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Out & About #540 | Collective March Visuals

3/31/2019

As we near the final period of the first quarter, I continue my woeful babble of my current employment status (or rather, lack thereof). Granting that my schedule is likely lax in comparison to others, I've been able to invest more time in physical exercise and occasional kitchen projects.

The closure of Put A Cone On It had inflicted a forceful blow; the past few weeks were spent in denial. However, I am now back on my feet, striving to recreate the coveted Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookie that I had been fortunate enough to encounter in the time gone by.

1) Several videos later, I took to executing the formula yielding the most similar consistency. The first trial wasn't entirely fruitless, but its efforts resulted in cookies that were far too sweet even when paired with the most potent of coffee brews. An in-depth analysis would be required in preparation for the next release.

2) Frozen Leek Gyoza made better with Tasty tips. Rie is the best!
3) Matcha Nutella Latte - an unexpectedly indulgent combination

4) Phoenix Restaurant (Woodbine and Steeles)

Beef Brisket with Veggies + Hainanese Chicken with Oil Rice was the supper assortment of the day. There were no flaws to be found in the renowned Southeast Asian dish, though I could have seriously done without the tough, taut lumps of supposedly slow-cooked brisket.

5) The search of climbing shoes begins, for the stench of disinfecting shoe sprays at Hub have crept up on my olfactory senses.

6) Fluffy Eggs & Toast (not mine) and a Banana Kale Soy Smoothie (dubiously mine, but mine nonetheless).

7) The second iteration of Sunday Baking's recipe trumped the disproportionately cloying first. Modifications in this batch included less sugar and double the matcha powder, resulting in prominent grassiness and a far richer hue. Stay tuned for the final edition on What I Make!

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Out & About #539 | Weekly Round Up Feat. The Rec Room (Square One)

3/19/2019

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Have you ever wondered about the science behind "opposites attract"? Proven matches include: yin and yang; black and white; maximal and minimal.
For those familiar with this space, one may be aware of my far-from-minimal tendencies. In contrast, a select few friends, revolve around the basic necessities of life. And that may perhaps be the exact element resulting in harmony.

A weekend visit to Hub marked my first bouldering session. Aside from one of the facility members chiding my use of dishwashing gloves (Hey, calluses are painful, you know!), it was an all-around enjoyable duration of exercise.
We distributed our time between the beginner bouldering wall, the auto-belay Learner's Area, and the Augmented Reality room. Once fatigue began to creep in, we retired from bouldering (in fear of falling in an ghastly position and resorted to belaying - significantly more controlled alternative.

The next item on the itinerary was picking up bubble tea for two members of the group who had voluntarily skipped out on the day's physical activity. While I did succumb to purchasing a set of five discount Coconut Buns, willpower had been embraced in the form of a Kale Banana Soy Smoothie. Hub had been kind enough to provide refrigerator (via a staff member) and outlet access, which made the entire process easier.

Several rounds of Super Smash Bros. later, we bid farewell yet again and headed to the city's own Koreatown for sustenance - Man Doo Hyang, as per my not-so-humble suggestion.

My dining partner took to a hearty bowl of Kimchi Jjigae, while my eyes darted back and forth across the menu. Eventually, I settled on the Mandu Hot Pot for two. The enormous portion comprised of six housemade dumplings, flat rice cakes (sliced garaeddeok), chopped vegetables, bits of beef, and heaps of kalguksu simmering away in a kimchi-based broth. Delectable was this, for it filled the void for fluffy dumplings; the craving that had been triggered from my previous visit was satisfied at long last.

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Out & About #538 | Sugarbush Maple Syrup Fest + Wonton Chai

3/15/2019

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Back in the day, elementary school field trips to Black Creek Pioneer Village weren't uncommon. That said, it wasn't a regular occurrence for kids to engage in maple taffy journeys through educational institutions, especially during the colder times of the year when bus drivers were more reluctant to drive than ever.

As someone who's never experienced tapping a maple tree over the course of her entire existence, attending one of the four Maple Syrup Festival locations across the GTA had been a longtime personal endeavour.
The idea had been refuted last year, in favour of a trip to North York during rush hour. As March Break rolled around, my proposal was made yet again, this time proving successful.

Mother Nature's inconsistent tendencies have been causing mercury levels to wax and wane: despite the postive temperatures, slushy snow and residual ice chunks glazed the ground in a translucent lacquer. It was chilly enough to don a pair of HEATTECH gloves, yet mild enough that maple taffy had a hard time solidifying on the slowly dissolving ice blocks.

