Review: Trouble Trouble is Chef Radhika Khandelwal’s Love Letter to Fun, Fire & Chaos

If you’ve ever crossed paths with chef-restaurateur Radhika Khandelwal, you know she doesn’t do standstill for long. Fresh off Fig & Maple’s ninth anniversary, long a South Delhi brunch mainstay, she chose disruption over nostalgia. The result is Trouble Trouble, her new neighbourhood bar and kitchen in Greater Kailash II that swaps restraint for mischief, and is a deliberate turn towards fun, flavour and a little chaos.

For nearly a decade, Fig & Maple was the kind of place you returned to without thinking. But cities evolve, diners grow bolder, and chefs do too. “I had evolved, and so did my city,” Khandelwal shares. Trouble Trouble is that mischief, built in the very same space but carrying a completely different vibe that the capital was missing.

The transformation of the space is immediate. Gone are the quiet monochromes, replaced by warm wood, rust and amber tones that glow under soft lighting. Mirrors catch flashes of movement and mood, making the room feel larger, livelier, and just a little indulgent. And the best part is the wall of frames of four-legged friends of the brand.

Trouble Trouble’s real spirit animal lives behind the bar. The cocktail menu, aptly titled Intrusive Thoughts, is inspired by the inner monologues we all pretend not to have. Curated by Chandra and Ravish Bhavnani, the drinks are clever without being cryptic. Ever stared at an overly complicated cocktail list and thought, just get me a G&T? Because same! Trouble Trouble meets you halfway, then nudges you gently toward chaos.

There’s Moves Like Jäger, a sharp, fizzy highball with in-house Red Bull cordial, lime, soda and a dash of chocolate bitters. Why Is Shiso Serious pairs gin with shiso nectar and ponzu for a drink that’s bright, herbaceous and quietly addictive. If you like a little trouble with your tequila, the Lao Gan Margarita, washed with chilli crisp oil hits all the right notes. And for if you’re on one of those date nights, Say It With Flowers softens things just enough.

At the heart of the space lies fire, quite literally, in the form of a Brazilian-style churrascaria grill that anchors the kitchen. It’s theatrical without being showy, turning meats and vegetables into smoky, sizzling centrepieces that feel meant for long and unhurried evenings.

The food follows the same philosophy. It’s bold, global, and designed for sharing, but never sloppy. There’s a sense of confidence here, rooted in Khandelwal’s ingredient-first, zero-waste approach. The menu travels freely from mini mouthfuls to grills, pizzas, risottos, pastas and moquecas, without ever feeling scattered.

The Double Trouble section, dedicated to two-bite plates, is where the fun really begins. My favourite was the umami mushroom parfait that arrives tucked into a crisp filo cone, hiding a playful little surprise inside. The tender tuna carpaccio, lifted by mustard oil and grapefruit is the dish I’d go back for, a lot more times. I also tried the prawn toast, wrapped like a tiny parcel and served with a vibrant red Thai curry sauce. As Khandelwal puts it, this section exists because Dilli loves a lil’ something to nibble with a drink, without commitment.

The larger plates hold their own. From the lemon-and-parmesan tagliatelle to the beetroot-feta-herb risotto, every dish delivers exactly what it promises. And if you’re in for something sweet with a twist, get the Affogato Say You’re Cute, a unhinged medley of a dessert and cocktail, made with vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, salted caramel gelato, popcorn, chocolate wafer and Maldon sea salt.

Trouble Trouble isn’t trying to replace Fig & Maple’s legacy, it’s just stepping out of its shadow. Book a table when you’re in the mood for fun and a little mischief.

Where: Second floor, M27, M-Block Market, Greater Kailash II, New Delhi, Delhi 110048

Timing: 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM (closed on Monday)