Run by couple Faiq Lodhi and Jennifer Arndt, with their daughter helping where she can, the "local Dhaba" operates out of Stevenage Indoor Market. The eatery has been open since August 14 and Cha Kalucha offers Indian breakfast and brunch food to eat-in and takeaway. After receiving their five-hygiene rating and a few five-star ratings on Google within the first month, I was eager to try out their authentic Indian street food experience.
Guests at Cha Kalucha can expect a warm welcome from the couple who started me off with a Karak Chai tea. Despite it being early September, the drink had me dreaming of that warmth huddled around the fire during a cold winter's night. The Karak Chai tea (left) was sweet and tasty and can be accompanied by some cookies.
(Image: Newsquest) Once I was back to my autumnal reality, they served me Cholay Chawal - a chickpea curry with white rice, thinly chopped tomatoes and coriander. The sides include freshly sliced onions, spicy Raita yoghurt sauce and a dessert of Suji Halwa - a semolina pudding with cashews. Everything was presented on a metal tray splitting the meal into different sections adding to the street food aesthetic.
A superb kick and flavourful Cholay gave the curry a fantastic taste and, although small in presentation, it proved incredibly filling - perhaps aided by the Kulcha Naan. Piping hot and fresh out the pan, it scooped up all of the remaining flavour missed by my spoon with a fulfilling doughy taste. The Cholay Chawal, Suji .
