Banana Store in Southwark

Good lunchtime menu, excellent wine cellar

Had a great dinner here. I had warm beet salad with goats cheese and pickled walnuts (my first experience of the latter, very tasty), which was full of flavour. My companions had steak which they said was wonderful, very chunky looking chips (server in fruit cocktail dishes it seemed to me, but hey, perhaps that's the funky thing to do these days).I had the banoffee cheesecake dessert (cos it was the Banana Store) which was delicious and the lads had a raspberry, meringuey thing that they said was very nice (but my cheesecake was bigger so they had size-envy issues to deal with).The ambience (imagine that said in a Mickey Flanagan accent) was great. The restaurant was probably only a third full, but the bar area was busy, but we could har the background music in the background and still hear ourselves talk.Service was excellent, the waitress made my sad middle-aged male friends feel special without making a fool of herself and we were well looked after.If there was a low moment, and it wasn't very low, my coffee was a bit bitter, but I feel I am only mentioning that for balance. So is it worth mentioning?We will be back, see you there maybe?

I have been going to the Banana Store and enjoying everything about it for the past 15+ years and hopefully consider myself one of its longest standing patrons. Why do I persist with the abuse I always get there from Derek? Quite simply because it is London's best kept secret!! The food is superb, the wine equally so and the ambiance exactly to my liking - chilled and fun!!I have seen the BS go through many manifestations and loved them all. Where else can you go in London for superb food, an extensive wine list, smoky jazz ambiance, and beautiful bar maids usually recruited from Eastern Europe, all of whom make ordering food and drink an absolute pleasure.The abuse and banter I suffer at the hands of owner Derek Perraudian every time I visit is worth it!! After all the man knows all my secrets and has put me in a taxi more times than I can remember and been a first class wing man when I have got lucky!!On a serious note though - the chefs are innovative, talented and dedicated and the food second to none. Value for money is an understatement!!So if you find yourself in London Bridge or just in London, take the time to find this little gem of a restaurant bar and you will not be disappointed. I have read the other reviews and whilst the decor may not be to everyone's liking it should not detract from every other positive thing about the Banana Store. As for a rude host!! - Perhaps the diner involved mistook the hosts desire to ensure a great food experience with rudeness!! DP is one of the best hosts I know and having eaten in virtually all the top restaurants in London including the wannabees I know where I would rather spend my afternoon and evening - ensconced at the bar of the Banana Store engaging in witty banter and enjoying the moment.

Very welcoming, quick service with very friendly staff, food was excellent as was the wine, a very quirky place with a limited but innovative menu,well worth a visit!

I had the best food I have ever had. The service was good, and the value for money considering the quality is brilliant.