There's a version of a pretty café that is entirely surface: great lighting, mediocre coffee, and prices that assume you won't notice the gap. Shan Shan at La Petite Colline is not that. The space is genuinely lovely, the baked goods behind the counter are worth your attention, and the matcha latte is the real reason we're here.
The cup
Smooth is the word. Not in a watered-down way, in a way that suggests the powder is quality and the preparation is consistent. It's not oversweetened. The flavour lingers past the last sip in a way that cheap matcha simply doesn't. For the price point, it delivers.
The kind of café where everything costs a little more than you expected and somehow feels worth it anyway.
Worth knowing
This is on the pricier end for Markham. Go in expecting that and you'll leave satisfied. The baked goods are genuinely good and pair well with the matcha. The space is comfortable enough to stay a while.
A strong recommendation for anyone who wants a full café experience rather than a quick cup. The matcha alone justifies the trip.