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Out & About #392 | Collective October Visuals

10/31/2017

It's that time of the month again. Here come this period's visuals!

1) Purchases from Chelsea Chocolates and Purdy's
Chocolate is a year-round must-have in our household. Look, Brown agrees too.

2) McDonald's seasonal fall beverages are suprisingly delectable, even the Caramel Pumpkin Spice Latte. And this is coming from someone relatively unfond of synthetic spice-laced drinks.

3) Constituents of my regular Sephora haul
4) Big Quack and Tsunami Pies from Pie Wood
5) Green Grape Bingsoo from The Cups was largely mediocre

6) It's A Beautiful Sky~
7) Stole One Ten Cafe's sturdy takeout cup for my Homemade Nutella Latte
8) Dante Double Fromage Cheesecake from Love Me Sweet

9) Coconut and Green Tea Egg Rolls from Wooffles & Cream

Wooffles has officially turned small batch crispy egg rolls into a thing. Each six-dollar bag holds ten wispy thin rolls - quite a steep step-up from the standard 2-for-$5 plate from Pacific Mall.

Coconut was fragrant and contained a chock-full of toasted coconut shreds, though its caramel brown hue and needlessly sturdy exterior were reflective of over-cooking. Matcha, at the exact opposite of the spectrum, was fragile and crumbled even under a delicate touch. The grassy layers were thin, aromatic, and, most importantly, crisp. A sufficiently astringent aftertaste lingered after the last bite.

Out & About #391 | Revisiting Hokkaido Santouka + Angel Café

10/30/2017

In less than twelve hours, ochungg and I met up again. However, this meet-up was different in that the main purpose was not to commence a cyclic stream of consumption and commuting. Both of us had our hearts set on catching the beautiful boys from the previous night roaming downtown, and work/school had been skipped to engage in this crazy adventure.

Of course, all trips begin with a proper meal. The original plan was to congregate at Hokkaido Ramen Santouka at 12:30 PM, though these lunch plans were ultimately delayed up to one hour due to unexpected guests and the ramen shop's rigid seating policy. Seating parties whose members were partially in attendance was flat-out rejected, regardless of whether the lunch rush had passed or not. Having witnessed over five parties of three/four enter and exit the premises within the period I was rooted outside the establishment, one can presume that my patience was dwindling exponentially by the time the final member of the group decided to appear.
Even the waitress appeared exasperated at our attempts to obtain seats.

< Pictured above and below: Goro-Niku Gyoza, Toroniku Shio Ramen, Toroniku Shoyu Ramen, Tonkotsu Miso Ramen >

I suggested revisiting the Toroniku series, given that its wondrous properties had instilled an everlasting impression in my memory. A Shio variation was ordered on our behalf, and a Shoyu and Tonkotsu Miso for the retarding duo.

A plate of half-steamed, half-pan-fried Goro-Niku Gyoza were also added to the list. A round-faced waitress followed up with a condiment stand of three sauces: one dark red, one dark brown, and one bearing a pale yellow tint. "Vinegar" in Kanji had been tacked onto the exterior of the red bottle, though tipping its contents into the provided sauce dish revealed a suspiciously orange, semi-viscous substance instead: chili oil. The dark brown sauce was later confirmed to be vinegar, while the constituents of the lingering bottle remained unverified.

The pan-fried gyozas possessed a juicy, meaty interior, though suffered in terms of aroma from a lack of chives/green onions. Its wrapper was also thicker and starchier than I recalled, and perhaps a little less crispy. This time around, excessive grease wasn't a prominent problem, but rather its overall gustatory profile. My own cravings had revoked the incentive to revisit my own commentary, much to my own disadvantage; as stated previously, Hakata is consistently the better pick.

Unfortunately, the Toroniku slices had also succumbed to same treatment, for they were dry and disappointing. The strategically weaved layers of fat and flesh had been swapped for untrimmed bulges along its arid edges, resulting in the ultimate letdown.

