Once inside, the tea bar is what catches your attention - warm, inviting especially since you can also take a look at a tempting range of snacks stacked tall in glass jars on the wall and in the display unit. The seating at the cafe can have around 60 people, perfectly happily perched on cushioned stools, high chairs, sofas, mesh back chairs and waaaait for it... swings! Yup... I don't have a picture of the swings to share with you - but then come on - I need to give you something that you can look forward to seeing on your own.

The architects of Tata Cha had 1200 sqft of space to convert into this cafe and had some odd spaces to work with - considering it was once a classic styled home. Each of these corners have been smartly converted into a welcoming space...

Up here to the left you see how the corners and silhouettes are so characteristic of home - and have been converted into a huddle corner where a group can easily settle down. Who said the L-shape approach is meant only for those modular kitchens!

And then you have this cute space atop a two-step elevation - perfect for that selfie that is now pretty much mandatory and quite the spot to snag when you are sitting down with your cup of tea.

Now that you know how cool this can be... let's explore the menu and teas now a bit shall we?

Your chai will come in one of these glasses. Tata Teas have done their homework when it comes to the curation of their tea menu. With more than 100 tea experiences garnered from across the country and cultures that love their teas, almost everyone will find something that they will instantly identify with.

The tea menu is split into Steaming Hot, Icy Cold and Specialty Origin Tea. And what's really good is that for someone like me who loves to munch of something with her chai, there is so much to choose from.

Let's start with the Dunkers. By and large a concept that has been part of any chai drinkers habitual cup, it has never really found its way sit-down cafe setting before. Tata Cha has scoured the country for top favourites and that's why in the lovely glass jars you see the likes of a crunchy, flaky Methi Khari, which teams up beautifully with a Classic Kadak Chai; the same can be said for the Masala Rusk which has a spicy after taste and dunks beautifully into a Masala Chai; the Kulfi Sticks with their sesame seed dusting are quite neutral in terms of flavour, making them a great option for just about any tea - but I would pick the Extra Doodh Chai to go with it; and if your tastes match mine, then the Cinnamon Rusk, its sweetness complemented by a generous cinnamon dusting is what you want to end on. All of the Dunkers are served in twos and your Chais are available in standard and large sizes.

If you want some long forgotten memory of childhood to be invoked thanks your tea - all you need to do is order from the Black Tea section - A Nimbu Da or Chatpata Churan and team that up with some Cream rolls and Kulfi Sticks. The Cream Rolls alone will take you back to those long lines spent at the school canteen or that dilapidated tuck shop outside school, with pocket money to pick some cones up.

Try some of the Fruity Cake with the Gur Chai or even the Gulkhand Chai if you feel like mixing it up a bit and getting all experimental. Some interesting food-meets-tea experiences to be had there.
Now what is really interesting about the food menu here at Tata Cha is that it is not all about the small eats. There may be a time when you will want something heavier - that doesn't really constitute finger food, yet is far from being a meal. At such times you can pair your a Classic Green or Peach Flavoured Green tea with some Chakri Samosas. Pretty to look at and very satisfying to pick apart and eat.

Another Chai warmth memory inducer (if I may have the privilege of concocting these terms), is the Adda Veg Cutlet. Thick, tear-drop shaped and packed to the gills with all that mummy would be very happy with, this is a mouthful that pairs especially well with some Assam Tea. 

Also on the menu is the classic Maharashtrian Dabeli, which is made with wheat pav if that makes you feel better about indulging - this with some of their Nilgiri Chai and I am a very sorted human being. What's not to love in a good Dabeli - the textures of soft, crunchy, crispy and the punch of the mint chutney can bring together some real magic.

Specialty Origin Sikkim tea with some Dal Pakwan would be a great pairing. A Sindhi breakfast staple, you can break the rules a bit and indulge in this with your morning or afternoon break chai or simply because you have a hankering for it. The maida puris are in plain and masala versions and the dal itself thicky, creamy and very satisfying in terms of spicing. The thick tamarind chutney served alongside packs that additional punch.

And, a first as far as I see it, Tata Cha has introduced the concept of plated meals for one that can be paired with your chai - So you could try the Veg (Picture above) or Chicken Stew with steamed rice - with some Kadak chai. You could also go with the Butter Chicken (Below) or Paneer Makhani Khichdi with a tea of your choice (Psst... I would go with the Nimbu Da). The menu also features an amazing Muttar Kulchas, with the kulchas being very reminiscent of a road trip up in the hills up North.

For a rooftop cafe, this place has some brilliant offerings on the menu. The blackboard too seemed to have some interesting, though it was put up after we had placed our orders. The service is quick and pleasant. This meal came to around Rs 3400, but worth it. The ladies restroom is decently clean.

Overall, I understand that this is a new place and there will always be some issues to iron out. But in a restaurant market like that of Bangalore, spreading 6 dishes over a 3 hour span is not going to be appreciated. The space is beautiful and the food largely good, if a few issues are taken care of. One of the blackboards had a dish (I am presuming) in Oriental script for Rs 250. Again, strange I thought since you are selling galette by calling it dosa hoping to possibly attract diners, but have something on a blackboard menu in a script that majority will not understand! The loo is very clean and very child-friendly, complete with a step stool and changing sheet. The menu is reasonably priced and for all the dishes we ordered we spent around Rs 370 a head. I would put a meal for 2 at Rs 1500 at most.