Thanal Indian Tavern — Restaurant in Philadelphia

Stepping into Thanal Indian Tavern in Philly, the first impression is undeniably modern and youthful. The vibrant ambiance and the presence of a full bar set the stage for what seemed like a promising culinary adventure.

The journey commenced on a high note with the appetizers. The Chicken 65 was an absolute standout, reaching new heights in flavor and texture. Each bite revealed a perfect blend of spices, with a crispy exterior that complemented the succulent chicken inside. It wasn't just good; it was among the best I've ever had. The flavors were a harmonious dance of aromatic spices, delivering a tantalizing kick that left a lasting impression.

The Apollo Fish was very good, but didn't quite reach the same culinary zenith. The fish, though flavorful, suffered from a slight sogginess that detracted from the overall experience. Imagining it fried, akin to the superb Chicken 65, would undoubtedly have elevated this dish to new heights, allowing the spices to meld with a satisfying crunch.

Unfortunately, the high hopes took a nosedive with the entrees. The Butter Chicken in particular was a letdown. Overpowered by an excessive amount of cardamom, it failed to showcase any other flavors. The Malabar Fish Curry, while not bad, lacked the depth of taste and suffered from the same soggy texture as the Apollo Fish. Perhaps a different cooking method, like frying, could have brought out the best in both dishes.

The Mango Lassi was a refreshing interlude, it slightly redeemed the dining experience. Its freshness and well-balanced sweetness provided a delightful respite, serving as the perfect accompaniment to the array of flavors on the table.

The dessert continued the trend of letdowns. The Rasmalai, usually a favorite, fell short of expectations. Soggy and excessively sweet, it failed to capture the delicate textures and nuanced sweetness that define this traditional Indian treat.

In the end, Thanal Indian Restaurant offered a mixed bag of culinary experiences. While the starters showcased the kitchen's prowess in delivering bold and flavorful dishes, the main courses stumbled in execution. With a bit of refinement, especially in the case of the Butter Chicken and Malabar Fish Curry, this establishment has the potential to rise to greater heights. For those willing to navigate the menu strategically, a visit to Thanal promises glimpses of Indian...

I am surprised to not have discovered this place for so long. This place is located in the Logan square area of Philly and a lot of people working in the offices nearby frequent the place. I discovered the place just last week and read the reviews only to learn this place has a good lunch buffer. Here is my review of the buffet:

Very affordable. There were not too many dishes in the buffet but that is totally fine because almost everything tasted great. Starting with the south Indian fare - the medu vadas were so light and airy and with the coconut chutney (which was slightly watery), it tasted pretty good. The rasam which they served like a soup was also quite comforting.

Next up, they also had north Indian lunch options. The paneer do pyaaza was spicy but tasted quite well with both the naan and the rice. The daal was so good it almost tasted like the one we make at home and the biryani was pretty decent too.

My friend who came along and tried the non-vegetarian food also liked it a lot. The only thing that wasn't as good was the vegetable gongura and onion pakora but that can be forgiven considering how good everything else was.

However, the highlight of my lunch was the mango kesari or what is popularly known as mango sheera. It reminded me of the South Indian cafes in India where they generally serve this dish made out of semolina, clarified butter (ghee) and sugar. It did have a very pronounced mango flavor to it but it felt great eating it. I absolutely loved it.

Overall, there is no doubt this place is going to be my go to place for Indian food. I only wish they had a special weekend lunch buffet with a greater variety but what they have now isn't bad at all either. I would totally recommend this place to everyone. It is for everyone looking to have great Indian food without having to...

I recently visited Thanal Indian Tavern with my wife and a friend, and while the food was excellent, the service left a lot to be desired.

When we arrived, we were informed that we could have a table but would need to leave in 90 minutes due to reservations. That was completely understandable, and we had no issue with it. However, things quickly went downhill from there.

The hostess came to take our order while my wife had just stepped into the restroom, she was gone for maybe a minute. We politely asked for a moment so she could place her order, but the hostess seemed visibly annoyed and reiterated that we needed to order quickly to ensure we vacated the table on time. That was unnecessary and rude.

Once my wife returned, the waitress came to take our order. I asked for the Anjeer Kofta, only to be told they were out of koftas… just an hour after the restaurant had opened. That was surprising, but we ordered something else and moved on. The food arrived quickly, which I appreciated, but the service continued to feel rushed and uncomfortable. Every 10 minutes, the waitress kept looking over at our table as if she was impatiently waiting for us to leave. By the one-hour mark, I’d had enough of the passive-aggressive glances and decided to just take the rest of our meal to go.

While the chefs absolutely nailed the flavors—10/10 for the food, the service was unwelcoming and frustrating. I understand restaurants have time constraints with reservations, but there’s a way to handle it without making guests feel unwelcome. Based on this experience, I don’t see myself returning...