We set out the next morning, bright and early, to experience the tourist thrills of Toronto.
The West Coast-er had been warned beforehand of the city's dreadfully chilly temperatures, but even with HEATTECH in tow, the winds were proven ruthless to one devoid of a proper down jacket.
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As opposed to the original plan of brunching at Cacao 70, I took the swifter route of dense, cream cheese-slathered rounds at What A Bagel. St-Viateur in Montreal is supposedly the standard for traditional, hand-rolled bagels, though this was the closest stop I could think of that offered both quality and consistency at an affordable price.
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< Pictured above and below:
- Mini Bagel with Lettuce + Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese
- Rainbow Bagel with Lettuce + Tuna Salad w/ Chives >
Next stop was Little Pebbles.
After repeatedly sharing images of their Strawberry Sakura Mont Blanc, delicate Chiffon Cakes, and gorgeous lattes, it was a given that the cute Japanese café would be incorporated into the day's itinerary.
After repeatedly sharing images of their Strawberry Sakura Mont Blanc, delicate Chiffon Cakes, and gorgeous lattes, it was a given that the cute Japanese café would be incorporated into the day's itinerary.
With every visit, the interior appears a little more cozy. Whether this be owed to the addtion of elegant floral fixtures or the sweet scents of potentially new creations, the atmosphere was wonderful either way.
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The Strawberry Sakura Mont Blanc was an elaborate mini tower of fresh strawberry, custard cream, and airy floral-infused chestnut paste - all topped off with a pickled sakura blossom. Perhaps I had already been won over with the mention of custard and its intricate appearance: it embodied the very essence of spring with a gentle shot of Japanese cherry blossom.
I'm quite neutral towards fresh strawberries, however this cohesive concoction was a blooming winner. The custard cream was smooth without excessive creaminess, while the mont blanc cream was as distinct as it was delicate. A whole fresh strawberry provided an unexpected dose of moistness, contrasting against the coarse texture of the graham tart shell.
I'm quite neutral towards fresh strawberries, however this cohesive concoction was a blooming winner. The custard cream was smooth without excessive creaminess, while the mont blanc cream was as distinct as it was delicate. A whole fresh strawberry provided an unexpected dose of moistness, contrasting against the coarse texture of the graham tart shell.
As the hybrid child of the original Matcha and Black Sesame Chiffon Cakes, Little Pebbles' integration of two well-received Japanese flavours was stellar, to say in the least. Smoothed over a fluffy, aromatic black sesame chiffon was freshly-whipped cream that boasted the distinct grassiness of ceremonial grade matcha; at its peak was an unexpected shard of chocolate, which we had initially presumed to be a rigid sheet of anko paste. The dessert was light, yet satisfying.
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The next stop was One Zo Tapioca's original location on Spadina. Unfortunately, the magenta-toned Cactus Tapioca that I had desperately wished to try was unavailable at this time.
We swung by the Distillery District first, then retraced our path afterwards to a visibly busier interior.
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On our way back, I suggested popping by Tandem Coffee. Their Sesame Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies are seriously decadent!
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< Pictured above and below: Cactus Tapioca Green Milk Tea and Orange Passion Green Tea w/ Cactus Tapioca >
While my lovely dongsaeng opted for a citrus-based beverage, I chose a signature that employed a shockingly strong brew of Jasmine. Cactus Tapioca was slightly fruity to taste, though I found the Green Milk Tea base too bitter to act as complement. The Orange Passion Green Tea was depicted as satisfactory until the shreds of orange pulp and passionfruit seeds imposed a barrier to tapioca obtainment.
While my lovely dongsaeng opted for a citrus-based beverage, I chose a signature that employed a shockingly strong brew of Jasmine. Cactus Tapioca was slightly fruity to taste, though I found the Green Milk Tea base too bitter to act as complement. The Orange Passion Green Tea was depicted as satisfactory until the shreds of orange pulp and passionfruit seeds imposed a barrier to tapioca obtainment.
A set of North York appointments sent us uptown for the evening, so dinner plans hadn't been confirmed in advance. Within the area was ramen (Kinton/Konjiki), Satay Sate, shawarma, and a few franchises, but we ultimately found ourselves at Crazy Don.
Service remained as friendly as the first visit, though attentiveness was seriously lacking. From the moment we were seated in the corner spot to the instances where we requested additional napkins to the time that we waved about frantically to obtain takeout boxes and the bill, there wasn't a single period where we managed to secure the gaze of one of the two members of waitstaff without a struggle.
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The Chicken Katsu proved crisp and satisfying, especially when consumed in conjunction with the tangy, tomato-based demi-glace sauce.
In dire need of greens, I prompted the request of the Avocado Tofu Salad. Given its higher price point (especially during supper time), one would anticipate fresh spring mix and buttery avocado slices. The sad reality was a plate of bland tomato slices, mushy avocado with black spots, and dry, firm cubes of fried tofu. The underlying layer of greens only managed to retain a minimal amount of freshness.
In dire need of greens, I prompted the request of the Avocado Tofu Salad. Given its higher price point (especially during supper time), one would anticipate fresh spring mix and buttery avocado slices. The sad reality was a plate of bland tomato slices, mushy avocado with black spots, and dry, firm cubes of fried tofu. The underlying layer of greens only managed to retain a minimal amount of freshness.
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If the objective isn't comfort food, I'd suggest steering clear of Crazy Don for a heart-healthy alternative. Fried dishes, whether it be deep-fried, pan-fried, or fried rice, seem to be the safe picks of the establishment; items falling outside of this category are odd to taste. I have yet to taste sushi or sashimi offerings, though, so nothing can be declared in that regard.
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