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Out & About #438 | Collective March Visuals

3/31/2018

March is a month I'm fairly fond of.
My first GOT7 bias, Jackson, is March baby; in late 2017, I discovered that Hyunjin, my Stray Kids bias, also shares this birthday month.

Technically, these past thirty-one days have tremendously tiring to the point where my K-Pop intake has dwindled slightly. As always though, I'll be casually showing a peek into my consuming habits.

1) Breakfast consisting of a Cream Cheese Multigrain Bagel and Caramel Chocolate Latte (Mocha?) from McDonald's

2) Who knew Glico Curry and coconut milk would result in such a creamy curry base?!
3) Satisfying the never-ending craving for bubble tea
4) Attempting a layered Mango Mousse Cake (and partially succeeding)

5) More Happy Meal visuals! I'm on mission to collect 'em all, after all!
6) Post-work sundae run at McD's
7) For me, 7 has always been a lucky number, even before GOT7's prominent entry into my life.

8) Custom milk tea creations from Labothéry
9) Rainbow Nutella Latte from Bulldog Coffee
10) More feasting visuals: Uncle Tetsu + Girl Guide Cookies

Out & About #437 | Richmond Hill Errands + Ku-Kum Kitchen

3/30/2018

I ought to be thankful for GO Transit's extension of the 47J to route 40. Traversing the direct route to Richmond Hill requires about fifty minutes at this point in time, with busses operating hourly on weekends and holidays. Though the lack of frequent service is sometimes frustrating, I anticipate rapid developments in public transit over the next few years.

We commenced the day with a few errands, stopping by Hillcrest first then the Ho-View Plaza (好景商場) on Hwy 7.

I had initially contemplated a Thai Iced Tea from Bake Code, though quickly countered the thought with a longing for Hong Kong Milk Tea. Their Easter-limited pastries were rather fun to gaze upon though.

Stops at Lucullus and ZenQ were then executed, with my beverage of desire secured at the first destination.

Purchasing a Tofu Pudding for late-afternoon snacking was my suggestion. Interestingly enough, the proportion of tofu to toppings drastically diminished with the addition of both grass jelly and red bean. It was tasty nonetheless, but increasingly challenging to consume (via wide straw) given the non-uniform distribution of ingredients.

Akane Sushi, which my favourite fangirl had recommended to me some eons ago, had been closed when I suggested it for supper following Wonderland. I pitched the idea this time around, seeing as the void had yet to be filled from several months prior.

The Korean-ran restaurant was rather tiny, and seemed to focus primarily on takeout orders. Nearly all of their twelve-or-so tables were occupied at our time of arrival, but merely one middle-aged lady and two visible members of kitchen staff were tending to making orders and tending to the floor.

Extremely bitter in both demeanour and attitude, it took us two to three attempts to grab the attention of the ahjumma, despite rooting ourselves right before the cashier area. Whether it be a result of the chaotic atmosphere or simply an everyday occurence, I couldn't help but depart feeling rushed, belittled, and unappreciated as a customer.

Two Lunch Specials had been selected: L5 Sushi Box and L12 Unagi Don Box; the bentos were priced at $9.99 and $12.99 respectively.

Within each sectioned Styrofoam container were six maki rolls, two pieces of soggy tofu drizzled in teriyaki sauce, and choppy strips of japchae. Neither the California Roll nor Spicy Salmon Rolls exhibited sufficient cohesive properties: while the California Roll was acceptable, the Spicy Salmon was oddly warm and crumbly. Also not to be overlooked was the unexpectedly high rice to filling ratio.
Glass noodle strands were swollen - a sign of being overcooked - and lacked the rigidity needed to maintain its length. The fine pieces were difficult to pick up with chopsticks, but, moreover, devoid of the sesame oil and sesame seeds observed in other establishments' renditions; not to mention: the only other component were julienne carrots and almost indiscernible strips of zucchini.

