Banana Leaf is a Southern Indian restaurant located in the heart of the city. I’ve walked past this place several times, heard a couple friends talk about it, and today I decided to check it out.

The signage outside this place isn’t that great, it’s only when you look at the restaurant window that you realise the name of the place. Inside, the restaurant is nicely decorated with a modern feel about it. There was traditional Indian music playing in the background to set the mood. The place was reasonably clean with the exception of the curtain decoration I just happen to be sitting next to, it had the remnants of somebody’s meal on it.

The staff were friendly and accommodating, and were quick to take my order. On this occasion, I ordered the Lamb Korma. To my surprise the meal was ready within 5 minutes. The lamb was fresh and well cooked, and all the flavours were there, although a bit subtle. I felt they were a bit conservative with the curry as there was way more rice than there was curry. I like to call it the curry to rice ratio, and this seemed to be out of whack. Even the curry sauce provided wasn’t enough to cover all of the steamed rice. The pappadum was a huge let down. Instead of being crunchy when freshly cooked, it was soft and chewy like it had been cooked earlier that morning.

Overall, I thought the curry at this place was good, it was a pity there just wasn’t enough of it to make the meal satisfying.

WHERE: 42 Currie St, Adelaide