This Damansara Uptown outlet is located opposite The Starling Mall, in between the Perodua showroom and Restoran Koon Kee. If I remember correctly, this corner lot was previously occupied by a Korean restaurant.
I passed by this area a few weeks ago while running errands and I was very excited to note that Bananabro was opening soon at this spot.
It was almost half past 11:00am and the place was bustling. Fortunately, there were still some seats available. A new restaurant, what more a banana leaf restaurant is bound to attract attention.
The menu is very concise and makes ordering very easy. Prices seem reasonable.
Besides the Craving Set (RM8.90) they also offer the Happiness Set (RM14.90 for one person) which is a combination of the Craving Set with one serving of Chicken 65 or Chicken Masala and one iced lemon tea. You pay an extra RM1.50 to upgrade to briyani rice and extra RM2.00 to upgrade your drink to lassi (original or mango).
On my first visit, I opted for the Craving Set simply because I wanted to try the mutton varuval.
For drinks I had an iced Nescafe. The mutton varuval was served in a small pan that looks like a miniature version of my cast iron pan. So cute.
The rice and vegetables are refillable (very tempted to!) but I decided not to eat too much or else I will fall asleep at the office hah..hah...
I enjoyed my meal although I find that the flavors of the curry and mutton varuval here is more muted compared to the ones I have had elsewhere. It seemed to lack depth of flavor. Total damage RM27.85.
I decide to come back to try the briyani rice.
It was just a matter of adding RM1.50 and since I was at it, might as well add another RM2.00 for the Mango Lassi.
This Mango Lassi is not made from fresh mangoes (tasted of commercial cordial) but that did not stop me from enjoying this refreshing drink.
As I mentioned earlier, the curries lacked punch and the same could be said for the briyani rice. It was aromatic but flavors were not bold enough.
However, the Chicken 65 was magnificent.
It was served piping hot from the kitchen, fried until very crispy and yet the chicken morsels were tender and moist. This I loved a lot though it was a tad salty.
There was one whole egg in the briyani, yay! This meal was more filling that the first one. Even though the vegetables are refillable, I simply could not eat anymore.
This lunch cost me RM24.30.
So will I come back again for another banana leaf indulgence? Sure thing. You know I love banana leaf rice!
I am so so so so so angry!!! We do not have banana leaf in Sibu and I love it so so so so so much!!! The chicken is calling out to me, everything is calling out to me! Grrrrrrrr!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh dear, you sound very cross! When the pandemic is over (God knows how long we have to wait) you can fly over here and have banana leaf rice to your heart's delight!
DeleteI may not tambah rice but certainly will refill the vegetables... banana leave is worth eating if I were still young and growing. Now I need to share share my nasi portion...
ReplyDeleteIt's quite cheap at RM8.90 and keep tambah-ing the veges hee..hee.. I can still eat but since it was a working day, better not. LOL!
Deletewah....droolin~~~~i want to go makan banana leaf rice now!!
ReplyDeleteI want to go again but maybe try another restaurant.
DeleteGood to see them opening branches everywhere. I haven't been to their Sri Petaling branch fit some time now. Quite ok for banana leaf rice but not as good as kannan curry house and some other Eateries as you have mentioned.
ReplyDeleteSo you are also of the opinion that the other banana leaf eateries serve better tasting curries.
DeleteNot about the curries but the deep fried mackerel fish, kannan curry house is definitely much better.
DeleteBoth meals look so delicious and I am drooling.
ReplyDeleteI feel like having another banana leaf rice fix!
DeleteOnce in a while, it is nice to have banana leaf. But not cheap. Me, long long time did not taste banana leaf.
ReplyDeleteIf just the banana leaf rice alone it is cheap but once add on the side dishes, the price increases significantly.
DeleteNot a fan of BLR but I like mutton varuval. :)
ReplyDeleteI see!
DeleteI just remember that there is an existing banana leaf restaurant in Uptown. That restaurant is Curry Leaf restaurant, same row as Yin sourdough. Have u eaten at Curry Leaf before?
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I have. That was many years ago. I found that I preferred the curries from other eateries. Perhaps a revisit is in order!
DeleteYa, there are many Bananabro branches around. RM8.90 for the basic set of rice & veggies is really reasonable. When I googled, I found goodyfoodies's blog post way back in 2018 and the basic set was RM12.90 then! :O I've only seen prices go up but never down...must be due to the MCO! But the price of the side dishes went up lah, so balance back, I think...haha. I guess the rationale is if one can't afford the sides (during these times), at least one can still have a filling lunch on a budget...and that's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteThe one Goodyfoodies had was at Berjaya Times Square, so the price atas sikit hah..hah... Yes, just the basic banana leaf rice is very affordable and the fact that you can refill, even more so. But no fun without the (pricey) side dishes and a drink (in case I tercekik due the spices). LOL!
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