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Out & About #274 | Coffee Ripples at Initium + Papa Chang's Express

9/30/2016

In a city where bubble tea shops reign, it's difficult to find a spot that produces caffeinated beverages decent enough to earn the title of a cafe.
Thankfully, there's Initium, which opens early enough to cater to my weekend morning cravings.

I'll be frank: since my first visit, I've raved about their services and stable Wi-Fi to several of my friends, whether they be Markham locals or not. A drastic departure from last year's stack of loosely-tied textured cardstock, their menu has since undergone massive development and taken the final form of a double-sided laminated sheet pairing pink and white text with a black background.

It's important to note that Initium isn't known for being particularly budget-friendly. A single slice of mille crepe cake and cotton candy latte will ring you in at about $16; the cake itself is a whopping $9.95. Despite this, the volume of customers remains consistent at this establishment. (The lady in the adjacent seat had taken to ordering a Japanese Naan Pizza (or was it the Signature Toast?) and a Green Tea Latte first thing in the morning. Her bill would have likely averaged at twenty dollars following the inclusion of tips.

For my purposes, I was merely interested in trying out their Coffee Ripples machine. As the newest addition to their already impressive lineup of brewing equipment, the machine was described to form images on the surface of beverages by extracting the pigments from the bottom layers to the milk foam surface above. In order to utilize the machine though, one was first required to download the corresponding smartphone application: Coffee Ripples. The process was straightforward; a stable Wi-Fi connection ensured that the operation would not take a toll on customers' data plans.

Three options were presented on the main page of the app, allowing one to either draw their own design, use an existing photo from the Coffee Ripples library, or select a photo from one's photo gallery.
In celebration of their recent comeback with "Hard Carry", I opted for one of my favourite group shots of GOT7. This was then cropped and electronically sent to the machine in the cafe, somewhat like email.

The results were a tad faint on my Chai Latte, though a second try on a Mocha yielded much more distinctive results. Throughout the entire process, the barista was extremely patient and friendly, even offering to adjust the brightness and contrast levels for a second attempt since the first Mocha had produced unfavourable results.

Out & About #273 | UNIQLO, Rolltation, and Tsujiri

9/29/2016

I love Fridays, but not for the reason that other people enjoy it.

It's the last day of the work week, and is also the day that my classes end the latest. However, I don't mind that: it just means my commute home will be that much more peaceful since everyone already abandoned campus.
But really, the nicest thing about Fridays is realizing that you've gained an additional 48 hours to do work.

Yes, I'm serious. An inhumane amount of assignments with incredulous difficulty has accumulated to become one of the most torturous academic years in my entire lifetime. That being said, not having to attend class is a blessing. No further assignments being assigned is even more of a blessing. And sleep? Oh, I'd appreciate that too.

The past two weekends were thoroughly spent moping at my desk, making desperate attempts to toil through a steadily increasing pile of agony-inducing papers. Indeed, the only times I inched away was to retrieve print jobs and occasionally feed my growling stomach. Sleep was, of course, reduced to the bare functioning minimum - usually headaches and griping attitude followed suit.
To reward myself (and catch up on social activities), I headed downtown for UNIQLO's Grand Opening at the Eaton Centre.

Prior to that though, I wanted to introduce Nohohon's wondrous beverages. My company was unfamiliar with working her way around the city, however, and failed to remind me that we had embarked on the wrong streetcar while conversing absentmindedly. It wasn't after a short detour that we neared the doors of the Japanese tea room.

Watermelon Basil Oolong was my first choice, but unfortunately the order was denied due to lack of seasonal ingredients. Two Momo Oolongs were selected instead. As always, Nohohon offered up amazing drinks and extraordinary service. (Can't wait for their fall/winter beverages to release!)

UNIQLO's official opening time was actually at 10 AM. A friend of mine had shown me the details of the morning mayhem, along with the mention of free bottled water and cream puffs (courtesy of Neo). Despite the several hours that had passed since the Japanese import shop's unveiling, a queue remained for those that wished to enter the store.

