Oven Story Redefines Love For Pizza...

Last weekend at home was Pizza Weekend. Though Pizza has lost me as a fan because of not-so-great preparations being done by the regular names in the market, I had heard a lot about a new home-delivery-only joint in my vicinity going by the brand name - Oven Story - a brand which believes that Pizza emulates life, and thus decided to give it a try.

How is Pizza = Life? Thus opines Oven Story's Pizza Pedro:

"Flour, butter, veggies and cheese, if not put through grueling heat and tests of time, they will never become a beautiful pizza. On the other hand, we’ve often seen people find the completion of their story, in a warm pizza. In life-like situations like these, how can the only variety be that of toppings?

At Oven Story we know how your pizza resonates your story, so we’ve got you our 4 signature cheese bases- one for each of your mood. From alive and hearty Peri Peri and beautiful mellow roasted 4 Bell Pepper to hot Chipotle and el-Classico - a classic cheese spread that’s perfect for all.

So go ahead, choose a flavor that completes your story."

This particular analogy seemed interesting enough for me to go ahead and craft a story at Oven Story. From their impressive range of Pizzas, Garlic Bread, Bruschetta, and Dessert, I decided to opt for Pizza and Dessert to form my first impression of their brand.

From their quad bases, I opted for El Classico, Chipotle, and Peri Peri. Going by their About Us, I already had a feeling that Oven Story would be a class apart from run-of-the-mill Dominos or Pizza Hut, and I was proved right.

My order placed with them consisted of the following:

• Chipotle Gourmet Veggie (V)

• Peri Peri Big Western (NV)

• Classico Picante (V)

• Sicilian Red Velvet Cake 

Not only were their 9" pizzas thin, crisp, steaming hot, fresh and light on the palate, but also they were loaded with life-size chunks of respective toppings and melt-in-mouth cheese that went without saying. I finally got rid of my gradual aversion to Pizza because of the other well-known brands having degraded their name in the market by utilizing ingredients/toppings just for namesake, as Pizza had just become mere refined flour and cheese for me over the passage of time. 

Not the case with Oven Story, though. These people impressed me and how! Also got to know that they had partnered with Faasos for their delivery operations, hence handling the logistics like a pro. 

 I also observed that their bases were not just flour, but also some herbs were visible on the underside of all the three bases. Poking holes in the pizza base also proved to be a good idea for even cooking, thus making the pizza soft, crisp, and flavorful. :)

However, the star of the meal was their Sicilian Red Velvet which was a delicious cross between a regular Lava Cake and an aesthetic Red Velvet. The cake was topped with nuts, which were the icing for me. This dessert is my must-have when ordering from Oven Story.

Oven Story as a brand has been present in other major metro cities of the country and Delhi is their newest arena. I am sure that with such mastery in their preparation, presentation, and delivery, Oven Story will steal hearts all across the capital city. :)

Chaayos: Cheers To सर्दियों की Chai...

Chaayos is a breeze of fresh air with its food-for-the-soul teas and quick bites complementing those teas, as opposed to the cafes that have mushroomed all over with the caffeinated counterpart in focus.

In their bid to keep innovating with India's most loved classic beverage, Chaayos had launched a New Food Menu, for the tasting of which I had been invited in August and the newest feather in their cap is that they had launched their Winter Menu in December 2016. With that as the premise, a long-pending visit to their new outlet in Pacific Mall, Tagore Garden was also ticked off the checklist, this chilly weekend.

With their Winter Menu on my mind, I thus decided to finally go to the outlet in Pacific, situated on the Lower Ground Floor right opposite Marks & Spencer. The Lower Ground Floor is a place that attracts a lot of footfall, thanks to the placement of Spar (for staples, fashion, home needs, electronics et al) on the same floor and Chaayos is the first outlet you see when you descend the escalator from Ground Floor to reach Lower Ground Floor.

It is thus an excellent spot in the Mall and quite a strategic location at that because it entices you with the refreshing aroma of freshly made steaming hot tea and a huge ਮੇਰੀ ਵਾਲੀ ਚਾਹ (मेरी वाली चाय) adorning their main counter, right as you arrive on the floor itself.

The outlet itself is quite aesthetically designed with those cutesy टपरी चाय holders hanging on top, a white bicycle parked at the entrance with archaic चाय की केतली hanging on its handle and wheel spokes marking the wall boundaries of the place that otherwise has no walls.

