TAPPA, Aerocity, Delhi: Interesting modern-ish Indian cuisine

Please note: This review was done on an invitation from the restaurant to taste their food, and no bill was presented to the author. While the author assures you of objectivity, the review may be influenced by the personalized attention the author got.

TAPPA by Lite Bite Foods defines itself as passionately Indian with a contemporary twist. The ambience and decor are an attempt to trigger feelings of nostalgia with some symbols from the past like hopscotch on the floor and murals from the past, as well as English music from the 70s and 80s. The eatery has a feel of a relaxed bistro and is a pleasant place to sit.

We are here on an invitation from the restaurant to taste their food. Shivendu being a Thursday vegetarian is here to focus on vegetarian food while I intend to stick to the carnivore part of the menu, We start with a vegetarian salad - Burrata & Grape Tomato, Black Rice, Edamame, Red Onion, Fresh Basil (Rs 395) in lime tamarind dressing. While the burrata is fresh, the salad is a bit of a disappointment since the black rice just does not pair well with the texture of burrata and is a bit of a distraction. The non-veg salad of Guacamole Greens, Arugula, Sous Vide Chicken, Red Onion, Tomatoes Jhalmuri Crisps (Rs 425) in cumin vinaigrette is more pleasant with a perfectly sous vided chicken.

In the other vegetarian dishes, Red Bean & Kashmiri Cheese Kaladi Kulcha (Rs 145) served with cheddar sauce, tempered pickle onion and homemade chili pickle was an unorthodox kulcha stuffing of rajma, which I suspect is inspired by Mexican quesadilla. While our reaction to the kulcha is initially lukewarm, the taste grows on to you. Ghee Roast Soya Boti, Roti Canai Tacos (Rs 325) have deep-fried soya chunks served with raw mango mayonnaise spread with the wrap being something resembling a mini Malabar parotta. If one likes soya (which I must confess I don’t), it can be a good dish. Crème Cheese, Water Chestnut, Chilli Oil Dim Sum (Rs 325) with a spicy covering is a spicy yet comforting dish.

In the non-veg dishes. Crab Amritsari, with Sun Dried Tomato Jam, Seaweed Papad (Rs 795) has deep fried crab dumpling with a generous stuffing of crab meat. It is a good dish especially because of the stuffing but it has no connection whatsoever to the great city of Amritsar. Better to call it Schezwan crab dumplings.

In the mains, I order the dish I have been most looking forward to – the Marathwada style Kaala Rassa Mutton Curry with Khameeri Keema Naan (Rs 625). The dish is a gentrified version of the original masterpiece. While it hits the right notes, the spice levels and the oil have been tamed, to make it palatable to the NCR diners. While I understand the compulsion, it does compromise on the taste and the passion of the dish.

For desserts we choose Freshly Made Tappa Ice Cream (Rs 245 per flavour). The ice creams here are good. Vanilla bean ice cream tastes of vanilla beans, and coffee ice-cream has the taste of freshly brewed coffee. My favorite is the crazy bubblegum ice-cream which transports me back to the bubble gum eating days. Bourbon & fig ice cream pales in comparison to the other flavours.

Check this place out if in the area. Would recommend the crab dumplings and the bubblegum icecream.

Ratings (Out of 5)

Food: 3.5 | Ambience: 3.5 | Service: NA | Value: 3.5| Overall: 3.5

Meal for two: Rs 2000 | Alcohol: Yes | Credit Card: Yes | Wheel chair friendly: Yes

Address: Ground Floor, Worldmark 1, Aerocity, New Delhi Tel: 8130620076