Thankfully, the lineup moved quickly, with staff members tallying the number of customers entering for the sake of maintaining safety and reducing crowding inside the store.
I noticed that majority of the items catered to Canadian weather, specifically that of Southwestern Ontario. Thin insulating (under)garments sealed in small pouches ("HEAT TECH"), bombers, stretchy dress pants, and fleece/down jackets were found in almost every inch of the store. Lumberjack-esque flannels and layer-able striped sweaters were also in abundance.

I took to picking up two HEAT TECH items, each retailing for $19.90, as well as a sleek, hooded black jacket to contrast against my colourful winter down coats. The items were largely affordable - on par with H&M, but unmistakably better quality.

Out & About #272 | Collective September Visuals

9/28/2016

"Just what exactly has happened over the past 30 days?" I thought to myself while compiling the following images.

To sum up the month's activities, I've

Returned from vacation in Vancouver (though I'm still missing it direly)
Succumbed to food poisoning courtesy of Chatime
Recuperated just enough to participate in a few brief catch-up sessions
Embarked on another term of the torturous and painfully dangerous journey known as "school"
Unwillingly adopted a hermit lifestyle for the sake of completing various assignments before their due dates

Quite frankly, it hasn't been the most enjoyable period of the year, and I can only anticipate the coming months will be even more challenging to cope with. (Pardon any unforeseen mini-hiatuses on this space for the time being!)

Nonetheless, here is my roundup of visuals!

1) Homemade Banana Bread with Baked Bananas
2) Hong Milk Tea Feat. Chun Byung from Hodo Kwaja
(P.S. GOT7 has finally made their long awaited comeback with "Hard Carry"! It's officially been my go-to track for the past week so check it out!!!!)

3) Lucullus
After hearing several positive remarks regarding Lucullus' pineapple buns, I decided to check them out on a lazy Saturday morning. The parking lot of their 14th and Kennedy was relatively empty - a rarity for Markham in general. I pulled into a shady spot with ease and entered the premises.

The interior was alike any other Chinese bakery: plastic trays and clear orange tongs by the entrance and rows upon rows of egg-washed buns in individual bread cases. Staff wasn't particularly friendly: they didn't even bother to crack a smile at any of the customers in line, but then again, this didn't come as a surprise to me.

Rather, it was the environment and pineapple bun itself that had brought upon massive disappointment. As soon as I plopped into one of their chairs, my bottom sank directly into the wooden frame. Over time, the cushion had settled into the depths of the seat, yet the staff hadn't bothered to recycle it. Comfort is of one matter, but safety is should have definitely warranted a reason for replacement. Along with the much-to-be-desired seating, many of the tables exhibited remains of spilled tea and/or bread crumbs, ultimately becoming a feasting ground for flies.

Honestly, I could have overlooked all of the above (or opted for takeout only) had the Pineapple Bun lived up to its standards as described online. "Dry. Stale. Tasteless." were the three terms that emerged with the first bite. The cookie crust was flaky, but nowhere near the levels of crunchiness and sweetness experienced at other locations; the bun itself was also extremely depressing. Simply put, it was a very subpar product.

4) The Alley
Commerce Gate is gradually making its way upwards on the ladder in terms of diversity. From the failed mess that was Donburi to the cute dessert shop that is Sweet Note, the plaza's latest additions have made it a hot topic all over my feed. The Alley, the most recent bubble tea outpost since CoCo, offers a tiny, rustic space with a cafe-like atmosphere.
Their specialties range from Royal No. 9, a milk tea crafted from Assam leaves roasted with blueberries to potted milk teas with chopped Oreo bits. Sesame-flavoured tapioca pearls - known as "Deerioca" - also seems to be a popular addition to drinks, though, oddly enough, the topping is only made available after 8:00 PM on Fridays and weekends.

Out & About #271 | Sorry Coffee Preview

9/26/2016

Quite honestly, the only positive thing about peeling my PJs off before 6:30 AM is the fact that I'm sometimes rewarded with the stunning gradients of a pre-sunrise sky. Sometimes.

As a result of the desire to familiarize myself with up-and-coming happenings in the transportation and municipal construction sectors, I excused myself immediately upon the termination of class and sped downtown.
Considering that a fellow K-Pop friend of mine happened to be making her way over later in the day, I concluded that there was no better opportunity to check out Sorry Coffee in Yorkville.

