Banana Leaf - Idli with a Difference

Please say 'Aye' if you are a fan of hot pipping Idli which when dipped in super awesome sambhar taste even better but Banana Leaf located at Versova, near 7 Bunglows has changed the full definition of the Idli what we used to eat.

First visit was few months ago after a night out with friends and one of them was insisting we should try it, and after bowing down to her wishes we reach Banana Leaf on lazy late Sunday afternoon and luckily got seats in A/C section which my friend says is minimum waiting of 40 mins during peak hours.

The setting is nice, tall ceilings and enough place between the 2 tables so you do not overhear other people conversation. We started off with Rasam Soup which is regular Rasam with huge quantity of black pepper [If you have a sour throat this is the soup for you forget Hot and Sour or Manchow soups]. Then comes the magic of Banana Leaf the Idlis which is cooked in variety of masalas, I guess around it takes around 3 big idlis per serving cut in 4 pieces we started off with
1. Hyderabadi Tomato Idli
2. Chef Special Dakshin Masala Idli - This one was everyone favorite
3. Mulgai Idli

If you are the ones who love to try out different things well start off with this place and you shall not be disappointed.

For dessert you can go the regular Payasam route or try out the Nutella Walnut dosa which is a must try.

The overall cost per person came around Rs. 300 and it was totally worth it.

Mainland China (Andheri) - Lunch Buffet

After ages decided to go for a Buffet on Sunday which friends said is quite good but as it turned out one friend had some work on Sunday and we decided to go on Saturday for which she could not come. Finally 2 of us decided lets go and reached Mainland China in Andheri Link Road behind Hyundai Showroom at around 2 pm. We were told to wait for few minutes just so that we can get a seat and soon we entered seeing the buffet for Saturday I was pleasantly surprised and rubbed my hands in anticipation.

Buffet Details:
Cost: Rs. 699 (inclusive of taxes)
Soup: One Veg and One Non Veg
Starters: 5 Veg and 5 Non Veg
Main Course: 5 Veg and 5 Non Veg (excluding Rice and Noodle)
Desserts: 14 Varieties
Also as complimentary you do get a Kingfisher Beer/Iced Tea/Fresh Lime Soda

The good thing is the waiters serve you the soup and the starters so that you can relax on your table, talk and eat no need to get up again and again. As we were pure non-veggies decided to go for Chicken Dumplings, Chicken Satay, Prawns Satay and one black chicken which looked like manchurian but Chicken was too hard. For veg there was Veg Dumplings, Spinach Wanton and Veg Chrispy which we tried. Sometimes the food used to come out cold and later we saw to keep them warm they kept it under a bulb (yes! brilliant idea! not)
We got ourselves a Sea Food Delight Soup which had, I think, around 5 varieties of fish in it tasted average but no complains.
After chatting a bit as we both were stuffed with the starters, walked out to get the main course which was super considering it had Fish, Shrimps, Crabs, Lobsters and Lamb with dash of Rice and Noodles everything tasted quite good and was worth it.
Dessert section was amazing which now I regret of not having it before the main course it had different kind of fruits, lots of pastries and one Chinese specialty (starts with a D) name which I currently don't remember.
So if you want to have value for money meal this place is good enough, bit noisy as the place was full but nice place.