Majority of the event's attendees were families with small children - parents and grandparents that had taken advantage of the final weekday of Spring Break. Activites ranged from Wood Branding (the stamping of letters and symbols onto sanded wooden rounds), indulging in pancakes and bacon at the Pancake House, learning about the ins and outs of maple syrup production, and witnessing an enticing violin performance.
The gift shop also offered countless varieties of maple-based souvenirs for visitors to enjoy in the comfort of their own abode.

View the full album HERE !

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Out & About #537 | Mapo Korean BBQ

3/14/2019

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The last time I purchased an album without pre-order benefits likely dates back to DAY6's Sunrise. The online ordering system far exceeds physical trips to music stores in terms of convenience and efficiency. However, there are times when one cannot justify EMS shipping, and times where patience is a virtue that is wholeheartedly embraced.

Seldom it is that I'd embark on a journey purely for the sake of obtaining an album - a previous trip centred around a single task was much too time-consuming. That said, I opted to incorporate supper with friends; prior to that was a short-lived visit at Rustle & Still.

I remain on the hunt for the perfect Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookie, for the void in my heart - er, stomach - remains unfilled with Put A Cone On It's unexpected departure from Koreatown.

It's highly regrettable to say that the succulent-filled cafe did not fulfill such a yearning: their rendition was not only satiating, but also crumbly to the point where it was impossible to consume without the specimen shattering in countless tiny shards. Inelegant nibbling process aside, I was particularly unfond of the green-tinged grease dissipating from the mound. Commonly a consequence of an insufficient amount of dry ingredients, the one-year-old cafe ought to have taken the appropriate remedial measures the ensure the delivery of tried-and-true recipes.

This was possibly the most depressing cookie I've tasted to date. The remaining half was stuffed back into its splotchy, oil-stained paper bag; I simply could not bring myself to devour it in its entirety.

While waiting for a particular Thai ahgase to make her appearance, I conducted a thorough review of my newest acquisition: JUS2's "FOCUS" EP. Sleek and groovy was the vibe being emitted from the photoshoot. The concept images fell in step with the general sound of the SENSES-filled selection of tracks.

JB's album message was one that stuck with me, for he noted that enjoyment would be doubled by listening with earbuds. Guess I shall have to try that.

Our departure from the cafe was succeeded by a visit to Starbucks, then an impromptu coin karaoke session to pass time. I was mindblown that this activity had existed in the city all this time.

A different friend led us towards Echo, a spot that neither of us fangirls had ever stepped foot into, then up the stairs to the main desk. Five dollars earned us ten minutes of singing time in a private room. This equated to approximately five or six songs.

Albeit a tad cramped (and warm) for three participants, the room was quite cozy and ideal for an intimate belting session. By the time we had reached the last tune, a call was received from Mapo. Our table was ready.

An estimated twenty-minute wait passed in the blink of an eye, and we were immediately ushered into a roomy booth near the cashier.

As Yelpers had noted, the interior was comparable to that of Daldongnae, given the seating layout and heavy dependence of wooden elements. However, the comprehensive experience was beyond the likes of my uptown ordeal.

Instead of being confined into a tiny, dimly-lit wooden booth, we were offered a properly illuminated table with ample space to move and set down our belongings. An abundance of decorative elements filled the space, reminiscent of Sikgaek's 40's style poster art (think Rosie the Riveter's 'We Can Do It!'). A handful of tables with backless Stainless steel stools were distributed throughout the restaurant; amusing signage such as "여자 말을 잘 듣자" (translation: "Listen carefully/well to the words of women") was hoisted above the stairwell to the downstairs bathroom. According to our native Korean member of the party, this was, by far, the most authentic setup he was familiar with.

< Pictured above and below: TB3 별집삼겹살 (Honey Pork Belly), TB4 생목살 (Pork Neck), 바베큐 된장찌게 (Doenjang Jjigae), Rice, TB1 돼지갈비 (Pork Kalbi) >

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Out & About 536 | Partial March Visuals

3/13/2019

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Has half the month passed already? (My exam date is looming. Oh dear me.)

1) Onnuri
With the name change also came an updated menu. Thankfully, prices remained the same; the selection was similar, though the new focus seemed to lie with hot stone dishes (instead of solely on gamjatang).

