655422 Sun Sep 27 23:04:36 -0700 2009 12 2 Los Angeles Area 0 5063153 Anyone ever been to Banana Leaf at the Grove? I heard such mixed reviews about it that I'm confused. Some say it's authentic, some say it's not, some rave about the service, others say it was crap. Anyone been there recently and can let me know how their experience was? I grew up in Singapore, so I definitely know my Singaporean food. I just want to be prepared before I visit this Saturday with two of my white friends, lol. Sun Sep 27 23:04:37 -0700 2009 1108992 burp_excuzme 1 5063217 Banana Leaf is just ... ok... this is my review of their laksa: http://gourmetpigs.blogspot.com/2008/08/missing-laksa-in-la-out-of-luck.html Not that it's "inauthentic" per se, but just .. not great. Since you grew up in Singapore, I would guess you won't be wow-ed. It's like eating at a so-so hawker place in S'pore. Mon Sep 28 00:58:50 -0700 2009 5063153 137622 burumun 2 5063964 yeah I didn't think that the laksa was 100% authentic, but since it's virtually impossible to get Singaporean food in LA, this will have to do. I did like the roti prata and my sister liked the rojak at banana leaf Mon Sep 28 09:24:24 -0700 2009 5063217 236272 stuffycheaks 1 5064225 I have no idea if it's authentic as I have not been to Singapore, but I will say that the food is pretty delicious! I love the noodle dishes topped with a fried egg. The service is not so great, however, in my experience. I recently had lunch with 2 friends...we all ordered separately. 2 of us got our food before the friend who ordered first. They told us it was because what he ordered took longer, even though he ordered the same thing as my other friend. They finally brought his out...and it was noodles instead of the rice he ordered!? They clearly forgot his order, then messed it up...they were not even sorry, did not offer to compensate in any way. He got a refund and ended up eating tacos instead. Mon Sep 28 10:55:37 -0700 2009 5063153 60801 Obessed 2 5064396 I've been several times in the past few months, and I still think it's the best Indonesian food for miles around (but I've only spent a few months in Malaysia, so am by no means an expert!). Go, you'll enjoy it. As for the service, they tend to get slammed really quickly. If there are more than about 2 or 3 people in line ahead of us, we usually forget it and go elsewhere. Definitely order all at once, but I've never had them mix up an order as above. We've stuck to curries, rojak, roti - never gotten the soups (always so hot when we go). And, make sure to request it really spicy (if you like even moderately spicy food). As for its authentic-ness, let us know! Mon Sep 28 11:44:38 -0700 2009 5064225 15494 cant talk...eating 3 5065989 Hahaaha, OF COURSE I'll get really spicy! As I said, I grew up in Singapore, so most "spicy" dishes just don't cut it for me ;-) Tue Sep 29 00:08:11 -0700 2009 5064396 1108992 burp_excuzme 1 5064730 I love this place but cannot attest to its authenticity as I don't know Singaporean food well enough. The owners are from Singapore so they at least know what Singaporean food is like. As for service, I hope you realize that we are talking about a stall in the Farmers Market (NOT the Grove) with a couple tables in front of it. This isn't the sort of place for white glove service. That said, I've been coming here for years and have rarely encountered a problem. Mon Sep 28 13:26:28 -0700 2009 5063153 182615 houndofmusic 2 5065942 I don't think anybody looking for Singaporean food is looking for white glove service. But they are looking for good food. When I was in Singapore a local commented that Singaporeans can't stand for mediocre food. That is why all the places I ate at were amazing. If your food isn't good, you go out of business. The Banana Leaf is OK. The people that owned it are nice but the food isnt' in the same ballpark as anything in Singapore. I actually ate at the "Banana Leaf" restaurant in Singapore and it was amazing. I really wish there was a great Malay Singaporean restaurant in LA or Hollywood. I was in Kuala Lumpur a few months ago and all we did was eat. Mon Sep 28 23:15:24 -0700 2009 5064730 71423 bsquared2 3 5068289 We haven't been in a while, but Belacan Grill in Redondo Beach/Torrance has been good to us in the past. Yazmin in Alhambra is more homey - my wife (from Malaysia) prefers them. Tue Sep 29 19:52:03 -0700 2009 5065942 64003 bulavinaka 1 5065311 I've been to singapore so I know what you are talking about...and the level of quality you hope to find. You will be disappointed, its so darn mediocre. Not to say its on the level of Panda Express of Chinese food, but almost. The roti is clearly the packaged type. There used to be an amazing restaurant in Pasadena that had some authentic Malaysian and Indonesian but it has since closed. Oh, my kingdom for some authentic, thin and flaky roti without having to drive east of the 5!!!! Mon Sep 28 17:23:20 -0700 2009 5063153 25758 Lynndsey Rigberg 1 5067706 i love the banana leaf, but i don't know anything about it's authenticity, only that it tastes really good! my favorites are the rojak salad, the mee goreng, oh heck, i love everything i've ever ordered there including their steamed veggie salad with the peanut sauce- gato gato i think it's called. there is one girl at the counter who is rude, but the other employees there are awesome, especially the guy who owns the place- super friendly. i have nothing to compare this place with- but i can tell you that i've enjoyed every bite of food there and have turned many friends and coworkers on to the place and they love it too. Tue Sep 29 14:29:51 -0700 2009 5063153 106704 Clyde 1 5069814 On a side note, I'm sure you guys saw Anthony Bourdain's Singapore episode on the Travel Channel. That scene where Mr.Bourdain was "drinking' that bone marrow through a straw was too much! Wed Sep 30 10:44:59 -0700 2009 5063153 215207 SilverlakePhil 2 5071148 I haven't seen that show (still in the Stone Age without cable/sat) and as many meals that I've had in Singapore, sipping bone marrow through a straw is a new one to me. But hey - one thing is for sure about Singapore - they will try just about anything if it offers even the smallest chance of a culinary payback. I'll look for that show - thanks... Wed Sep 30 20:24:55 -0700 2009 5069814 64003 bulavinaka