It's not easy to spot this tiny space from the south side of Bloor, as it's joined to the back of minimalist apparel shop Kit and Ace. Spaces are few, and outlets even fewer. I predict the maximum capacity to hover around twelve; a strip of bar stools and two shorter tables with window sills as seats make up the entirety of the seating area.

Decor is intriguing enough: the hints of bronze and gold allow the shop to appeal to the more laidback crowd of the high-profile shopping area. Thin wires forming abstract geometric shapes provide a cohesive property through its prominent usage in chairs and light fixture casings.

< Pictured above and below: Latte w/ Canadiana syrup and Jasmine Tea >

Out & About #270 | Early Morning Sunrise + Westdale BumbleBean

9/22/2016

With the inevitable arrival of Daylight Savings and the dreaded winter season comes delayed sunrises and excessively early sunsets. For most of us, this essentially means spending majority of our time outside shrouded in darkness, for leaving the house during early hours of the day and returning in the evening equates to a greater difficulty in spotting the sun make its rare appearance.

For the time being, I'm making the effort to enjoy my mornings as much as possible. Gorgeous gradient-hued skies are definitely assisting me with this back-to-school transition.

On some days, one end is blue with pink splotches while the other is golden orange - absolutely stunning!

Of course, caffeinated beverages pull their weight too. I've recently been on the hunt for cafes in closer proximity, since lengthy round trips aren't nearly as amusing when they're conducted solo. Effective productivity also decreases since local transit do not permit enough space nor stability for working while en route.

This has consequently led to the discovery of Westdale BumbleBean, a cozy little spot towards the east end of Westdale Village. It's less of a "cafe" than Mulberry, given that seating is extremely limited: a few patio chairs line the storefront while a 90's-esque red metal table on the inside provides a quick rest stop.

The menu is as minimal as could be, consisting of the standard assortment espresso-based beverages (cappuccino, latte, mocha, etc.) and basic tea lattes. A rotary selection of teas ensured that variety would be consistently maintained. Majority of the drinks were also offered in an icy form and in different sizes (with some exceptions, obviously). Individually-wrapped baked goods were baked fresh daily and placed on the counter to stimulate ophthalmoception of paying customers.

In addition to easily customizable beverages, Westdale BumbleBean also retailed a variety of coffee- and tea-related products and brewing merchandise. Specialty items such as fair trade and/or organic chocolate, gluten-free tortilla chips, vegan-friendly snacks, locally produced jams, and coconut oil were also on display on the various shelves surrounding the perimeter of the shop. A large drink refrigerator stocked with cans of cold brew coffee, coconut water, and the like was spotted near the window sill

Out & About #269 | Mississauga Farmer's Market Run

9/17/2016

The skies were overcast when we departed. Grey clouds huddled above us, heads together as if contemplating the exact time to cast showers on the life forms underneath them.
High levels of humidity weren't about to stop me, though. I had undertaken a grand mission: to hunt down fresh produce for the sake of delivering a low-impact meal (and completing a surprisingly interesting assignment).

According to my research, the Erin Mills Farmer's Market was the closest spot for locally-sourced products. We arrived shortly after it had opened, and noticed that only a few booths had been set up in the Daniels parking lot. Besides an information booth, the remainder of the booths sold vegan chocolate, baked goods, honey, and some commercial cooking equipment.

A single stall had garlic and parsley on display - each carefully bunched up but with no price tags in sight. We eyed the two types of garlic: a small, round clove of Persian garlic and larger Korean garlic boasting plumper properties; individually, they were priced at two and three dollars respectively. Bagged green and purple kale leaves sold for four dollars. Both were seriously overpriced, but I decided to give it a try anyways.

The search for usable dinner ingredients then continued after popping the feather-light paper bag into the trunk. Next on the list was the Mississauga Flea Market / Farmer's Market at Mavis and Dundas. Prior to this trip, I hadn't paid much attention to the yellow and black sign draped across the otherwise unassuming warehouse across from the Loblaws. The parking lot was eerily quiet, the interior was dim, and the stares of the other occupants of the building were intense and unnerving.

