The tea boutique had been bookmarked for potential exploration well in advance of the trip, though, without definite plans to visit, I had never bothered to confirm its coordinates.
One of the staff members approached me as I gazed upon the product assortment. Despite embodying tonality of a tourist greater than a tea connoisseur, I was not regarded with any less respect. The team member admitted that, as she did not bake personally, she was unable to extend commentary in regards to the type of houjicha most suitable for the purpose. That said, she called upon feedback from a coworker to assist with my inquiries.
As I neared the cashier with my picks of hojicha obsidian and genmaicha (the soufflé cheesecake was too good), the cookies caught my attention. I took the opportunity to ask my chauffeur of her gustatory preferences, in the meantime conversing with the staff member. Our chatter would unveil her Ontarian upbringing, along with the shocking revelation that we had grown up in the same neighbourhood. What a small world it truly was!
She whisked me away to Bahn Mi Saigon, where we would procure picnic-able paper bag lunches.