Park Street Mews Restaurant turns 12!

In the beginning there was nothing, which exploded – into an entertainment hub!

Twelve years ago, what we know and love today as Park Street Mews was just a little quiet lane. Harpo Gooneratne saw the potential for a restaurant and kicked off plans with just one outlet – Park Street Mews Restaurant. 

“Twelve years has been a long time. When I turned up around 12½ years ago, Park Street Mews was just a street. It began with our restaurant and now the complex has grown over the years – a unique place with a unique concept, it is truly one of a kind,” Harpo said, hosting a small celebration with media on Wednesday to mark the anniversary.

Fusion food, outstanding service

Park Street Mews Restaurant serves up a wide selection of fusion cuisine, a range of divine homemade ice cream, premium liquor, fine wines, local and imported beer and fresh juices, along with its signature hospitality. 

Given the firm focus on food, the menu is constantly updated with fresh, new additions, ensuring that regulars – of whom there are many – frequently have something different to look forward to. It’s not just the ambience and the menu that brings people back over and over again – the service here is outstanding and has remained consistent over the years, something that Harpo has worked hard at ensuring, constantly present to check on standards and ensure everything goes smooth as clockwork.

Park Street Mews MD Harpo Gooneratne

Harpo's Group Director – Public Relations Dharshini Sumanasekera and Harpo

Along comes Curve

Park Street Mews Restaurant underwent a major refurbishment in 2013, which saw the addition of Curve, Colombo’s first tapas bar. Tapas isn’t all that’s served up here – Curve has today evolved into the go-to place for live music, great cocktails and a fantastic time.

“So many nice things have happened at the restaurant: Kumar of Master Chef Australia fame, guest chef programs, wine evenings, lit talks… So many people have met here, they’ve all come here right throughout and been with us through this journey! And the Mews complex has had events with international bands, literary fests, culinary fests, Beatlemania, art biennales, etc.,” Harpo recalled.

Team work

Harpo is always quick to emphasise that the journey has been a success purely due to team work: “All of the success at Park Street Mews Restaurant and Curve Tapas Bar was not done alone; it’s been a team effort. Nothing can be done without a team and the team has been excellent. Some of the staff has been here throughout the last 12 years.”

Despite the current tough times, Harpo asserted his staff was his priority and he is completely committed to ensuring everyone keeps their jobs and makes it through together.

All-day deal to beat pandemic blues

Commenting on the effect of the ongoing pandemic, Harpo said business had certainly taken a dip: “Most businesses have taken a hit and we want to make things affordable. We have changed our menu at the restaurant to reflect better prices. We’re offering a great all-day deal – it’s just Rs. 11,000 for eight people, which works out to Rs. 1,375 a person for a three-course meal.”

The all-day deal is part of the celebratory promotions and is on from 12 noon to 10:30 p.m. The three-course meal is priced at Rs. 3,000 for two pax, Rs. 5,500 for four pax, and Rs. 11,000 for eight pax and the menu on offer is appealing and diverse, with something to suit every palate.

Music on the menu

Curve Bar is also keeping things lively, with many bands playing, featuring a good genre of musicians. 

“We plan to start doing little events to slowly bring back people – someone has to do it. I always tell my guys that we have to be positive; if we all be positive, we can come out stronger. If there is a tough time, there has to be a turn, and we have to come out of this.”

With Thursday’s airport opening, many businesses are hopeful that things will start looking up again and Harpo is hopeful too. “We have to start somewhere and this is a good start.”

The place to be

So 12 years ago, with just the one restaurant, did Harpo expect the Mews complex to expand into what it is today? The answer is a resounding “YES”.

“We had expectations, we had a plan! To promote great Asian fusion food, good entertainment and tapas, which took some time but it came together. It was tough at times but there was absolute faith that our restaurant and Curve Bar would be effective. Sometimes people land in Sri Lanka and call me asking if they can come here direct from the airport!

“Park Street Mews Restaurant is on the antenna of tourists, expats, and all fun-loving Sri Lankans to enjoy great food, a chilled-out ambiance to dine in, or alfresco on the street and Curve Tapas Bar has certainly become ‘the’ entertainment venue for Colombo!”

Pix by Ruwan Walpola

Park Street Mews MD Harpo Gooneratne with the team

Felicitating staff with certificates of recognition for their loyal and dedicated service