David Cruse's Journey between Sri Lanka and Melbourne
After leaving Melbourne and returning to Sri Lanka his home of birth for a 12 month break from hospitality, it wasn’t long before the smell of spices had David Cruse longing for a new project.
In 2013 Teaming with Upali Dharmadasa a well renowned industrialist and former chairman of the Sri Lankan Cricket board, together they gutted Upalis former family home in upmarket Colombo 7 with David’s wife Cathy and turned it into one of the most successful restaurants in Colombo.
Catering to locals and tourists alike who were all yearning for the authentic flavours of traditional Sri Lankan cuisine without the current trend of turning everything into a mish mash of fusion flavours “Upalis” went from strength to strength with the Tagline ... Simply Sri Lankan.
In 2015 “Upalis” came to Australia with Cathy returning home to setup and run the Melbourne operation whilst husband David continued to travel between the two.
Melbourne operated with a similar menu to Colombo and retained the same concept of serving traditional authentic Sri Lankan cuisine .
In 2024 The Melbourne operation rebranded to Spicy Wicket after David and Cathy bought out their partner and the two restaurants now continue to run independently.
The newly named Spicy Wicket Restaurant has recently expanded to incorporate Sri Lanka’s other great love ... Cricket .
The 12th Man Bar now adjoins the Restaurant and is filled with cricket memorabilia signed by Greats from past and present. A casual place for a drink whilst watching the latest sports or for a quiet cocktail in the rear garden. The bar has a private room for small gatherings where all the favourites from The Spicy Wicket Restaurant can be served.
Although the name has changed, Spicy Wicket and 12th Man Bar have continued to thrive on the knowledge that if something is simple and authentic...You can’t go wrong