Neither waitress travelled to our corner slot until all bowls and plates had been polished off, eliminating the opportunity to request for a new sauce dish (since who dips their used chopsticks into another diner's sauce dish TWICE without asking?!?!). "How is everything?" doesn't exactly apply either when there isn't a scrap of food visible on the table.

The plummet in quality, in combination with the mediocre service, caused Santouka's ranking to fall sharply in my books. It's a quite a shame really, as I had avidly advertised the ramen house previously.

Out & About #390 | Pt. 2: DAY6 in Toronto Concert Recap

10/29/2017

Read Part 1 of the day HERE !

In place of the standard format I tend to adhere to, the enclosed commentary shall be discussed in segments bearing subheadings for improved clarity and flow.

The concert was fantastic in its entirety, though I shall refrain from summarizing the rundown events as such is publicly available information, Rather, this is aimed as a personal reflection to pinpoint specific factors that contributed to the event's significance in my ever-excitable fangirl heart.

View the full album HERE !

Pre-Show Preparations

Prior to the concert, I had drafted preliminary designs for the fanboards that ochungg and I would be bringing with us. The crafting process took place over Reading Week between midterm-cramming and assignment-crying, in an excruciatingly stressful manner if I may add.

Board 1: "도운 Makes Me Swoon"; a circular board with faux pearl rivets was intended to simulate the bass drum of the cute drummer boy. Constructed to be thin and essentially weightless, it met the requirements for ease/convenience of portability.

Out & About #390 | Part 1: Little Pebbles + JaBistro

10/29/2017

Little Pebbles is unofficially the cutest, most versatile spot in Kensington, and I can affirm this. Warmer weather means Cold Brew, while chillier temperatures introduce Apple Cider and other festive selections. From Sakura Tiramisu to Daifuku constructed from seasonal fresh fruit, this quaint Japanese cafe's selection of cakes and confectioneries (and beverages!) never ceases to stop widening.

Sakura Tiramisu and Uji Tiramisu have earned themselves a spot on my must-try list for some time now, but academic desolation has forbidden downtown journeys of any sort since the start of the semester. DAY6's concert was the perfect excuse to commute to Kensington a bit early for some much-needed dessert TLC.

Between ochungg and I, an Uji Tiramisu and Kinako Opera Cake were divided - somewhat evenly, might I add, based on personal preferences.

Presented in a tasteful wooden box was the Uji Tiramisu. Appropriately named it was, for its vibrant surface was thoughtful of the green tea-producing municipality in Kyoto. The topmost layer was a striking green: a generous dusting of matcha powder that blended sweet grassiness with the optimal proportion of bitterness. Its middle layer was fragrant and creamy, though more reminiscent of whipped cream cheese than mascarpone; a thin sheet of red bean paste found itself immediately underneath the silky cheesecake blanket, followed by airy sponge cake.
The Japanese take on the traditional Italian dish combined the tried-and-true green tea-red bean pairing with lighter flavours to suit a more delicate palate. I deemed it a unique twist on tiramisu, but not nearly as indulgent nor caffeinated enough to curb cravings. Swapping the standard red bean layer for a matcha custard would have also solidified depth and intensity.
In the original recipe, ladyfingers are commonly brushed with a mixture of coffee liquor and/or simple syrup prior to the layering of the mascarpone layer; Little Pebbles' rendition was devoid of alcohol and only retained a minimal amount of syrup, leaving much to be desired.

< Pictured above and below: Uji Tiramisu, Kinako Opera Cake, Kinako Latte, Black Sesame Latte >

The Kinako Opera was a marvelous specimen to behold: wispy thin layers of biscuit and roasted soybean flour cream were gently pressed into an intricate slice. Although my dining partner-in-crime concluded dryness, I personally found great enjoyment in disecting the individual forkfuls. The roasted essence of injeolmi were present, and in a less intrusive form than Korean bingsoo. Astonishly elaborate presentation aside, the medley of nutty kinako and delightful creaminess was impressive and impactful. Even alongside a Kinako Latte, the cake did not bring about soybean overload.

