http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1s02t8t/banana-leaf-canteen <b>Banana Leaf Canteen</b><br />London, 75 Battersea Rise, SW11 1HN, United Kingdom en http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/trustedplaces.comaPlacePic['name']}.140.jpg http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1s02t8t/banana-leaf-canteen http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1s02t8t/banana-leaf-canteen/1g3k07
Review by Squiddy

Rating: 4.00
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Yes, it's crowded and you'll probably have to queue, but there's a reason for that. The food is excellent.

The restaurant is similar to Wagamama's and the nearby Pepper Tree with its shared tables and lively atmosphere, but the food is better than either. It a mixture of Thai, Malaysian and Indonesian with a contemporary twist. Everything I've eaten there has been delicious, and having lived in Malaysia for many years I am familiar with the milieu.

As another reviewer has said, it's not the place for an intimate romantic meal for two, but there's a convivial atmosphere and the food is very good for the money.

Service is pretty good too.]]> Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:42:41 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1s02t8t/banana-leaf-canteen/1g3k071751662774 Squiddy 51.460817 -0.16656 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1s02t8t/banana-leaf-canteen/1o9a37
Review by chrisp

Rating: 3.00
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Well, perhaps that's slightly unfair. It is just about better than Wagamamas, but it's more expensive too. And it suffers from the same awful seating plan so you end up being elbowed in the ribs by a posh family from Nappy Valley. The food is reliably OK, and you can't probably do much better in the immediate vicinity, which probably explains why it's always rammed.]]> Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:09:29 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1s02t8t/banana-leaf-canteen/1o9a371770387848 chrisp 51.460817 -0.16656 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1s02t8t/banana-leaf-canteen/1e7948
Review by Wiggy

Rating: 4.00
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Recently had a birthday celebration there and the food was tasty, good value and the service excellent.

It was packed so booking recommended (there were big queues which is always a good sign imo) and probably not the place to spend a whole night of conversation, but a top place to go before hitting the surrounding bars / clubs.

Will be going again for sure.]]> Sat, 14 Jun 2008 12:33:36 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1s02t8t/banana-leaf-canteen/1e79481649637940 Wiggy 51.460817 -0.16656 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1s02t8t/banana-leaf-canteen/1q77v8
Review by ilovelucy

Rating: 4.00
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Came here last Friday with flatmate - the place was heaving and we had to wait 10 minutes for our table (you cannot book on weekends). Was worth it though, the food came thick and fast. We ordered the Banana Leaf meal in one where you get a vermicelli salad, corn cakes, crackers, rice and a main of your choice. I went for a green thai curry - very fresh, authentic vegetables and just very very delicious... All for under £9!

Have eaten here before and the Malaysian Laksa is amazing - very authentic and goes on forever. They do a great range of starters too.

Only downside was that it was very very noisy as tables are quite packed together and the kitchen is open. Not somewhere to go if you are looking for an intimate, romantic meal!

]]> Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:58:51 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1s02t8t/banana-leaf-canteen/1q77v81154404960 ilovelucy 51.460817 -0.16656 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1s02t8t/banana-leaf-canteen/1196u7
Review by Browners

Rating: 2.00
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We've been here two or three times and have no desire to go back. It always seemed like a good idea, but the food never really lived up to the billing, both in terms of value or quality.

Some of the Thai food had that odd soapy taste and we were suffiently underwhelmed once to have a Wok Wok takeaway on the way home. Their food is far better... and cheaper.]]> Fri, 07 Dec 2007 22:22:06 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1s02t8t/banana-leaf-canteen/1196u71875698786 Browners 51.460817 -0.16656