Banana Tree Canteen

Found that place by accident few weeks ago.And even though I was never a big fan of asian cousine I got really impressed with their food.Very simple dishes but well presented.I've ordered green curry which came with rice,salad,couple of crackers and cakes.Quite good value of money-all for less than 9£.Service was very friendly and proffesional.Really enjoyed dining there and will be definitely coming back.
Comment on this reader review

Mark Taylor
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, January 25, 2009

Yeah.It is true. Place itself doesn't look impressive...Nothing special.

Although food taste fantastic!!Since moved in to West Hampstead area been eating there at least once a week.Amazing laksa soup and grilled chicken!!still have many dishes on menu to try but never got dissapointed so far.and if you need any explanations about food staff is always willing to help you out.

Friendly, attentive service and great atmosphere.

Will be coming back!!!
Comment on this reader review

Paul
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Building and outsite view need a good imagination to recognise a good restaurant.

inside: now is it possible to recognise the restaurant but do not expect to much. As its realy and truly a canteen...

Food: excellent. Value for money; 7 out of 10. Service; stunning!

I enjoyed the evening
Comment on this reader review

peter stone
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Excellent thai/malaysian food at reasonable prices. The service is very friendly and efficient. All in all one of my favourites.
Comment on this reader review

tony free
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Yummy food and excellent juices (highly recomend fruit mix!!) Had delicious Pad Thai Noodles the other day from the Lunch Menu. Good service and nice atmosphere. Love It!
Comment on this reader review

Monica Quallino
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Went to West Hampstead branch few days ago.Food is great!!Had the best Laksa Soup ever!!!!My girlfriend had amazing fried noodles with grilled chicken.That was really nice evening.Service was excellent,very patient,waitress helped us a lot in choosing right dishes.Nice atmosphere and very friendly staff.And I almost forgot-lovely juices!Will be coming back for sure!!!
Comment on this reader review

Natasha
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Sunday, November 16, 2008

This is a gem of a restaurant situated at the wrong side of Islington where it is a desert for good restaurants. The oriental food served here is excellant and the prices are ideal for the economic climate we are in at the moment. For lunch, they have an express menu with prices ranging from £4.95!! Their menu is Pan Asian with all kinds of specialities. They also seem to have a wide range of oriental curries and stews. The atmosphere and decor is refreshing with attentive service. I have been to this place three times and they have been very consistant so far. Try their Laksa, it is absolutely fantastic. Keep up the good work, Banana Tree!
Comment on this reader review

Jack Chase
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, October 31, 2008

Went to their new branch in Angel. The food was bland and tasted of the cheap Chinese delivery shops I'm used to in America. I've had chicken teriyaki in about 50 restaurants (it's one of my favourite dishes). What they served me was certainly NOT chicken teriyaki. And their lettuce wraps were greasy and over-fried. My tap water was nice, at least.

The service was polite but we had to ask for the bill literally 4 times before they finally brought it. Definitely won't be back.
Comment on this reader review

Ryan
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Went there for a late lunch yesterday. I hadn't been for years, and it was my girlfriend's first time.

The food was alright, although my GF's satay chicken starter had this weird yellowy glow-in-the-dark oil coating - wasn’t sure what that was, but it smacked of MSG and e-numbers which is always a sign of dodgy oriental cooking. I had the Pad Thai and I really enjoyed it but I think the Good Earth Express down the road does a better one.

However, any shortcomings with the food paled in comparison to the diabolical service. We had read a couple of the reviews on here and saw the comments about service, but thought we might try our luck. I can now confirm that nothing has changed. For example: there was a dish with ‘Galangal’ on the menu, and when we asked the waitress what it was, she said she didn’t know! What’s worse is she didn’t even bother to try and find out, she just shrugged it off. We had to wait about 15 minutes after receiving the bill for someone to process our payment.

Not only were the two staff on duty incompetent but rude as well. There was a guy at the table next to us who didn’t get his beer for at least ten minutes and when he told the waitress to just not bother, she scowled at him!

No excuses really, the food here is passable but unless they improve their service we most certainly won't be coming back.
Comment on this reader review

Jonathan
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Monday, July 28, 2008

I would dearly love to have written a positive review on the Banana Tree given that I have always enjoyed my previous visits. I would dearly love to but I can't as in the 30 mins myself and a friend were there, we were not asked for our order - drinks or food - once. This is further exacerbated when you consider that there were more staff than customers in there. Perhaps people knew something about the Sunday service that we did not?

Either way, when we stood up to leave the waitress scurried over. When I explained that we had been waiting for ages, she had the cheek to say 'it wasn't her service area' and rather than apologise and offer a token drink on the house, she stood bemused as to why we would want to leave.

Food is good but if you can't get it from the kitchen to the table, what is the point. Will be avoiding in future.
Comment on this reader review

Sam
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Sunday, June 29, 2008