KITLY KINGS OF TAPI TOWN............
As the monsoon unleashes it magical and musical powers, Surat seems to have come alive in a different kind of glory. What began last week as a drifting yet drenching drizzle, was supported by a mynah rhapsody, accompanied with an orchestra of thunder and lightning.

One thing that stays closer to the lips of Surtis during the season of showers is cutting chai. Vapours of the brew arouse the senses, from nameless kiosks that keep Lalas and labourers refreshed through the day.

While Twinings makes wonderful flavours of tea, Surti chai is one that has a whole load of different flavours in a single brew itself, ginger, lemon grass, mint, saffron, cardamom ,clove etc.
Other than the Chamunda chain, here are a few of Tapi town’s popular, Patiala peg kitly joints that have a distinct ambience of their own.

Walk the talk-Surat’s sporty lot, daily gathers in their shorts and sneakers outside M.T.B College, Chowpatty, for a kitly session, to discuss health issues and headlines for the day. As they check out the eye candy that whizzes by in the wee hours. This roadside joint makes mild, cardamom flavoured chai that’s just right to kick start a busy day.

Kid tea party-The City light area has a tea kiosk near ‘sweet home’ store that caters to mommies who come to see off their school going kids at the bus stop. Strong, ’cheeni kum’, no nonsense tea cups in disposable plastic are shared by lalarinas as they discuss important issues like maid menace and calorie control.

Mazdoor union zindabad- Across the Tapi, just outside the gates of Jal Bhavan, Adajan, is a busy tea stall that makes milky mint chai for labourers who are set to slog for the day ahead. Tea here is served in thick chai glasses, with chinaware saucers; in case you wish to slurp on the steamy delight.

Kitly queen Jane Austen-Next to’ Book world ‘at Kanaknidhi, is a tea stall that makes a mean shot of ‘kadak kawah ‘, which you can sip as you browse books of English literature. The tea here warms the cockles of the heart even as you lose yourself in the Victorian world of Rosenthal tea sets.

Roadside romance in rains-Easily the most cosy place for tea for 2 and even has a name that swears by that, is ‘Priyam’at Timalyawaad .Tucked away in the by lane of Kailash sweetmeats, the USP of its tea is the twig of fresh mint that accompanies the serve. Its flavour has retained relishers to become regulars.

Dhandhey pey dhyan do-The bubbly, syrupy masala chai, sold in thermo cups at Ashok pan house, Ring road, textile market, is a foamy delight. Sipped over a chatter of, ‘sattar-adsath ‘, stocks, ‘cheendhi cut piece’, this is easily, one kitly that keeps steaming with news.
Little wonder then, that cutting chai experience in Surat is, as Surtis put it,’chai karta kitly garam.’


Tapi town tattle-What did Sheetal Mafatlal try to convince airport authorities in vain? All that glitters is old!