Tangy flavours brew a storm in this teacup

Cha Bar an off-the-hook contemporary urban café created at the time of independence has opened its new outlet with redesigned menu at the Connaught Place recently.

The expansive menu has mainly introduced healthier yet a host of tempting options along with the signature dishes of savoury appetisers, delightful main courses, salads and desserts. The new menu is in line with the restaurant’s philosophy of scrumptious food at pocket-friendly prices.

A meal (sandwiches and tea) for two comes at Rs 200 to 300 with added lip smacking items like the Mediterranean Cous Cous Salad, Shami Kebab and caramalised onion sandwich, Chicken Shawarma Wrap, Kebab Meshwi Strudel, Five Spice and Hoisin Chicken Wrap, Baked Cha Samosas, Mysore Bonda, Aglio-Olio Pasta, among other delicacies.

Cha Bar was a first of its kind when it was first established in Kolkata in 2000, turning tea from a dry page in history to a lifestyle drink! Priti Paul’s brainchild backed by generations of Apeejay Surrendra Group’s experience in tea plantation business, Cha Bar was created as an integral part of more than 90 years old iconic Oxford Bookstore in city centre Park Street.

The concept was expanded and integrated into Oxford Bookstores across India. And customers loved the experience of being able to browse at leisure, leafing through the books of their choice, over a cup of tea from the wide selection available at the Cha Bar or simply unwinding with friends sipping the rejuvenating beverage, iced or
piping hot!

Nitin Warikoo from the team of Cha Bar says, “Though none of the Cha Bars today stand without the company of the bookstore, but that is like a tradition. We like to think Cha Bar is a different entity and the Oxford Bookstore a separate one, they complement each other.”

For the sweet tooth, Cha Bar has a patisserie section which offers a variety of irresistible muffins, freshly-baked cookies, delectable pastries and cakes and pies. Some of the highlights of this section are the Rum and Raisin Muffin, Molten Chocolate Muffins, Tiramisu, Lemon Tart, Homemade Granola Bars and a variety of freshly-baked cookies.

The patisserie also offers a signature English Tea Cake with a nutty twist which works brilliantly paired with the English breakfast tea.

Also, like none of the other swanky cafes, Cha Bar has introduced a brand new innovative kids menu. The menu offers perfectly sized portions of exciting dishes such as varieties of breads served with jams and nutella, waffles with chocolate sauce and maple syrup, mini cupcakes with cream and vermicelli, barbecued chicken sausages and an assortment of French fries, wedges and smiley potatoes.

Cha Bar has 155 types of tea coming from all over the world and another unique feature of the environmental graphics across all Cha Bars is the teapot wall which displays the different traditional teapots from across the world. The tea is served in their native styles, like the Moroccan Tea is served with glasses painted in golden Islamic Arabesque designs with a golden royal kettle, with accompanying the presentation.   

Whether one prefers a rich, full-bodied, strong flavour, or a light fragrant taste, the Cha Bar is a lounge that offers teas in their bar and one can get caffeinated and keep their spirits high!