Need a place to hang out, chat and catch-up with friends over an irresistable hot cup of tea? ‘Teasta’, the little, old-world tea-shop located in Godavari Compex of Sector 37 offers not only deliciously refreshing ice tea, cold coffees and sandwiches but also a niche social circle. All you need to figure out is ‘what’s your cup-of tea’.
From socialising to drinking a good cup of tea, Noidans love doing things their way. Hanging out in malls is a thing of the past and the regular coffee shops, claustrophobic. To cater to this outwardly spirit of the Noidans, Godavari Complex at Sector 37 houses of a super cool tea shop called Teasta. When we say ‘tea shop’ don’t misunderstand this place for a non-descript roadside shack or a tapri. This is where the coolest, smartest and the most well turned-out Noidans go to not just sip hot cuppas and munch cold sandwiches but also to socialize.
The history of this tea shop traces back to a small shop housed in a garage, right opposite Lal market. Back then it had a flattering menu on the offer – Darjeeling Tea, Black Tea, Ginger Cold Tea, Ice Tea and so on. It was never really a restaurant or a hotel and therefore didn’t have a seating arrangement even then. Regulars used to hang around the garage or sit on low stools or mudaas. Young college goers, daters and old school student gangs used to frequent the place. Then it shifted its address to the Godavari Complex in Sector 37, right behind the Army School and close to the Telephone Exchange. The posh location and the young residents slowly and steadily added to its repute and popularity. It would be right to state that the fame of this age-old tea joint spread but by word-of-mouth.
This nice little tea-joint is run by Capt. (Retd.) Mehra and his wife and as mentioned, is quite a number among young crowd who hang out around it to chill, chat and smoke. Also popular by the name of ‘Tea Shop’, it serves a wide variety of hot and cold beverages and munchies a la carte. It is only after you’ve ordered your cup of tea that the ambience begins to sink into you. Media personalities, theatre artists, students and young professionals, Teasta is now the hot-n-happening hub for one and all; a perfect avenue to treat friends without emptying your coffers.
Looking for a place to sit? Do not bother for the tea shop does not have any formal seating arrangement. Surprising, isn’t it? Because of no formal seating arrangement inside the shop, regulars bring along their own mats and perch on the small steps running along the footpath while others squat on newspapers or on the bare ground. Evenings witness a long trail of cars parked right opposite the tea shop with customers relaxing in them and sipping their favourite flavours. Teasta is indeed a place to unwind, open up, mingle or just be on your own. Whatever be your mood, the ambience of the place only lifts your spirits.
Step in and be amazed; Teasta can well be mistaken for an old bakery-cum-curio shop. You will find a vivid display of quaint kettle and hookah miniatures, old photographs and a wall full of random notes, memoirs and testimonials written by the visitors. But if you are not too keen to dig into the curio bit, the tantalizing menu will not fail to allure your taste-buds; it is quite exhaustive for a tea shop that size to say the least.
Iced tea, cold coffee and ginger and lemon grass tea are some of the all time favourites. Paired up with grilled cheese and chicken salami sandwiches, they win hands down over the regular fare at big brand coffee shops, closely followed by chocolate muffins and cookies. Talk of variety and this petite tea shop has steaming hot momos and corn on its menu too! Teasta also swanks of a fine array of various flavoured tea leaves brewed to perfection. From Darjeeling tea in orange pekof, or lemon, lichi ice and peach ice to the more healthy Ginsing tea, the list is endless. For those who swear by caffeine, Teasta offers blends like ‘L’ Orange and Caribbean, besides the most beloved regular cold coffee. And if you were wondering for a miniscule bit about the price tag, rest assured the rates are way cheaper compared to a fancy coffee joint. Imaging a hot cup of aromatic ginger and lemon grass tea at as little as Rs. 20! Have a cup and you’ll bet it’s worth every penny.
Patrons and regulars don’t seem to think for a moment before lauding their favourite Tea Shop.
Says Chirag, “the tea shop is almost a getaway of sorts. You do not require to know anyone there. Just go and enjoy yourself alone, or with company. I go there often on my way back home from work. Every time I am tempted to try a different flavor of tea; they are so refreshing. The most amazing thing is no matter what you order, it hardly dents your pocket. There are times when I am really tired and my energy is too sapped to push me to the kitchen and brew myself a good cup. It is at these times that the Tea Shop becomes my haven. Sit in your car, play some good music and sip a hot cup of tea; you’ll know what I am talking about.”
Tempted to try it out? For those who do not know where the Tea Shop is, here is a quick set of directions to help you reach it.
• Reach Sector 37 or Arun Vihar, right opposite the Noida Golf Course.
• Ask for the way to Godavari Complex. In case you are still unable to locate the area, ask for Agnihotri Gas Agency or the Telephone Exchange. Teasta is located just a few shops away from Aginihorti Gas Agency.
• If you are still lost, ask for Hotel Kamboj, a very popular (and perhaps the only) restaurant in the area. Cross the gate after the hotel and take a right turn. Teasta would be on your left.
The popularity of Teasta, The Tea Shop has reached far and wide, so much so that it has a community dedicated to its patrons on Facebook too. Simply look for ‘The Tea Shop’ community and there you go! Meet your fellow Teasta lovers, chat, discuss, follow regular updates or even plan a social at the Tea Shop! After all, as they say, a lot can happen over a cup of ‘tea’!
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