Basil Leaf Asian Fusion Restaurant

Stopped into the Basil Leaf in a rather out of the way strip mall of the Glenmore Valley in Kelowna. The food was super fresh, the service was great. A real hidden gem in the Kelowna food scene. Check it out.

Everything was so good we wished this restaurant would bring a franchise to our home town. Best spring rolls ever, and we eat a lot of veiynamese food. Really yummy curry and sesame chicken. We are so much! Nice decor and artwork, good service. Out of the way location in the suburbs but definitely glad we checked it out.

Visited from Ontario and our friends in Kelowna recommended the Basil Leaf. Great menu. Was hard to decide. All the dishes we ordered were exceptional! Try the Laska Soup! It is fantastic! Prices are good and portions are generous. Plain and simple I want to go back.

The typical definition of Asian-Fusion, is defined by the combination of Asian and Western cuisine into something completely new and different. Not so here. Basil Leaf defines their fusion restaurant as a combination of popular, traditional dishes from a collection of countries in South East Asia. For example, pho from Vietnam, fried noodles from Singapore, laksa from Malaysia, Indonesia or Southern Thailand. The individual dishes are not fused in any way. In fact, they are all quite true to the original. which is not necessarily a negative comment.The front end servers are all non-Asian but the staff in the back (including the cooks are ethnic Asians; Chinese, in fact, as we heard them speaking Cantonese.) But does this translate to excellent quality food? Read on...The appetizers were the only dishes that didn't stand out. The dried ribs, deep fried wontons, and spring rolls were all indicative of something one might order at the local bar or maybe pick up at the Costco. In fact, one of the sauces is the same sauce we have at home and one can buy at any Asian grocery store or even a Superstore. Again, the appetizers were the only low point of the evening.The mains, however, were a pleasant surprise. The laksa was full of coconut infused broth with lots of noodles; the Singapore fried noodles almost as good as my wife's cooking with lots of curry and varied vegetables (my wife makes it not quite as dry;) the pho is the most expensive I have found in the city by a couple of bucks but I cannot complain about the quality. fresh with a fragrant aroma.Decor is clean and modern with a slight Asian touch; service is casual yet professional. Don't expect "Sir and Madam;" more like "No prob," "How you all doin?"' and "Thanks much." As for value, on the high side of mid-range for a mid-range dining experience. Not out of the realm of reason.In conclusion, as ethnic Asians who have lived in Kelowna for a quarter of a century we believe we have a good pulse on the Asian cuisine here. And although most are still the inedible **** that passes as Chinese food but really isn't (sweet and sour chicken balls, egg foo yung, sweet and sour pork, etc,) Basil Leaf is a breath of fresh air. Traditional dishes from a number of countries in Southeast Asia that are true to the original, using fresh and authentic ingredients, prepared and cooked with an educated hand, and presented pleasantly. and service with a smile. Improve the appies and I will happily give full marks. We just won't call it fusion. Our first time here and it won't be our last. Well done. Four stars.

Ordered ginger beef. Deep fried tiny pieces of beef covered in syrup. Won't be going back any time soon.