Banana Leaf A bit of the tropics hidden in a shopping center. Banana Leaf 182 Ranch Dr. McCarthy Ranch Shopping Center Milpitas, CA 95035 408-719-9811   From the outside, Banana Leaf appears simply as another Chinese restaurant adrift in a shopping center that probably wouldn't draw patrons save for its shopper-convenient location. However, Milpitas residents consider this purveyor of Malaysian food one of the most satisfying dining experiences around. The restaurant is upscale in both setting and palette-pleasing ability. Offering a stylish environment in contrast to its McCarthy Ranch address, the dining area comes replete with Asian fine art, ceiling fans and lush tropical plants. The eye for color and detail extend to what is on the plate. The kitchen employs a broad spectrum of ingredients to create dishes such as gado- gado, chili prawns and a variety of soups and curries evocative of Thai, Indian and Vietnamese food. The menu features skewered meat, coconut rice, a number of vegetarian options and copious use of mangoes. -- Deborah Crooks Restaurant Malaysian, Thai