For fans of kinako and injeolmi, the Kinako Latte is sure to induce a remarkable response. Slightly sweetened and swathed within dainty pockets of frothed milk, it was unmistakably addictive albeit the absence of caffeine. Occassional swirling would be recommended, as the powder does prove to settle towards the bottom of the cup over time.

While Little Pebbles and their unique range of products reign as the main reason for my inclined visits to Kensington, the extreme compactness of the shop and limited seating restricts residing time. Moreover, the shop sadly does not offer any outlets to restore the performance of a constantly dying smartphone.

That said, I suggested CoCo as a destination for outlet hunting. Upon arrival though, the bubble tea shop was observed to be at max capacity, forcing us to relocate elsewhere for juice.

Out & About #389 | DAY6 at Toronto Pearson Airport

10/28/2017

The final stop of DAY6's North American tour was finally happening; LA, Austin, New York, and Detroit had been blessed with their presence, and now it was time for the only Canadian leg of their 5-city Meet-and-Greet to take place.

I didn't think I would have been as lucky as previously with my ultimate bias group, but I was determined nonetheless. Attending a concert for the very first time under the identity of a balcony-viewer was a first for me, and instinct prompted me to try my chances at Pearson without a single update from the Detroit side.

I arrived much too early as there remained not a single update across the border even past 1 PM. I impatiently waited at Terminal 1 for eons (about 2:30 pm to 4:45 pm), and then moved to Terminal 3 to wait for the next incoming flight from Detroit.
In the meantime, I met two lovely girls who had staked the venue from 10 AM onward - what tremendous endurance! - and didn't mind guiding me to the exact waiting location.

The small group of persistent MyDays and I FINALLY caught glimpses of YoungK's camcorder from behind the doors approximately 40-45 mins after their flight was slated to land.

Emerging from the doors were the members, as well as their accompanying manager(s), SubK staff, and stylist, in the following order: YoungK, Jae, Sungjin, Wonpil, Dowoon

Brian was dressed sleekly in a burgundy turtleneck, fitted trousers, thin black bomber jacket, and minimal accessories. He had not a hood, mask, nor cap. He was all smiles as he filmed the crowd desperately awaiting their arrival and did not stop smiling the entire time the group was exiting the arrival gates.

Jae wore an oversized grey hoodie (hood up), lense-less glasses with plastic frames, and his trademark mismatched slip-ons. He appeared haggard overall, though the flight from DTW had been merely an hour. Another girl also caught him yawning. (My assumption is that he was gaming into the wee hours from hints on his social media stream.

Wonpil was barely recognizable in both a mask and cap. His head was bowed down for majority of the trek and did not seem particularly eager to cast glances in our way nor interact with us. The only ways of determining his identity were peeks at his eyes and the tour hoodie he donned.

Sungjin donned a black mask, structured black backpack, and simple college-style attire: solid-hued cardigan and straigh leg trousers. He appeared drowsy, with his eyes partially open for the trek.

Dowoon wore a white mask but no cap. His hair was in shiny coils that lined his forehead, just covering his eyes from time to time. Though the older members had simply strode off before him, he did not seem to mind. The manager walked alongside Sungjin, while a stout lady walked behind Dowoon. This said lady was downright rude in enforcing her duties; instead of heeding us to make room, she merely yelled nonsensical phrases (presumably Korean that I could not make out) while pushing the luggage cases at our legs. Thank goodness for steel-toed boots!

View the full album HERE !

Out & About #388 | Revisiting Love Me Sweet (Square One)

10/24/2017

Before the unveiling of the other top dessert contender (that is Tsujiri), I desperately wanted to explore Love Me Sweet's expanded menu to the best of my abilities. Given its new, closer location to my humble suburban area, I rarely have a reason to decline the drive - unless, of course, it's rush hour.

My initial visit hadn't yielded an opportunity to try out their Rice Pudding cups, for they were still in the midst of preparation. This time around, however, all constructing and ladling procedures had concluded; I requested a duo of the small ceramic cups, which were swiftly packed into a slotted carrying case by the same manager-like authority I had witnessed last time.