< Pictured above and below: Grilled Mackerel (고등어구이), TteokMandukuk (떡만두국), JaJangMyun (짜장면) >

2) At-Home Visuals Feat. Mixed Berry Jam Grilled Cheese
3) Cereal for the iron-deficient
4) My first cup of Mango Green Tea w/ Lychee Jelly since 2015, courtesy of a friendly former co-worker

5) Tip of the day: Wear long sleeves and trim your nails short prior to climbing.

Revisiting Hub in short sleeves earned me a nasty scrape. Also displayed are the consequences of when an elbow and door frame collide.

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Out & About #535 | Elephant Grind Coffee

3/2/2019

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I rolled into a peaceful Saturday morning with "Morning Flower" reverberating throughout my room. Still dazed from returning late the previous evening, I grudgingly peeled away the covers and swiped the alarm. It was time to get dressed for my first Zumba class.

Stenoodie and I had actually planned the date two weeks prior, and despite my initial concerns about a double cardio hit on the same day, I was excited. Of course, the eastbound trip was not without obstacles. I zipped along the 401 with ease - a rare situation to even fathom - but then got caught behind sluggish muttonheads on the 404. Ah, weekend drivers.

The morning dance class was held in the gym of the St. George Antioch Orthodox Church Centre, instead of a standalone plaza as I had expected. I sped past the entranceway, then was forced to loop around the residential areas until a path to Bayview could be found. A separate event was being held at the venue at the same time, thus locating parking was another nightmare. It also did not help that many drivers had decided to take up two spaces instead of their allocated one. By the time I entered, twenty minutes of the class had already passed.

I joined the ahjummas (and a lone ahjussi) for the remainder of the class, then attempted to render myself presentable using the extremely limited space that a team of high school volleyball players had spared for me in the bathroom. Exiting the premises, I caught sight of the substance inexperienced drivers feared the most: snow.

Frankly speaking, a light dusting of flakiness never hurt anyone. However, automobile operators on the east end tend to fear all weather conditions, and this particular case was an obstruction by means of reduced speed limits. Advancing past the scaredy-cats, I pulled into the 16th and Wilmot plaza, snagging the first available spot in the strip. Our brunch destination of choice was already brimming with customers.

I had slotted Elephant Grind Coffee onto my list of unbounded to-go spots after receiving positive feedback from ochungg. The scene that lay before my eyes was not so different from Alchemy: snowy external conditions, a bustling interior, and an unbelievably dreadful lineup. Having called in advance, I was informed that the wait would average 15-20 minutes for a party of two. This seemed reasonable, but dismaying information was provided upon my arrival; estimated wait times had surged to 30-45 minutes.

Ravenous at this point, I suggested to partake in a meal at any of the other nearby establishments. The plea was refuted by my dining partner, who dove inside to keep an ear out should our names be called. I remained outside, for feelings of claustrophobia were aggravated at the mere sight of the closely-packed diners assimilated about the doorway.
True to their word, our names - or rather, mine - was called at the thirty-minute mark. A sigh of relief sweft over me: Elephant Grind was already proving different from Alchemy, where I had waited well upwards of their thirty-five minute estimation before obtaining a stool.

Sustenance orders were placed and paid for at the front counter, though table service was in effect for the rest of the meal. The menu was quite vast, and diverse given Markham's regular selection of offers. I took to the Elephant Grind Sandwich - a conservative bet since the cafe had embedded their name on the very item - along with an Iced Coffee. The drink menu spanned flat whites, Nutella lattes, hot chocolate, and steamy cups of Sloane tea, yet there was not a Cold Brew option in sight. This was odd to me, given that Hatch, their roaster of choice, had attained fame for this specific beverage.

Nevertheless, my Iced Coffee was refreshing with a only a subtly acidic starting note.

Should one be in search of an innovative twist on the classic banh mi, the Elephant Grind Sandwich fills the void seamlessly. Pickled red onions and julienned carrots stimulated the senses, while an airy tofu and goat cheese emulsion contributed a sense of cohesiveness akin to pâté. The house cha siu was a leaner rendition of pulled pork - ideal for those looking to increase intake of red meat without the unnecessary lard (aka me). Roasted baby potatoes lay to the side of the sandwich, crisp and delectable. They had escaped the all-too-typical, heavy-hand salting and paired wonderfully with the gochujang mayo.

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Out & About #534 | Kinka Izakaya (Koreatown)

3/1/2019

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I've been purposely delaying my haircut past the two-month mark. hb Salon was an all-around average experience, even though the stylist did manage to tame my unruly ends.

