The Return Of #ChaayosWinter...

Chaayos has been a favorite for all things चाय and नाश्ता, so much so that I find myself heading there whenever hunger pangs hit to be satiated by the most loved beverage and thoughtfully curated quick bites.

As has been the (delightful) case with Chaayos, their Seasonal Menus always bring something new to the table in terms of filling meals that are perfect for teatime.

This time was no different as #ChaayosWinter has made a stellar comeback, and is, in my opinion, their best to date.

The गुड़ वाली चाय had been the most well-received last season and has been retained this time around too, owing to the healthier alternative that is Jaggery.

Apart from that their are eight new additions across four categories - Meals, नाश्ता, Chai-Unchai, and मीठा.

It's hard for me to choose an absolute favorite this time around, as these folks have hit the home run with the flavorful line-up. Nevertheless, here are all the new additions that have been made to the Menu on account of #ChaayosWinter.

Meals: 

Chicken Keema Loaded Open Parantha is a first cousin to the Loaded Open Paranthas that first made their debut in #ChaayosMonsoon and is a cheesy, flaky thin crust delight with an Indian touch to it.

Kulhad Butter Chicken Kulcha has me most impressed because of the fact that there is a marked improvement from their Kulhad Masala Chicken Kulcha which was a bit too high on the 'Scoville Scale'. Of course, the Kulcha still sports a couple of chili flakes but those are bearable alright, while the Butter Chicken morsels are to be relished.

नाश्ता:

Paneer Bhurji Bun could have been more like 'Mom's Paneer Bhurji Bun' with the home-like preparation tossed subtly with greens and reds layered on open buns.

Cutlets make a debut at Chaayos this Winter, with the meat variants - both Chicken and Mutton - grilled to crispiness.

With a flavorful filling paired with tangy dips on the side complementing the snacks, it is a nice addition to the culinary experimentation that Chaayos has been adept at.

Chai-Unchai: 

The newest kid on the block in this section is the heart-warming brew of Tulsi Green Tea. Apt to be paired with their मीठा or taken on its own, it is quite an authentic preparation at Chaayos.

मीठा: 

While #ChaayosMonsoon was about incorporating Indian-ness into the Menu with Kulhad Jalebi, #ChaayosWinter has to be all about cakes, because, Christmas is round the corner too.

The subtlety of flavors is evident this time around with the Banana Walnut and Moist Chocolate Cakes.

While the Moist Chocolate Cake is a spongy muffin delight, the Banana Walnut Cake steals the show with the crunch of nuts and balance of sweet and nutty.

#ChaayosWinter has been around for sometime now, and shall be on the continuum but if you have not savored the latest menu, you're in for a pleasant surprise when you visit Chaayos next, and I would say you should do that soon! :)

#SachinAtSmaaash To Amp The Ambience...

SMAAASH is an active entertainment space and a one-stop shop for patrons to play, party and celebrate. With a wide repertoire of games spanning Arcade, Virtual Reality, and Simulation genres to name a few, the brand journey has seen a steady growth to becoming one of the most loved entertainment destinations for many around the country and overseas.

My most recent visit to SMAAASH came about as a consequence of the unveiling of their newest outlets at the Ambience Malls in the city, namely at Vasant Kunj and Gurugram. The fun-and-food centers have sprung up in place of the quite popular bluO lounges in both malls.

The icing on the cake turned out to be the presence of Master Blaster and SMAAASH's Brand Ambassador Sachin Tendulkar who had a brief media interaction while unveiling the newest catchphrase and logo of SMAAASH that proclaimed 'Can't Stop Playing' - and rightly so! :)

Also present at the launch was Mr.  Shripal Morakhia, Chief Imagination Officer, SMAAASH Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., who was of such opinion with regard to the expansion

"All the games here are like the three A’s of SMAAASH – Amazing, Aspirational and Awesome. We are the best place for celebrations, as one can eat, play and party, all under one roof. Also, considering the changing tastes of the consumers, we will be regularly introducing new gaming concepts. With our presence across twenty-six centers in thirteen cities and growing, SMAAASH aims to change the way our country celebrates each day."

Commenting on the concept of SMAAASH that has visibly gained popularity among families and youth alike, Sachin regarded SMAAASH as a great platform for people to de-stress and enjoy with friends and family. He was of the opinion that SMAAASH has redefined the concept of sports entertainment in the country while providing wholesome entertainment for sports lovers and thrill-seekers.

The newly revived 50,000 sq. ft. centers are the next links in the chain of the country’s premier urban sports parks. SMAAASH, Ambience Gurugram has two exciting new Golf-based games - Golf Showdown and Mini Jungle Golf and SMAAASH, Ambience Vasant Kunj has LaserBlast - a trippy Laser Tag arena for group games.

SMAAASH Cricket - the 360^o cricket simulator is the only one where one can experience first-hand the exhilaration of facing cricket legends like Anil Kumble, Shane Warne, Wasim Akram and of course, Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar.

The newly-designed spaces maintain a vibrant balance between energizing and yet a chilled out ambiance, where one can hang with friends and family.

Meanwhile, the in-house café and bar at SMAAASH will ensure that one enjoys hearty meals and heady drinks during the fun gaming sessions with the gang.

In addition to their brand expansion over the Indian subcontinent, SMAAASH has also targeted the USA with the Mall of America while expansion in Saudi Arabia and Dubai is in the pipeline.