Books, brownies and beverages..
It was a usual Delhi evening and the
monsoon was on. We were hoping around for a get-together when it started to
rain and every Delhite is well acquainted with the havoc the Delhi Rains cause
in Cannaught Place. And so we were on, to find an escape.
This is when I spotted the Oxford Bookstore and went in to spend a little time until the rain calms and may be buy some books too. Unaware of the fact that we were going to have an experience of something beautiful. We all have fancied of small cafés and chai-bars which lay hidden in small streets and hold a lot of life in it. Well, I found one, in the busiest of places in Delhi. The Cha-Bar - a cozy little chai joint in the heart of a big bookstore.
This is when I spotted the Oxford Bookstore and went in to spend a little time until the rain calms and may be buy some books too. Unaware of the fact that we were going to have an experience of something beautiful. We all have fancied of small cafés and chai-bars which lay hidden in small streets and hold a lot of life in it. Well, I found one, in the busiest of places in Delhi. The Cha-Bar - a cozy little chai joint in the heart of a big bookstore.
Concept:
As the name suggests, “Cha-bar” is a small tea bar, in the heart of a book
store. Dedicating a counter for making all the service available, it has a room
full of sitting arrangements which makes place for almost 35 people to sit and
sip tea at a go. Although the serving is restricted to this area only and not
the bookstore, they do provide dry food items in the back corner of the
bookstore which is specially designed for readers to sit and read.
Ambience:
it’s a big area divided into rooms, with each room varying in colour and
designs. The tea brewing room is painted all black, where the café is an
intricately designed room with big round chandeliers, a good fusion of modernity
and vintage.
 |
| Message Frill |
Attractions:
The Bookstore has special attractions in the form of light room, the ladders
set to take you to the right book and my favorite Message Frill, which holds
post-its from people visiting there and leaving messages.
 |
| Light Decor |
Food:
They have stocked up all that you can have with a cup of tea and books. Think of
a chai-combo and its there.
Drink:
Tea! I am a tea lover and I got to select between a 100 of ways a tea can be
brewed. So yes, a hundred visits for each cup.
Service:
The staff and management are very friendly and the service is okay-ish. They are
neither too fast to just grab a tea and run, nor too slow to get bored. They
give you ample time to sit and read, or just spend some time with yourself or
friends.
Plating:
Tea is served in beautiful glasses depending on the flavor you order. Usually it
is a cutting glass, sometimes it’s the Kulhad and if you are ordering something
classic, they serve you in Teapot style.
Freshness:
The tea is served hot and the food is generally stocked up and served after
heating.
Price: Aptly priced and light in the pocket.
Mood:
Friendly! Busy! And lots of chatters happening in the cafe. Silence and indulgence into books at the bookstore.
My Take:
If you are going to meet someone, an old friend or may be a new one, or just
having a break from work, this is one place I would recommend in Cannaught
Place! All books, tea and the stories happen here! Abhi jaao!
Location: N-81, Barakhamba Road, Block N, Cannaught Place, New Delhi-110001
Website: http://www.oxfordbookstore.com/dotcom/oxford/discover/cha_bar/menu.htm
.... Sips tea and turns the page...
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