Apollo Banana Leaf

My favourite curryhouse! Being from South Asia, I can vouch for its authenicity and lack of Anglocising. The portions are always massive, often each dish is enough for two, and for ridiculously affordable prices. And the food is great - I recommend the famous Chicken 65, the kottu and the string hoppers. For starters I would recommend mutton rolls or prawn puree.

My wife and I lived for 5 months in Colliers Wood while on sabbatical from our American universities. Once we discovered ABL we didn't bother with any other Indian restaurants. The food is incredible, the service friendly, and the prices amazing (even by American standards the meals are cheap; by London standards a meal there is virtually free). Don't miss the cashew pakodas, the mutton stringhoppers, and the crab masala (although be aware that the crab dishes are as messy as they are delicious). They will provide glassware for whatever beer or wine you bring, so take your own booze and have a great evening. You will spend less than you would just for drinks at a place in central London, and have much better food.

I love this place, the food is delicious and much more varied from your typical curry house, the staff are friendly and it is a total bargain - the BYO booze policy being a key feature. Whilst I admitt the decor leaves a little to be desired, I would totally recommend Apollo Banana Leaf for a great Indian meal and a relaxed night out with friends.

We've been here twice now and each time have been a bit surprised at how tasty everything is. Having lived most my life in South India the craving for a good dosha hits me every now and again. A friend took us there initially and my daughter wolfed down the dosa and idli. I tried the mutton kothu which I had had for the first time just a few months before leaving bangalore and it was delicious.

Went just yesterday with some other South Indian friends and everyone loved the food. In fact one of them was just visiting for a few weeks from India and he enjoyed it as well!

The biriyani was a surprise because i expected your average british indian biriyani but this had all the subtle tastes without being too spicy or oily. The chutneys with the doshas and idlis were really well flavoured as well. Everyone ordered seconds.

The decor is nothing to write about. Service isn't excellent but friendly.

But the best thing were the prices.

We'll definitely go again!

Disappointing would sum up the experience that I have had at Banana Leaf today. Sadly, the restaurant which used to be the star of Tooting in terms of quality of service, good food and good value for money doesn't have those characteristics anymore. To start with, the food is below standard. There is a feeling that some serious cost cutting has been done. Indeed the chicken briyani is more of a 2 pieces of chicken wings briyani. More over, its price is now far above the average market rate.Then the smiling lady doesn't listen to her customers anymore. She is quite dismissive of remarks and squarely ignores complaints. Counting her money seems to be her main priority.

Today I left the restaurant feeling hungry and angry at the poor service. I wouldn't recommend this restaurant to anyone anymore. There are some very good and cheaper south indian and pakistani restaurants in Tooting and luckily for us customers, we still have the choice.