Although, I wanted to keep this restaurant as a secret hiding place, I must be honest and share with all of you this excellent place. It is located in a old restaured house with 2 floors, a terrace and a secret bar (located in the cellar). Being managed by a Japanese chef manager, the food is very simple, the choice is still small (open recently) but the taste is authentic. For lunch, it only serves 3 set menus at RMB 45, 55 and 65. A glass of wine at RMB 35. The choice the menu is 3 courses with a delicious mini minestrone, a salad (try the French dressing) and a spaghetti (the garlic/ chili one is tasty)or a pizza full of melted cheese and on the "expensive choice" the OX tongue. The menu includes either a glass of orange juice or a coffee. For dinner, there is a small a la carte at very good value. The service is very green, so do not worry. A must try....
Having spend a few years in Thailand and loving Thai food, following recommendations,I went with a few people for dinner to Banana leaf and these are my "subjective" review.
Decoration/ Ambience: found it over the board, too much, why using so much plastic, fake trees?
Service: I must say, attentive, efficient and speedy. Well done...
Food: Decided to go head on with the green papaya salad, which was quiet tasty, right spice balance but missing some Thai flavor. The mixed platter was a good choice,especialy the fish cake, spring rolls, Chicken padanus leaf lacked of marinade, others were good. Followed with green curry beef; beef was tender and the sauce was tastful. Thai noodles, one of my favorite were soaky and completely out of being authentic. Smoked pomfret, left it..As a general comment, It would be nice to have steamed rice served automaticaly with curry (you need to order). Experience...well, you should try.
This is my 4th time having a meal at tapas. I usually order the variety of tapas which is tasty. For the first time, I ordered the paella. If you are expecting a seafood rice you may be satisfied. As a Spanish cuisine fan, this was the first and the last paella I order. The taste was everything except the famous, sizzling Spanish paella flavoured with saffran and a distinguished seafood broth.
The restaurant upgraded his wine list, deleting the non Spanish wine variety which was of excellent value....Apart from these wines, try the sangria by the jug, it is flavoured with cinnamon and refreshing
Busqueen
jim
