"Chicken liver mousse with sweet pickled scallions, scooped onto bagel chips. Luscious shrimp wontons, swimming alongside more shrimp in a Cajun étouffée. There’s a world of influences swirling around at Bananas in the East Village, and some of them come together deliciously—particularly that étoufée, with at least three separate layers of shrimpy flavor. And even though some ingredients feel like they’ve been forced to play together—like karaage served on top of too-dense pancakes—Bananas is ultimately a good time. Bright and colorful enough for a casual catch-up in front, the restaurant is darker and more date-worthy in the back. You’ll spot subtle banana-themed decor here and there, like a display case full of banana sculptures. One banana is completely unexpected: a caramelized banana that comes with char siu pork. Like many of the unexpected combinations here, it works surprisingly well. photo credit: Raychel Brightman photo credit: Raychel Brightman photo credit: Raychel Brightman" - Will Hartman
