Haywards Heath: Restaurant review of Banana Tree in The Broadway

Restaurant-goers have been broadening their horizons with dishes from Japan, Thailand and beyond.

Now, another Pan-Asian eatery has come to Sussex - the new Banana Tree in Haywards Heath - and we were impressed with the range of flavours on offer.

Banana Tree clearly caters for those looking for a laidback, summery meal. Bright décor, a relaxed atmosphere and large outdoor terrace all add to the ambience of a summer night dinner.

Starting with drinks, the summer theme continues with the cocktail menu. With two-for-one on the drinks we treated ourselves to a classic Long Island Ice Tea.

Vegetarian spring rolls (Image: The Argus)

If you are looking for something more summery but happen to be driving as I was, look no further than the zingy lychee and lime cooler, a refreshing accompaniment to the meal.

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After nibbling on some vegan crackers, we moved on to the starters which offer some fresh takes on well-known Asian appetisers.

Never before have we been served spring rolls with instructions on how to eat them. However, after following the advice to wrap it in a lettuce leaf with some pickled carrot, we were pleasantly surprised by the layers of texture and the spicy, tangy mix of flavours.

Gyozas are another common starter but when fried they become something altogether different. Shitake mushrooms and chives combined for a crispy dish which, when paired with the ginger dipping sauce, added a pleasant layer of spice.

Moving on to mains, we went for one classic katsu curry and a more adventurous Malaysian coconut kari.

Coconut Kari, front, and katsu curry, back (Image: The Argus)

The katsu was as you would expect, crunchy vegan chicken and soft rice paired with a flavourful curry sauce.

The Kari was a nice, light meal with a mellow, coconut-packed sauce. The red curry paste added a subtle spice to the dish which, paired with the crunch of vegetables and tofu, proved a delight.

For dessert we shared coconut-stuffed green Thai pancakes.

We had no idea what to expect with the pancakes but once we tucked in we were pleasantly surprised.

The coconut texture in the pancake felt slightly odd to begin with but as you eat more you could taste more of the caramel sweetness inside and hints of sesame seed hidden within.

Crispy veggie gyozas (Image: The Argus)

For a restaurant only open a few weeks there were of course some teething problems. Service could be slow at times but for a busy Friday night this can only be expected and staff were pleasant and attentive throughout.

Overall, the restaurant offered a lot to two diners looking to explore the taste and smells Asia has to offer. For those looking for something beyond the usual dishes, then Banana Tree will have something for you.