Review: Seri Malaysia (Hastings-Sunrise, Vancouver, BC)

Yes, I know this is a little late.

We had Seri Malaysia in the summer time, but that was simply take out - we enjoyed showing MB our "new" apartment and exposing him to some new experiences (the boy is super-sheltered and had *never* been inside a Chinese grocer. Wtf?! And he’s lived in the Greater Vancouver area for most of his life!)

So our first impression of Seri Malaysia (in the summer) was a definate hit; however, every weekend when we were in the area to grocery shop, we were dismayed to find that the restaurant was closed for the afternoon, or not open until the next day / later in the evening!



This weekend, we had the pleasure of actually eating in the restaurant. The decor is nothing too special, although there are some photographs and posters of Malaysia and some conical woven hats adorning the walls.

It appeared to be a two person show. There were two larger parties and two smaller ones finishing up their meals when we entered the establishment; they seemed to have enjoyed their meals and had food leftover to take home. Service to some could be a little faster, but we enjoyed how it was laid back, Malaysian style.

We ordered Beef Mee Goreng, and Quey Toew Rendang with Seafood, as well as the Beef Rendang for take out. We requested that the dishes be made to medium spiciness.

Both dishes were delicious, generous in portion, and each were garnished liberally with a shower of fried onions / shallots. These were tasty, and added to the complexity of each dish. Both M and I remarked that the portions were almost two to three times the size you get at other "Malaysian" restaurants in the Vancouver area, but at the same price!



We really appreciated the great flavour and the larger portions. Like I told M, "the bad part about Malaysian food, if there is a bad one, is that you can't stop eating it!" It was just so good!

Our bill came to less than $30 for three dishes (we had take out), and we tipped more than our usual amount - we want to come back to enjoy more meals!

We do plan on making Seri Malaysia part of our regular restaurant circuit, and we have recommended the restaurant to others.

Seri Malaysia

2327 East Hastings Street

Vancouver BC

Tel: 604-677-7555

Review: Banana Leaf (Kitsilano) - Reliably Delicious!

We were piglets this weekend - feeling lazy yet hungry equals going out to eat, even when we know we're going to eat lots all weekend.

I haven't been to the Banana Leaf in Kitsilano in a while, but we were shopping out that way this weekend and decided it would hit the spot. It did!

The brightly decorated restaurant is about three years old. We were told that it used to be a "gentlemans" club complete with cigar room and such. Now, it is brightly and neatly furnished with traditional screens, kites, and masks.

We were warmly greeted at the door by a host and seated promptly, and upon inquiry, found that we had about half an hour to order off the lunch menu. We were extremely pleased to discover this, and ordered a beef rendeng and char kuey teow. Although the dishes were extremely hot, they arrived quickly, which made me think that it was premade. The food was however, extremely delicious and we finished it all up.



We enjoyed it so much so, that we immediately ordered a mee goreng, and finished that too.



All three waiters that helped us were polite and helpful. We enjoyed our meal a lot; our only regret was that we did not notice or order the 7 course tasting menu which was great value at $25 per person!

Banana Leaf has always been a favourite restaurant of mine over other chain Malaysian / Singaporean restaurants in the Vancouver area. I hope to visit soon for another reliably great meal!

Banana Leaf (Kitsilano)
3005 W Broadway
Vancouver, BC
Tel: (604) 734-3005


Mirror of my dinehere review.
More photos at flickr.