Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger - ~ What I Think ~

Out & About #567 | Weekly Roundup: Afternoon Snacking + Night It Up! 2019

7/13/2019

The humidity has officially hit.
Personal catch-up time has suffered a dramatic drop.
Weekly visuals shall proceed until further notice.

1) The Vancouver haul Feat. Daiso and Nature Republic

2) The Seunie Bingsu from Snowies

The GOT7-themed bingsoo series continues! Following BamBam's Thai Milk Tea was Jackson's Hong Kong Milk Tea, which, in comparison to the first item of the collection, exhibited more prominent flavour. The limited edition selection was served in a similar fashion: curated toppings and condensed milk on the side, and an absence of layering.
Tapioca pearls made another appearance, but instead of grass jelly was an oddly orange egg pudding. It had been set directly and served in a ramekin - a sharp contrast to the abstract shards of yellow utilized by most bubble tea vendors. Its consistency was also a tad more rigid, indicating either a higher percentage of stabilizer, whether it be egg yolk, gelatin, or some derivative of starch. A pizelle cookie - broken and inserted in the shape of wings? - was intended to add crunch, though I cannot produce any comments towards this addition. Admittedly, it is not my fondest type of cracker, so I did steer clear of it.

Sampling the bingsoo on its own, familiar notes of Hong Kong milk tea were made discernible. Frankly, it lacked the astringency and 金味 (an attribute I can only depict as a distinctly unique lingering aftertaste) associated with the tea blend, however its profile remained recognizable. I was informed that the first few batches of the dessert had proved "far too bitter", thus the formula was altered to fit the dessert niche.

Egg pudding, tapioca, and a condensed milk drizzle with the consistency of evaporated milk enabled greater enjoyment of the bowl's contents, albeit resulting in a somewhat messy eating experience. As mentioned previously (561), Snowies' ice flakes have been observed to contain the lowest moisture levels by far; a direct runoff of loosened condensed milk was owed to this precise property. On that note, it is worth mentioning that the taste of tea diminished with the subsequent addition of toppings.

We also took the opportunity to try the Honey Butter Toast, a seemingly new addition to their menu, along with the Black Sesame Bingsu. The item arrived looking near identical to the Injeolmi Toast, and it was only afterwards that I learned honey butter had been incorporated into the soybean-centric creation. It was not an entirely different entity after all. A poor pick on my part, it was far too sugary in the absence of java; the mochi bits were tasty as always, though the combination of sticky slickness and friable injeolmi powder made for a throat-clogging occurrence.

The striking gold knives are a wonderful touch, might I say.

Out & About #566 | Weekly Roundup: The PATH Finds + Koryo North York

7/5/2019

I'd like to think that the world operates in such a manner that the quality of results yielded is linearly proportional to the amount of effort exerted. And sometimes, just sometimes, this theory proves true.

Despite still recovering from major backlog and lack of proper sleep (it is far too humid these days), a new page in my career has begun, and I've been once again launched to a familiar part of the city.

This week's finds includes a selection of McCafé items exclusive to Union Station, namely the Smoked Salmon Bagel and Iced Matcha Latte, a beverage that's only elevated with the inclusion of an espresso shot.

A popular spot in the underground of Commerce Court, Mos Mos has now made its way to the waterfront. Those looking to get a bit fancier than Starbucks can peruse its selection of gluten-free and vegan offerings, as well as specialty beverages such as a Chai or Taro Latte.
Beware though, as sophistication comes at a steep price. A medium Cold Brew set me back almost four dollars.

Since sleep is often compromised on the early commute, fuel is usually found at a later point in time. My XL mug, gifted to me by none other than my favourite fangirl, illustrates my mornings to a tee: Running Late is My Cardio.

Other PATH discoveries include an upscale food court by the name of Harbour Eats by Mercatino and, directly beneath it, Coppa's Fresh Market. The latter was a true saviour during my times of need for fresh bananas and soy milk, at an extremely reasonably rate too!

Adjacent to the supermarket is a restaurant featuring Buck-A-Shuck Wednesdays and a gelato parlour.

Concluding the week off with errands and appointments, I found myself in North York after what feels like an eternity. The shops at Yonge and Sheppard have finally opened to reveal Blaze Pizza, Five Guys, and LA Fitness as their ultimate occupants. Besides this, I can confirm no further changes in the area, except maybe Sushi Moto getting a revamped storefront.

Debating between The 5th Taste on Wilson or Koryo, I eventually caved to samgyetang. Because apparently adding heat is a common method to ward off heat, right?

