This is not another post about my love for tea. This is about the place CHAAYE STALL.. Well at a first glance it is another tea-coffee joint, what's the big deal?? Let us see...
I have been to Garuda mall some zillion number of times. Me and my friends meet up for lunch on most weekends followed by shopping at Garuda. Every single time I have craved for tea at around 6 to 7 pm when we are mostly done with shopping. Being dead tired and feet hurting, all that we needed was a refreshing cup of nice Indian tea (I hate the vending machine tea). Every single time I used to crib that there is not a single place in entire Bangalore where we can get decent Indian tea. I have been to most coffee places and the tea they server is not even a match to what I make at home (I don't make some high fundu tea, its simple Indian tea with milk and sugar). Coming back to Chaaye stall, one of my friends had always mentioned about it. I knew it must be a good place. Anyways, yesterday me n my friend decided to visit them post our shopping.
After settling, we decided to sit aaram se (I literally mean it was aaram se, with your legs extended, back resting to the wall and a nice view of the road). After 5 mins, we were given the menu which was a black slate with items printed on it. They have some 5-6 varieties of tea and 1-2 varieties of coffee (this is what I remember). They also have the tea which is given in small mud pots, I think it is called Kullad Chai. Anyways, we ordered ginger tea, masala tea, onion pakkodas and cheese nuggets.
Now coming to the ambience n music. The lighting is dim, which totally relaxes you. They play very soothing music. God it was soul relaxing!. A little old songs (not Kishore Kumar old, may be 2000 decade songs). Literally time goes on a stand still.
We got our order in 10-15 mins I guess. Each one of these items were exceptional :). Awesome is not the word. Very neatly presented and yummy taste wise. Tea was damn good. As soon as both me and my friend had the first sip, we blurted out - "Ahhhhhh!!! Nice tea". Either we were very tired or tea was really very good. Pakkodas - freshly made, crisp, cheese nuggets - Yummy! Also we ordered Golgoppa shooters - Shooter version of Pani puri (Forgot to take a pic :( ). I loved the tea so much, ordered another cup :). Even that was amazingly tasty.
After sitting there for close to 2 to 2.5 hrs, we had to return home. As we came to the reception, we actually had a better look at the place. The kettle lamps, milk can seats.. Highlight was the tea cup clock.
Hats off to whoever came up with the concept. Trust me if you are looking for a refreshing cup of ginger tea or masala tea, this is the place. The only things that I missed (or felt sad about) here are - One, the view, if only there was a beach or a snow clad mountain, it would be eternal bliss. Two, the places closes by 11, well nothing they can do about it (that is something our government has to look into).
But nevertheless, it was a wonderful experience and definitely was BLISS!!!!
I have been to Garuda mall some zillion number of times. Me and my friends meet up for lunch on most weekends followed by shopping at Garuda. Every single time I have craved for tea at around 6 to 7 pm when we are mostly done with shopping. Being dead tired and feet hurting, all that we needed was a refreshing cup of nice Indian tea (I hate the vending machine tea). Every single time I used to crib that there is not a single place in entire Bangalore where we can get decent Indian tea. I have been to most coffee places and the tea they server is not even a match to what I make at home (I don't make some high fundu tea, its simple Indian tea with milk and sugar). Coming back to Chaaye stall, one of my friends had always mentioned about it. I knew it must be a good place. Anyways, yesterday me n my friend decided to visit them post our shopping.
It rained quite a bit and ideally it was right time for tea and some hot pakkodas. As we entered we saw there were a few tables and a small kitchen. There was no one on a Saturday evening at 7pm.We went upstairs to check out. They have a nice spherical stair case. We went up, even there only one table was occupied. We decided to sit on one of the tables where you need to sit down (not like on the floor, but lower more like Japanese seating arrangement) -
After settling, we decided to sit aaram se (I literally mean it was aaram se, with your legs extended, back resting to the wall and a nice view of the road). After 5 mins, we were given the menu which was a black slate with items printed on it. They have some 5-6 varieties of tea and 1-2 varieties of coffee (this is what I remember). They also have the tea which is given in small mud pots, I think it is called Kullad Chai. Anyways, we ordered ginger tea, masala tea, onion pakkodas and cheese nuggets.
Now coming to the ambience n music. The lighting is dim, which totally relaxes you. They play very soothing music. God it was soul relaxing!. A little old songs (not Kishore Kumar old, may be 2000 decade songs). Literally time goes on a stand still.
We got our order in 10-15 mins I guess. Each one of these items were exceptional :). Awesome is not the word. Very neatly presented and yummy taste wise. Tea was damn good. As soon as both me and my friend had the first sip, we blurted out - "Ahhhhhh!!! Nice tea". Either we were very tired or tea was really very good. Pakkodas - freshly made, crisp, cheese nuggets - Yummy! Also we ordered Golgoppa shooters - Shooter version of Pani puri (Forgot to take a pic :( ). I loved the tea so much, ordered another cup :). Even that was amazingly tasty.
After sitting there for close to 2 to 2.5 hrs, we had to return home. As we came to the reception, we actually had a better look at the place. The kettle lamps, milk can seats.. Highlight was the tea cup clock.
But nevertheless, it was a wonderful experience and definitely was BLISS!!!!
