Date: 22nd November
Venue: Connaught Place M Block

This is rare. It was two firsts for us. A) Being “tea-totallers: we were keen to try the new Chaayos outlet at Connaught Place. B) Chaayos keeps tweaking their menu as per the season. The new winter menu was just launched and we were invited to try that.

We reached the CP outlet of Chaayos after a long day at India International Trade Fair, 2017 and were exhausted. But muted tones on the walls here, ambient lighting, stylish prints and wall art and most important, comfortable seating rejuvenated us in no time. We were ready for the food.

Gur Chai is their winter special. Consumption of gur is being recommended these days as anti-pollution remedy. Moreover, the distinct taste and flavour of jaggery gave this tea a rustic twist. This is a must have. We had the tea with mutton and chicken chops Anglo-Indian style. Mildly sweet, yet spicy and filling, these chops satiate the appetite. Next, the kulcha served with butter chicken in clay glasses was a new way to have this familiar bread. The spices in the chicken were balanced by the roasted kulcha and this dish is good to work as a dinner main course. The other dish that impressed us was the open paratha. A pizza like base with minced chicken layering topped with cheese is a successful fusion of our two favourite “P”s – pizza and paratha. This too is heavy and between the two of us, and our starving stomachs, we finished this. We ended the meal with Moist Chocolate Cake and a slice of Banana Walnut Cake which is a tad expensive, but totally worth. This works as a sweet finish to the meal, specially with milk based tea.

Tea could be the reason or just an excuse to chill at a nice place with family, friends or the special one. Both – the outlet at CP as well as their winter menu made us very happy. Consequently – we rate the Winter Menu at the new Chaayos in CP is a Fun-Do this season.