Banana Leaf Thai Cuisine Dallas

After having passed by Banana Leaf for the past 22 years of living approximately 7.5 miles away from here, we (my Mom and I) finally decided to stop in and have a meal. My only regret is that we didn't come here sooner. Hands down, the best Thai Food we have ever had. A truly authentic culinary experience. A small, intimate and aesthetically pleasing space with beautiful and inviting energy. Ariana was our server. Upon entering, she greeted us promptly with a smile, then seated and handed us menus. She was very patient with us as we were first time visitors. Not once during our meal did we ever feel rushed or like we had to vacate the table for turnover. We started things off with unsweetened ice teas. Cool and refreshing even though the blazing hot Texas temperatures are beginning to wind down. Our meals came with a soup and salad with peanut sauce. Today's soup was cucumber with tofu. Simple yet elegant - almost like silk. The broth was flavorful as well and was the perfect accompaniment to our appetizer. We ordered the Thai fresh chicken spring rolls which were generously filled - the ratio of chicken to veggies was perfect. The combination and balance achieved a perfect bite. The flavor profile of the peanut sauce was something we both particularly enjoyed. It wasn't too heavy nor did it linger on the palate. For our entrées, Mom ordered the green chicken curry(not pictured) and I ordered the glass noodle pad thai. It is clear that this establishment is indeed authentic for the simple reason that both dishes were excellent, beautifully executed, and accurate in every detail right down to the flavor and spice level(we both ordered a 2 on the 5 scale). The portions are both generous and reasonable for the price and for two (or perhaps more) people to share. For dessert, Mom ordered the mango ice cream and I ordered the green tea ice cream. It was absolutely divine. The earthiness of the green tea with a creamy/icy consistency and a hint of sweetness left me wanting more. Mom said she enjoyed hers as well. I understand that Banana Leaf has been conducting business for the past 36 years, and there is a reason- it absolutely reflects the owner's passion, commitment, and adherence to high standards of food, service, and ambiance. Wanted to meet the owner since I have heard others speak highly of him, but the servers mentioned that he was out doing a catering order, so perhaps on our next visit. We will be back!