The "Simple-minded dog" and "Flying dragon" designs on the cups were an unconventional twist on disposable containers. The addition of the flimsy plastic lid, however, was rather on the amusing side

Mandarin's standard dessert selection comprises of a comforting, chilled rice Pudding with cinnamon and raisins, and I hadn't expected Love Me Sweet's variation to diverge too drastically from the classic, grainy formula.
As I peeled away the Scotch tape from the cardstock carrier to reveal something supposedly scented with hints of spices and citrus, lo and behold, the surface was shiny and smooth. Pale yellow in hue and slightly jiggly to touch, it was almost reminscent of Pompompurin's best-lovd secret: Japanese-style caramel pudding.

In fact, an almost instantaneous discovery was made in regards to the contents of the cup: it was merely a steamed egg pudding and not a rice pudding at all. Digging deeper and deeper through the formula, I searched for grains of any sort to liften my spirits. My spoon was met with nothing else besides a few bits of coarse red bean.
I was disappointed, and reasonably so, for the $2.99 purchases hadn't honoured the description it had been assigned. The pudding was delicious nonetheless, but probably undeserving of its price tag.

A chocolate variation of the Dante Double Fromage Cheesecake had been listed alongside the Original on the LCD menu screen previously. The screens had been turned off this time, and I was informed that their second flavour was actually green tea (and not chocolate at all!).
The associated price tag of $21.99 remained consistent, but it was odd to think that they had swapped the base flavours with such minimal effort.

The Green Tea rendition retained identical dimensions to the Original - measuring no more than the span of my palm. It was also wrapped similarly in a single sheet of parchment paper, on which condensations droplets would emerge shortly after removal from the freezer.

Out & About #387 | Reesor's Farm + The Guksu and Noodle

10/14/2017

I never fail to gaze in amazement when someone explains an impromptu weekend trip to me.
"How is it that your friends are free on such late notice?" I find myself wondering endlessly. More often than not, personal schedules clash and hangouts are forced to be postponed time and time again. Some meet-ups are were rescheduled due to work conflicts, while others because of academic priorities or previously planned vacations. The latter was the case with the ever-avid globe-trotter, orangecane.

I suggested a trip to Stouffville, for a lack of outings - specifically farm visits - over Thanksgiving weekend had resulted from copious amounts of schoolwork. Both having returned from our journey to the West Coast, it would interesting to compare our individual experiences about the city throughout our short-term stays.

The trip to Reesor's was ultimately delayed up to an hour due to tardy, unprecise YRT schedules, but thankfully breakfast in the form of a Goji Roll and Thai Milk Tea had been secured prior to prevent starvation.

It was past apple-picking season by this point, and dreary, wet conditions had since replaced crisp fallen leaves. Rather than settling for a spotty, weighty pumpkin, my attention was drawn to that of unhusked corn and a bold sign that bore the words "Corn Maze".

Given that Reesor's produce originated directly from their agricultural grounds, I had expected fresher quality and lower prices. However, not only were costs higher per unit, but evident bruises and scratches were also present.
Corn husks were grimy, slightly withered, and infested with microscopic insects; peeling away the outermost layer enabled a view of small, pale kernels in meandering columns. As I had my doubts about their sweetness level, I merely picked two to take home. They emerged significantly sweeter than anticipated, though were more stout in comparison to that of the local supermarket.

After making several rounds within the market/bakery area, we paid our three-dollar entrance fees and made a beeline for the Corn Maze entrance.

Out & About #386 | Dante Double Fromage Cheesecake

10/13/2017

I remember the sensation of utter defeat at having lugged a single cheese tart from STC, just to arrive home to find it half-eaten less than twenty-four hours later. That said, the announcement of Love Me Sweet joining Eva's Original Chimneys and Squish Candy at Square One's collaboration shop had me on the edge of excitement and annoyance - the latter since I could have waited to secure that one matcha cheese tart.