Majority of the space was dedicated to being shop spaces for flea market vendors, leaving only one quarter for an unauthentic farmer's market in the corner. The journey was short-lived, as our intended purpose was to obtain fresh fruits and vegetables for food preparation. This so-called market provided neither locally-grown produce, nor those of decent quality. Along with appeaing bruised, overripe, or blackened from careless handling and transport, the items donned labels and plastic casings that weren't reflective of a true Farmer's Market.

Sugar cane juice and mango smoothies were situated near the cashier, so we opted to try a small cup ($2) as we were on our way out with one piece of ginger. The surrounding customers were on the crude side: a petite, haggard-looking lady bumped into me twice, scanning my appearance the first time and greedily spying my handbag on the second. It was an unbelievably frightening sensation that I hope to never experience a second time.

Two failed attempts later, we arrived the Port Credit Farmer's Market. This was the most proper weekend pop-up of them all!

Not only were there sufficient parking spots, the stalls carried a diverse selection of locally-grown and/or organic, fresh-off-the-farm produce. Ranging from juicy grape tomatoes to award-winning Canadian cheese to extremely fragrant cloves of fermented Black Garlic, our third stop offered the greatest number of required materials - and at the lowest price too!

All-natural bee products, flavourful frozen soups, and biodegradable cases of onion and kale were only a few of the many items available - the Port Credit Farmer's Market satisfied my needs exceptionally. I was not only able to uncover an incredulous amount of raw materials with much ease, but also found joy in reveling in the freshness of the ingredients after purchasing them.

Out & About #268 | Thai Signature

9/15/2016

Every now and then, I find myself feeling especially thankful of the fact that I live in Canada. (It's not that I haven't always retained that mountie pride; it's simply that, on some days, the connection is more distinct than others.) A strong sense of patriotism, free health care, increasingly high levels of investment in transit - these are only a few of the countless things I'm appreciative of.

And at times when exotic cuisine cravings arise, I'm thankful that Canada embraces multiculturalism like it does.

It's not often that we trek to Port Credit for dinner, and even more seldom that we make the trip specifically for Thai food.
Thai Signature has been on my radar for a short while, and considering that I'm weak for Thai Iced Tea as it is, there seemed no better occassion than a Mid-Autumn mini gathering.

Upholding a no-nonsense, yellow-red storefront in a less-than-impressive plaza across from Planet Organic, the restaurant is easily overlooked when simply driving by. Per contra, the interior - tropical plants, dark tablecloths, and gold accents and all - differs greatly from its quiet exterior. Traditional Thai furnishings decorate the walls, entrance area, and dining area. Some of the tables, or booths I should say, even feature colourful cushions for added comfort.

As I'm about to seat myself, it immediately occurs to me that the level of cleanliness between tables and chairs varies slightly: while the beige and brown tablecloths are streak- and dust-free, the chairs aren't particularly pristine. An older gentleman - someone who I presume to be either the owner, manager, or some other high-ranking management staff - apologizes as he brushes off remnants of the previous diner's meal from my seat.
With the exception of my filth-covered chair, and the washroom located at the foot of two short flights of spotty, carpeted stairs, the rest remained relatively hygienic (or so I observed anyway).

The menu consists primarily of laminated white pages, making it vulnerable to glare from the incandescent bulbs above. As we proceed to scan through the numerous options, I observe that certain symbols marked the popular dishes. Others indicated a high degree of spice (chili peppers!) and/or vegetarian properties.
Hunger gradually creeps up on us as we place our orders of a Signature Appetizer Platter, Lemongrass Soup with Shrimp, Grilled Salmon, and a Curry Pad Thai Noodle with Chicken.

Needless to say, I also took the opportunity to order a Thai Iced Tea, retaining the hope that it would taste as authentic as Thai Plate in Orillia. If not, Jazen Tea's more modern approach would be sure to please me.

Out & About #267 | Mulberry Street Coffeehouse + Chocolat on James

9/14/2016

Contrary to popular belief, Hamilton has no shortage of coffee shops. There are several located throughout the downtown area (James from King to Barton is a safe bet), and for those that aren't fond of relinquishing fifty minutes of their precious study time for the round trip, there's always a few cozy options on Locke Street. Actually, come to think it, I should drop by those too.

