A few weeks ago, I was asked to speak at a Women’s Day event. It was on a Saturday and it was downtown. I love working with the organization who asked me to speak and I love being able to provide some insights, given my experience. Although I worked downtown from 1993- 2017, I rarely get an opportunity to go there during the day on a week-end, so all of the pieces were aligning. I am a planner, so when the opportunity came to attend a dinner later that day with an another organization I admire, I also took it.
So – I had a Saturday downtown and a small window between the events. When I finished speaking at the Women’s Day event, which was a fabulous event, even though I was offered an opportunity to go out with the other attendees, I already had a plan in place.
At my previous firm, one of the partners introduced me to this Japanese restaurant. It was very authentic, and the staff wore traditional Japanese clothing. The first thing that I ever ate there was the Miso Black Cod. It is simply delicious. The fish is buttery and light and it is a gorgeous morsel of food. It had been years since I had eaten my dish, so I was on a mission.
As I walked towards my destination on this rainy grey day, I noticed all of the changes. Many of the stores and restaurants I used to go to when I worked close by, were no longer. There was a lot of construction going on, so the route became a little different. And of course, my shoes were not appropriate for walking.
But I reached my destination – Nami with a wave in the name. Short obviously for Tsunami, there was an odd fold up sign in front of the building stating that after 40 years, Nami would be closing and they thanked their clients for the loyalty and the experience. That was disappointing to hear and I messaged my husband immediately. Nami is special to us because after my girls were born, it was the first restaurant my husband took me to for our first night out post babies. My husband immediately responded that we would need to attend before it closed.
So, I entered and it was moderately busy, but because I was on my own, I elected to sit by the sushi bar. The waitress handed me a menu and as I was browsing, I noticed that some of the dishes stated no longer available and I could not find my dish. I was about to become disappointed, when I saw my dish – available and quickly placed my order. As I waited, I watched the chefs preparing the hot and cold food and the dance of the staff picking up orders out front, in the back and providing them to the guests. I was a few seats down from a gentleman with a travel book of Toronto in hand, and determined he must be a tourist and how great that he had elected to eat at Nami. One of the dishes he had ordered was no longer available, so he pivoted and placed an order for some different food.
I was occupied just taking everything in and then my dish was brought out.
It was exactly as I remembered and I devoured it. As I had a dinner to attend afterwards, I just wanted to bite in between meals and it hit the spot. I realized that I needed to get ready for my next event, so requested the bill. As I was paying, I asked when their last day was going to be and the waiter advised that it was tonight.
This was their last night.
I was disappointed because my husband would not be able to enjoy one last experience, but relieved and delighted that I had been able to experience my restaurant’s last night. I shared with the server how this was my favourite restaurant and that I had had some great memories here. He thanked me and said he would share with the owners. And that was that. How fortuitous for me!
And honestly, as I left, to trek back in my uncomfortable shoes, I was happy for the experience, for the timing of the universe working out and for a tummy full of my favourite meal. It was an amazing experience.
But that’s just one Diva’s View.
Diva's View 