Mister Chai at Shangri-La Eros New Delhi on January 16 hosted a winter-themed evening experience that placed the croissant at the centre of a curated tea and patisserie programme, reimagining the traditional high tea format for the colder months.
Conceived as an evening ritual rather than a conventional tea service, the experience combined seasonal flavours, contemporary patisserie techniques and thoughtfully paired beverages, allowing guests to move through the menu at a relaxed pace.
The croissant-led offering unfolded through a selection of sweet and savoury preparations, highlighting both classic forms and modern interpretations. Sweet creations included the Gold Croissant filled with Dulcey ganache and finished with gold leaf, a New York Roll featuring single-origin dark chocolate and caramel white chocolate ganache, and familiar favourites such as Pain au Suisse, Babka Noisette and Lemon Cruffin with lemon curd and cinnamon sugar. A Cube Croissant filled with ruby cream added a sculptural element to the presentation.
On the savoury side, the menu explored the versatility of laminated dough through dishes such as the Wild Mushroom and Truffle Pâté croissant, a Chicken Croger layered with grilled chicken masala smash patty, melted cheddar and egg, and a Compressed Caesar Croissant with poached egg, arugula and parmesan.
A dedicated patisserie showcase underscored technique and precision, while winter-appropriate beverage pairings anchored the culinary journey. A life-size croissant installation served as a visual focal point, adding a playful touch without detracting from the food-led narrative.
Central to the evening was Mister Chai’s signature chai ritual led by Laxman Rao, an award-winning author and former street vendor, who presented tea as both a craft and a comfort. The beverage menu featured Kadak Masala Chai, Meri Apni Cutting and Kashmiri Kahwa infused with saffron, almonds and spices, alongside Chamomile Blossom, Pure Ceylon Black Tea, Himalayan Shangri-La Estate Tea, the Shangri-La Signature Blend, Classic French Hot Chocolate and Hazelnut Cold Coffee.
The event reflected Mister Chai’s broader philosophy of reinterpreting regional Indian flavours through a contemporary lens. Set within a modern space inspired by the familiarity of a neighbourhood tea shop, the experience balanced approachability with refinement, encouraging guests to linger and converse.
The winter evening marked another step in Mister Chai’s evolving culinary direction, bringing together tradition, technique and modern sensibility in a thoughtfully designed dining format.
