It's official: When GOT7 graces a local attraction and even takes to personally posting about the spot afterwards, it naturally a must on the to-go list.
For a destination that I seldom visit despite being somewhat local, our ahgabond brought me back.
For a destination that I seldom visit despite being somewhat local, our ahgabond brought me back.
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The morning commenced with a quick mall run, which inadvertently led to securing two frothy cups of Pistachio Ice Cream Matcha Lattes before the drive. The result was smooth with soft, underlying notes of vanilla.
By the time we had neared the Falls, it had long past lunchtime. The list of parking destinations made available via the municipal website was deemed too far of a trek to be feasible, so we arranged for a quick lunch before re-positioning the vehicle to a region of closer proximity.
Adamantly against dining at an overpriced chain restaurant, I strode upon the path less travelled: a longstanding Japanese restaurant whose name literally translated to "snow country".
Adamantly against dining at an overpriced chain restaurant, I strode upon the path less travelled: a longstanding Japanese restaurant whose name literally translated to "snow country".
Yukiguni's unexpected coordinates were amusing to me. The restaurant wasn't located on an arterial, but neither was it within walking distance to the natural attraction. In fact, it was actually closer to the casino resorts in the area, which all house restaurants of their own. However, given its extensive lifetime in the Niagara region, one would assume it to meet, or even exceed, the neighbouring standards for sashimi.
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The interior was peaceful and quaint - no surprise for post-peak hour dining; tables and laminated menus were kept to an acceptable degree of cleanliness.
The topmost sheet was adorned with weekday lunch specials, though it wasn't clear whether the items could still be requested outside of the specified times.
The topmost sheet was adorned with weekday lunch specials, though it wasn't clear whether the items could still be requested outside of the specified times.
A middle-aged man bearing a relatively stern demeanour seemed the only member of front-line staff. His origins were clearly Japanese, though his pronounciation almost indicated otherwise. At our inquisitive remarks towards the lunch specials, he merely grunted in affirmation that the orders could still be placed.
It wasn't until much later that we discovered higher price points on the bill.
It wasn't until much later that we discovered higher price points on the bill.
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It was true. While menus had been distributed, then re-collected, not a single drop of fluid had been placed on the table.
At this, we flagged the man down to ask for tea. An ornate teapot and two handle-less mugs were brought over; no words were uttered in this process - not even a gentle reminder than hot tea was an additional $3.50.
At this, we flagged the man down to ask for tea. An ornate teapot and two handle-less mugs were brought over; no words were uttered in this process - not even a gentle reminder than hot tea was an additional $3.50.
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Each item that made its way over was presented in a very pleasing manner, whether it be the small containers of ponzu-dressed side salad or wooden bowls of sodium-filled miso soup. It was a first to witness ceramic spoons being provided for the ingestion of soup.
A duo of Sashimi Lunch and Sushi Lunch were delivered shortly. The sight of my flaky sake nigiri induced immediate qualms, as did the oddly rigid texture of my fellow IGOT7's maguro sashimi. The pieces of fish were stiff and limp, with some pieces even beginning to tear apart at the muscle lines. Fleshy fragments were far from fresh, and sushi rice had been over-seasoned with hefty dash of salt and unforgiving dose of rice wine vinegar.
My dining partner uttered not a word of agreement, and took to silently consuming the remainder of her meal. I, on the other hand, was flabbergasted that such disappointing quality had managed to attract - and maintain! - diners for the past thirty years
My dining partner uttered not a word of agreement, and took to silently consuming the remainder of her meal. I, on the other hand, was flabbergasted that such disappointing quality had managed to attract - and maintain! - diners for the past thirty years
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Moreover, the meals were downright expensive with all factors in consideration.
Washrooms were located towards the back of the restaurant, behind a set of tarnished, yellow curtains. Facilities were ancient, but functional.
An open Wi-Fi network was supposedly available too, but few details were provided by the middle-aged man with the exception of a hurried grunt.
Washrooms were located towards the back of the restaurant, behind a set of tarnished, yellow curtains. Facilities were ancient, but functional.
An open Wi-Fi network was supposedly available too, but few details were provided by the middle-aged man with the exception of a hurried grunt.
Eventually, we made it to Niagara Falls.
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The day was quiet, so photos could be captured from several spots along the lookout area of Horseshoe Falls without disruption.
My personal highlight of the day was none other than a waffle cone from COWS. Time had slipped by without us realizing, and the sole Niagara-On-The-Lake location was set to close at 6 PM.
Summoning our remaining energy to hike uphill to the asphalt lot of Skylon Tower, then whizzing by local roads in a frenzy for ice cream, we somehow managed to burst through the doors of the ice cream shop a mere four minute before closure.
Summoning our remaining energy to hike uphill to the asphalt lot of Skylon Tower, then whizzing by local roads in a frenzy for ice cream, we somehow managed to burst through the doors of the ice cream shop a mere four minute before closure.
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The members of staff were not only kind enough to ring up our souvenirs past their working hours, but also patient enough to provide samples of their renowned ice cream. We waltzed out absolutely giddy, a Gooey Mooey in one hand and Maple Walnut in the other.
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Behold my moo-tastic purchases of the day!
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