Last night brought a snowy walk around the corner from our house and into a place we'd passed by a million times: La Société du Thé.

Photo courtesy of  La Société du Thé's website

Not only were we hit by a myriad of rich scents, but this visit was surreal. We seemed to have been transported into another time and place. 

The tall, handsome, white-haired proprietor, Tony Ruggiero, gave us a tea list that offered dozens of choices. We  asked him to choose for us, and he went to work, making the nicest pot of tea I've ever had. He told us what it was (sorry, I can't remember the name; I'm no aficionado--I don't usually drink caffeine!), but I do remember that he said it was from Southern India and that they pick it just when the buds/leaves are at a certain tenderness. That "it could rival any darjeeling from the North." Tea just isn't my milieu, but I always find it a wonder to discover someone so involved in their work/craft/interest that they know every little detail, down to its origins.

Photo courtesy of  La Société du Thé's website 

So yes, the tea was lovely, but what was even more amazing was Tony. He sat down near us and started talking about Sicily, Boston, his grandkids, poetry, love, our neighborhood, and Latin dance. Another woman came in to buy tea, and she sat down, too, mesmerized by Tony's stories. We were all transported to a time when people had time to sit, talk, and enjoy one another. Before we know it, he was closing up shop, putting Latin beats on his sound system, and we danced the salsa  in his tiny tea shop. This guy knows more about tea than anyone I know, but he also knows just about everything about salsa. And yes, he's an amazing dancer.

If you have a chance, go. You might not get to dance the salsa with him, and he might not even be working when you get there, but take the opportunity to pause and appreciate the sights and smells of this wonderful place.