Banana Leaf — Restaurant in Mumbai

This incident happened on Sunday, 16th October 2022 and I waited for three days to calm myself down. But when I think about it even now, the injustice still boils my nerves and I felt I need to express myself.

My mom is in the city and we went to catch a movie at the Grand Central mall at Seawoods, Navi Mumbai. My mom is a diabetic and she needs to consume her food at regular intervals and on time. We planned the movie accordingly. At 12:30pm the movie was over and I took her to ‘Banana Leaf’, a south Indian-themed fine dining restaurant. I have visited them many times albeit in other parts of the city and could vouch for the authentic taste. As I knew mom’s simple preferences and also the need for a quick turnaround, I ordered what I thought was the most uncomplicated food to be delivered – the thali.

They took about 20 mins to place the plate on our table which contained all the accompaniments except the main staple food of my mom – rice. We had to make do with the neer dosa. I cajoled mom about how neer dosa is also made of rice and is tasty. Mom didn’t seem convinced after she took a small bite. After a few more minutes I gently reminded the server of rice. He said it was rush hour and hence the extra time. I reminded them multiple times over the next 15 mins to no response. I could see the uneasiness on mom’s face and I reminded the waiter, this time at a louder volume so that they get the job done faster out of embarrassment. That worked and finally, the rice arrived.

Usually, I’m a generous tipper. I have a personal rule – tip a minimum of 10%. Sometimes we tip the cleaners who never get a part of the tip. This time I was clear that I’m not tipping. The bill arrived and I saw a 5% service charge is levied. I told the waiter that I’m not paying the service charge and asked him to bring a revised bill. He refused and insisted that I pay the complete bill. We argued and the manager came to the table. The manager flashed an ’I know to handle you guys’ smirk and said I have no option but to pay the service charge. When I refused in a louder tone he gave out a huge louder sound which was like a roar and towered over me with his huge frame like a boxer about to knock out his opponent.

It was a blurry moment. Here I was refusing a service charge and arguing with him about how the government directives say that it is a personal choice and cannot be imposed. The manager's words were cleverly worded to show me down in front of other patrons of the restaurant as a penny pincher who refused to tip and was clearly burying the fact that I was not tipping because of their bad service. They finally gave in and gave me the bill without the service charge. The worst moment was yet to come. While we were leaving, the waiter came to me and said, “next time don’t visit fine dines, go and eat at the food court. People like you go there”. I wanted to punch him in the face. They wanted me to do just that, he instigated me so that all the waiters and the manager can get together and bash me. I swallowed my ego and pride and came out. I thought I will express it a better way I know.

My question to you is – what would you have done if you were in my place? Is Banana Leaf (or any restaurant) justified in levying a service charge? Are the restaurants right in still imposing a charge forcefully when the government directives clearly mention otherwise? Would you ever visit a restaurant that never acknowledges its mistake but...

South Indian cuisine is always my favourite...

Banana leaf is a perfect place for South Indian food...

I went with my friends...There were plenty of options...

Different types of idlis, dosas, uttapam, rice varieties, appam, paniyaram, thali, sweets...

We ordered below items...

Rajani dosa - Delicious dosa, tasty potato filling with cheese, served with sambhar, coconut chutney and ginger chutney... Recommended...

Takali masala dosa - It was a rava masala dosa, it was crispy and yummy...

Dakshin idli - Pieces of idli tossed with some tangy coconut flavoured paste... delicious... recommended...

Kanchipuram Paniyaram - It was a small ball stuffed with some crushed coconut and little bit sweet... it was good...

Neer dosa - It is my favourite...soft, thin layer, perfectly cooked and ofcourse delicious...recommended...

Veg Mallipuram - It was mix veg in green gravy...it was tasty...

Veg chettinad - It was mix veg in red gravy...it went well with neer dosa...

Malabar curry - It was little spicy and tasty curry...

Uttapam - It was soft, perfectly cooked and delicious served with sambhar and chutney...

Appam - Its a kind of pan cake made of fermented rice batter and coconut milk...It was tasty...

Calicut pulao - This pulao was little bit sweet, it's a good option for kids...It had some veggies and dry fruits...

Bisi bele bath - It's my favourite, very close to our humble khichdi + vegetables and spices... yummy...

Rasam - Spiciest dish of the day...though it was tasty...try it if you like spicy food...

Banana leaf thali - It was a traditional South Indian thali or meals served on banana leaf...It has varieties of dishes from South Indian cuisine...Parotha, poori, neer dosa, veg curries, papad, banana chips, pickle, butter milk, sweets... A complete meal...recommended...

Desserts -

Akhrot halwa - It was full of walnuts, perfectly sweet...just yummy... recommended...

Semaiya payasam - It was made of vermicelli and milk...closed to Sevaiya kheer...delicious...

Overall it was a good experience...

Ambience 5/5 Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Value for money 5/5

Thanks for the reading, please like if it helps. Khao...

If there is something less than 1 star I will give it. Today we went for a dinner in Rcity Ghatkopar Banana Leaf. The host noted our name & told us your turn will come in next 20 mins, we strolled away, the moment we returned, the restaurant manager says he announced our name four times, upon no response,he striked out our name. Fair enough, we admitted our mistake. There was another mid-aged couple, the lady first tried to barged in but also asked us if there is waiting, I replied her yes there is waiting & you need to register your name. Suddenly her husband sneaks inside, manages to get a table for two. When my husband asked the manager if there is another table for two, manager who feels like he owns that place, replied us bluntly that your name has striked out coz of absence, you need to wait. I simply questioned his ethical protocol? Is it only meant for us?? Double standards!! Why the other couple was allowed to enter, get a table without even registering??? The manager is absolutely rude, arrogant & believes in conviently making & breaking rules. The manager really needs to learn customer service. He was much into putting blame on us inspite of admitting his mistake. They are into money making, no value for customer service. He was justifying that he has to allot place to 8 people, instead of resolving our query. I will never visit this place again. They don't want loyal repeat customers, (we were frequent visitors still faced this fiasco), they want huge groups to serve their over priced, stale food, and yes sometimes you can also spot cockroaches running beneath or above the tables. Make quality choices people, they lack the concept of Customer is equal to God. This is the first lesson taught to such hospitality chains, but this manager just mocked his own system. Not less than a clown! 🤡 Worst wishes to him & because of such staff their business won't flourish & might see downfall in the...