Le Meridien Goa's ‘Chai Pe Charcha’ brewed for the rains

The rains stir a familiar experience. The aroma of tea boiling on the stove is comforting in any season, but in the rains, the feeling is of warmth, especially the whiff of masala chai wafting through the air. 

Now, do you miss something more here? Well, just can't forget the crunch of pakoras, the tang of chaats, and the sharing of nostalgia or the good old days while sipping on tea. Is it the tea that warms the soul, or the conversations it brews along the way that truly make the difference?

RELIVE MONSOON MEMORIES

If you really want to know, Gomantak Times Digital prods you to visit Le Meridien Goa, Calangute, which is hosting Chai Pe Charcha, a delightful monsoon promotion, till June 30. The hotel’s all-day dining venue Latest Recipe is going out of its way to serve you street-side classics and bring back monsoon memories. 

The idea, explains Multi-Property Executive Chef Merajuddin Ansari, was born from guest demand. “It all started with guests asking for chai, samosas, or pakoras during the early rains in May. We noticed this craving for comfort snacks and decided to turn it into a monsoon offering,” he says.

MENU THAT SMELLS LIKE HOME

The result is a thoughtfully curated menu that pairs regional favourites with a very friendly evocative setting. Guests can sip on masala chai, adrak chai, or lemon tea while nibbling on a spread that includes vada pav, ragda pattice, assorted pakoras, and chaats like pani puri and sev puri. 

Classic Indian bakery treats such as bun maska, cream rolls, and Marie Gold biscuits round off the experience, invoking an era when tea time was a cherished pause and celebration in the day.

THE CONCEPT CREATORS

“We wanted the menu to reflect both nostalgia and diversity,” says Chef Merajuddin, who has curated the concept. “From Goan-style bhajiyas to North Indian snacks, everything is prepared fresh. Even if it isn’t on full display every day, we’re ready to serve it on demand. That’s the beauty of this concept.”

The promotion isn’t just about food; it’s a sensory retreat. The setup, placed near the hotel’s Plunge Bar and overlooking the pool, invites guests to indulge. “Even if the rains have been hesitant at the start of June, the feeling of monsoon is alive in this space. And if it pours, even better,” smiles Vellancy Dias, the hotel’s Multi-Property Assistant Marketing Manager, who too has a hand in shaping the concept.

WHY CHAI PE CHARCHA?

She explains that Chai Pe Charcha is Le Méridien’s way of bringing guests together. “It’s that time of the day when people want something light, easy, and joyful. You’re not stepping out in the rain. You're sitting in, relaxing, and having meaningful conversations over tea. That’s why we called it Chai Pe Charcha,” she adds. 

Priced at just Rs 150 plus taxes for one snack item and tea, the menu is designed to be accessible. And if demand holds, the hotel may extend it through July as well. “We just launched it, and already guests are noticing it. Sometimes, it takes a little time, but the setup is visible and the interest is picking up,” says Chef Merajuddin, who is optimistic that as the rains pick up, demand will increase.

While the food at Le Meridien evokes warmth and memories, the hotel’s design reminds guests of Goa’s cultural depth. Inspired by the Kunbi tribes, the earliest settlers of Goa, the property features symbolic artwork paying tribute to them. 

“We also collaborate with Museum of Goa under the Le Méridien’s art programme, Unlock Art, adds Vellancy, referring to the initiative that grants guests entry to the museum with their key cards.

In a state known for its beach shacks, Chai Pe Charcha offers a more refined yet rooted alternative, inviting you to experience the magic of chai-time chatter.