Summit Garden has maintained status as our family's go-to destination for dimsum since day one. Overlooking the fact that many of the long-term staff members recognize us by face, the restaurant is situated in a convenient location and provides easy access to Chinese food whenever takeout is required.
Those unfamiliar with the dining style will call it "tapas", but us insiders all know that dimsum is ten times better than overpriced (and over-hyped) appetizers.
Summit Garden has maintained status as our family's go-to destination for dimsum since day one. Overlooking the fact that many of the long-term staff members recognize us by face, the restaurant is situated in a convenient location and provides easy access to Chinese food whenever takeout is required.
Saturday morning dimsum was actually my suggestion - there is an undeniable lack of authenticity in the so-called "fusion" genre commonly found throughout downtown.
Just slightly past 11:00 AM, the restaurant was already bustling: family lunches were taking place at the many group tables lining the perimeter, while dimsum carts busily made their rounds weaving through tables.
After promptly being served Tieguanying (a type of oolong tea) and hot water, we took to waving down the cart ladies as they passed by. Xiu Mai (燒賣), black bean spareribs, mini hot dog buns, rice noodles, and stewed eggplant were chosen among several other standard picks.
Astoundingly warm with only hints of strong drafts here and there, it's now official that the record-breaking temperatures we were lucky enough to experience during January have carried over to the current month.
That being said, the weather was mild enough that outdoor explorations were able to resume. 1) Sunrises/sunsets witnessed along the morning commute
2) London Fog from Timothy's (North American Centre)
At $4.19, my medium London Fog was well worth it: the steamy beverage was creamy and smooth with ever-so-fragrant hits of Earl Grey and vanilla. This location was equipped with enough staff to handle the morning rush (no trainees here! Looking at you, Starbucks.) and prepared drinks speedily and solidly. I suppose a lack of Wi-Fi and one lonely dine-in (or rather, sip-in) table with a much over-loved cracking patent leather seat are the only factors I can complain about. 3. Adorable Valentine's Day-themed plushies on sale
4. Quantum Coffee
"How did you even find this place?!" is a question I commonly experience being thrown in my direction in a somewhat unbelieving tone. Frankly speaking, I'm an Instagram addict; 9 times out of 10, my next excursion or cooking inspiration will derive from my feed or Insta-searches.
I recall awkwardly stepping into the glass window-surrounded coffee shop one fall day while they were still in the midst of interior decor, then making my greatest attempt to discreetly retreat back to the busy tempo of King and Spadina. Whizzing by on the 510 some few weeks later, I noticed that their decoration processes had terminated, and that they were now in business.
Nonetheless, it still took me another few months to convince myself to make the ten minute journey. Given this week's lovely warm weather, my previous excuses were no longer validated. My feet carried me in the direction of the Brûlée Cappuccinos I had observed adorning the caffeinated portion of my feed.
Alas, when we arrived, it was discovered that the Brûlée Cappuccino was nowhere to be found on the menu! The girl behind one of the cashiers cheerily called out to us, suggesting that she could likely be of assistance if we had any inquiries regarding the menu.
We then learned that Quantum offered a (rotating) special item called "Quantum Planck"; the exact item would be vary from time to time, as would the price. Currently, it was a very interesting creation where baristas would dust icing sugar atop a fluffy milk foam and torch the surface to yield the appearance of a crème brûlée. |
Who Am I?Formerly an avid owner of several interest-based portals, Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger presents precisely the elements expected. From experiments in the kitchen to miscellaneous musings, from IGOT7 reflections to developments in transportation infrastructure, it's all consolidated here. Welcome to the raw, unfiltered side of Quirky Aesthetics. Archives
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