New Malaysian Restaurant in Flushing
Just came back from eating at Banana Leaf, 133-60 41st Ave, Flushing, between Main Street and College Point Blvd. The tiny restaurant opened up about 4 months ago in a crowded part of the neighborhood. Service was quick friendly and accurate, the staff was excited and pleased that we enjoyed the fare. The decor is warm and attractive, they made excellent use of their small space. We ordered Hotcake and Roti Telur as an appetizer, which came with the same curry chicken dipping sauce. Delicious! Our entrees were Beef Rendang, a juicy, tender, spicy sort of stew served on a banana leaf, and Kang Kung Belacan, Chinese water spinach served with a Malaysian shrimp paste sauce that was rich flavorful and out of this world. Entrees range in price from $6 to $15. Very worth the trip, we can't wait to return.
By mushimushi427
on Jul 20, 2007 09:45 PM
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Given my recent Malaysian craving in the past week or so (superb Fish Head Casserole at Manhattan's Skyway, okay Capitan Noodles at Penang in Elmhurst), I was anxious to follow Mushimushi's lead and try this place. Was glad I did.
For just under 10 bucks (pre -tip), I had a very satisfying lunch, starting with a Hotcake appetizer - crisp and fluffy at the same time - topped off by a hearty, filling bowl of Mee Prawn. The seafood flavor of the broth was balanced off with plenty of heat, and, although I could have stood for a more generous helping of noodles, there was plenty of shrimp, fish cakes and sprouts. The firey broth of the soup made for an interesting contrast with the more Indian leaning taste of the Hotcake's curry. The real Malaysia, in all its' delicious variety, awaits. Overall, very good, especially for the price. Plus, I liked the tea, which tasted like a unique take on Jasmine. I went at lunch time, so the place was maybe one third full. The service was attentive, the decor clean and modern. I especially liked the flat screens lining the walls, posing as Macintosh desktops but insidiously flashing pix of various menu items. Perhaps my desire to try the soft shell crab special is hypnosis...?
Thanks to mushimushi for posting. I will definitely be back, and look forward to trying the KK Belacan, the Duck Salad, and various and sundry other dishes (which, for some strange reason, are flashing on and off in my brain like old movie sprockets).
P.
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We went back this past weekend and had the beef curry, which was good but not more than good. We also ordered the shrimp with string beans. That was very tasty. The shrimp sauce is quite tasty, a real stand out.
A nice local spot for South East Asian food is Mee Kong, a tiny restaurant in the Murray Hill shopping center next to the H-Mart, across the street from I-Hop.
You can easily dine on noodle dishes for $5 to $6. My newest favorite is the lemongrass beef salad bowl. Strange name, delicious dish. The restaurant sort of focuses on Vietnamese food with a heavy emphasis on Thai cusine. My daughter loves the beef curry at Mee Kong and I'm afraid they have an edge over Banana Leaf on the curry. The fried fish with spicy sauce is quite delicious and comes close to Sriprapai in quality.
Mee Kong is a family style restaurant that lacks ambience. But it makes up for the ambience by offering very good food and very cheap prices.
I'm glad you enjoyed Banana Leaf. I can't wait to go back and try one of the crab dishes that flash across the screen.
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How exciting! I just saw an excerpt of this posting on About.com!
I recently introduced this place to my boss, she loved it!
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It's closed! My boyfriend and I are SO upset. After only being open a little over a year, the restaurant is gone! We go there ALL the TIME!
I called to make a reservation for a large party - no answer.
So I went in person - it was GONE. Not only was it closed, but all the fixtures, etc were gone, even the gas fireplace and the wine rack!! SO UPSETTING.
The website is still up right now, which makes it more depressing.
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