BBQ time at Bavarian Beer Garden and Boardwalk

• Waters Edge serves up monthly BBQ with unique beer cocktails

It’s a great time for barbeques and there’s no better place to enjoy one than at the Bavarian Beer Garden and Boardwalk at Waters Edge – seated in the cool open area, listening to the band and watching the lapping water and the dancing lights of the traffic in the distance, all external sounds muted by the live band.

Boardwalk serves up fusion cuisine and boasts a combination of menus, while the Beer Garden has a partnership with Lion Brewery and conjures up some great beer cocktails. The extensive space is perfect for gatherings with family or friends and the monthly BBQ buffet (held in the third week) has proven to be quite popular.

The BBQ buffet is priced at Rs. 3,200 nett and comprises a welcome drink, salads, soups, an impressive spread of meats, a ‘catch of the day’ on the grill, pasta, rice, seasonal vegetables and some great sauces, plus a good selection of desserts.

Salads

The salad section is presented well – fresh, flavourful and, most importantly, seasoned expertly. One can recall plenty of instances when many establishments get seasoning wrong. The roast beetroot salad was the highlight, with the sprinkling of feta adding that extra kick which blended well with the acidity of the celery and the buttery notes of the walnut dressing. 

The grill

Undoubtedly the highlight of the buffet, the assortment of grilled items was well prepared and, most importantly, not overcooked. 

Many places often grill a large batch of food in the interest of time and convenience and in doing so overcook the meat, making it hard and chewy. But the Bavarian Beer Garden has got grilling down to an art – this much is clear from the aromas wafting through the air softly calling you towards the grill, to you effortlessly cutting into your beer marinated beef or a lamb chop, to the first bite you take.

The meats are seasoned well and the collections of sauces on offer provide more incentive to sample each and every one of them. Overall the best part of the buffet. 

Dessert

The dessert selection varied from the decadent to the simple, but everything we tried was of good quality. The bread pudding as well as the trifle in particular complemented the meal well. The bread pudding was surprisingly light and fluffy and the trifle was well balanced. Cheesecake, chocolate mousse and fresh fruits rounded out the rest of the dessert selection. 

Beverage selection

Arrack Cocktail – The simple yet winning combination of arrack and passion fruit was quite refreshing and packed a punch without being too overpowering. The triple sec added in to balance out the flavours was an excellent touch by the barman. 

Edge Delight – This beer cocktail was unusual to say the least and unlike anything we’ve tasted before. Beer cocktails in their own right are not well known in Colombo, but the Edge Delight is a must-try. It uses classic Lion Lager as the base and is spiked wonderfully with gin, muddled ginger and EGB. Refreshing, vibrant and smooth. 

Golden Cake – A funky twist on the pineapple upside down confection, Lion beer again lends itself to be modified by Galliano, Malibu and pineapple juice. Hapipness in a glass, and if, like me you just cannot get enough of pineapple, the Golden Cake should be right up your ally. 

Pix by Daminda Harsha Perera