Recent Visit to Adho - Covent Garden in London

Our recent visit to Adho left me with mixed feelings and a few key disappointments, which are important to share to set expectations for future diners. 

My intent is not to discourage a visit, but to offer a clear-eyed perspective on what you might encounter.

The Beverage Experience

We started with a round of drinks, which, unfortunately, was the first stumble.

• The Pomegranate & Ginger drink was incredibly diluted—it tasted predominantly of water with a slight sweetness and lacked any real punch from either pomegranate or ginger.

• The Gammanaya, which I believe is meant to be a signature offering, was palatable but tasted surprisingly similar to a familiar Cream Soda, making it feel less than spectacular.

• The experience was further hampered when our order for a second Ginger Beer was first delayed, then, after two inquiries and a total wait of about 15 minutes, we were finally told they had run out of stock. This lag in communication was frustrating.

On the Plates

When the food arrived, the results were similarly underwhelming.

• My Roti with Jackfruit was quite disappointing. The roti itself was tough, which made it difficult to chew, and the jackfruit curry lacked the rich colour and tender, distinctive flavour usually associated with an authentic polos or jackfruit preparation.

• The side dish of Lunu Miris was another letdown. In my opinion, it lacked the vibrant, balanced spice and flavour profile that this essential Sri Lankan condiment should possess.

Service and Ambience

Despite the culinary issues, the staff were a bright spot.

• The two female servers were attentive and courteous throughout our meal. However, they appeared to have limited knowledge of the menu items and often had to consult with the chef before answering our questions about the dishes.

• I feel this is a management issue, not a reflection of the servers themselves. Given that Adho is serving traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, proper training on the dishes is crucial for staff interacting with diners unfamiliar with the specifics.

On the whole, the washrooms were tidy, but they are located down a set of stairs. This is a crucial detail for anyone with mobility issues or senior citizens to consider before visiting.

Final Thoughts

Adho has potential, but my visit revealed significant inconsistencies in both the quality of the drinks and the execution of the main dishes. 

While the front-of-house staff were doing their best, clearer menu knowledge would greatly enhance the dining experience. 

If you decide to go, perhaps stick to simpler, more straightforward items and be prepared for potential service delays regarding drink availability.