Top Food Writer Favorites at Banana Leafla!

(Gerry Furth-Sides) A tandoor oven makes many northern Indian favorite dishes at Banana Leaf DTLA. Here are the favorites of top food writer diners. Yelp Elite, Keong said, “It is easily the best Indian restaurant in the USA. Most Indian restaurants here are North Indian and they have more or less the same dishes. Your saags, biriyanis, marsala, and Tandooris.”

Special ingredients and a special cooking techniques make Goat (Halal) Thalappakatti Dum Biryani so labor intensive it is only served on week-ends at Banana Leaf. The dish is prepared bone-in for added flavor. The halal meat is so tender it falls right off the small shards. 

And the rice! Former Bon Appetit Recipe tester, Roberta Deen also tried it for the first time and was delighted. “It’s shorter and thinner around than any other rice!” she said, examining it closely. That’s because authentic rice is used. It’s a unique short grain seeraga samba rice.  This rice, unlike basmati, has no taste of its own. So it completely absorbs the flavors of the marvelous blend of spices. 

For our articles on biryani, both dum and mandi versions, please //localfoodeater.com/tag/biryani/For the menu at all the locations, please visit : //BananaleafLA.

Long-time favorite the paratha is buttery, flaky and light at the same time. “The paratha, a layered butter pancake similar in taste to a croissant. It is slightly crispy, and you can eat it all day long. This is prepared fresh on the premises,” wrote Keong. “It is refreshing to finally have good South Indian cuisine without having to go to South East Asia or Southern India to taste it. I will definitely be back to find more of my favorites!”

Saag Aloo (spinach and potato), a traditional north-Indian Punjabi curry, is made with dark, leafy greens and potatoes. It’s warm, comforting, and packed with nutrients. 

“Saag” means “dark leafy greens”that could include mustard, spinach, fenugreek, and collard greens, in much the same way salad “greens” can include different types of lettuce and herbs. Potatoes or “aloo”are usually russet.

For our story of Saag and the northern v the southern version, please //localfoodeater.com/sag-paneer-indias-answer-to-popeye/

Beautiful actor Ayla Rose’s pick of Northern Indian cuisine is Samosa Chaat at BananaLeafla. Spicy whole (chickpeas) are served with samosa and dollops of yogurt and chutney to make up this tangy, spicy favorite. 

One of the most popular northern Indian street, this fun surprisingly crunchy mashup of ingredients is one of the most popular items in northern India.

“I’m no expert on Indian food, but after reading several times about Banana Leaf from the late, much loved food writer and traveler Barbara Hansen, I wanted to go,” said Flo Selfman,Immediate Past President, Independent Writers of SoCalif. “Every dish and drink was flavorful and delicious. And now, I’ll be back. Care to join me?”