A FRESH TAKE ON HIGH TEA AT TAMBA

Never did we imagine we’d be rocking up to this funky fusion Indian restaurant and night-time hangout for a cuppa, but here we are, foregoing Happy Hour for High Tea at Tamba, which launched this month.

They’ve taken some popular snacks off the streets of India and boldly put them alongside cakes and scones. You’ll get a pair each of vibrantly flavoured puri, crisp, brown mini samosas with tamarind sauce, and yummy tuna mayo tarts that reminded us of fish tea sandwiches, just a whole lot prettier. Dhokla (small fluffy cakes made from rice and chickpeas) sit next to chicken tikka pouches that look like tiny shawarma sandwiches, but better were the corn bhaji, or fritters. Well paired with mint chutney, it’s one of those snacks you could unintentionally nosh on all afternoon.

On the sweet side you’ll find adorably small vanilla scones already filled with raspberry jam, and a really moist and moreish banana cake topped in a swirl of beautiful cream cheese frosting. Two types of cookies cater for two types of cookie eaters – a chocolate chip one with real bite and a comparably gooey-good oats and raisin one.

We would’ve loved to have seen an Indian sweet thrown into the mix – ditch the dhokla, maybe, for a toned-down take on gulab jamun? – but all in all, Tamba made all these East and West flavours work pleasantly well enough together on the same tray.

To drink, there’s the option of a glass of Veuve, but tea fanatics will be well impressed with the selection. There’s a brew for every mood, from all the classic must-haves to rose and rooibos orange, strawberry and mango, and masala chai.

The only issue we had was that, as beautiful as the copper toned tea set was, they didn’t do the greatest job of keeping our sips hot for long. A small glitch in what is a stylish and relaxed way to while away the afternoon after shopping at WTC Mall.

Tamba will remain open during the day for Ramadan, so grab the girls and see for yourself!

High Tea at Tamba, Available Sun-Thurs from 3-6pm

99 AED per person for two or more guests (149 AED with bubbly), subject to 5% VAT

TAMBA | The Hub, WTC Mall | +9712 672 8888

---