Philippines review #24
I've been to this location a few times now, most recently September 29 for a late lunch.
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/banana-leaf-makati-city?select=5bXxhztSKZV3Do_gGx-mmw
The interior is pretty nice with interesting, decorative light fixtures or diffusers covering most of the walls.
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/banana-leaf-makati-city?select=dHtwH7_YWETolhEdd8c8Iw
They have a water feature (water fall) at the front of the restaurant too, but it was not operating and completely dry this time. Too bad, it was nice to listen to.
SERVICE: The service staff has always been very friendly, polite and fairly attentive. After ordering, dishes usually come out of the kitchen in a timely manner, but one dish at a time. FYI, they add a 10% service charge to the bill.
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/banana-leaf-makati-city?select=6MS3dq0mx9zuOLPTdpgewg
It's pretty fun that your actual "plate" is part of a banana leaf!
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/banana-leaf-makati-city?select=1E3wHN7OfqRs2LaIhsZMqw
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/banana-leaf-makati-city?select=OGXhqaddDt_TMC1owASpwA
FOOD: I ALWAYS start off with Roti Canai (P88 - $1.90 US) and add the curry dipping sauce (P30 - $0.65 US), because this is a favorite! It looks like a wrinkled tortilla, but is a light, flaky flat bread that's served warm. Tear off a piece and dip in the Malaysian curry sauce, YUM! I absolutely LOVE this! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/banana-leaf-makati-city?select=djrzLOoLCWwu3AydvguRRw
Pandan iced tea (P68 - $1.47 US). Nice presentation, but very light, subtle flavor. Basically tasted like sweetened water.
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/banana-leaf-makati-city?select=wH-AMzsWBvjhAVQ3rIg0Eg
My friend wanted to try the pork steak, so I ordered it (P298 - $6.41 US). This was a bit on the dry side, but not "over cooked dry", more like "aged" or "sliced and sitting around" dry. Flavor was OK, but I would not order it again.
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/banana-leaf-makati-city?select=CIam287DMFzjJ2xvXJgpfQ
I also ordered a veggie which looks like pea shoots, but was called Malay Noble (P198 - $4.26 US). Sautéed with garlic, this was very good and has always been a favorite! I also ordered some plain rice (P40 - $0.86) and Hainanese rice (P50 - $1.07). Rice is rice, but the "Hainanese" rice had some flavoring and coloring added to it which tasted like a powdered mix.
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/banana-leaf-makati-city?select=e-HMtao8Ew1tcCXEjo_A5g
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/banana-leaf-makati-city?select=TwZcJ6YsWB9gfSurovWhtQ
The last dish to come out of the kitchen was Mee Goring (P188 - $4 US). Stir fried noodles with some veggies and a little spice. Very tasty!
http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/banana-leaf-makati-city?select=5UvGo_XqLUOTQa4FzzxXKA
OVERALL: Authentic Malaysian, Singaporean, Thai, Indian, Vietnamese and Indonesian dishes, nice décor, good service and pretty reasonable prices, I can't get enough of this restaurant and wish there was one in Southern California! read more