The Banana Leaf Apolo

A Little India stalwart since 1974, serving South Indian food the traditional way — heaped onto a fresh banana leaf and eaten with your right hand. The fiery fish head curry is the star, but the kitchen also turns out fragrant mutton biryani, crisp masala thosai, and a generous parade of vegetable sides and rasam. At the end of the meal, folding your banana leaf towards you signals that you enjoyed it. There are plenty of vegetarian options, and the air-conditioned dining room makes it a comfortable introduction to banana-leaf dining. It's a short stroll from the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, so it slots neatly into a Little India afternoon.