The patio area had opened, but patrons had opted to be seated inside (for obvious reasons). The compact restaurant housed about forty inside; we were seated at one of the few tables by the entrance. These spots were well-illuminated and a good distance away from the kitchen and cashier area. That said, greasy fumes infiltrated our hair and apparel regardless.

< Pictured above and below:

S1 Koryo Samgyetang (고려삼계탕)
B3 Koryo Bibimbap in a Hot-Stoned Bowl (돌솥비빔밥)
M3 Millefeuille Spinach Cheese Tonkatsu (밀푀유 시금치 치즈 돈까스) >

Out & About #565 | Canada Day BBQ + Collective June Visuals

7/1/2019

We've steered ourselves into the third quarter of the year: the midpoint of summer holidays and peak of construction activities. An extremely fruitful month for those in the heavy civil sector, I'd like to officially announce my upcoming reduction in leisure time. And not to be exempt from announcements of any sort, below is my usual recount of short-lived excursions, errand runs, and recent items of fondness.

1) Polishing off the remnants of Cafe Seoulista's Korean Fermented Grapefruit Tea with a splash of sparkling water
2) An expectedly chilly morning calls for a Matcha Latte.

3) A sweltering morning in Milton was succeeded by a brief visit to the Toronto Premium Outlets.

It was here that Cacao 70 had opened up shop and introduced a three-dollar seasonal promotion.

Having only ever tried the chain's savoury crepes and marshmallow pizza, dipped ice cream cones were a new discovery for me. The lady behind the cashier was blunt - and outright rude, might I say - though the man executing the dipping procedure was exceptionally friendly.

The concept in place was not so different than La Diperie, where the soft serve flavour was kept a constant vanilla and the only customization options resided with the chocolate dip. We took to the Coffee and Black Sesame cones - both ginormous portions at the exchange of mere pocket change.

In contrast to the Trinity Bellwoods spot, the vanilla soft serve underneath remained intact, instead of imploding into an annoyingly sticky mess. The waffle cone wasn't half bad either. It were the chocolate shells that disappointed: excessively sweet and exhibiting minimal sturdiness, the supposedly carefully tempered coating induced feelings of sluggishness - something far from commendable amidst the humid external conditions.

Out & About #564 | GOT7 Keep Spinning in Toronto

6/30/2019

I'm not sure whether it's been apparent or not, but I've been teetering on the edge of an ahga-identity crisis.

Too frequent were the instances that I found myself feeling exhausted and utterly unmotivated, so tired to the point where there was not a drop of energy to spare for the other tidbits of joy in my life, namely GOT7.
I fell behind on the PAGE videos, then the sporadic V Lives, and even some of their Twitter posts. There was a sense of foreboding from within, and I questioned whether the thought of retirement from the fandom had been spurred from fatigue, anxiety, or mere moodiness.

D-Day came, and was it ever hectic. After several pre-Canada Day errands, I sped downtown. Though I missed the signing of the Canadian flag and a handful of fansite giveaways, I managed to secure a navy tour t-shirt in time for the show.

A sugary Matcha Latte from McDonald's supplied us with energy to last till dinnertime.

A Junior Chicken later, and we filed through the security gates for floor entry.

Concert commencement was slated for 7:30 PM, but the lights continued to flicker until the forty-minute mark, until, finally, the venue went dark. A stunning VCR began playing on the triple screens before us.

View the full album HERE !

Out & About #562 | Something About Simcoe DAY 4: Recap

6/23/2019

The semi-annual trips up north are always a welcome addition to the mundane and occasionally slow periods of summer humidity.

And while I can't confidently exude my capability as a minimalist packer, I do thoroughly enjoy preparing for a weekend brimming with exciting outdoor activities.

A positive outlook on weak Wi-Fi signals is the opportunity it creates for off-screen interactions. For many Canadians - especially central-east coast citizens such as myself, we crave for nothing more than to be able to embrace the great outdoors as weather conditions permit. After all, it won't be long until piercing gusts and ample snowfall strike again.

Cycling, rowing, hiking, stargazing, and swimming are only a handful of the activities we partook in during our past and present stays, however the options remain as vast as your heart is capable of conjuring.

Of course, we had to finish off the trip with a Wonton Chai run. Fried Fish Skin is back!!