Disappointment washed over me when the shop opened its doors and the Love Me Sweet counter was found to be completely empty. Not a single update was circulated on their social media feed, hence the waiting game continued until earlier this week.

The Square One was slated to introduce three new items to the lineup: Dante Double Fromage Cheesecake, HUGO Fruit Cheesecake, and Rice Pudding. Having visited all of their locations on the east end, I can declare these offerings exclusive to the Mississauga market.

Rice Pudding cups were being prepared as I made my way into the shop, and wasn't anticipated to be ready until after 2 pm. The HUGO Fruit Cheesecake, as relayed to me by the bewildered girl behind the cashier, was a pre-order-only item, and thus was not a regularly-stocked item. She responded similarly in regards to the Double Fromage Cheesecake, until I managed to get a hold of a manager-like authority. His response contradicted the girl's words, clearly stating that Double Fromage Cheesecakes had been prepared in advance and were merely stored in the shop's freezer until a customer request was received.

I cast a questioning look at the perplexed figure before me, who apologized for her lack of awareness. Alas, it was opening day - what is one to expect? I waltzed out with an Original Dante Double Fromage Cheesecake, pleased that I had secured an item not offered - or not yet anyway - at their North York location(s).

For an item ringing in above twenty dollars, one would expect it to assume sufficient diameter to satisfy up to six servings. Unveiling the contents of the red-and-white paper box, my eyes were met with a pale yellow round delicately coated with sponge cake crumbs; its circular dimensions were approximately the span of my palm.

Out & About #385 | Revisiting Chelsea Chocolates + Pie Wood (Barrie)

10/9/2017

It's about time the annual Thanksgiving trip to Barrie rolled around. But alas, instead of spending long weekend leisurely going about photographing fall foliage and sipping on cinnamon-laced apple cider, such activities have been replaced by stressful streams of schoolwork, errand-running, and the like.
Reading Week is rough. Sigh.

Seeing as GOT7's < 7 For 7 > Showcase involved me awaking to roaring, rainy gusts in the wee hours of the morning, motivation to embark on CBR- and steel member calculations was in absolute absence. We set out for a brisk trip up north instead.

Chelsea Chocolates, whom we had the wonderful opportunity to discover earlier in the year, was not only open but offered an astounding range of Thanksgiving- and Halloween-themed treats.

Needless to say, we stocked up on ice wine chocolates, assorted truffles, chocolate-covered pretzel sticks, and more to curb cocoa-infused cravings.

Given the comfortable above-seasonal temperatures, the Downtown Barrie BIA was deemed a suitable destination for lunch. Thus, the hunt began for a brunch/eatery whose doors were open for the statutory holiday.

Two failed attempts later, Pie Wood appeared on our radar. A quick call to the establishment confirmed their operating status, and off we went.

Situated in a spacious private lot, the restaurant provided ample parking spots in addition to both indoor seating and outdoor patio tables. We initially chose a lengthy communal/group table along the perimeter of the seating area; while I appreciated the accessibility of individually-wrapped utensil sets and the standing double-sided menu arranged in advance, its surface was sticky and its crevices lined with crumbs and unidentifiable fragments, presumably remnants from the meals of previous diners. The menus, as I should mention, were also on the sticky side. However, I hadn't expected the most pristine environment for a family-friendly eatery with a finger food-heavy selection.

A similar case lay with the restrooms. With the exception of an air jet hand dryer, the facilities were generally weathered: trickling streams from the faucet rendered hand-washing inefficient, while sliding locks had been relocated to the lower quarter of the plastic door for reasons beyond me. Flushing capabilities were also compromised by aged toilets.

Eventually, we requested transferring to the outdoor patio, despite the presence of several substantially-sized bees. Weather conditions were fabulous, as were the beaming rays of blinding sushine. The bees were quite a nuisance to many diners, though many took to returning indoors in fear of stings; I had no issues with stomping on whichever pest remained stationary for sufficiently long periods though.