It was my choice to revert back to Hair Bank in K-town. And with Put A Cone On It's slated re-opening, I figured I could kill two birds with one stone by delaying the trimming procedure.

"(That is a) RISKY (endeavour)" orangecane had warned. But my optimism prevailed.

Of course, the tale was as she (and Google) had predicted. The door was shuttered, the lights dim, and the interior an abandoned mishmash of wooden planks, garbage bins, and the remnants of my favourite Koreatown café.
It was official. Put A Cone On It was no more. (Odd of them to delay the update of their website, though.)

I proceeded with my haircut, where a lady with Sk8ter Boi-esque eye makeup and tacky bubble gum pink lips welcomed me to her chair. She snipped away at an alarming speed, much like the ahjusshi from the uptown location. However, despite the flat bangs, the results were far superior. Unlike with the owner of the salon, a small language barrier lay between us: a request for no flat iron-ing somehow ended up with bouncy waves, using the very tool I had demanded not to be used.

An hour and a half later, I met up with orangecane, who shamelessly called me back to P.A.T. after I had already crossed diagonally. It was all for the sake of listening to the rest of a specific album. She acquired her Custard Taiyaki and Jollypong, whereas I happily picked up an Orion Squid Peanut.

Continuing onwards, I secured my regular order of walnut cakes and hoddeok from Hodo Kwaja. It was at this point that we began to browse the area for something to do until dinnertime. The lady behind the counter - who knows me all too well from my binge purchases over the past few years - suggested board games at Snakes & Lattes, or rock climbing at Basecamp.
Basecamp was extremely compact in comparison to Hub, and seeing as I had already purchased a temporary membership, there was little incentive to invest in the sport at such a grand distance from home. A pungent whiff of curry slapped us squarely in the face as we pulled open the door to Snakes & Lattes; I recoiled. We promptly stepped back outside and commenced an aimless journey eastward.

The Annex Food Hall assumed a brief slot in our itinerary.
By the time we had reached Bay station, the sky had dimmed to a solemn sapphire. After assimilating with two other members, off we went for sustenance (and sake).

When I had visited last, Kinka had been as Guu. Over three years have since passed, yet the menu and atmosphere remain the same as I recalled of the North York location.

As we hadn't made reservations in advance, our sole option was to reside at the bar. Space was extremely limited: not only were we unable to share our orders between the group, I was bound by the weight of my bulky backpack - newly-acquired snacks and all - due to the absence of hooks. The cubby space embedded into the bar stool proved insufficient for my needs. Not all was in vain, however, since we obtained an unobstructed view of the bar. Illumination was adequate, and jackets could be hung up on a coat rack to free up space.

We ordered our dishes in small bursts, as suggested by one member of the group. "They come all at once." He warned, "And there isn't enough space."
orangecane and I had opted for two stone pot dishes, so they were actually amongst the last of the first round of items to arrive. Our sake flight, on the other hand, was presented in a matter of minutes.

In my opinion, Kinka Sake was a good starter.
"It tastes like water." came a contradicting remark.

Asian Pear was fragrant, but lacked depth. Izumi, otherwise known as the Bamboo Sake, was the unanimous winner of the trio. Its profile was clean and refreshing, yet packed a noticeable punch.

Finding greens on the menu wasn't challenging, since the tapas were already sorted in their respective categories on the menu. The challenge was agreeing on a style we could enjoy collectively. Eventually, due to the awkward corner spacing, we selected our items in groups of two.

View the full album HERE !

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Out & About #540 | Collective March Visuals

Out & About #539 | Weekly Round Up Feat. The Rec Room (Square One)

Out & About #538 | Sugarbush Maple Syrup Fest + Wonton Chai

Out & About #537 | Mapo Korean BBQ

Out & About 536 | Partial March Visuals

Out & About #535 | Elephant Grind Coffee

Out & About #534 | Kinka Izakaya (Koreatown)

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Out & About #540 | Collective March Visuals

Out & About #539 | Weekly Round Up Feat. The Rec Room (Square One)

Out & About #538 | Sugarbush Maple Syrup Fest + Wonton Chai

Out & About #537 | Mapo Korean BBQ

Out & About 536 | Partial March Visuals

​Out & About #535 | Elephant Grind Coffee

Out & About #534 | Kinka Izakaya (Koreatown)

Who Am I?

Archives

Categories

WHAT DOES "QUIRKY AESTHETICS" MEAN?

Contact ME

​Subscribe

Out & About #535 | Elephant Grind Coffee

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