Out & About #561 | Something About Simcoe DAY 3: Lake Couchiching + Cafe Seoulista (Round 2)

6/22/2019

The previous night's tossing and turning had left a scarring impression. Lowering the room temperature helped to offset this pattern completely, which had me feeling a lot less sloth-like when morning rolled around.

Majority of the rest of the party were still snoozing away, so another trip to the gym was made. I caught up slightly on Absolute Boyfriend before heading out again. Interestingly enough, we had yet to drop by Barrie at all, consequently resulting in a modified series title for the purpose of maintaining accuracy.

We returned to Orillia - Lake Couchiching, to be exact. Instead of taking following the 30-kilometre bike path though, we were on the lookout for something else: an aquatic activity whose true potential could only be unlocked at temperatures of twenty degrees Celsius and greater.

Last year's weekday afternoon rowing segment had been successfully executed with courtesy of Narrows Canoe. Having planned this season's retreat around the predicted climate conditions, the activity happened to coincide with a weekend, which introduced a significantly larger number of rental options and destinations.

The top contenders were: A Breath of Fresh Air in Orillia, Swift Georgian Bay in Waubaushene, and Bass Lake in Oro-Medonte. Swift's coordinates fell outside our geographic scope for the day, and also appeared to rent kayaks on a daily basis as opposed to the hourly we were considering; Bass Lake was fees were steep as could be at $30 per hour per individual kayak/canoe/paddle board. By process of elimination, A Breath of Fresh Air seemed most suited to our needs. That along with the fact that it wasn't far from Cafe Seoulista, a spot I desperately wanted to revisit before our departure. (I mean, it only seemed fitting to grab an icy, post-kayaking treat, right?)

A Breath of Fresh Air wasn't too difficult to find. Google Maps had specified a location north of the pop-up, though we were eventually able to locate Al and his kayaks by shifting our gaze to the
He warned us of the windy weather prior to waiver collection, even noting that the safest path was to travel along the shoreline and allow the waters to return us back to shore later onwards. We were also kindly provided the option of paying afterwards, such that our time on the water wasn't restricted.

The kayaks were vivid in hue, and much easier to control than the heavier ones present at Kayakity-Yak's stall at Tudhope Park. Most important to note was the price difference: only a mere nine dollars were charged per hour! For our ninety-minute session, the total came to fourteen per person; the half hour had been rounded up to the nearest dollar.

Along the dock were calmer waters; rougher waves met us as we inched north, but we persevered until just past Fittons Road, a point marked by a trio of luscious shrubbery, before turning back. Newly acquired for the return paddle were sore shoulders and a very discernible band-aid tan.

Clouds appeared to be copied and pasted across the sky: all very uniform. Almost reminiscent of those Windows XP window glitches, where dragging a frozen window across the screen would result in identical, translated images.

By the time we pulled into the sandy dock area, the clock read 2:30 PM. The fastest source of sustenance resided with the hot dog and hamburger shack just outside the parking lot, however other members of the party suggested heading directly to Cafe Seoulista in the name of time. We did just that, since any further detours would have delayed our suppertime.

The smiley couple welcomed us back into their cozy café. With a larger group in tow, they assisted us in combining a two-seater with their largest four-person table.

Savoury options were minimal at the establishment, so the famished members of the party simply opted for a Croissant Sandwich (with a $1.99 side of organic greens). Turkey Breast or Ham acted as the main source of protein; fresh tomatoes, sliced cheese, and a light layer of dressing were the remaining constituents.
Airy and buttery were the croissants, and slightly moist rather than flaky. This precise texture paired well in a sandwich formation, all while eliminating the fallout commonly experienced with the fragile, fresh-from-the-oven renditions. Each individual component within could be tasted without fear of overpowering its partners; the inclusion of seasonings had been done tastefully as well - adequate amounts contributed depth of flavour instead of outright overkill.

< Pictured above and below: Ham Croissant Sandwich, Turkey Breast Croissant Sandwich, Brewed Coffee, Ice Cube Latte, Red Bean Latte, Honey Brick Toast, Banana Chocolate Bingsoo, Mango Bingsoo >

Brewed Coffee was presented in a muted mint mug, its no-nonsense appeal offset with a cute cat spoon.

My own choice of drink had bounced between the Korean Apricot Tea (otherwise known as "Green Plum/Apricot" or 매실) and Honey Oolong Iced Tea at first. It was later that my eyes fell upon the "Espresso Bar" section, in which the Seoulista Blend and Ice Cube Latte swiftly booted the less caffeinated options out of mind. The former was depicted as a Korean-style Double Double, bearing no more sweetness than that of Timmies' original. Considering my lack of fondness for the national concoction, I steered myself in the latter direction.

