Tadka

Im looking at some of the reviews of this restaurant and I am AMAZED at the high rating this restaurant has received. I have never been to Mehfil and was not familiar with the food there but when I went in to eat at Tadka it was the most disappointing Indian food I have had in NYC.
The seating inside was a little intimidating as there was only one person who was working there. The décor was ridiculous, it looked like a cafeteria of some sorts and there was little lighting except from the windows. There were also only one of two other groups in the restaurant, mainly locals and what seemed to be the family of one of the kitchen staff.
We came in for the lunch buffet because my friend was feeling lazy and did not want to travel much and had heard this place was alright. It was not. All the food there at the much buffet was off in terms of flavor and texture.
The rice and naan were both extremely dry; the naan was slightly burnt and was unpleasant and the rice had hard kernels which was either due to the food being left out too long or they just didnt cook the rice appropriately. The choices in the lunch buffet were pretty standard but were pretty terrible tasting.
Many of the dishes seemed to lack flavor and were really salty, so while I suppose salt is spice and flavor it should not be the main flavor profile.
Given a choice, I wouldnt not return here unless I was desperate for Indian food.

I live two blocks away from this restaurant but was lazy to walk so I called up for a delivery. Took 40 minutes to get here and all the green sauce they put in the bag was spilled in it. The tandoori chicken was dry and the naan and roti were dry at the parts that weren’t way to hard to chew. Safe to say I won’t be eating here again. I’ll stick to hillside if I want indian food that’s close by.

We usually go to Tandori Hut for our weekly Indian fix but decided to find another place to try for fun. Tadka is teriffic. The atmosphere and service were very authentic/​casual /​homey/​nice. Some dishes we found marginally better and some the same as Tandori Hut. Not a big difference in the two to our taste.
(Our «mild» request was a bit spicy for us but we enjoyed it nevertheless)

To me, Tadka is just like everywhere else on Atlantic Ave. or in Jackson Heights. There’s nothing special about their food so I guess it’s just a convenient alternative to people who live near by.
Mehfil, the restaurant that inhabited this space before was great and I had to try Tadka and see how much better that might be. I was let down. Their chicken pakora was nothing like Mehfil. Maybe it was just a bad day but a lot of the food was under cooked and the fried foods all got very soggy very fast. I am not a fan but I guess the food might get better (at least for Gordon C. and I’s sake!).
Pro: Convenient
Con: Not great food, staff seems not to care about anything except for the family members or friends that they are usually sitting and talking to.

I was skeptical. I really was.
Tadka has replaced Mehfil, which was a young but beloved establishment that once stood in its place. There a few differences in menu items now. Gone are the Asian Fusion dishes.
Tadka’s menu is a bit more traditional. And I believe they use seasoning and spices more liberally as well… at least, as far as my untrained palette goes.
I tried out the Chicken Pakora thanks to Rayad A’s suggestion — it was pretty good! My friends and I thought it was a good alternative to starting off with Chicken Samosas.
My staple here is the Saag Lamb — moist boneless bits of lamb meat simmered with saucy spinach and cream — succulent and perfect on a mound of basmati rice.
Also a crowd favorite, the Butter Chicken — it’s a bit spicier now than it was in the Mehfil days so be sure to ask for medium spiciness.
It’s sad that the old owners moved away without a word. but I guess it’s time to move on. Tadka, I haven’t completely warmed up to you yet but you seem nice enough. Let’s be friends.