During my period of absence from the GTHA, Mulberry Street Coffeehouse unassumingly rose to fame. Snapshots of the rustic and slightly retro interior made its way over to my feed easily. When my turn to visit finally arrived, I was no longer surprised at the grandness of the orange statement-making storefront found at James and Mulberry, nor the serenity of the outdoor patio.

The decor was especially unique in that each section of the cafe emitted a vibe distinct from the rest of the "rooms". Seating located directly across from the cashier comprised of shiny, white tables and minimal amounts of lighting, while another area featured patent leather/wood booths and access to the elements via blinds. We opted for the patio since weather was forgiving, and gladly hurried to the last two-person table with access to a large, looming umbrella. (UV Rays were not kind to the pale-skinned beings such as ourselves.)

Similar to majority of my catch-up sessions, I had once again been entrusted with the dining destination of choice. Mulberry Street Coffeehouse seemed to be a good choice for a few reasons: it was decently close proximity to transit, provided a comfortable environment for chatting, and offered a variety of baked goods/meal options for the gluten- and dairy-sensitive.
The peppy brunette at the cashier assisted us in placing our orders of a Roasted Vegetable Panini and Roasted Bell Pepper Soup Combo, Quiche, and an Iced Matcha Latte. (Interestingly enough, she didn't question me when I requested to take a sniff of their matcha powder. Rather, she simply nodded and acknowledged the fact that the base substance they utilized was indeed a sugar-injected drink mix.)

View the full album HERE !

Out & About #267 | Hazel Tea Preview + Sana Grill

9/11/2016

As an experienced commuter, there are several things I constantly keep in mind when on-the-go: in addition to bringing a bag with sufficient capacity to store all my daily essentials and being mindful of my surroundings (especially in unfamiliar circumstances), refraining from high levels of fluid intake before a trip is also imperative.

Besides the above declarations, it also important to remember that commuters don't always have a choice when choosing a trip or route to take. Consistent punctuality usually means sacrificing glorious snooze time to catch an earlier bus, while long breaks in between classes means camping out in a comfortable spot - preferably one with Wi-Fi - for several hours. Hazel Tea fit the bill in this case.

It was by pure coincidence that the tea shop began operations just before I began my extended break; it was also quite fortunate that it was easily accessible via public transit.

With its storefront facing the Main Street, Hazel Tea & Dessert was extremely easy to locate. Much to my delight, I walked into a completely empty shop. It was quiet, well air-conditioned, and brimming with power outlets in convenient locations around each table and booth. Mellow music played in the background.

I was acknowledged immediately upon entry. The cashier was situated close to the door, allowing both dine-in and takeout orders to be placed easily. A small waiting area ensured that takeout customers wouldn't be packed tightly together during evening rush hours, and that the tables and bar seats lining the perimeter would be granted the space they required.

Spotting the tray of empty cups by the menu, I inquired about the shop's availability of samples. Hearing this, the man at the cashier grabbed a pitcher of light beige liquid and poured a small amount into one of the cups. "This is our Jasmine Milk Green Tea." he uttered briefly; no further descriptions nor promotional content were given.
I inquired whether their milk teas were crafted with milk powder, to which he answered "Yes." It seemed as if the only beverages that didn't contain the dreaded synthetic substance was their selection of brewed teas (ie. herbal, etc.)

To be fair, their drink lineup also comprised of smoothies and specialty drinks, but I was seriously craving milk tea and, as a result, succumbed to my unhealthy desires. I requested their top-seller, Hazel's Jasmine Milk Green Tea, at 50% sweetness and less ice. (Yes, you can adjust these!). I'm rather unsure of why I chose Red Bean instead of Tapioca as my topping, but I didn't regret the decision at all.

Payment was accepted in the form of credit (in addition to cash and debit, I'm assuming) and processed using the same sleek tablets seen at Front Street Foods vendors and milano. Prices were on par with Chatime, though specialty drinks were a tad more costly.
The open bar allowed me to catch a glimpse of their various flavour powders, crepe grill, and waffle griddle. To the right of the drink menu on the LED screen, I learned that Hazel also offered dessert in the form of elaborately-decorated waffles. Each was a hefty $8.75 before tax, so I opted to try those on a later date, after I find someone to split the costs with.

