Southern Cuisine “Banana Leaf” Moves North!

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(Gerry Furth-Sides) Chef-owner Sri Sambangi didn’t let moving madness get in the way of making it a party on the first day of new Banana Leaf LA in DTLA. Thank you, Sri.  Here he serves and guests new dishes he cooked himself on the new Southern Indian cuisine menu, starting with the Southern Shrimp Curry in his hand.

Chef-owners Sri Sambangi at Banana Leaf in DTLA

There’s also Chicken Curry in typical southern regional style made with tomato sauce and no cream. Naan here is so “hot” it earned the name “Bullet Naan,” extra crispy Gobi or cauliflower Manchurian style that is sweet, sour and spicy. And the extra crispy extends to the Paneer Majestic (below).

Southern Indian style Chicken Curry with tomato sauce, no cream at Banana Leafla
Extra crispy Gobi (cauliflower) Manchurian at Banana Leafla
Paneer Majestic at BananaLeafla
Hot Garlic Naan at BananaLeafla
Naan so (spicy” hot it’s called “bullet naan” at BananaLeafla – we could handle it!

The downtown location is now in transition to upbeat green and white Banana Leaf decor and a new wine list. The original Banana Leaf LA, which Sambangi founded in Culver City, maintains an extensive menu that includes 18 styles of biryani.

A wine list for Banana Leaf, curated by Avi Kapoor is in the works, along with wine event plans. Wine expert Avi is known for pairing wines and Indian cuisine, and regular sold-out wine dinners, which will continue at Banana leaf.

Banana LeafLA boasts a wine list curated by wine expert, Avi Kapoor

This is only one of the three new locations for Banana Leaf, including a new outpost in North Redondo Beach and a free-standing place. Sambangi has been partnering with venerated Chef-owner Avi Kapoor on both street food menus and for the upcoming Akbar Pasadena.

Avi Kapoor making a pink pineapple lassi for us at Kapoor’s Akbar

This downtown location takes over Kapoor’s Akbar, which served northern cuisine. So the menu will also offer a few northern favorites in-house plus the Kapoor’s Akbar menu online only.  We’ll drink to that with @jollytomato and @tableconversation!

WritersBarbara Hansen (@tableconverssation),Jeane Fratello (@jollytomato) BananaLeafla DTLA
Drinking a pink pineapple toast at Kapoor’s Akbar in 2021 – who knew?

The celebration continues with the flagship Banana Leaf LA, in Culver City, the Redondo Beach outpost and this new location all now offering 18 variations of signature biryani. 

BananaLeafla dishes

Welcome! (Free parking inside the building) Just down the street from the Music Center.

701 W. Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Suite 107, Los Angeles, CA 90012. (213) 372-5590.
10408 Venice Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, (310) 838-2130.
2302 Artesia Blvd. Ste:A. Redondo Beach, CA 90278 · (310) 540-0777.
Akbar Pasadena 400 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena, California 91105 (626) 795-8401.


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