Of course, last-minute ideas aren't always easy to execute. After being reminded that many restaurants would likely be filled with reservations, I took to my trust pal, known otherwise as Chrome, to bring forth the next available and uniquely distinct option. Some offered Chicken & Waffles and others a Mexican twist on a standard American breakfast; but alas, none fit the bill (or the budget, for that matter)
The menu stemmed from a compilation of Pinterest images, relevant Insta-feeds, and several of my favourite online cooking channels. Within an hour and a half, a trio of munch-ready dishes was prepared and promptly devoured.
Unlike my previous weekday visits, the staff member tending to the shop this time was a smiley, bespectacled man approximately in his mid- to late-thirties. He acknowledged each customer immediately with a pleasant demeanour, and was more than willing to provide details on the flavour profiles of the individual gelato and cookie varieties.
Black Sesame was silky and ever-fragrant, while the exotic sorbet offered a tart twist on Pina Colada. Hojicha, described to me as roasted sencha, paled in flavour intensity when compared to Tsujiri's rendition, but the Matcha White Chocolate Chip was every bit as enjoyable as its solid bakery version.
Needless to say, I also took advantage of the opportunity to pick up some Matcha White Chocolate Chip and Spicy Black Sesame Cookies.
We initially ventured into the Sam James Coffee Pocket before discovering the absence of a bathroom and backing out of the doorway (Oops!).
When she returned to the cashier area, I quickled requested a Cappuccino and Iced Chai Latte, casting a brief, side-eyed glance at the couple that had made obvious intentions to intercept my spot in line.
Service, as with many downtown cafes, was a tad cold, yet still a few miles away from veering into the impudent category. It was outright obvious that the barista wasn't quite at ease with a multimedia-capturing device nearby (although she had every right to be...).
Continue reading Part 2 HERE !