It wasn't my first time seeing an Ice Cube Latte, but Seoulista's variation instantly distinguished itself from the rest. Organic lactose-free milk is poured on top of several cubes of frozen espresso, intensifying in concentration over time as opposed to being diluted. As the coffee ice slowly disintegrated, a cool slushy effect was also witnessed.
An initial concern on my part was that the Ice Cube Latte was only available in one size: Large. However, I quickly grew to enjoy and savour the drink as it underwent its three stages of evolution. Bold, flavourful, and potent, it's easily a great choice for coffee lovers looking to extend the life of their typical iced latte on a scorching summer day. One also had the option adding sweetener or leaving it "Black" (my pick).

Out & About #560 | Something About Simcoe DAY 2 (Pt. 1): The Shack Eatery + Café Seoulista Preview

6/21/2019

The first day had terminated with a restless night of overheating, terribly soft pillows, and maximum stuffiness. I awoke to a different issue every two hours or so, then eventually to the buzzing tune of Morning Flower.

There was no time to lose. Glancing outside at the sunny skies - with tufts of fluffy clouds like outstretched arms - I prepared a relatively familiar breakfast, in a relatively unfamiliar residence.

My participation in an AquaFit session spanned forty-five minutes. Water aerobics was an activity I hadn't tried before, especially not the morning classes with my sordid sleeping patterns. It was fun and engaging: a low-impact, resistance routine that felt like play time at the pool.

Feasting locations had been researched the night before, thus there was no hesitation towards our lunch destination. Such plans entailed a drive to Orillia, where we would reside for the remainder of sunlight hours.

The Shack Eatery had surfaced on my radar; depicted as a wonderful spot offering comfort food in the form of ribs and pulled pork sandwiches, we inputted the address and off we went!

It was a shack, in the most literal sense. Even with the assistance of navigation technology, I had managed to zip by without batting an eyelash. There was a drastic difference between expectation and reality. Having said that, to dismiss the restaurant as a result of its gritty gravel parking lot or unassuming storefront would have been a loss on our parts.

Being located at the corner of a busy intersection (West Street S and Hwy 12) meant a solid scene capable of appealing to both travellers and workers of the nearby industrial businesses, and we were about to discover just exactly what the restaurant was capable of delivering.

The menu was straightforward - just as advertised on its website. Fuss-free "Shackwiches" and "Shack Plates" were the only two options available, and, frankly speaking, the only ones necessary in leaving an impact. Smoked Sausage, Pulled Pork/Beef/Chicken, and Smoked Ribs were the primary focus of these orders. Sandwiches could be ordered solo or in combo format to include a side and (soft) drink, while Plates included up to three sides.

< Pictured above and below: Pulled Beef Bun and Pulled Chicken Plate >

Generously portioned between two halves of a soft kaiser bun were tender sections of slow-cooked, seasoned beef. The roll was lightly dressed with a mild sauce (though one could have opted for medium or hot), horseradish (optional), and the most mindblowing moiety of sweet caramelized onions. The Pulled Beef Bun hit all the right notes, leaving us feeling utterly satisfied.

Out & About #560 | Something About Simcoe DAY 2 (Pt. 2): Uhthoff Trail + Downtown Orillia

6/21/2019

Read Part 1 HERE !

Because of the previous day's ceaseless rainfall, we had thought it a better idea to steer clear of gravel paths. A ridiculously informative website enabled me to select a trail that aligned most accurately with our needs, including time restrictions and location preferences.

Uhthoff Trail commenced in Orillia, then crossed Hwy 11 into the township of Severn. Categorized as an "Easy" thirty kilometres with parking available by Lake Couchiching, it was also listed to be part of the Trans Canada Trail. Curiosity piqued, we had loaded our bikes back into the car in preparation for a quick ride.

Two-way, paved bicycle lanes curved about the shoreline, just between Couchiching Beach and its several parking lots. We followed this path until Jarvis Street, where I took a daring turn into the woods instead of continuing on paved asphalt.

Contrary to our initial belief, the ground was not sodden at all. We swung onto Lightfoot Trail with ease, then followed its slope-less path to the next intersection. It remained sturdy underneath our wheels, while the trees diffused harsh UV rays from the skies above.

Past Wilson Point Road was Millennium Trail, which eventually turned to gravel and wound underneath Hwy 11.
We persevered until just past Division Road, then readily stopped for a break by a small creek.

