It was a weekly ritual for us. Maybe twice a week if I was feeling especially needy. Brent and I would gather ourselves up, dogs on leashes, scarves and hats no matter the month and head down Central to where it intersects with Lyon.

There, just a few blocks from our sweet little Panhandle park is Central Cafe. Central Cafe makes the BEST chais. If we were cold, we’d get them hot. If it were sunny, we’d get them on ice. Then we’d sit outside and drink them. Brent, always drank his twice as fast as I did. Sometimes we take them with us as we roamed the park or made our way up to Haight St for a little shopping.

It was one of the first places we ventured with Everly after she was born. All wrapped close to my body as I sipped that creamy, spicy goodness.  Chai was what our neighborhood tasted like.

I found the same brand that Central Cafe uses - Oregon Chai - in Trader Joes last weekend.I was so excited I could barely contain my joy. I brought it home and made Brent and I two ice cold glasses (half chai, half organic 2% milk) yesterday afternoon after work. We sat on the front porch and drank them, Everly on my lap. Brent, of course,  finished his before I was halfway through.

and with those cold drinks, we nursed our homesick hearts. We find ourselves missing the city more and more these days. Talking about it constantly. Reminscing on our favorite memories.

We love it here. but no place is a worthy substitute for San Francisco. It’s just - irreplacable.

but last night, on our front porch, we got a small, familiar taste our beloved city and that was enough for us.

Love,

M