A single member of staff assumed responsibilities of taking orders, crafting drinks, maintaining cleanliness, cooking tapioca pearls, and providing customer service overall. I was almost certain that there would be at least one other person working the kitchen equipment, though I suppose an extra set of hands wouldn't have been particularly useful during off-peak hours.

I headed over dimly-lit corner table and began to spread my belongings on the table. Shortly after plugging my phone cable into one of their many charging ports, a plastic cup with a sticker of their logo was brought to the side of the cashier and the name of my drink was called out.
The aftertaste was tacky, as with any milk tea crafted from milk powder, but the flavour itself was decent. Despite using a base of Jasmine Green Tea, the tea wasn't as fragrant as I had expected. While it didn't contain the deep orange depth of black tea, it wasn't lighter in hue or more subtle in body either. The sweet pieces of red bean lent a nice chewiness to the beverage, even if only a limited portion had been scooped into the cup.

I resided at Hazel for approximately four hours, which was enough to turn me into an icicle had I not brought along a light fleece hoodie. Cold air was being blasted down onto my booth for most of the duration, though the staff hadn't noticed it enough to ask whether I'd like it to turned down. (It's unlikely that I would have told him, given that I was incredibly absorbed in "W" at the time, but I'm convinced my shuddering body was a dead giveaway.

During this time, several customers walked into the shop to purchase takeout orders, and then sauntered right back out once they had obtained their object(s) of desire. Towards the end of my stay, a duo of talkative girls with wavy hair entered and proceeded to set up their workstation two tables down from me. Thankfully, Wi-Fi remained speedy and stable for all of us to enjoy.

It's highly probable that I'll be revisiting to try the rest of their Top 10, as well as their dessert selection. Hazel is, undeniably, priced on the higher end. But then again, Hamilton has little to no competition, so it's understandable.

Out & About #266 | Hike to Dundas Peak + Kenzo

9/8/2016

During the school year, you'll find me in one of two places: cooped up at home and swamped with work, or engaging in a casual snooze in the lecture hall. Rarely am I prompted to veer away from campus grounds for the sake of exploring the area - it's Hamilton though, so can you blame me?

Oddly enough, I managed to sum up enough determination to attempt the hike to Dundas Peak. The Spencer Gorge Conservation Area provides access to Tews Falls, Webster's Falls, and the prime viewing spot of the upper portion of the city known as Dundas Peak.

We began the trip around 6:00 pm, so we predicted to reach the peak around sunset. The hike totalled about one hour, though majority of that time had spent stopping and taking photos along the way.

Tews Falls was the first destination, as it was extremely close to the entrance. As opposed to a waterfall, Tews was more of a continuous trickle that appeared halfway down the cliff. A wooden platform and drooping tree branch provided an interesting background for tourist shots, though the skyline was blocked by invasive leaves and forestry.

Another trail would have guided us to Webster's Falls - the larger, more proper falls of the two. However, the day's goal was to hit Dundas Peak. We carried on.

The trek was steep, rugged, and poorly maintained. Sharp rocks and protruding tree roots were witnessed at nearly each steep incline; viewpoints were few and required incredible stability to manouever downwards and back up to the trail.

As Golden Hour hit, we finally caught sight of the peak. A surprisingly high number of other hikers had also decided to embark on the evening journey; it seemed that we weren't the only ones that wanted sunset shots. One family in particular had even brought along a drone kit, kicking up sand in our faces when he propelled it into the air.

View the full album HERE !

<<Previous

Out & About #274 | Coffee Ripples at Initium + Papa Chang's Express

Out & About #273 | UNIQLO, Rolltation, and Tsujiri

Out & About #272 | Collective September Visuals

Out & About #271 | Sorry Coffee Preview

Out & About #270 | Early Morning Sunrise + Westdale BumbleBean

Out & About #269 | Mississauga Farmer's Market Run

Out & About #268 | Thai Signature

Out & About #267 | Mulberry Street Coffeehouse + Chocolat on James

Out & About #267 | Hazel Tea Preview + Sana Grill

Out & About #266 | Hike to Dundas Peak + Kenzo

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