Numerous packets of soy sauce had been included in the order, along with pickled yellow ginger and wasabi. Both of these condiments were of poor quality: the ginger was ridiculously spicy as opposed to being sweet, while the wasabi was incapable of delivering a nasal-clearing punch.
The assorted nigiri from L5 was disappointing beyond belief. Not only were the slices far from fresh, they were essentially inedible without the heavy dunking of wasabi-laden soy sauce. L12's measly bits of sticky, bony unagi was even more depressing given its price tag. While even T&T serves up plump strips of marinated cooked eel in entirety, Akane had taken the cheapest route possible with crummy bits of limp protein.

Might I also add that neither order came with miso soup, side salad, or banchan. Napkins were scarce, if any, and no more than two pairs of disposable chopsticks had been included. Disposable spoons were not to be found either

The verdict was clear as day: Akane was quite possibly the worst sushi takeout experience to date.

I generally retain a certain degree of skepticism when an establishment's offerings fall within the culinary category of "Canadian cuisine", as this is synonymous with unexpected outcomes, positive or not. Majority of the time, I shall remain open-minded, though hesitant at the same time. When seal meat was brought up as one of the items of interest by my dining partner, I was flabbergasted, yet not reluctant to delve into this unexplored realm.

A table had been reserved a week prior at Ku-Kum Kitchen (also typeset as Kūkŭm Kitchen), for their opening hours were awfully particular and dinner collections were exempted from Sundays.
The location itself wasn't the convenient of places, especially as members of suburbia. Moreover, its proximity to the Yonge and Eglinton intersection and its ongoing Crosstown construction meant migraines for drivers and commuters alike. On a more positive note, there was ample free parking in the nearby residential region during off-peak hours, and meter parking along Mount Pleasant Road should one wish to refrain from trekking back to one's vehicle solo after sundown.

I had viewed the exterior of the restaurant multiple times before while scouring online reviews, but hadn't actually set eyes on the interior until we had personally strode through the double glass doors. Dimly lit with a boxy, almost rectangular seating area, the insides were compact and cozy (without posing any concerns for the claustrophic bunch). The ambience was sophisticated albeit soothing: Soft mellow instrumentals played in the background, while tabletop candles contributed a hazy, moody glow.

Out & About #436 | MeNami, Yorkdale + El Jefe (Round 2)

3/25/2018

It honestly hadn't been that long since our last visit. A certain potato had been whisked to the North York udon bar just hours before her departure; coincidentally, this was also the case for our West Coast visitor.

Few and scarce are the destinations I would recommend to out-of-town-ers with minimal hesitation, but MeNami has remained amongst the top since their initial opening two years ago.

This time around, we were seated in a booth that overlooked the bar area as opposed to the small stretch of tables that were arranged parallel to Yonge Street. Lighting was less abundant here, space was limited, and temperatures were significantly chillier. (Apparently the heating system was malfunctioning.)

Corn Kakiage, Smoked Salmon with Parsnip Sauce, and Beef Sashimi were chosen again,, though instead of the Fresh Fried Ika, I suggested the Ika Sashimi Salad. Quite a substantial size for a starter, the dish arrived with a cold, soy-based broth ("tsuke sauce") with a small smear of wasabi. The provided directions involved mixing the wasabi into the broth and pouring the homogenous mixture over the raw salad in its entirety.
The constituents of the dish were thinly-sliced pickled cucumbers, a heaping handful of slippery, chewy strands of squid, wakame, and a bed of glass noodles ("harusame"). For those that appreciate the intriguing textures and nasal-clearing properties of Tako-Wasa, this was a levelled-up version with chewy cuttlefish and milder notes to finish.
Beware: Those unfamiliar with the slimy texture may require a few bites to adapt, though it may be seen as an acquired taste as well.

We chose two mains from the soup udon category and one from the sauce variety - the seating conditions were cold, which meant automatically defaulting to substances that would likely bring about instant warmth.

