If you’re looking for a variety of options, banana leaf meals are always a good idea.
One place to enjoy this beyond lunchtime is Maya@Solaris Banana Leaf in Mont Chiara.
The new outlet is Maya’s third restaurant following two in Brickfields and Bangsar in Kuala Lumpur.
The restaurant’s casual atmosphere and friendly staff make you feel welcome.
When Ramesh Kumar, co-founder of Maya, explained the stories behind the various dishes on offer, his passion for serving banana leaf meals in the most authentic way was evident.
“The vegetables are on the right side of the leaf, so eat with your right hand first.
“The result is a meal that combines elements of sweetness, sourness and spiciness.
“But if you want more, you can also have a little lime pickle, mango chutney, or sour chili.”
Maya offers a variety of menus to help guests with a variety of dietary needs find something to enjoy.
Ramesh said parboiled pony rice is suitable for diabetics and health conscious diets.
“I opened a restaurant to share my late mother’s recipes.
“We also serve dishes such as mutton chukka, which is rare among restaurants that serve dishes made with banana leaves, so more people can enjoy them.”
At RM14.90, some of the mains included in the standard Banana Leaf set include plant-based chicken balbal, vegetable kut, vegetable peratar and fried bitter gourd.
The Vegetarian Maharaja Set is priced at RM16.90 and is on sale from 11am to 10pm on Fridays.
The menu changes weekly and includes 2 appetizers, 6 main dishes, 3 curries, 5 condiments, and a dessert.
Carrot and long bean poriyal and eggplant potato peratar were two mains that stood out during one Friday visit.
Maya’s wide range of dishes are prepared with the Malaysian palate in mind.
Maya co-founder Ramesh (left) and Maynicca enjoy a meal at a restaurant.
The bright red butter chicken is creamy and buttery, perfect for people who don’t like spice.
The mutton chukka meat was tender and loaded with tomatoes, which went well with the mixed vegetable briyani.
This fried mackerel is irresistible for fish lovers.
“Our spices are sourced from India and roasted and ground in-house. Our seafood is brought in fresh from Sabah,” says Ramesh, who founded Maya with co-founder Maninika Rajamanickam. he said.
A closer look at the Crab Peratar and Prawn Peratar proved Ramesh’s words to be true.
Both were cooked just right to absorb the flavor of the gravy.
Ramesh added that the restaurant’s chicken and mutton are delivered daily from Halal-certified suppliers.
Maya@Solaris is offering a fast buffet break until April 9th.
Priced at RM69.90 per person, the main course has several choices from chicken, fish, mutton, shrimp, squid and vegetables.
The buffet will be served from 7pm. Reservations are required.
Groups of 6 or more can also order a single serving of claypot fish head curry for RM49.90.
My personal favorite was Milonan.
The malt chocolate powder and fluffy naan bread were the perfect way to end the meal.
Naan is served as a dessert at buffets, but is also available on the a la carte menu.
Maya’s menu varies slightly depending on the season.
Breakfast from 7am includes tiffin meals like thosai, idli, parota and roti canai.
Banana leaf meals, naan and tandoori are served for lunch from 11am to 4pm.
After 4pm, the full menu is available including tiffin meal, banana leaf meal, naan, and tandoori.
MAYA@SOLARIS, 1, Jalan Solaris 2, Solaris Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. (Telephone/WhatsApp: 012-395 2153). Opening hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
This is the author’s personal opinion and is not endorsed by StarMetro.
