Tabla

5827 Caravan Ct.
Orlando, FL 32819
407-248-9400
View Website Here

A Tabla is a pair of small drums that have been fundamental to Hindustani music of northern India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh since the 18th century. Much like the musical sounds and instruments used in traditional Indian music, the foods found in those regions have become fundamental in shaping cuisine all over the world. 

Tabla the restaurant is a place where visual creations for the palate will entice the eyes and enliven your senses.

The menu features a symphony of Indian, Chinese and Thai flavors and spices with classic dishes and new twists on old favorites. That's what makes tabla so unique. You can find Thai green curry and basil fried rice for a taste of Thailand, or fresh from the tandoor kababs, chicken tikka, and garlic naan for a taste of India and classics like general tso’s chicken with a side of crab rangoon for your Chinese food cravings. For something really tasty, the Indo-Chinese fusion dishes like the cauliflower Manchurian and lemon coriander soup are pretty exciting as well, as are the artistic versions of classics like mango tiramisu and gulab jamun brulee.

Tabla’s chef, Ian Piamonte is a culinary artist known for his original and inventive food presentations, which he attributes to his traditional training and inspiration from his Asian heritage. He joined the Tabla Culinary team after serving as the Banquet Chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.

The Guava Drink on the left is a cocktail that is not only good for your digestive system, but also compliments dishes that are hot and sour. The Mango Lassi pictured right is a popular and traditional yogurt based drink that is thick like a milkshake and quite flavorful.

The Papadum at Tabla is thin lentil wafers roasted in a tandoor oven served with a spicy sauce and a sweet sauce. Unique to Tabla, instead of being traditional thin round crisps. they roll the papadum up like an ice cream cone.

Gobi Manchurian is crispy cauliflower fritters fried up in a sweet, spicy and tangy sauce. Gobi cooked various ways is a traditional Indian food, but Gobi Manchurian is Indo-Chinese, and these tasted incredibly good.

Honey Chicken with dried chili is a classic Chinese dish made with honey glazed chicken tossed with chili and spring onions. This was pretty tasty as well, and I had to stop myself from eating the whole thing.

Although Crab Rangoon may seem basic, you can rest assured that Tabla’s crispy wontons with crab meat and cream cheese are far from your standard Chinese take out.

The Mixed Kabab platter features a variety of Seekh Kabab, Chicken Tikka, Hara Murgh and Malai Methi Kababs. These kabobs were loaded with flavor and lots of heat, but it was the kind of heat that makes you come back for more.

Lemon and Coriander Broth was full of fragrant lemongrass, piquant chillies, and sliced mushrooms.

Naan is a staple of Indian cuisine and can be found at almost every Indian restaurant you visit. The naan at Tabla is served with Garlic Cilantro, Green Chili, Chili Cheese, Cream Cheese and Mint spreads, but naan is also great to dip in a variety of things...like Tikka Masala with spiced tomato and coriander sauce with bell peppers and onion.

Pictured above is a collection of Indian, Chinese and Thai dishes that are great over rice, for dipping, with meats, or by themselves. Top left: General Tso’s Chicken, Top right: Green Curry, Center: Palak, Bottom right: Tikka Masala, Bottom left: Dal Makahani.

Indian dessert is certainly different if you are not accustomed to it, but don't let that keep you away. Cassata is a layered ice cream that is similar to Neapolitan ice cream, with three flavors.. usually pistachio, vanilla and strawberry on a base of sponge cake and topped with chopped nuts. This was a very light and refreshing dessert.

Gulab Jamun is a milk solids based dessert made from milk solids from freshly curdled milk. In India, milk solids are prepared by heating milk over a low flame for a long time until most of the water content has evaporated. The milk solids, known as khoya, are kneaded into a dough with a pinch of flour, and then shaped into small balls and deep fried at a low temperature. Afterwards they are soaked in a light sugary syrup flavored with green cardamom and rose water. Tabla’s version is a Gulab Jamun Brulee. As weird as this sounds, it was quite tasty.

Tabla has done an awesome job of taking traditional recipes and enhancing them with a modern approach and bringing the taste of Indian, Thai, and Chinese together all in one place. I have always enjoyed the unique sounds of the Tabla, the musical instrument, and I know I am going to be enjoying Tabla the restaurant just as much.

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