Hidden among the bustle of Little India is Race Course Road . This tiny lane boasts a stretch of some of Singapore 's famous restaurants. Banana Leaf Apolo is housed in three units of a two-storey shophouse and is most famous for its fish head curry. The restaurant has been open for 30 delightful years, serving both North and South Indian cuisine to people from all walks of life – from locals eager for a taste of great fish head curry, to tourists who have been inaugurated to this gem of a restaurant through word of mouth.

• The Vibe
  S Chellappan opened the restaurant in 1974, according to his daughter-in-law, Raji. It has since moved thrice before relocating to its current premise with a new outlet open at Little India Arcade. The main restaurant was last renovated 15 years back and yet it still looks rather modern, the décor an eclectic mix of marble walls, gold chandeliers and practical wooden furniture. Adding to the homely and informal atmosphere are the giant banana leaves that are used in lieu of plates, a sign of Indian hospitality to guests.
• The Food
  A dish that one should not miss is definitely the signature Fish Head Curry ($18 to $25) that was ordered by practically every group in the restaurant while the SD team was there. The mere sight and smell of this dish will send any curry lover into rapture. The Red Snapper is springy and redolent with the aroma of the curry, and even the mountain of white rice seems an easy task to conquer when drizzled with the fragrant curry.

  For a more spicy kick to the palate, try the Chicken Masala ($4) or the Mutton Mysore ($6 to $12). Both are cooked dry in masala mix: the chicken is coated with a considerable layer of chili oil, a point to note for the health-conscious, but is less spicy than the mutton. Though “cooked dry”, both meats are still tender to the bite, the masala providing an invigorating appetite-whetting jolt.

  If one is unaccustomed to such fiery flavours, a more neutral dish is the Chicken Tikka ($10). Seasoned in various herbs and then popped in the tandoor , this is a more convenient, bite-sized version of the ever-popular tandoori chicken. While the chicken was a tad dry, patrons are assured of smooth and tender meat as fillet-of-chicken is used.

  In the mood for seafood? Try the highly recommended Prawn Chili Masala ($12). While the masala is highly spiced, the meat of the prawn is protected from the chili mix, and hence milder on the palate. The king prawns are large, and easily shelled, so that diners are able to enjoy the firm, juicy flesh without difficulty.

  For drinks, the restaurant offers various beers, presumably to cater to the tourists. One of the most popular drinks is the iced lime juice. A good choice, as the cold sour-sweet juice helps to temper the effect of spicy dishes on one's palate. Banana Leaf Apolo also offers a selection of dessert.

• The Service
  During the lunchtime hours, the restaurant was filled to capacity. Despite this, the waiters were always around to assist with any queries, and eager to help with recommending a few choice dishes.

SD Food Advisor's Take on Banana Leaf Apolo
With such efficient service and excellent food, it is no surprise that this award-winning restaurant has a constant stream of patrons throughout the day. The sight of both locals and tourists enjoying their food with zest attests to the universal attraction of the famous Fish Head Curry. If you go on weekends, do prepare to be subjected to a long wait. However, with function halls and catering services available, there is now more than one way to enjoy the food from Banana Leaf Apolo.