The Banana Leaf in Provo

The Banana Leaf Restaurant in Provo. Went there last night for my birthday. I really enjoy finding new places, little treasures that are not yet well known, and this one is at the top of my list of favorite restaurants now.

It's located at 409 N University Avenue in Provo in a former flower shop, which left behind a very cozy and warm atmosphere that the new owners have embellished on nicely. The restaurant itself is a mix of Sri Lankan and Singaporean cuisine, completely family owned and operated. The Chef, Jet, learned his craft from his mother, who taught him to not alter the original recipes, but to serve his customers an authentic meal. The Selvaratnam Family owns restaurants in Sri Lanka and Singapore, and are no strangers to crafting delicious food. The tradition continues here in Provo.

We were seated at a table by a window, in the small front room where a gas fireplace kept things warm and festive. The decor was a mix of old world victorian and sri lankan. Seemed very fitting for an area of the world that was once occupied by Great Britain in the Victorian era. There were three or four small dining rooms, with about six tables in each room. The matre di gently corrected us when we thought the music playing was Bollywood (Hindi style pop music), and educated us a bit in Collywood. I actually think I like it better than Bollywood, it seems lighter and a much more pleasant choice for dining.

It wasn't very long at all before Chef Jet came out and introduced himself and the philosophy of the family restaurant. He is obviously proud of what they have created, and that they have not Americanized the food, which is sadly what so many ethnic food chefs and restauranteurs believe they have to do in order to be successful in an American market.

We do love our herbal teas, and their tea master came out to answer our questions about Sri Lankan and Singapore style tea blends. In the end I had the ginger ceylon and Andy had the mango. Delicious.

Andy, being the adventurous one tonight, gave the avocado juice a try, and shared with me. So good, light and refreshing. It just felt good to drink it. I was surprised that a drink made with avocado would be so delicious.

Andy also ordered item #1 on the menu, the tikka masala. Being a masala junkie, he would be a great judge of how it stood up to Indian masala. Well, it was fantastic. Served alongside Paan, a Sri Lankan bread, and spiced mildly, the flavors were rich and delightful. For most customers ordering the dish medium spiced about 4 or 5 in heat level, which is how Andy ordered it, is not too spicy, but, he did decide that next time he will go 8 or 9, it just wasn't as hot as he likes it, and he doesn't normally like more than a medium spice.

Being my birthday I felt completely warranted in ordering the most expensive item on the menu, the Chili Crab. It was 18.99 and for the price I was so surprised at how delicious it was. After having been born and raised in Baltimore, I am not a bit timid about cracking into a crab in it's shell, but, for some, it might be intimidating, and I recommend some instruction from your server in how to get into it without sending pieces flying. Once you get inside that shell you won't be disappointed. Served alongside a rice dish and a pineapple salad, it was a wonderful selection, and one that I will probably order again even if they do raise the price. The server, who was also the Chef's wife, placed a bowl of water on the table to keep my hands clean, and it was much appreciated.

After dinner we were presented with the dessert choices, which I was a bit disappointed there weren't some offerings from Sri Lanka or Singapore. They offer a strawberry cheesecake, chocolate mousse pie, and a belgian chocolate platter. I had the cheesecake, which was a huge slice, I had to have Andy finish it for me, and he had the mousse pie, which he dubbed very chocolatey and finished every bite. Apparently the pie is made by a cousin, and she does a great job. I'd like to see it a bit higher, as it was fairly thin, but, the flavor was very good.

Overall the restaurant is a major hit for us, and highly recommended. The prices are comparable to other restaurants in the area, but the mere fact that you get such an authentic meal in Provo sets it above so many others who claim authenticity but sell out to what they believe is the American palette.

This place is a great date night choice. For two, eating what we wanted, and getting dessert, our bill came to right around $50.