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New Banana Leaf Menu Stars in Redondo Beach

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(Gerry Furth-Sides, Cathy Arkle ) Guests and writers are singing the praises of Banana Leaf Restaurants newest location in Redondo Beach. It is fitting that the restaurant was inspired by our good friend, pioneer ethnic food reporter, Barbara Hansen. The story is in //localfoodeater.com/beach-cities-social-brings-cooking-california-style/

“The cuisine you’ll discover at banana Leaf offers a delightful blend of traditional and innovative Indian flavors. It is beautiful presented,” wrote Cathy Arkle of She Paused for thought. Cathy is our poster girl for eating Southern Indian style. Here she is below.

Our story teller, Cathy Arkle eating South Indian style (She Paused for Thought) at Banana Leaf, Redondo Beach

“It was fun to watch Dosas (a type of savory and slightly tangy thin crepe) being made. It is served with a variety of accompaniments. Delish!,” according to Cathy Arkle. Here they are shown in a variety of ways, including the familiar, dramatic cylinder roll, folded and filled and below as dosa balls!

Dosa “dough” on the grill, in “sandwich form” and Faye Levy holding a slice at Banana Leaf Redondo Beach
Dosa balls at Banana Leaf Redondo Beach
Owner-chef Sri Sambangi holding the familiar dosa cylinder at Banana Leaf Redondo Beach

Pastry Chef Cary Hunyh was lured the far distance by the Andhra Chicken Fry, here in slider form, and Andhra Potato Fry.

Andhra Chicken Fry in new slider form at Banana Leaf Redondo Beach
Andhra Potato Fry at Banana Leaf Redondo Beach
Pastry Chef Cary Hunyh came out for the Andhra Chicken Fry and Potatoes to Banana Leaf Redondo Beach! Also shown is MJ Hong Celebrity cookbook author (MJ Hong.com) and Tv presenter Kimlai Ling (Eatin’Asian)

This new Banana Leaf fills the other half of Beach Cities Social Kitchen & Bar ). It is the counterpart to the California influenced vibrant international “Cooking California Style.” (Beachcitiessocialrb).

The restaurant is inspired and influenced by our friend, Barbara Joan Hansen, pioneer ethnic food writer. As Barbara wrote in the book introduction, “The typical Californian comes from anywhere in the world, and his cookery is equally diverse.”

Dine-in · Takeout,  //Beachcitiessocialrb.com…1406 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Menus and more details at: Menu: bananaleafla.com

Other Locations:

Original: 10408 Venice Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, (310) 838-2130

701 W. Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Suite 107, Los Angeles, CA 90012. (213) 372-5590

2302 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 (424) 247-9710

Banana Leaf Express, 6159 Van Nuys Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91401, (818) 453-8223

Banana Leaf’s Expanded DTLA Menu

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(Gerry Furth-Sides) One, two, three, four –here’s why THE perfect score for food and service at Banana Leaf DTLA, one month-old today. It makes me so 🥰 because the owner is the publisher of LocalFoodEater. 

BananaLeaf owner and LocalFoodEater.com publisher, Sri Sambangi at BananaLeafLA

Please read the story about how the restaurant added a location to their Culver city flagship in //localfoodeater.com/southern-cuisine-banana-leaf-moves-north/

Toasting at Kapoor’s Akbar with former owner Avi and new owner Sri (front left and right),
writers Cathy Arkle and Barbara Hansen (back left and right)

(1) First off, two samosas( $4.99), always made from scratch here, are so big that one order could make a meal with a side. Plump with a potato mash, bright peas and mint combination snugly packaged into each substantial triangle, the firm crust is more pie than pastry. Please slide to see.

The gorgeous samosa made in house at the new Banana LeafLA in downtown Los Angeles

The second item for the new Banana Leaf score and my “reason” for ordering Banana Leaf Saag Paneer for the nth time even from this extensive menu of untried dishes: it is prepared by Chef “Cha Cha” in the northern style with cream. And it is sublime, with just the right measured, experienced touch of seasonings in the minced fresh spinach (saag).

Northern style Saag Paneer at Banana LeafLA in DTLA

Wonderful server Ani suggested the customary garlic naan fresh from the tandoor oven to go along with it. Please slide to see although this photo doesn’t begin to capture its deep color and playful puffiness.

Naan right out of the tandoori oven at Banana LeafLA in downtown LA

I asked Ani if the saag was popular and she herself ate it. Answer to both “yes, a lot.” She added, “but I am a vegetarian.” For me, a carnivore by DNA, Banana Leaf southern and now northern saag can mysteriously make up an entire satisfying meal for me… day after day 😋 actually it’s so healthy, why question it!

