Tava Fry Modern Indian Bar & Restaurant — Restaurant in Virginia

I am DEFINITELY coming back here.

I went in to Tava Fry hungry and completely aloof about what kind of Indian cuisine they were all about (Mumbai street-style food). I'd walked in, asked the cashier, "what's the best dish on the menu?", and received an enthusiastic, "every dish here is the best". I LOVE that kind of enthusiasm! Right away, I had a good feeling. When you can proudly guide a new customer through your menu to a custom meal, I think you've got a good thing going (Masuma--absolutely awesome customer service and thanks for helping me pick out my dinner for the night!)

I told her I was hungry, did not want a small meal, and that I liked spicy. She asked quick questions about taste preferences, whether or not I ate meat, if I liked naan, and so on, all with this sense of hospitality that just really makes you feel like you're getting genuine person-to-person customer service. I settled on her suggestions for the:

MAIN ENTREE Tava Bhuna Masala with chicken (spicy). Comes w/ rice ($12.99)

SIDES TWO portions of buttered naan (which I didn't realize were big, healthy sizes--they don't skimp out on your naan!) ($2.98 for two) Masala Fries ($2.99)

DESSERT Pistachio Kulfi ($4.99)

DRINK Mango Lassi ($2.99)

I cannot stress just how satisfied I was with EACH of these choices (yes, I ate all of it). Every single one of these dishes surprised me with both quality and portion. The Bhuna Masala was just my kind of spicy (I'd requested it to be hot, so the kick was a bit higher than the average person prefers), with the chicken so tender and the sauce just divine paired with the rice. The buttered naan was plentiful and baked just enough so that the edges remained soft (and that's key) throughout the meal. The Masala Fries were fantastically seasoned and wonderfully crisp around the edges. The Mango Lassi was sweet and so satisfying with the spicy chicken. And, finally, the Pistachio Kulfi was something I'd never heard of before and was glad I'd tried. It's essentially ice cream they cut into bite size pieces to eat which, like the Lassi, provided an exquisite supplement to the spicy chicken.

Again, I can't stress just how much I loved each of the dishes I ordered. Everything complimented the other, some in surprising ways. I can only hope my pictures and descriptions do the items enough justice to at least coax you into trying Tava Fry out. Their customer service, too, was totally welcoming (like I said, I walked in completely aloof and must've looked like it), and they happily guide you through menu items you might like. It felt like an experience which, you know, many restaurants don't take the time for, unfortunately. I got the feeling that they trust and are proud of their menu. After trying Masuma's recommendations, I'm looking forward to coming back again in the future. I was so impressed by this restaurant.

NOTE everyone was wearing masks and the presentation looked clean and maintained. I liked the choice of decor, too, with the color-changing lights illuminating the front counter text (see pictures). Very artistic and crafted. There were a few tables, decently spaced about. I got the sense they do what they can to maintain safe distancing while also providing an inviting atmosphere. Really, I don't have anything bad to say about my experience here. I'm not biased, I don't work here, I've never been here before, and am not getting paid to give them a positive review. I legitimately found their food to be fantastic. The menu offered authentic dishes, as well as more "beginner-friendly" dishes for casual Indian food enthusiasts. For recommendations, go with any of my choices listed above!

Tava Fry gets a full 100%, 5 out of 5 stars from me!...

Our wedding at Whites Ferry Manor on September 15th, 2023, was truly elevated by the exceptional catering provided by Tava Fry. Beyond the sumptuous dishes, it was Bhaskar, the owner, who made this experience unforgettable with his unwavering support and dedication.

From the moment our guests arrived, Tava Fry's team impressed us with their impeccable service and an array of delectable dishes. The chat live station was a brilliant idea, engaging our guests right after the ceremony. The aromas of sizzling kebabs and Pav Bhaji filled the air, setting the tone for what was to come.

Now, let's talk about the food – it was nothing short of a masterpiece. The kebabs were tender, bursting with flavor, and beautifully charred. The Pav Bhaji was a delightful burst of spices and textures, a true crowd-pleaser. Tava Fry demonstrated a deep understanding of Indian cuisine, and it shone through in every bite.

However, what truly made our experience exceptional was Bhaskar's dedication. He went above and beyond to ensure that every detail was perfect. His personal touch and involvement in every aspect of the catering added a special touch to our wedding day. His passion for delivering a memorable culinary experience was evident and greatly appreciated.

Now, let's get to the Reception (Walima) buffet spread. Tava Fry's presentation was a work of art, but the real magic lay in the taste.

Our guests couldn't stop raving about the food, and it was clear that Tava Fry, under Bhaskar's leadership, doesn't just cook; they curate an experience for the taste buds. The fusion of traditional flavors with a modern twist was truly outstanding.

Not only was the food exceptional, but the service provided by Tava Fry's team, guided by Bhaskar, was remarkable. They were professional, attentive, and ensured that everything ran smoothly. It allowed my spouse and me to savor every moment of our special day.

Tava Fry and Bhaskar, you have not just met our expectations; you have exceeded them in every way possible. Your culinary expertise, exceptional service, and Bhaskar's personal touch have left a lasting impression on us and our guests. You turned our wedding into a gastronomic celebration.

We want to assure Bhaskar and Tava Fry that we will undoubtedly be reaching out for your services for future events. You've earned not just our respect but our loyalty as well.

Thank you, Tava Fry and Bhaskar, for being the culinary highlight of our wedding day. You are, without a doubt, the maestros of flavors and...

Tava Fry is a great place to get chaat (Indian street food), and has some really tasty and creative dishes. My family and I went there for my birthday and we got the dahi puri, paneer tikka pizza, sandwiches, vegetable fried rice. The food was amazing, tasty, and fresh. And the price of the items are competitively afforable, when compared to other Indian restaurants. I am very picky when it comes to rating Indian restaurants, since both my father and mother prepare higher-than-restaurant level quality dishes every day.

This is one of the handful restaurants in the NOVA area that really serves authentic Indian chaat. The only other places besides India, which I had better chaat was in Canada (Brampton) and New Jersey; which are both areas with a high Indian-immigrant population. And despite the higher amount of restaurant selections in those areas, Tava Fry's food was at their level; which I can't say for any other NOVA Indian restaurant.

I would recommend that anyone who visits the restaurant for the first time order the Dahi Puri (which is tasty to the core), and vegetarian fried rice. Both items reminded me of the chaat I got from India, and the quality, taste, and freshness matched the dahi puris, my family prepares from scratch at home; so that is the highest compliments I can give in that. The only item which I didn't enjoy as much as the others, was the Paneer tikka pizza (in which I felt the paneer was undercooked), but despite that, even the pizza was decent on its own.

As far as the service is concerned, the staff was highly professional and fast in the preparation of the food, despite the fact that the restaurant was full of customers. The only reason I am giving a 4 star, and not a 5 star in my review, is that the menu and website aren't very clear on the portion sizes of the foods, in which some items are under portioned and higher priced (Dahi Puri) and others are over-portioned, yet cheap (Sandwiches); which makes it hard to order correctly.

When I asked the staff on the portion sizes, they were able to clarify for some of the items, but for the others, they were not able to. And with the high amounts of traffic in the restaurant area, and the staff being occupied, it is difficult to get answers...