Apollo Banana Leaf

Restaurants

Brasseries

190 Tooting High Street

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Tue Jul 31 2012

Though Apollo Banana Leaf is marooned in a desolate no-man’s land between Tooting Broadway and Collier’s Wood, a seemingly endless parade of diners shuffled through its door on our midweek visit, filling first the main restaurant, then the neighbouring ‘overflow’ unit, before the three staff reluctantly began turning away punters. The attractions are threefold: a generous no-corkage BYO policy, recession-busting prices, and excellent cooking from Sri Lanka and South India. Short eats (street snacks) such as savoury lentil ‘doughnuts’ (vadais) or deep-fried, chilli-spiked fish cutlets are a good place to start, as are dosais (particularly the stuffed varieties), but the kitchen’s true strength lies in its meat and fish curries. Our mutton curry saw tender meat in a deep, rich sauce with notes of fragrant cardamom. A whole white fillet of fish simmered in a creamy yet spicy coconut sauce also impressed. We teamed these with rice and traditional breads: a wholesome wholemeal chapati, and a chewy, buttery paratha (you won’t find nans here). Tables are uncomfortably close, and service, though warm, can be painfully slow, but this unassuming spot remains one of the area’s brightest stars.

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Venue location

Address:
Apollo Banana Leaf 190 Tooting High Street
London
SW17 0SF

Phone:
020 8696 1423
Website:
www.apollobananaleaf.co.uk
Opening hours:
Lunch served noon-3pm, dinner served 6-10.30pm Mon-Thur. Meals served noon-10.30pm Fri-Sun
Transport:
Tube: Tooting Broadway tube
Price:
Main courses £3.50-£6.75. Unlicensed. Corkage no charge
Map
1. Apollo Banana Leaf
  - 190 Tooting High Street
    London
    SW17 0SF
  - 020 8696 1423
  - www.apollobananaleaf.co.uk
  - 51.424063,-0.172253

Facilities:
Restaurant and bar facilities. Take away. Reservations required. Vegetarian dishes. Accessible facilities

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Comments & ratings

(7 ratings)

A strange and brilliant place for a first date! Neither of us had a clue what to order but the lady serving us was really helpful and made lots of good recommendations. We didn't feel rushed at all and they were pretty relaxed about us losing track of time and still sitting there chatting away after they had closed. The prices are amazingly cheap too so its a winner all round!

Miacat Wed Mar 20
Rated as: 5/5
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A mouthwatering eye-opener. Was introduced to Apollo Banana leaf by friends. Loved the dosas and both veg and meat dishes delectable. Am planning a speedy return.

Elly Wright Wed Jan 30
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Recently returned from Sri Lahka, we were looking for the same fresh, light, skilfully spiced dishes we had seen demonstrated to us and eaten on our trip. This was not it. The curries were more Anglo indian in style, heavier, similar sauce across different proteins. Coconut milk was tinned not made from scratch. No detectable rumpa (particular Sri Lankan curry ingredient). To be fair, these were not bad curries, and were great value for money. But they were not the authentic taste of Sri Lanka we were looking for. If you want a cheap curry, come here. £19.65 for two excluding BYO. If you want a genuine Sri Lankan curry, go elsewhere - still looking....

JasWig Tue Sep 4 2012
Rated as: 2/5
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Best Sri Lankan food in the area and there's a lot of choice !!.... Good prices and it's bring your own Beer !!

Jeff Sat Jul 9 2011
Rated as: 5/5
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Great food, great price!

BuChan Tue Jun 14 2011
Rated as: 5/5
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As always great food, value and more often than not a doggy bag for lunch the next day. Could you ask for more...what BYOB and no corkage... oh go on then. Fabby ! Thank you Apollo Banana Leaf.

Sonya Tue May 10 2011
Rated as: 5/5
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Been twice. Unfortunately, dissapointed on both counts. Last visit I had Masala Dosa which is usually a very safe bet in Tooting's South Indian restaurants. However ABL's version was soggy and tasted cheesy? The sambar and coconut chutney was the worst I've ever had. Very disappointing. On a positive note the service is good and the channa masala from my first visit was also good.

PDS Mon Apr 25 2011
Rated as: 2/5
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Having worked for many years in Sri Lanka and also having been to the Banana Leaf in Racecourse Avenue, Singapore which is my favourite asian restaurant in the whole world, I can safely say that the Banana Leaf in Tooting compares very favourably both on quality, quantity and cost.

Dr Peter Masson Wed Jan 19 2011
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Just went to diner for the first time at ABL. I was knocked out by the crab masala which was the messiest dish i have ever eaten in a restaurant - but really tasty. Exceptional value.

superduck Sat Aug 21 2010
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ABL is amazing! friendly staff, cheap prices, great food and BYOB. I will keep going back

JMC Tue Aug 17 2010
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