Spicy Pork Udon was a gamble for us, really, for not a single member of the party possessed a particularly strong spice tolerance. My presumption of the product was a bowl of simmered pork shabu shabu slices submerged in a clear broth in which the essences of gochujang and kimchi would slowly infuse to yield a progressively fiery orange pool. The result did not veer far from this vision, except that the broth arrived densely laced with red pepper flakes to begin with. Even from its initial impression, it seemed more than capable of powerful ignition.

The pork was well-seasoned, however one solid spoonful already had me gaping for a glass of water. Despite not assuming the spot for our top pick, it'd be a great choice for lovers of spice.
A little less tradition, the option of adding cheese would serve to neutralize its raging effect, though may conflict with the chef's intentions for the dish.

A bowl that stunned and surprised was the Yaki Niku Udon. In concept, it sounded quite plain - dissimilar to the contemporary them of MeNami's Korean-Japanese fusion dishes. Reality was that the bowl offered comfort in its purest form by adding tender and astoundly fragrant beef slices to classic casual Japanese fare.
I greatly appreciated this dish, not merely because it was soothing to the soul after back-to-back meals of boldly flavoured items, but since it also provided drastic relief from the draft above our heads. (Apparently the heating system was malfunctioning.)

Black Sesame Puree with Beef was, of course, added to the request list and did not disappoint in the slightest.

Out & About #435 | Hub Sushi (Round 6)

3/24/2018

In all the times I've visited Hub Sushi, I had never once taken to calling ahead to make a reservation. But this time was different.
When the Van fam is in town and the proposed meal is take place during peak hours on a weekend evening, booking in advance is highly recommended.

We had set out a tad earlier than necessary, so a brief stopover at Hillcrest - ahem, Miniso, - was made. I also took the opportunity to try the recently-launched Crystal Ball Frappuccino.
No, it did not taste like peaches. It was heavily sugared milk with turquoise food colouring.

Packed was the restaurant at our time of entry - our table was the only one to remain unoccupied amidst the turmoil. Two waitresses scurried about the space throughout the evening, as opposed to the one server gasping for breath on weekday afternoons and mid-week evenings. There seemed to be one more member of managerial staff - a particularly smiley one, if I may add - that oversaw takeout orders being whisked away and observing the floor for any raised hands.

We revisited favourites such as Hub Tower - a wonderfully refreshing appetizer that combined cubed salmon and tuna sashimi with avocado and fresh mango chunks - and the Unagi Kimchi Donburi. The latter was a recommendation from foodieelove that I have taken tremendously to heart: the sizzling stone pot is an amazing touch that yields fantastically crispy rice grains. The result provides a bold kick, yet is also mild enough for those unaccustomed to spice.

Hub has recently revamped their menu to include new varieties of Pressed Aburi Sushi and Specialty Rolls. Consequently, I suggested attempting their Rainbow Pressed Aburi Sushi and Legend Dynamite. Their ever-popular Salmon Pressed Aburi Sushi was also added to the list.

View the full album HERE !

Comprising of an assortment of shrimp, tuna, and another breed that I cannot seem to recall, the Rainbow Pressed Aburi Sushi enabled first-timers to sample several textures of torched sushi without committing to a specific species. The Salmon version was, needless to say, as delicious as ever.

Out & About #434 | At Long Last, The Iron Ring (Feat. REDS)

3/23/2018

The Iron Ring means more to me than most undergraduate students can imagine.

All students will obtain a certificate of graduation, but those belonging to a certain faculty will receive a tangible symbol to signify the successful completion of their program - something beyond the thick piece of paper that is to be framed and hung up in the living room.

For me, and maybe select others in the discipline, the Iron Ring is representative of 6 years - maybe 4 or 5 (or 5.5) for some students - of toilsome, never-ending work as well as physical and mental demand.

