Chai it, You'll Like It

I really appreciate a good cup of tea, but teahouses??? Let's just say they’re not usually my bag. This is usually due to what I call the chotzke factor. Most teahouses I’ve visited are chock full of knick-knacks and they remind me of my granny’s house, minus the cats. Honey, can you dust my collection of Avon perfume bottles?

Personally, clutter makes me nervous and agitated. Suffice to say that I don't find most teahouses relaxing.

Fortunately, I just discovered Townshend’s Teahouse on Alberta. And when I say discovered, I mean that someone scheduled a meeting there and I agreed to attend. What a pleasant surprise! The shop is located in a chotzke-free zone. It is open, inviting and bustling with families playing board games, students doing homework and business folks conducting meetings. All imbibing wonderful tea concoctions.

Townshend's offers a condensed selection of teas from around the globe. But don't equate condensed with small, because the tea menu is actually quite large. I was happy to see a nice selection of chai and promptly selected a pot of pumpkin chai. It was delicious.

I also have to give kudos to the friendly and attentive staff. The entire experience—service, tea, atmosphere—was wonderful and I'm actually planning a return trip.