Southern Indian Banana Leaf Adds Top Northern Dishes in DTLA

May 5, 2023May 5, 2023 todd elliot

(Todd Elliot) All the Southern Indian dishes from Banana Leaf’s bustling flagship in Culver City are on the menu. And there are northern regional dishes added to make use of the tandoori in the kitchen. Both are earning rave reviews for their vibrant flavors and presentation.

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 is sweet, sour and spicy. And the extra crispy extends to the Paneer Majestic (below).

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_5588.jpeg — Southern Indian style Chicken Curry with tomato sauce, no cream **at Banana Leafla**

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_5584.jpeg — Extra crispy Gobi (cauliflower) Manchurian **at Banana Leafla**

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_5571.jpeg — Paneer Majestic at BananaLeafla – just like Fried Chicken!

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_5555-768x1024.jpeg — Hot Garlic Naan at BananaLeafla

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_5566.jpeg — Naan so (spicy” hot it’s called “bullet naan” at BananaLeafla – we could handle it!

The downtown location has transitioned to the upbeat green and white Banana Leaf decor and will have 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.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 36506652-0AC1-4AC7-9AE6-C9590CB513E0-1024x1024.jpg — 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.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is CC9FC235-57F1-4B32-8A56-385CE0CEBF22.jpg — 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.

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.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 262B88FC-912C-4F7B-B79A-5A900C1A32A2.jpg — BananaLeafla dishes

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

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.