CHAAYE STALL- A REVIEW

BY NOLAN PINTO

Just when you think that all the coffee shops are the same, a surprise awaits you. I am not the person to sit and waste time in coffee shops, they are too noisy and at times bloody irritating. So when a pal of ours suggested we check out Chaaye Stall, we were a bit apprehensive. It was like this, if it turned into a nightmare, we would surely kill him!

An instant mood setter, they have lanterns in tea pots!

We reached the place at around half past seven in the evening. There is ample space to park both cars and bikes. But be aware, even though the bike parking is hop step and jump away, you have to ride all around this huge building to get there.  This small joint is right near the gate and the moment you enter, you get this very cozy feeling. Dim lights but enough to not be shady at all like many places are these days. We decided to sit on floor one. The steps to head up are narrow and are spiral like those in old churches.

Once on the top, you are amazed at the seating. Nice floor cushioned seats and neatly spread apart. We decided to take a seat where we could have a view of the road. What struck us immediately were the drawings on the wall. The old Bangalore where one still had time to sip a cup of coffee or tea.

The queen of spices (white cup) the smell of the soil (mud pot)

Bread Pakoras, really wish there were more pieces!

We thought this place would be extremely costly, but one look at the menu and we were amazed. This got us in the mood to just keep on ordering. The waiter arrived within 10 minutes of us taking our seats and getting used to the place. 

We were famished and hence ordered loads to eat. So it was Hash Browns, cucumber sandwich, Golgappa Shooters, Bread Pakoda and then for tea, one 'smell of the soil' that is served in a Kulladh(mud pot) and 'queen of spices' a tea blended with Indian spices.

Golgappa Shooters! We couldn't resist eating two before we remembered we need pictures! 

I would certainly suggest the Golgappa shooters. Very elegantly served. The puris are placed on a long shot glass filled with the pani. The pani is served chilled and is just about the right amount of sweet and yum. 

A potato lovers delight! Yummylicious Hash Browns!

The Hash Browns were absolutely yummilicious. For the potato lover, it had the right amount of steam, oil as well as garnishing. We wiped the plate clean!

If you’re heading to this place all alone, then this dish will for sure fill your tummy. The cucumber sandwich is as normal as it gets but the bread pakoda (though with a filling) could have been better.

The teas are good. I for one enjoyed the queen of spices better than the smell of the soil which was pretty ordinary in taste. I know it’s supposed to give you the feeling of drinking tea in a mud pot but still the tea can be made a bit more interesting.

Greedy hands reach out for more Golgappas!

Cucumber sandwiches- ek dum ghar ka taste! 

The feel of the place is wonderful. They played old Jagjit Singh songs and not too loud and not too soft either, I would say just about there in the background so it won’t disturb you while you are speaking. My first time here and I was satisfied. More so since the entire bill came to less than Rs. 400 in spite of us ordering 4 dishes and 2 teas. Really cost effective for a place to just hang out and also to treat others toward the end of the month.