In the heart of St Albans, a quaint spot by the name of Cha Nasta awaits, offering a delightful fusion of Bengali food with a British twist. Specialising in Bengali street food and brunch dishes, Cha Nasta stands out as a unique gem in the era of chai spots that have taken over the tea scene in England. While Chaiwala revolutionised the tea culture with its success and popularity, Cha Nasta adds a distinct twist by offering Bengali cuisine, setting it apart from the usual Pakistani or Indian food found in other chai spots. In this blog post, we explore the charming charm of Cha Nasta, its unique dishes, and our dining experience.
A British Bengali Culinary Twist
Cha Nasta sets itself apart by focusing on Bengali food with a British twist, offering a delightful fusion of flavours that cater to both Bengali and British palates. This unique blend of cultures creates a dining experience that pays homage to the rich Bengali heritage while catering to local tastes.
A Homage to Bengali Street Food
As a chai spot with a twist, Cha Nasta brings the vibrant street food culture of Bangladesh to the heart of St Albans. Unique dishes like fish curries, dim bhuna, pyazi, and fruit chutneys showcase the diverse and flavourful offerings that Bengali cuisine has to offer.
The Charm of Cha Nasta
The decor at Cha Nasta impresses with its nostalgic charm, reminiscent of the homes Bengalis in the UK grew up in. The front of the shop caters to takeaways, while those dining in can access the back garden through a side gate. The tin shed seating area in the back garden offers a cozy and spacious ambiance, perfect for a relaxing meal.
Our Dining Experience
We decided to try the Bangladeshi breakfast taali, which boasted a variety of traditional dishes such as Bangladeshi-style omelette, Bengali spiced beans, meat sausage, daal or sabzi, and paratha or puri. We also ordered the signature ghur saa, a milk tea infused with date molasses. While the service was welcoming and top-tier, the overall dining experience left us slightly underwhelmed. The dishes lacked the bold flavours and spices that are typical of Bengali cuisine, and they seemed to be tailored more towards the Western palate than the authentic tastes of a Bengali home-cooked meal.
Cha Nasta offers a delightful twist to the chai spot scene, bringing Bengali food with a British touch to the heart of St Albans. While the charming decor and welcoming service set the stage for a memorable dining experience, the flavours of the dishes we tried fell slightly short of our expectations for authentic Bengali cuisine. However, with a menu boasting a variety of unique dishes, there is still hope that other offerings at Cha Nasta might better capture the essence of traditional Bengali flavours.
So, if you’re in search of a cozy spot to enjoy a unique blend of Bengali and British culinary delights, Cha Nasta is worth a visit. The combination of British charm and Bengali flavours offers a culinary journey that is sure to intrigue and delight your taste buds.
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