A delectable spread, soft lighting, a striking bar in view and Bee Gees crooning in the background made for an impressive atmosphere at TAPPA. As we walked in the restaurant, we were greeted by a doe-eyed server with an infectious smile who led us to our table. The decor and furniture at the restaurant was tasteful- not kitschy in the least- yet retained the North Indian spirit with pops of colour on the walls and funky light-up signs. 

What is TAPPA and how to get there

A new culinary venture of the Lite Bite group, TAPPA is casual dining restaurant and bar specialising in traditional Indian food with a modern twist. The restaurant is located on the ground floor of Worldmark 1 at Aerocity, just a throw of a stone away from Indira Gandhi International Airport. It is easily accessible by a cab or a car ride. You can also take the metro to Delhi Aerocity station on the Delhi Airport Express Line and then follow up with a taxi. 

What is on the menu

The menu is a monsterous list of over a hundred items. If you find yourself burdened with choice, just ask for a recommendation from the friendly servers. The cuisine is primarily North Indian, with additions of dimsums and pide pizzas in the mix. Adults can indulge in the expansive bar menu, or even try out some signature cocktails such as the Intermission, an eccentric blend of dark rum, coke and salted caramel popcorn or the Talli Botanist, a delicious concoction of Gin, Jamun, Mango, Black salt and Chili spice. 

A delightful start, our tasting began with salads and chaat items that set the bar incredibly high for the restaurant. While I threw back cream cheese and water chestnut dimsums, one after another, my mind couldn’t quite place the flavours. The preparation and texture seemed to be consistent to the traditional flavours, but the concept of cream cheese in dimsums was still new to me. The confusion was overwhelming, but the tempting flavours made my taste buds approve. Deliciously unexpected combinations had increased my expectations for the main course. However, the simple preparation of Haleem Khow Suey and the TAPPA meal seemed almost anti-climatic. The starters just left me wanting more of that unconventional taste; anything else now seemed average on the menu. Nevertheless, the restaurant pleased again with their unique combination of creamy avocado and naan khatai cheese-cake for dessert.   

What we recommend

As a voracious meat-lover, I would definitely recommend the chicken wings glazed with tamarind and gongura leaves. It is a refreshing take on traditional chicken wings with unusual spices and sauces; the right amount of savoury with a tinge of sweet and sour. However, contrary to my usual non-vegetarian preferences, the dish that lingered on my palette the most was the vegetarian super grain salad. The addition of tart and sweet through the goat cheese and berries combined with a base of kale and quinoa makes for a killer combination. Fortunately, the salad is extremely healthy option and you won’t feel bloated or guilty after hogging on it. 

Where: TAPPA, Worldmark 1, Aerocity, New Delhi

Pocket Pinch: Rs 1,500 for two. (Zomato Gold users an avail 2+2 offer on drinks)

Contact: +91-11-66103765