Just the other day my coworkers and I were talking about a perfect moment. You know. When you get that feeling where everything around you is just right, with not a care in the world. And even if you do have that lingering fear of work piling up on you, or the stress of something else making you anxious all over, you merely forget about those nuisances for the day, afternoon, or even just a couple of hours. That’s what makes the perfect moment.
Fortunately, I just had one. Today.
It’s a cool autumn day with temperatures a breezy 7 degrees celsius. It’s sunny with white, little, puffy clouds spotted throughout the wide, blue expanse. I was walking home from the subway stop and decided to try out a nearby coffee shop that I was meaning to try for the longest time. Hearing nothing but great things about this place, I walked in to what is now known as the ever so competitive market of coffee culture. Broadview Espresso, as the place is known as, opened not too long ago in the East York neighbourhood of Toronto. Standing solely on the corner of Broadview and Pretoria Ave., it is almost as if it is out of place in the middle of this residential area. Nonetheless, just a mere steps away from the Broadview subway stop, it is conveniently placed so that commuters can grab their daily fix of coffee, latte, mocchachino, or espresso.
Stepping in, you instantly get transported into a cafe aura with the sound of the elektra espresso machine churning away lattes and espressos. People chat under their breaths on the spattering of sofa-chairs surrounding small tabletops, while others quietly work on their laptops or read the newspapers by the stools by the window, looking out on Broadview or Pretoria.
I really wanted just a regular cup of coffee, as the staff instructed me that they carry a strong brew and a medium brew. But somehow or another, I went for a latte instead. Perhaps I just wanted to see the elektra in action.
After grabbing my latte, I headed out the door, where my perfect moment began.
I sipped my latte and was pleasantly surprised at how rich and tasty it was. The rich steamed milk was actually really rich, while the espresso provided just enough flavour for my liking. I remember just the week prior, I tried the same thing at a Lavazza café in Chicago and was a little disappointed as the froth of milk was very light and bland, and I could barely taste any of the espresso, if there was anything at all.
I digress.
So I decide to walk home from the café. With my not-so-hot latte in hand, I walked home enjoying the sun beaming down on me and the cool breeze envelope me from all sides. It was a perfect feeling. With the warmth of the latte warming me from the inside, the cool breeze keeping me cool on the outside, combined with the perfect autumn feeling, it was indeed that perfect moment that was talked about a mere day ago.
Sipping away, and walking at a nonchalant pace, I enjoyed my surroundings as I quickly stored my work anxieties away. It was fantastic.
My single shot latte was just enough to last me for the walk home as well. I was almost disappointed that I lived so close to the café as I would have enjoyed a longer walk home.
Nonetheless, it was a great feeling that I hope to carry for the rest of the weekend. With the weather tomorrow forecasting to be a similar day to today, I’m looking forward to spending it outside, hopefully enjoying the autumn colours.
Work? What work?
Tagged: autumn, breeze, Broadview Espresso, café, coffee, cool, day, hot, latte, lavazza, perfect, toronto