The Iron Ring is exclusive to those who have survived - might I add, miraculously - the ceaseless challenges and persevered past the ongoing obstacles posed toward them. It is an element unable to be purchased even at the highest bid, and irreplaceable by any other means of accessory.

The Iron Ring was obtained solely through the endless efforts and determination put forth by the user himself or herself. For this reason, it is an object bearing more significance than any other ring.

The Iron Ring was earned by my own blood, sweat, and tears.
(No Kpop pun intended.)

Leading up to the big day, I had requested a Ring Presenter of my own, as opposed to one of the Camp Wardens on site. The gymnasium was horribly frigid and inefficiency of arrangements was at an all-time high. Though none of this really matters at the end.

Bestowed upon me towards the end of the 3-hour-long Kipling ceremony was a fragment of Cold Iron bearing responsiblity, righteousness, and humble pride.

To say that I did not struggle to obtain this ring would be fibbing to the extreme degree. Countless times did I question my computing and critical thinking capabilities relative to my peers. The power of Jinyoung's words was strong though, so one can conclude that my success was partially owed to GOT7 too (Hehe).

Kipling finally concluded in the late afternoon, at which point I was more than eager to bolt off ceremonial grounds and dive straight into a Spinach Feta Wrap.
Hovering just about the freezing point, Hamilton weather was no comrade as we snapped several shots around the campus. We were shivering progressively with each photo, though a departure could not be made until the final satisfactory portraits were secured.

The celebration took place at REDS.

Their Flash Roasted Chicken had resulted a memorable first visit, so we voted in favour of bringing along an out-of-towner for another stab at their menu.

Ravioli & Garlic Shrimp was one of the two Small Plates to start. As with the Wild Mushroom soup, it arrived with shocking swiftness. Exactly four sets of ricotta ravioli and sundried tomato sofrito-topped shrimp found their way onto the narrow platter. The cheesy filling of the ravioli paired exceptionally with the tart, salsa-like condiment. Known not to be the fondest of shellfish in general, the slight crunch of the individual pieces of cooked shrimp had be taken back; it varied remarkably from the overcooked morsels of toughness I was used to seeing - or tasting, for that matter.

Beetroot Hummus was my suggestion. The vivid magenta hue undoubtedly added visual appeal, as did the few (tasteless) slices of watermelon radish. Sodium-laden corners of pita crisps were too tiny to effectively scoop out the hummus, so we primarily resorted to fresh cucumber slices and carrots to accomplish the task at hand. Generally, chickpea hummus is found to be satiating and mushy, but the chunky consistency and addition of red beets served to lighten its profile whilst maintaining zest.

Out & About #433 | North York Errands + TORCH (Round 2)

3/21/2018

The first words that popped in my mind as I stepped inside was: "Had I mistakenly entered a salon in Gangnam?"

After a wonderful experience at Hair Bank in Koreatown, I decided to give their uptown location a trial for the purpose of conserving time. A one-way trip to Christie station estimates a whopping 1 hour and 40 minutes on local transit, where as the drive is a mere thirty minutes in standard - er, good - traffic. Moreover, given that their coordinates are slightly north of Finch, complimentary parking was able to found along a small, sloped strip immediately outside of the establishment.

The appointment had been made via call the day prior, and while the lady on the receiving end seemed to be relatively incompetent of understanding even basic English terminology, I remained optimistic towards their quality of service.
I was greeted by several members of staff in Korean upon entry, but the atmosphere turned slightly chilly when my response came in English as opposed to the familiar language they were accustomed to. The crew consisted of three middle-aged women, all clad in fitted black attire (party clothes? clubbing clothes???) and sporting bleached strands, and an ahjusshi with a suspiciously floaty bob normally deemed too flamboyant for those of the same age.

