Michelle and I truly enjoy eating different ethnic cuisines. We love to experiment with bold and spicy flavors both dining out and when cooking at home. We are lucky that we live close to my parents who have supplied us with home grown jalapenos and Thai chili peppers that offer more heat and flavor then what you could find in your local supermarket. The ironic part about my parents growing such daring peppers is that they tend to shy away from “spicy” dishes. Since starting the blog my parents and sister have been avid readers and have wanted to be involved in Michelle’s and my culinary adventures. So on Saturday per my sister’s request, we took them to Smiling Banana Leaf, one of our favorite Thai restaurants located in Highland Park.
Because seating is limited, you should ALWAYS make reservations. On several occasions Michelle and I have witnessed patrons walk-in with no reservations only to be turned away. The atmosphere of the restaurant is warm and inviting with an eclectic music selection, plush throw pillows and a decorative walls and ceiling. The waitresses are some of the friendliest in the city and you are guaranteed to receive a “khob-kun-Ka” and a wai. A downside is that the tables are close together and in the winter there’s always a draft throughout the restaurant. Be sure to bring a bottle (or two) of wine. Smiling Banana Leaf is BYOB and there is not corking fee.
When dining at Smiling Banana Leaf you will be shocked at the speed in which the food is prepared and served though the eminence of the food is not diminished. I had the Pad Kee Mow or Spicy Noodle with Tofu (yes I love tofu) at a spicy level of 8. Now, at this time it is important to note that if you like your food spicy, anything over a 5 at Smiling Banana Leaf will meet your expectations. The dish has wide rice noodles which I find hold more flavor and offer better texture then the conventional rice noodles. By ordering the dish with tofu, more of the flavor and spice can be absorbed in the bean curd and is nicely complimented with the crunch of the napa cabbage.
Michelle and my sister ordered the spicy fried rice (one with beef and the other with chicken respectively). Michelle went with a 7 on the spicy scale while my sister opted for a 5. They both thoroughly enjoyed the dish and found the spicy flavor to be impacting but not deterring from the delightful taste and preparedness of their meats. It is a modest version of fried rice with only bell peppers, basil, and egg but the simplicity of the ingredients does not minimize the quality of the dish.
My mom ordered the traditional Pad Thai at a spicy level of 3. It was a safe choice for my mom since she isn’t very familiar with Thai cuisine. She was satisfied with the preparation and taste of the food and even admitted that she could have ordered her meal at a spicier level.
My dad had what I have now concluded as one of my favorite entrees on the menu, the Roast Duck Curry. The waitress stated with great pride that the duck was a staple meal. When asked how his meal was, my dad replied with the vague statement of “Just ducky.” As a result, I took the liberty of sampling his dish and offering a more thorough analysis. When I took a bite I could instantly taste the ginger, pineapple and green onion. I really enjoyed this dish but I would recommend at least a spicy level of 5 in order to get a balance of sweet and spicy coupled with the roasted duck.
The portion sizes of our dishes were generous enough for each of us to enjoy our meals yet share with one another. When the bill arrived I was in awe by the amount. For a dinner with three appetizers, five entrees, and wine, our bill was under $75. The food will attract you but the overall experience and affordability will keep you coming back. Smiling Banana Leaf offers a memorable dining experience that I would highly recommend.
-Mark
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