place to visit for an interesting and memorable food and drink experience.”
Part of Ekanayake’s vision is to develop a new Sri Lankan taste, by taking global favourites and giving them a Sri Lankan twist to create a fusion of the best of both the international and local worlds. With all beverages and spirits sourced locally as well, Ekanayake’s new menu is a snapshot of Sri Lankan bounty mixed with unique Sri Lankan flavours.
“Our priority is quality food and drink,” Ekanayake explained, noting: “Most people go for profit and do not serve fresh, good-quality food. Level 4’s number one vision is to make sure that whatever you consume here is of top quality. We’re going to be elevating the menu to reflect this step by step. By nature, people are not adventurous here, and favour the same old tried-and-tested options like fried rice. It won’t be easy to change that outlook off the bat, but we have been doing our research and will slowly introduce fusion items to our menu that give the Sri Lankan customer something new. Some of the recipes we’re playing with are Sri Lankan twists of well-known dishes like Malaysian rendang with kiribath, or the famous nasi lemak with Sri Lankan chicken curry – familiar dishes that offer a sense of adventure.”
One such libation we sampled was the Nai Miris Shooter, a twist on the traditional shooter that brought in grenadine syrup and nai miris to create a spicy but smooth mouthful that had a kick of chilli on the way down, which was not at all overpowering, and in fact, kept you wanting more.
Another fusion beverage was the Mudslide, a tamarind and lemon-based cocktail which was paired with Level 4’s Signature Chicken Kottu. The Mudslide was the perfect pairing for any fiery kottu which also featured nai miris for an added kick. The sweet sourness of the tamarind and the crispness of the lemon balanced out the heat of the kottu perfectly.
Given Level 4’s location at the heart of Colombo’s business district overlooking one of the Colombo skyline’s most iconic developments, Ekanayake shared that Level 4 will be paying special attention to the corporate and mercantile sector, with both floors of Level 4 being well-suited to business meetings, small conferences, and lunches. The first floor can seat up to 45 people and comes complete with a projector and in-built sound system, and the upper floor can accommodate up to 100 people. Level 4 has also launched “Nelum Kole” – a daily lunch menu that focuses on down-home Sri Lankan cuisine so all diners can have a taste of home on their lunch break.
Ekanayake also shared that he and the the other owners behind Level 4 are also currently devising a special membership programme for corporate and mercantile sector businesses to better be able to host any kind of business gathering from private meetings to company-themed events.
Level 4 will always remain a pub and restaurant at heart, however, with a range of individual and group deals on beverages, and their very own music controller DJ Shawn to keep guests entertained on the weekends.
For more information on Level 4 or to make a reservation:
Telephone: 077 707 1957
Website: www.level4.lk
Facebook: Level 4 – Pub & Restaurant