I did not have a designated stylist, thus was adopted by the middle-aged man. A quick visit to the narrow sliver of a bathroom/supply area hybrid was made first. The door did not close properly, nor were hooks present. Cleanliness levels were on the low end of the spectrum, though, let's be honest, there isn't a single establishment that beats SORA's scary lavatories.
As soon as my exit was made, the ahjusshi swooped up my belongings and gestured to a cubby. The concept was identical to that of Hair Bank's midtown spot, though the difference lay in that I wasn't given a chance to personally handle my jacket and bag.

Immediately adjacent to the cubbies was the hair-washing station. The chairs were already slanted - static instead of the hydraulic mechanism employed by the Koreatown spot.
I must admit: I can't recall receiving more brusque treatment of my hair than this instant. The first step was carried about rather delicately: a veil-like piece of fabric was placed across my eyes. The actions that followed, however, were another story. My hair was tugged, scrunched, pulled, and yanked with force as one round each of shampooing and conditioner took place. Water was flicked everywhere. Checks for water temperature were not uttered either; it was my responsibility to notify the man of discomfort when hot water was sprayed onto my scalp. Possibly the most stunning of all was when the hands of the hairwasher did not originate from 180 degrees behind me, but rather from my left side in such a manner that I could not escape his occassional blows of bad breath.

The entire snipping process was perhaps the scariest of all. Within 15 minutes, he had not only trimmed the ends of my hair and bangs, but also finished drying and styling. Despite the stylist's kind demeanour, his actions were rough, leading anxiety and uneasiness to build up over the course of cutting.
Hair Bank's uptown location utilized the same cutting gown as their midtown venture - the one that featured a pocket for hands and/or handheld devices. A password-secured Wi-Fi network was also provided for guests. In spite of this, I was prompted to put down my phone on several occassions, and eventually stopped scrolling through feeds altogether. The hasty chops of damp hair and swift, blunt snips of my bangs had me feeling excessively worried. At one point in time, a crudely-positioned hair clip was jolted out of place. Having landed on the floor, where the remnants of other customers' tresses resided, I had hoped for a new one to be utilized. It wasn't. I was stuck with the same, now-contaminated clip.

There was no final look-around, where the stylist would normally circulate with a wide mirror for customers to observe the final product. My key was taken from me, and I was immediately rushed out of my seat.

At thirty dollars, the cut was extremely economic. I also appreciated the small asphalt lot. These factors aside, I couldn't quite shake the queasy feelings I experienced while sitting in fear for my hair.

Looks like I'll be reverting back to Koreatown - and the insanely tedious commute - yet again.

TORCH Pressed Sushi was a spot that I took the opportunity to revisit, seeing as I had already secured a spot in the designated parking lot.

Three bowls were ordered to go: Unagi, Spicy Salmon, and Poke Bowl.
The shop was empty at my time of entry, but the takeout request still required an average preparation time of ten minutes.

In comparison to my last visit, service was slower and slightly less accommodating given the flow of orders. White rice was the sole option for the foundation of the bowls and opting for half-and-half grains plus greens would incur an additional charge of two dollars.

Unagi Bowl was the priciest of the trio, ringing in at $14.95. Ironically, it was also the bowl containing the smallest portion. The marinated eel was dry and shriveled, completely dissimilar to the display image, and the only other constituents were yellow ginger and several cucumber slices.

Out & About #432 | Scarborough Bluffs + Revisiting Sonoya

3/18/2018

For the longest time ever, I've wanted to visit Scarborough Bluffs. The clear blue waters depicted in images floating about the Interweb were enough to persuade me; the only two deterring factors were distance and crowds.

I eventually brought up the idea, since the warmest day of pre-spring was upon us.
Following lunch in the form of a greasy plate of homemade omurice - and a stopover at One Zo that was clearly my decision - we set off.

Sesame Tapioca was extremely intriguing when paired with a straight Four Season Spring Tea. The base of the beverage was refreshing and aromatic, while the distinct flavours of chewy black sesame contributed an unmistakable boldness. The two components didn't exactly compliment each other, though I enjoyed their presence nonetheless. For future reference, I'd suggest pairing Sesame Tapioca with a milk tea instead.

