Banana Cafe & Piano Bar

User Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

My friends and I have been to Banana Cafe several times before. Unfortunately, during our last visit (3/29/09), our Sunday lunch was not as pleasant as it could have been. The food was good enough, but the service left much to be desired. Though the waiter was friendly and personable, he was careless with our order. We were not greeted with the usual chips and salsa as the rest of the customers were, and our drinks were delivered at a very slow pace. Once the drinks arrived, the waiter forgot the one that my friend ordered (a mimosa). My friend commented, "how hard is it to make a mimosa?" We would have given the waiter the benefit of the doubt had the restaurant been packed (it wasn't), or if we had been part of a large party (it was just two of us). When the waiter brought the check, he asked if we had had a pleasant lunch. I told him that we didn't. He was very apologetic and had an answer (excuse) for everyone of our observations. He took off a side order from our check (compliments of the house), but my friend and I will definitely think twice before visiting this restaurant again. We did not mind making a special trip from Bethesda to Banana Cafe before, but after this experience, we may choose to eat at one of the hundreds of restaurants in Bethesda.

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User Rating: 1 out of 5 stars

My wife and I decided to try the Banana Cafe for dinner, and I really regret that decision. To start with some positive comments, our ceviche appetizer was big, inexpensive, and good (I would recommend it). Also both our entrees had giant portions and were reasonably low priced. The quality of the entrees however was horrible. My entree was from the Cuban section of the menu, consisting of a plate of roasted pork and yucca. The giant mass of pork looked like it had been sitting around for a long time such and it had a glossy hue. I ate about half of it before the thought of its appearance, texture, and taste nauseated me to the point of having to stop. My wife ordered the 'cuban pizza' and it was ladened in grease, sweating cheese, and bananas.. It was equally traumatizing. I also regretfully ordered a second house margarita which was sweeter than the first one which was too sweet and without kick. $60 later and after losing an hour of our lives, we started trying to forget about the experience, but I felt compelled a day later to try and warn others. P.S. I think the mexican entrees might be a safer bet if you decide to try this place.

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User Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Banana Cafe has a split personality: Cuban and Tex-Mex. Frankly, I don't care for any of the Cuban dishes and stick firmly to the Tex-Mex, and even there I'm selective. Their plaintain soup is excellent. And all of their salads are disappointing.

A great place for a late lunch, a couple drinks (no margaritas thank you, just tequila and beer), and for people watching. The prices are not too exorbitant, and the staff are both attentive and friendly.

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