The entire trail was largely devoid of elevation changes - and defining landscapes too for that matter. Uhthoff made for a rather uninteresting ride, but nonetheless a good escape from UV rays and muddiness. Trenches had been dug on both sides of the trails, presumably to assist with drainage of the main path.

Out & About #559 | Something About Simcoe DAY 1: Amiche Restaurant

6/20/2019

The start of another Barrie trip commenced with a disarray of last-minute packing. And by "last-minute", I mean scrambling to gather not only outdoor clothing, but also downsizing skincare essentials with the departure time ticking down to its final sixty minutes.

It was early afternoon as we made our way northwest. Lunch was skipped, naturally, due to the deadline that lay before me; instead, an Egg McMuffin, Iced Coffee, and Nature Valley Bar summed up the components of my mid-day meal.

The forecast had warned of precipitation, but little was I aware that the droplets would only increase in size and density with every passing minute. To say that it was merely pouring when we pulled in was an understatement: it was raining cats and dogs!

As such, we turned to indoor activities for the remainder of the day - namely a brief gym session (where I finally caught up with a bit of Absolute Boyfriend) followed by swimming. The events eased us into the evening, simultaneously leaving us ravenous yet uninspired to hunt for sustenance beyond a 10-kilometre radius.

Food delivery services were nonexistent, whether it be Foodora, UberEats, SkipThe Dishes - you name it. The luxuries of urban and suburban neighbourhoods could not be applied here. It was then that we bit the bullet and dove back into the car, taking no breaks until we arrived near the highway exit.

Amiche Restaurant had been passed by on several occasions, whether it be to visit Chelsea Chocolates or simply since it was situated at a busy tourist(y) intersection. For the duration of our visit, it wasn't too busy. Rather, guest volumes had seemed to slow with the angry patter, leaving both the asphalt lot and interior relatively quiet.

We were seated immediately, then shortly provided menus and our beverages of choice. The waitress batted not even an eyelash at my frizzy head of post-swimming waves - "volume" as orangecane calls it - which was something I greatly appreciated in my famished state.

The menu was scanned briefly, and items of interest were narrowed down accordingly. Primarily Italian with a few options for pub grub (this term never fails to bring a grin to my face), we settled two dishes: one carby and the other protein-heavy. As Bruschetta seemed to be a prominent side on quite a number of assortments, I suggested adding the nine-dollar appetizer to start. This was later revealed a very poor decision on my part.

Given its title of a "Social House", I had anticipated orders to be received, processed, and delivered at a leisurely pace. Perhaps it was due to the low flow of traffic, but the Bruschetta emerged without much delay, and the entrées followed after a mere ten minutes of its complete consumption.

< Pictured above and below: Bruschetta, Seafood Linguine, and Brie and Asparagus Stuffed Chicken >

Out & About #558 | COWS NOTL + Niagara Drive

6/16/2019

Waffle cones and ice cream are the representative summer treat, especially when accompanied by the sticky scent of sugariness and a waterfront walk.

Father's Day was quite the low-key celebration this year - no Diana's, no buffet brunch, but oysters present nonetheless.
Upon waking, climate conditions were observed to have deviated from the predicted periodic showers to generally grey skies and a light drizzle here and there. As such, we set out for the west just after lunchtime. The ultimate destination was COWS, though a few detours were also made.

Navigation tools had guided me along Niagara Stone Road, a section of the region known as the "Winery Route". Perched at each and every corner was a different name - all wineries of varying magnitudes. With arguably the grandest presentation in sight, the Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery drew us in for our first detour.

The spot was an unsurprising tourist spot for both locals and vacationers alike. Guided tours, wine and whiskey tastings, and private gatherings were not uncommon at this irrefutably Canadian establishment.

Beyond the vineyard and all-too-frequent "99" inserts were several patio and lounge areas, a gift shop retailing monogrammed household items, and a separate gift shop specializing in beer and consumer-level brewing equipment. Even the father of Wayne Gretzky himself had appeared on the property, gladly posing for photos with those that took advantage of the opportunity.

We paused for a moment to roam, then resumed the drive without further interruption.

WHAT DOES "QUIRKY AESTHETICS" MEAN?

Quirky = a term that commonly refers to something/someone distinctly different and unique
Aesthetics = the visual aspect of things

Together, Quirky Aesthetics refers to the things, events, and happenings seen and perceived by this blog's creator - quirky perspectives in a visual form.

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