Banana Leaf (76B, Old Dumbarton Rd, Glasgow, G3 8RE), closed on a Tuesday, I 
must remember this. Today is Wednesday, relief. There shall be Curry-Heute.
Arriving at 15.30, Banana Leaf was empty, though a couple did come in at my back and asked if the larger room next door was open. The answer was – No. One day I’ll get in there. The chap went up to order, I thought I had better follow suit. Mein Host was otherwise occupied, his assistant served.
Masala Tawa Fish (£4.99) followed by Lamb Chettinadu (£7.99) please.
To my knowledge, Fish Chettinadu has never been on the Menu despite my hints on previous visits. I fancied something – Fishy – today.
I was told there was – no Fish – , this was followed by – no Lamb.
What do you have?
Chicken – was the answer.
I’m not eating a Chicken Curry.
Mein Host came over – Prawns.
I asked for – Prawn Chettinadu – (£7.99) but was advised by Mein Host that the Kozhumbu (£7.99) would have more Flavour. Marg had Fish Kozhumbu on Visit #1 nine years ago, it nearly blew her head off! Prawn Kozhumbu (£7.99) it would be.
I took the inclusive Basmati option and added a Paratha (£1.50).
As I verified my spellings on the Menu, the assistant told me that – Kozhumbu – is pronounced – Kolumbu. Again on Visit #1, Mein Host told me that – Kozhumbu – is a – Stew. On a weekend cookery programme recently, the Chef explained the use of large quantities of Oil in Indian Cooking; it’s all about making sure the Meat is – fried – rather than – stewed. Kozhumbu – may be the Healthy Option.
The assistant brought my Order. The Paratha had been made with Wholemeal Flour, not the White Chapatti Flour that has impressed on previous visits. Maybe one now has to ask. This was nothing like as good as was hoped for. The Layers and Flakiness were present, but not the – extra Buttery – Flavours that the White Paratha posseses. If this is going to become their standard Paratha, then at £1.50 for this modest piece of Bread, I will not be ordering another.
The Rice portion remains substantial, a veritable plateful. One needs all this Rice given the abundance of the Masala which accompanies Curry at Banana Leaf.
Prawn Kozhumbu
Six King Prawns and two pieces of Green Chilli, sliced longways, sat in the Soupy Masala. There are few venues where Hector is happy to order such a Soupy Curry, however, the Flavours packed into the Masala at Banana Leaf make it worthwhile.
I dipped a piece of Paratha into the Masala – Oh yes. Maybe not as Smokey as I have had here before, no Red Chillies present. Were they out of them too? The Spice and Seasoning were up to the standard I have come to expect at Banana Leaf, full on.
Six Prawns in a Masala, no Vegetables, I should think of a way to make this eating experience more – Interesting. I ate the first Prawn, it had ever so slightly absorbed some of the Flavours of the Masala, however, the Natural Sweetness was still present. Prawn Curry, I don’t get it. In what way did this really add to the Curry? At least there was not a surcharge for this Dish, in a Lamb Curry at Banana Leaf, the number of pieces of Meat served also equals six.
Hector was here for the distinctive South Indian, Peppery Flavours. These were present, I was a Happy Hector.
The Bill
£9.49. Under a – tenner – always good value, except for the now inferior Paratha.
The Aftermath
Walking back down to the bus stop on Argyle Street, Kelvingrove was at its best. Blue skies in Glasgow, and no frost. It must be Summer.