The
interiors take your breath away. And that’s half the battle won as far as I am
concerned. It puts you in a happy place instantly.
So
I sat myself down in a comfy lounge chair at a well-appointed table, right
beside the lovely tea wall. I have a picture below; it was so eye-catching. I
had made up my mind to have some soothing jasmine tea or something –with teacakes
for accompaniment. But what greeted me in the menu was an onslaught to the
senses, a jolt to my chai sensibilities, which completely shook me out of my
blasé expectations. Corn Bhel, Butter Chicken Samosa, Lamb Vada Pav! What was
happening here? There was no way I wasn’t going to sample all of this, so out
the window went all plans for dainty teacakes and we planned to just go all out
with the quintessential chai
experience the Indian way with surprising twists to every dish.
Needless
to say, all of the above were ordered along with some really interesting tava style sandwiches. And yes, the chai – masala chai. So the chai arrives in an interesting wooden
cabinet, in a copper teakettle. The cups are actually the cutting chai style glasses, only in a much
prettier ceramic blue, served up in the classic sectioned tray like chaiwalah’s have. This was accompanied
by rusk and farsaan in copper tiffin
boxes! Full points for presentation already. I was floored. There was none of
the usual dull teapot in the picture! The service staff is well trained to
present things in the most exquisite manner onto the table.
The
food was another story. The bhel arrived
in a tiny copper balti, the various
kinds of vada pavs came with a shot of chutney pierced right through them and the
sandwiches cut square so like on the street vendors. It was an entirely
unexpected and very pleasant presentation. The taste was matchless. Every thing
had a distinct, refined flavor. Every mouthful was bliss. What an amazing
combination of very essentially Indian flavors, a juxtaposition of chai stall snacks with more global
palette pleasers, combining of favorites such as samosa with butter chicken. This had turned out to be one of my
best jaunts ever. I must admit, Corporate Chef Neeraj Tyagi with his team has
done wonders with the menu. Full marks to him already. I met him for a small
talk, but he had so much to tell and portray out of passion and love for his
work that I was almost floored.
We
did round up the experience with a selection of the most sinful chocolates,
macarons and cakes on offer at their exquisite bakery, and yes the jasmine tea
did make an experience because we just needed to calm down after an explosion
of such beautiful and varied flavors.
So
I am never going to say no to tea – as long as it’s Mister Chai I am headed to!