The Chai Spot in NYC
Nestled at the intersection of the neighborhoods of Little Italy, Chinatown, and Nolita, The Chai Spot offers people from all walks of life to interact in a colorful Pakistan-inspired space.
APF Leadership Council member Rabeya Jawaid enjoys a cup of chai at The Chai Spot in New York City.
This blog post is written by Rabeya Jawaid, a member of the APF Leadership Council. She reviewed The Chai Spot as part of the APF Culture Heritage Fund’s efforts to profile the arts and culture of the Pakistani diaspora in the United States.
The Chai Spot is a Pakistan-inspired tea house and restaurant in New York City that is described as a “social-enterprise dedicated to peace-building, and to socio-economic empowerment of women and children in Pakistan.”
On a Saturday evening this summer, I visited the Chai Spot, where everything depicts Pakistani culture, from the menu consisting of Pakistani chai and snacks to the artifacts and artwork on the walls and the seating surrounded by Baloch carpets.
About the Chai Spot
The Chai Spot was founded by Khalida Brohi and her husband, David Barron. The couple met in 2013 and married two years later, challenging the cultural and social norms of the tribal Baloch community that Brohi grew up in. During their courtship, Brohi and Barron they worked tirelessly to get their parents on board with their relationship. Chai often served as a way to generate space for dialogue and understanding. Their love story and the joining of their two families highlights how something as simple as chai can build bridges between communities that are unfamiliar with one another. Brohi and Barron established The Chai Spot to keep bringing together unique communities to engage in dialogue over chai.
What to Order
The Chai Spot features many chai options, from the traditional cardamom chai made with black tea, cardamom, and milk, to butter chai, a delicacy from the mountains of Kashmir. During my visit, a friend and I ordered the coconut rose chai and sulaimani chai, a milk-free tea with spices from Balochistan. We paired our chai with samosas; biscuits made of cashew, cumin, and coconut; maamoul, a delicious date-filled shortbread cookie; and Parle G biscuits, an iconic accompaniment to chai all over the South Asia region. I loved the coconut rose chai, an aromatic option that instantly freshens the mind and body with its alluring aroma and flavor. I also enjoyed the samosa with its delicious potato filling and flavorful crust. In terms of feedback, I would recommend additional Pakistani snacks like chicken patties and jalebi be offered with chai.
Since going to The Chai Spot, I have dragged several friend there to sample their chai and to have an experience of the beauty of Pakistan all the way in New York City. When you need a break or a reset, I recommend you head over to The Chai Spot, order your favorite chai, and kick back on one of the daybeds in the tea house. Time seems to stop with a cup of chai in your hand, so expect to stay a while.
If You Go
The Chai Spot
156 Mott St., New York, NY 10013; 646-678-5868; www.thechaispot.com/chai-spot-menu
Hours: Monday, closed; Wednesday, 3 - 10 p.m.; Thursday 3 - 10 p.m.; Friday 3 - 10 p.m.; Saturday 12 - 10 p.m.; Sunday 12 - 10 p.m.
