Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 6 and Version 1 of Chai Corner, CR9 1SB

Version 6 Version 1
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Chai Corner was an Indian cafe in [[Locale Croydon|Croydon]]. It has now closed.
 Indian cafe in the basement of Allders in [[Locale Croydon|Croydon]], serving various teas, cakes, biscuits, Indian snacks, curries, sandwiches, and breakfasts (including the interesting-sounding "desi breakfast"). Note that although its postcode begins "CR9", it's actually physically located within the CR0 postal district. See [[Locale CR9]] for an explanation.
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The information below is retained for historical purposes.
 Despite its description on its website as "an exotic haven", it's hard to forget that you're in the basement of a department store, given the low ceiling, weird lighting, and canned pop music from the rest of the store competing with the cafe's own Indian music. However, the space is broken up with pillars, and made a little cosier with curved banquette seating arranged in small islands. Highchairs for children are available.
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<div class="old_info">
Indian cafe in [[Locale Croydon|Croydon]].
 [[Kake]] visited a couple of times in July 2011, the second time in the company of [[Sarah]]. The first time, I had chai latte (&pound;1.95), which was unsweetened and only very subtly spiced, and some of the Indian snacks <small>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/6088286261/ photo]</small>.
== Line 7 ==
It was previously located in the basement of Allders department store (pictured). However, following [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-19685319 the closure of Allders], it switched to operating from a unit in North End Mall (previously Allders Mall), with some outside seating on North End. Note that although its postcode begins "CR9", it's actually physically located within the CR0 postal district. See [[Locale CR9]] for an explanation.

Prior to the move, they served various teas, cakes, biscuits, Indian snacks, curries, sandwiches, and breakfasts (including the interesting-sounding "desi breakfast"); we aren't sure how much of this has survived, though they definitely still do snacks, curries, and wraps.

[[Kake]] visited the basement location a couple of times in July 2011, the second time in the company of [[Sarah]]. The first time, I had chai latte (&pound;1.95), which was unsweetened and only very subtly spiced, and some of the Indian snacks <small>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/6088286261/ photo]</small>.
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[[Kake]] visited the new location again in September 2013. Pani puri (&pound;3.45 for four, eat-in) <small>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/9901021995/ photo]</small> were the second most expensive per piece I've ever had in London (the most expensive being at [[Gaylord, W1W 7SJ|Gaylord]], which is a full-service white-tablecloth restaurant), and only average in quality. The puri shells were a bit stale, and there wasn't enough pani (flavoured water). However, they were presented attractively enough on a patterned plate, scattered with chaat powder.
 [[Kake]]'s verdict: I might pop in if I was in Allders and needed a sit-down, and I might come back on purpose to try the desi breakfast, but then I do live quite close. It's probably not worth much of a journey; the food and drinks I've had here so far were competent but nothing special.
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Service was a little curt, and there were two attempts to upsell me on additional items.
 Accessibility: Although it's in the basement, there's step-free access from the street via various ramps and lifts, and there's also step-free access to the accessible toilet on the third floor of Allders, again via ramps and lifts. However, there isn't much signage and you do have to hunt around a bit to find the ramps.
== Line 19 ==
[[Kake]]'s verdict: Probably not worth much of a journey; the food and drinks I've had here so far have generally been competent but nothing special. I might visit again if I was passing and had an urgent pani puri craving.