As the name suggests, Pie Wood's specialty lay with wood-fired pizzas. Prior to stepping foot inside the establishment, I anticipated carb-laden mounds presented in a similar fashion to Goodfellas. The products we received, however, were far more enjoyable that I would have imagined. All dishes were absolutely wonderful and completely deserving of their top rank on Yelp amongst Downtown Barrie restaurants.

A starter of Wood Fired Chicken Wings commenced the meal. Eight pieces in a small order for $13.75 or a Family size for ten dollars extra, the dish consisted of three individual elements: coleslaw on a bed of arugula, a mini mountain of sticky, flavourful wings, and a creamy Blue Cheese dipping sauce. The wings were scrumptious, which is a difficult statement for me - a being unfond of chicken skin - to make. Each bite-sized pieces sported a viscous veil of honey, fine shreds of rosemary, and a mild hint of spice. Folded within the accompanying container were bits of savoury curds, which acted as a nice contrast to the distinct sweet-and-spicy wing marinade

View the full album HERE !

Out & About #384 | Apple Factory and Bean + Pearl

10/8/2017

Woken to the rambunctious reverberations of my alarm clock, I set out bright and early for Apple Factory, under the complete assumption that the farm would be closed for the Monday of Thanksgiving holiday.

Construction from the previous year persisted - this time with even heavier traffic flows and a PDO to direct drivers around temporary road closures. Needless to say, the parking lot was chaotic. Though, the positive aspect was that many families had taken to carrying about their business swiftly, meaning that parking spots vacated quickly.

I obtained a 3L jug of apple cider, for my heart was met with utter despair when the quintessential fall beverage had sold out last year. Two Pink Lady apples, a fresh box of warm Apple Pie, a tart slice of Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, and a small jar of Apple Butter later, I was on my way to the next stop.

Having recently made its name known on social media, I decided to swing by Bean + Pearl for a quick visit. The spot was a mere six-minute drive from the Apple Factory, yet road detours and a lack of overall signage led me to take several wrong turns, prolonging the journey significantly. Majority of the area was residential and devoid of defining landmarks. Moreover, Brampton's roads were tricky to maneuver and did not intersect between the patches of open field.

Eventually, I found myself pulling into Northview Plaza, a peculiar little strip with a dentist office and day care centre. At its southeast corner stood Bean + Pearl. Popular drink choices were advertised on the outward-facing side of the cafe's windows, likely to lure in occupants of the private lot before their departure.

The interior is well-lit with intricate decor details, denoting a suitable spot for casual catch-ups or laptop-equipped afternoons. Visiting in the early hours of the day also ensured a serene environment with access to a speedy, password-secured Wi-Fi network.

Bean + Pearl offered an assortment of popular bubble tea flavours - oddly calling it "boba" instead of bubble tea akin to our southern neighbours - in addition to espresso-based beverages. Most are more costly than your standard franchise; toppings such as tapioca and panna cotta are extra charge, in spite of the implied inclusion in their item descriptions ("Boba Milk Tea").

The cafe also presents seasonal choices such as Lavender Lattes (based off of synthetic syrups instead of dried petals of the aromatic flower) and the ever-classic Pumpkin Spice Latte. Two-dollar Babyccinos, or steamed milk with vanilla flavouring, is also available for children.

<<Previous

Out & About #392 | Collective October Visuals

Out & About #391 | Revisiting Hokkaido Santouka + Angel Café

Out & About #390 | Pt. 2: DAY6 in Toronto Concert Recap

Out & About #390 | Part 1: Little Pebbles + JaBistro

Out & About #389 | DAY6 at Toronto Pearson Airport

Out & About #388 | Revisiting Love Me Sweet (Square One)

Out & About #387 | Reesor's Farm + The Guksu and Noodle

Out & About #386 | Dante Double Fromage Cheesecake

Out & About #385 | Revisiting Chelsea Chocolates + Pie Wood (Barrie)

Out & About #384 | Apple Factory and Bean + Pearl

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