Their गुड़ वाली चाय has been the most appreciated, and I decided to begin my meal with that. Needless to say, it served as the perfect sweet beginning, more so because at Chaayos they've decided to ditch the sugar and go ahead with our own देसी, healthier sweetener that is Jaggery.

Served in the classic Chaayos कुल्हड़, it was a hot cuppa of bliss. 

Thinking of कुल्हड़, Chaayos has also come up with a unique plating of a popular बम्बईया snack that is Pav Bhaji, by presenting Kulhad Pav Bhaji. Mini versions of the Chaayos कुल्हड़ are filled to the brim with warm Bhaji topped with a generous dollop of मक्खन, served with two slices of Pav, some onion and a lime slice too. Add that lime to your Kulhad for the lemony zing touch-up to your Bhaji.
I did so, and it tasted fantastic.

A unique Modern-Classic plating up their sleeve is Shaami Nachos, which is not unique because of just the fact that it would do well as a शाम का नाश्ता, but because they've paired Mexican Nachos with Indian Shaami Kebabs. Well, it would sound like a not-so-pleasant pairing, but it sure is aesthetic and delicious.

Talking of Modern-Classic, another such pairing that they have done is Thepla Tacos, which is another Mexican-Indian pairing. Served as Tacos with a separate complementary dip and with a filling of Paneer / Chicken as may be the case, topped with Sev and jalapenos layered with some tangy sauce on the inside.

What impressed me was the fact that Chaayos is trying to think out-of-the-box not only with their snacks but also with their teas, for they have introduced not only गुड़ वाली चाय but also चटकारा चाय, which has a tang of Hajmola in its essence for that tang, and Golden Green Tea, which is a revamp from boring to bold with the amalgamation of honey and lemon, that are natural antioxidants.

Their cakes however literally take the 'cake' with the sheer heart-melting variety and life-size slices.

The various cakes on offer in this nippy chill, each with its characteristic flavor are:

• Chocolate Factory
• Date and Fig
• Masala Chai
• Apple Streusal

Needless to say, I had a fantastic time at Chaayos and shall keep coming back for मेरी वाली चाय and मेरा वाला नाश्ता. :)

'Bliss In Every Single Bite' At Mr. Brown...

When it comes to desserts, I do not have much of a sweet tooth. Rather, I am quite selective about my confectionaries. This time, however, an invite was extended to me by a certain Mr. Brown, which is a gourmet family-owned pastry shop that started in the heart of Lucknow and has now extended its wings to Kanpur and Delhi also.

This chain of pastry shops is confined to East Delhi as of now, and their newest outlet has set its base in Indirapuram. It is the outlet to which I was invited, to savor their delectable creations that cater to the contemporary palette with a classic touch to their modern flavors.

The outlet is quite spacious and tastefully done with different sections for their Bread, Cookies, Gourmet Chocolates, Aesthetic Cakes and Savories on display. The sheer variety is overwhelming. Patrons have a choice of either indoor or outdoor seating - with the outdoor one serving as the perfect choice for basking in the winter sun in the nippy chill.

Frankly speaking, I have become their absolute fan, after trying their fare for the first time, in which I could not point a single flaw in any of their preparations. The freshness of ingredients, careful and flavorful preparations, attentiveness of staff, and a lively atmosphere make Mr. Brown stand out as a brand. Add to it, their economically priced specialties and you would be good to go.

We savored the following delicacies:

• Mr. Brown Special Pizza

• Roasted Tikki Cheese Burger

• Grilled Veg Sandwich

• Paneer Tikka Sub

• Vegetable Extravaganza Salad

• Chocolate Shake
• Blue Lagoon

• Garlic Puff
• Almond Flakes
• French Heart
• Baklava

• Apple Pie

• Red Velvet Pastry
• Truffle Pastry
• Fresh Fruit Pastry

• Butterscotch Cake
• Choco Chip Cake
• Fruit Cake

Also, they had a separate Appreciation Wall comprising of post-it(s) proclaiming the mutual admiration towards Mr. Brown shared by many of their patrons, including me, after this visit. :)

To add to it was also a digital display of their personalized, made-to-order cakes that patrons could place an order for to celebrate memorable life occasions.

Their tagline 'Bliss In Every Single Bite' suits them perfect and describes their attention to detail suitably.

I would urge Mr. Brown to move closer to my place, and I would vouch for their quality and be their regular patron for sure. Best wishes to Mr. Brown for another success story with their newest outlet. :)