Ani helps us find new dishes from the BananaLeafLA in downtown LA

The second item for the new Banana Leaf score and my “reason” for ordering Banana Leaf Saag Paneer for the nth time even from this extensive menu of untried dishes: it is prepared by Chef “Cha Cha” in the northern style with cream. And it is sublime, with just the right measured, experienced touch of seasonings in the minced fresh spinach (saag).

Wonderful server Ani suggested the customary garlic naan fresh from the tandoor oven to go along with it. Please slide to see although this photo doesn’t begin to capture its deep color and playful puffiness.

Ani helps us find new dishes from the BananaLeafLA in downtown LA

I asked Ani if the saag was popular and she herself ate it. Answer to both “yes, a lot.” She added, “but I am a vegetarian.” For me, a carnivore by DNA, Banana Leaf southern and now northern saag can mysteriously make up an entire satisfying meal for me… day after day 😋 actually it’s so healthy, why question it!

Reasons 3 and 4 for my Banana Leaf DTLA score: The front and back of the house! 

Even as an unknown American customer to the new, young and yet old-school South Indian crew, I was treated warmly and guided to a meal of new dishes to me – and had my tons of questions answered thoughtfully and completely.

Friendly Ani at Banana Leafla in Downtown Los Angeles

High energy founder-owner Sri Sambangi created a happy and delicious experience both here and the more bustling, tiny Culver City flagship) with this more spacious spot so beautifully managed.

Here the aura of dignified Chef de Cusine, affectionately called, “Cha Cha,” seems to ripple through the place, even in the well-organized menu. 

Chef recognized me from Banana Leaf Culver City and phoned the chef there to see that I was not ordering dishes they might have on the westside Southern-only menu!

The extensive menu reflects the most popular of Akbar’s most popular northern classics and Banana Leaf’s focus on South Indian food. The Akbar menu will still be available online.

Here is the beautifully packaged Biryani and Gitti Vankaya (stuffed eggplant), exclusive to DTLA.

Biryani and Gitti Vankaya from Banana LeafLA in downtown LA

Banana Leaf IS ready even though the pandemic craziness means the sign on the front still reads Kapoor’s Akbar, the restaurant that most recently occupied the site, as does the interior and wine list, all in transition.

Banana LeafLA in downtown LA

The addresses are:

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.

Sri and Sapra’s Hit Southbay Eater TV Show

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Actor, singer and dancer, Sapra, teamed up with Sridhar Sambangi, founder of Clorder, Inc., for three episodes of the show “South Bay Eater.” duo visits different restaurants in the South Bay area of California to sample a variety of dishes. You can see the first two installments on YouTube. The third will air Jan. 25, 2022.

The show is focused on health, food, lifestyle and two funny Indian guys in California,” said Sapra. “He’s an experienced restaurant reviewer and I’m not. So he is getting my candid feedback and ratings!

The South Bay area is rich in variety. Pizza parlors can be found next door to Greek eateries. The first episode will feature Mediterranean cuisine. The two discuss topics ranging from the use of spices in the dishes, its health aspects, pricing and authenticity. They even find time for a little friendly competition on a playground and yoga on the beach.

Sapra and Sambangi Sambangi and Sapra will co-produce a short musical project based on India, plus another project that hasn’t yet been named, and a release date is to be announced. It will be the first time that the two have worked on a film together. Sapra will be acting, singing and dancing in the project.

The “South Bay Eater” video series brings to life the variety of diverse cuisines and cultures in the beach cities.Viewers can gain a different perspective of unusual cuisines from the comfort of home, and be entertained by the humorous interaction between Sapra and Sambangi.

Sapra is a rapper, actor and dancer based in Los Angeles, CA. He’s rapped, danced and acted in countless videos that’s garnered millions of views. His work has taken him around the globe and has been seen by millions of people. An international favorite, he’s appeared in numerous videos, short films and in live extravaganzas. He’s also a songwriter of note. Sapra works in Bollywood and U.S. entertainment venues. Connect with him on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.

The founder of Clorder, Inc., Sridhar Sambangi has been building SAAS applications for multiple industries for more than 24 years. His focus during the past eight years has been within the hospitality industry, building White Label online ordering solutions that helps restaurant owners build their brand and reach customers more effectively. He was recently recognized as a Google Elite Network Contributor with 160 million views. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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