Real Fruit Fresh Tea with Cactus Tapioca was, undeniably, more average-tasting than expected. Floating within the drink were large slices of red apple, orange pulp, and a heaping portion of passion fruit seeds that could have well been exempted from the drink. Perhaps its texture is an acquired taste, though the stunningly sour crunch of the seeds made for an unpleasant addition amidst the already tart concoction. The Cactus Tapioca at the uptown venture was significantly tastier than the downtown stop.

Golden Hour had fallen upon us with our arrival at Bluffer's Beach.
Despite the surge in temperatures, few locals had found themselves there for the last few hours of daylight. Only a handful of park explorers were spotted in the vicinity.

As the sky began to dim, I wondered about the spot where other visitors had snapped their prized shots. A duo of dog-walkers happily provided more information on a more scenic location, and with the assistance of Google, we were on our way.

Quite frankly, we didn't get very far along the edge of the cliff. The trek grew cold as we made our way over. A decent spot was settled on, and the wait for total twilight began.

View the full album HERE !

Fingertips frozen, we scurried back to an area of warmth immediately after. Supper taking the shape of hot soup/ramen was calling for me.

Out & About #431 | T by Daniel 2.0 (Bramalea City Centre)

3/16/2018

Some may deem a 50-kilometre round trip to be utterly ridiculous for a cup of tea. Hear me out though: it isn't just any ol' cup of tea.

Recall the time I ventured to Bramalea for the sole sake of Miniso, and then set off to Downtown Brampton afterwards in order to introduce the ever-formidable Lion Chai.
The hype had been intense, as were the feelings of excitement. Consequently, so was the disappointment at observing their temporary closure sign.

Over the next several weeks, T by Daniel took to keeping fans updated with frequent social media posts. The Grand Re-Opening was eventually announced for Friday March 16th, with an evening launch party taking place at 5pm.

Absolutely delighted at this news, this date was subconsciously noted in my mind. The sane side of me immediately ruled out participation in the official celebratory activities - I need not be stuck in Brampton during rush hour, thank you very much. The willful side was sparked to conduct a morning run to satisfy the previously unfilled void.

Ultimately, this ended up a post-errand-running, early-afternoon trip. The mission of the journey was clear: Lion Chai, with a brief detour of Miniso.

To my sheer shock, Bramalea was quite empty given that March Break was still in full swing. Parking was abundant on both the ground level and underground quarters; few mall-walkers stormed the corridors. Should the destination have been Square One, I would have expected quite the opposite.

Not too far from the kitchy gift shop that is Owl Monkeys, T by Daniel stood tall and proud - possibly the only shop to be seen bustling with customers.

The new installment of the tea-based endeavour featured a loose-leaf tea bar (for the selection of take home varieties) that extended up to ceiling, monogrammed merchandise in the form of reusable cups, a crafting and cashier section, and ample in-store seating.

In addition to being extensive in nature, the menu possessed a high degree of clarity. Whether it be a listing of their signature concoctions or beginner's guide to enjoying their products, all of their offerings were clearly laid out to assist customers in narrowing down their preferred pick.
Sweets and pastries in the form of macarons, biscotti ("Biscotteas"), and tea-infused "Donka" bars were also added to the roster.

I splurged - I mean, why not, seeing as I had already driven the distance for this sole purpose. Three steaming cups of Lion Chai were requested, along with two Biscotteas and two Donka Bar boxes.

Out & About #430 | GOT7 - Eyes On You

3/15/2018

Being an international fan has its hardships - the distance, the time zone difference, the language barrier; the list goes on.
But these factors aren't things that cannot be overcome with determination and strategic planning. Over time, one learns to swiftly convert between time zones, identify key vocabulary in a foreign language, and communicate through virtual interfaces in order to sustain a sense of togetherness with their artist(s) of affection.

