There’s nothing like something completely different to try wherever you are and coming into Peterborough city centre today I visited Chill & Chaat to see what their ‘Indian-styled’ High Chai was all about…..
Full of colour, different flavours and served with a traditional styled India tea pot with a choice of Darjeeling tea, Assam tea, Green tea or Masala Chai, their High tea is wonderfully presented on a bird-cage type three tier cake stand.
Starting at the bottom and working my way up through the tiers was a highlight for the taste buds. Now I’m a bit finicky with hot spices, so I am always wary of what I eat, carefully dipping my toe in the water, so to speak, but today was different. None of these treats had me running for a glass of milk. Everything was flavoursome with some subtle hints of heat, fabulous textures and a great selection to fill you up.
I liked the touch of the mini club sandwiches – small toastie triangles – balanced alongside the cute Indian burger (Vada Pav) filled with spiced potato patty.
The full tier line up was:
First Tier Snacks:
Mini club sandwiches, an Indian-style sandwich layered with chutney, veggies, cheese and potato filling and cucumber.
Kachori which is a popular Indian, deep-fried, savory snack originating from Rajasthan with a crispy, flaky crust filled with spiced mixtures like moong dal (yellow mung beans), onion and peas.
Mini veg samosa which most of us already know and love.
Mini Vada Pav – a popular Mumbai street food – an “Indian burger,” consisting of a deep-fried, spiced potato patty (vada) nestled inside a soft bread bun (pav).
Sev Puri are small, crispy flatbreads (papdi) topped with diced potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and a mixture of spicy, tangy, and sweet chutneys. Gone in a one fresh and crispy mouthful.
Second Tier filled with Street Food:
Onion & Spinach pakora – again we love these litte deep fried fritter of potatoes, onions and spinach in a spiced thick batter, eat one and you want to eat more!
Pani Puri – those liquids which you see should be poured into the little shells on top…a unique experience: Indian & Mexican flavours (the Mexican one is hotter), they are an immensely popular Indian street food—also known as Golgappa —consisting of small, hollow, crispy fried shells (Puri) stuffed with spiced mashed potatoes, chickpeas, and chutney – you then you fill them with the spicy, tangy, and sweet flavored water (Pani), be careful. lol – down in one go!
Dhokla are a popular Gujarati savory, sponge-like steamed cake made from a fermented batter of rice and chickpeas. A surprisingly light cake-type savoury which is actually a healthy, gluten-free, protein-rich and vegetarian snack.
Then you reach the top tier.
It’s your chance to make your selection of 4 Indian desserts – just see what’s in the dessert cabinet on the day. Today were 2 milk cakes, very rich and sweet – the Rose Barfi was my favourite as it also looked so pretty.The Kalakand was a nice touch too as very creaming with it’s topping. Jalebi was my least favourite as it’s pure sugar ringlets.
All in all I came away full but not bloated. The location is calm with a fabulous mural and ideal for a treat every now and then. Why not give it a try.
Price at the time of this post £40 for 2 people. Option upgrade to add a 2 cocktails £13, 2 mocktails £8 or go all out and enjoy 2 glasses of Prosecco for £10!