Accessibility: Step-free access to serving counter and seating areas. No toilets, though there are some in the neighbouring Whitgift Centre.
== Line 24 ==
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/kake_pugh/9816436854/ Photo of part of the menu as of September 2013]
== Line 26 == == Line 14 ==
* [http://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/oasis-calm-hidden-busiest-places/story-13118743-detail/story.html Croydon Advertiser review]
* [http://londonist.com/2010/09/new_restaurant_review_chai_corner_i Londonist review]
* [http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/local/croydonnews/8364256.Exotic_store_brings_slice_of_the_East_to_Croydon/ Croydon Guardian article]
 * [http://www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk/oasis-calm-hidden-busiest-places/story-13118743-detail/story.html Croydon Today review]
* [http://londonist.com/2010/09/new_restaurant_review_chai_corner_i.php Londonist review]
* [http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/local/croydonnews/8364256.Exotic_store_brings_slice_of_the_East_to_Croydon/ Local Guardian article]
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<div class="last_verified">Last visited by [[Kake]], September 2013.</div>
</div>
address='Allders Mall, North End'
category='Now Closed'
 <div class="last_verified">Last visited by [[Kake]] and [[Sarah]], July 2011. Opening hours taken from the Chai Corner website, August 2011.</div>
address='Allders, North End'
category='Accessible Toilet,Breakfast,Cafes,Curry,Halal,Indian Food,Step-Free Access,Tea Shops'
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formatted_website_text=''
 formatted_website_text='http://www.chai-corn...'
== Line 39 == == Line 26 ==
hours_text=''
 hours_text='9:30am-6pm Mon-Wed; 9:30am-7pm Thu; 9:30am-6pm Fri; 9am-6pm Sat; 11am-5pm Sun'
latitude='51.373955'
locale='CR0,CR9,Croydon'
longitude='-0.098386'
== Line 42 == == Line 32 ==
node_image='https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6189/6088921228_0da9ccb563_m_d.jpg'
 node_image='https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6189/6088921228_0da9ccb563_m.jpg'
== Line 46 == == Line 36 ==
opening_hours_text=''
phone=''
postcode=''
summary='Now closed; was an Indian cafe in Croydon.' website='http://www.chai-corner.com/'		 opening_hours_text='9:30am-6pm Mon-Wed; 9:30am-7pm Thu; 9:30am-6pm Fri; 9am-6pm Sat; 11am-5pm Sun'
os_x='532342'
os_y='165649'
phone='020 8633 1779'
summary='Now closed; was an Indian cafe in Croydon.' postcode='CR9 1SB'
summary='Indian cafe in the basement of Allders in Croydon.'
 website='http://www.chai-corner.com/'

Indian cafe in the basement of Allders in Croydon, serving various teas, cakes, biscuits, Indian snacks, curries, sandwiches, and breakfasts (including the interesting-sounding "desi breakfast"). Note that although its postcode begins "CR9", it's actually physically located within the CR0 postal district. See Locale CR9 for an explanation.

Despite its description on its website as "an exotic haven", it's hard to forget that you're in the basement of a department store, given the low ceiling, weird lighting, and canned pop music from the rest of the store competing with the cafe's own Indian music. However, the space is broken up with pillars, and made a little cosier with curved banquette seating arranged in small islands. Highchairs for children are available.

Kake visited a couple of times in July 2011, the second time in the company of Sarah. The first time, I had chai latte (£1.95), which was unsweetened and only very subtly spiced, and some of the Indian snacks photo.

Veg tikki (95p) was relatively spicy, with bits of red chilli in, while pakoras (£1.45 for five) were nicely fried, with a good but not over-dominant onion flavour. Vegetable samosa (95p) was competent enough; the pastry wasn't the best I've ever had, but at least it was proper samosa pastry rather than filo. On our second visit, we had some chocolate chip cookies (50p for two) which were OK but nothing special.

Kake's verdict: I might pop in if I was in Allders and needed a sit-down, and I might come back on purpose to try the desi breakfast, but then I do live quite close. It's probably not worth much of a journey; the food and drinks I've had here so far were competent but nothing special.

Accessibility: Although it's in the basement, there's step-free access from the street via various ramps and lifts, and there's also step-free access to the accessible toilet on the third floor of Allders, again via ramps and lifts. However, there isn't much signage and you do have to hunt around a bit to find the ramps.

See also:

Last visited by Kake and Sarah, July 2011. Opening hours taken from the Chai Corner website, August 2011.

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