Taj is good, but far from the best Tampa has to offer in the way of Northern Indian cuisine. To get the most of your experience at Taj, I recommend the lunch buffet. It’s affordable and offers a good selection of entrees and extras. The buffet includes vegetarian choices, in addition to beef and chicken, and features plenty of nan and pickled delights—I love their pickled carrots with mustard seeds. There’s also a dessert of delightfully spiced rice pudding (kheer) on the buffet. I find most of the meals at Taj are spiced to the western palate—meaning not too hot. If you are ordering entrees, rather than selecting from the buffet, request the spice level of your choice and they’ll meet your need. If you're a fan of sweet mango lassi, Taj makes a great one.
The wait staff is adequate but not overly friendly. I find the atmosphere pleasant and noise is never a problem, as it is usually quiet enough for causal conversation to easily be heard even at the busiest time of the day.
The main reason I’m not giving Taj more stars, is the taste of the entrees. The food lacks a depth and robust taste that I would expect. Dishes featuring paneer (a homemade whole milk cheese) are especially disappointing as their version is dull and tasteless.
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