The responsibilities of being a fan also simultaneously develops one's critical thinking skills, especially when comparing and contrasting online shops for the crucial pre-order process. Primary factors of consideration are: base price, shipping costs and/or customs, benefits, and shipment speed.

While I do not consider myself a seasoned pro at purchasing from the online global market, previous experiences have led me to easily narrow down specific shop(s) at times of need.

YesAsia's delivery of Moonrise had not only been delayed, but also resulted in prominent dents on the CD in the process. (Not to mention: they had also exempted several of the preorder benefits that other retailers included.) As such, I looked towards other sources.
Locally- or domestically-operated group orders were another option, though forgetfulness and inefficient preparations on the GOM side easily resulted in extensive delays with no reduction in charges. West Coast-based GOs were ruled out as well.

Purchasing from Ktown4U was a first for me, but it did not disappoint in the slightest. The ever-expensive EMS was the single option for shipping, but it's speedy delivery was well worth it. A partially enclosed poster tube and three copies of Eyes On You arrived on my doorstep merely two days following the offline release.

Out & About #429 | Assembly Chef's Hall + Labothéry

3/14/2018

The typical trip to the core is normally a prolonged one - sometimes tiring, but always fulfilling. Toronto is a city of trends - home to restaurants and retailers that pop up around every corner. With each trek, new stops are appended to the Downtown Radar.

Assembly Chef's Hall was the most recent addition to the list. Located directly across from the Four Seasons Centre for teh Performing Arts on the south side of Richmond was this sophisticated, two-floor dining hall. Residing within were several of the city's renowned eateries, each adopting the form of quick-service counters with a condensed collection of signature items on offer. Vendors ranging from Ramen Isshin to (Bar) Reyna to Litle Khao occupied spots throughout the establishment, while communal seating filled the remainder of the space. Between sweet and savoury options, there were even a few coffee stalls to satisfy the desire for specialty beverages.

We perused the assortment before us, pausing at the sight of fresh lobster from Bluenose then eyeing the seasoned fries from Resto Boemo. Eventually we made it to Shari - the shop that had caught our attention initially with their elaborately-assembled chirashi containers

Samples of plump sushi grains were offered to us without much of an explanation - perhaps a quick speech on the emphasis of properly-seasoned sushi rice would have been appropriate. The cups proved to be overly sour due to an overwhelming ratio of rice wine vinegar to sugar/mirin. This didn't stop us from ordered two small Chirashizushi and Bara-Chirashizushi bowls though.

When Yelpers had complained of miniscule portions, I had raised an eyebrow at this. Surely it could only mean that they were famished at their time of visit, right? The truth stared us directly in the eye when two very small portions were presented before us - one priced four dollars greater than the other.

< Pictured above and below: Bara-Chirashizushi (Small) + Chirashizushi (Small) >

The octagonal Styrofoam containers, which gave off the illusion of wood, contributed unexpected visual appeal. Regrettably, it wasn't attractive enough to overlook its disappointing contents.
"Bara" translates to rose in Japanese, though I couldn't quite make the correlation between tiny cubes of tamago, scallop, tuna, and fish roe with the essence of a red rose. (Or maybe it makes reference to a different item in this context? One will simply never know without this information being provided by the girl behind the cashier.

<<Previous

Out & About #438 | Collective March Visuals

Out & About #437 | Richmond Hill Errands + Ku-Kum Kitchen

Out & About #436 | MeNami, Yorkdale + El Jefe (Round 2)

Out & About #435 | Hub Sushi (Round 6)

Out & About #434 | At Long Last, The Iron Ring (Feat. REDS)

Out & About #433 | North York Errands + TORCH (Round 2)

Out & About #432 | Scarborough Bluffs + Revisiting Sonoya

Out & About #431 | T by Daniel 2.0 (Bramalea City Centre)

Out & About #430 | GOT7 - Eyes On You

Out & About #429 | Assembly Chef's Hall + Labothéry

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