Blog Archives

Out & About #168 | Union Station Holiday Market

11/30/2015

Despite yet to make my way to the Distillery District to take part in Toronto's annual Christmas Market this year, I had the chance to stroll by Union Station's more compact version over lunch break.

With close to twenty-something retail booths huddled into a small, temporary tent-like structure, the indoor market immediately became congested as eager shoppers swarmed the area. (And to the snarky-faced ahjussi that intentionally pushed me mid-snapshot, your actions were NOT appreciated.)

The market featured several local boutiques carrying one-of-a-kind, handmade goods - all of which either depicted to be "handcrafted in Canada" (Foxy Originals jewellery) or bursting with Toronto-specific patriotic pride (Tuck Shop Trading Co.).

A few select food vendors were also present, making loose leaf tea (The Honest Leaf), nachos and dip (Mad Mexican), and funky festive cookies (Miche Bakery) available for purchase as well.

A variety of delicate light fixtures had been utilized to decorate the frame of the temporary building, with a few more ornate pieces outlining the perimeter of individual booths.

Out & About #167 | Brunch at Union Social + Snaps Over the 403

11/30/2015

Brunch is awesome - this is a statement no one can deny.

While brunching on Sunday is the norm, this is rarely an option for those required to kick themselves back into routine in preparation for dreadfully early Monday mornings.

Given the fabulous meal I had experienced at the chain earlier this year, it's hard to believe that I haven't revisited since mid-May.
When Saturday brunch was confirmed to be a go, I suggested Union Social for obvious reasons.

The restaurant was much quieter than it had been on Mother's Day, but nonetheless bustling for a weekend morning.

Prominent carb cravings had developed throughout the morning, prompting my selection of the Cinnamon Banana French Toast and a fizzy, fruity Mimosa. As with the previous visit, the Steak & Eggs were also ordered.

Once again, the full album can be viewed HERE !

Out & About #169 | Collective November Visuals

11/30/2015

It would seem that this month's visuals have been very much delayed. So, without further ado, here they are!

1. Thomas & Friends on the GO Train

2. Spotted: Sulley on sale at the Disney Store

3. Teal and royal purple with coral accents is a match made in heaven.

4. Green Tea Buzz (Snack Size) from Jugo Juice

5. Homemade Chia Pudding w/ Berries, Bananas, and Almond Milk (recipe coming once perfected)

6. Fresh Matcha Latte and Hot Yuzu Lemon from Nohohon Tea Room

Out & About #166 | Neo Coffee Bar + Exploring St. Lawrence

11/27/2015

Neo, from my past high school-level art courses, was a term used heavily in a manner of describing architecture. (I'm also pretty sure "neo-gothic" was one style that we particularly focused on identifying the prominent elements of.)

But in the ways of Toronto coffee-drinkers, Neo bears no resemblance to the modern gothic structural depiction, and instead refers to a small coffee shop - might I add: with atrocious incandescent potlights blazing down from all angles - situated in close proximity to King and Jarvis, just minutes away from George Brown College.

Its exterior design is quite minimal, which perhaps is a good thing given that heavy amounts of construction were occurring as I passed onto the side street. With only two wooden plank-topped benches and a street-facing side completely composed of glass panels, one would think the cafe ought to enable endless opportunities for stunning shots.

This, unfortunately, was not the case.

Neo was much deeper than originally perceived, boasting enough seating to sustain large groups at booths or long tables at the back, and smartphone-activity-immersed individuals with tiny, bar-facing spherical airplane-like tray tables at the front. These seats provided a clear view of the bar, and were also conveniently located near the condiment bar; the downsides: very poor Kinton-esque lighting, and not exactly enough space for resting a bulky backpack without invading the bubble of the customer adjacent. I suppose it remove the awkwardness associated with finding a spot directly across a stranger though.

I became immediately engrossed in capturing however many shots I possibly could in the short window permitted by my morning schedule, and didn't take to placing an order immediately like the other patrons that strolled in. Some unfriendly glances were imminently cast my way...

And while I've become accustomed to inquisitive expressions now and then, I've generally found the staff to become much more welcoming when I begin to ask menu- and product-specific questions. This was, also, not the case at Neo.

View the full album HERE !

Out & About #165 | Sansotei (Markham)

11/24/2015

I've never really been one to fully grasp the meaning behind why ramen became such a hyped-up dish. Noodles in soup rarely manage to surpass pasta in my books, but there is the occasional exception.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that ramen is a heavily desired comfort food during the colder months - slippery noodles swimming in umami-packed broth has the tendency to impress the carb-lovers in all of us.

Sansotei's Markham location has been in operation for some time now, but it took me a while to get around to trying it as their hours are a tad odd: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12 - 3 PM, and Tuesdays to Sunday from 5 - 11 PM.

As events fell into place one Tuesday, I was able to finally pay the ramen house a visit shortly after 5 PM.

I had previously learnt of the restaurant's popularity via Instagram, but hadn't expected to walk into a dining hall at 80% capacity on a weekday evening, especially considering that it hadn't even hit 6 o'clock.
Customers had a choice of sitting at the bar, in booths, or at large tables, and the chances of having to share that table/booth with another party were pretty high. This came off as an awkward and slightly uncomfortable at first, as sharing tables usually indicates the desperation to eat. "搭台" is not a concept that I practice, but perhaps it was intentionally implemented to evoke a sense of communal dining.

The first thing I noticed upon being seated were the cylindrical rope decor spanning the entire depth of the restaurant. Amidst these thick, woven strands were numerous points of single-source illumination. Though small, they provided brightness that was more than sufficient for the required circumstances; but, as expected of ramen shops, they also led to very harsh overhead lighting.

Given my weak stomach condition at the time, I wanted to veer away from firm, al dente noodles as much as possible. I opted for Gyuudon as opposed to a grease-heavy bowl of ramen, but asked if I could switch the beef to Chashu instead. The server was hesitant at first, but responded that he could ask the kitchen to see if substitutions were possible.
He later returned with a small bowl of white rice bearing two slices of plain Chashu on top. At first I thought that he was allowing me to see the preliminary product, and that other components (such as vegetables) would be added on afterwards as soon as I gave my stamp of approval. Little did I know that a "don" was literally consisted of only rice and the specified topping.

Not being particularly hungry due to flu-like symptoms, I decided to just take the Chashu-don as it had been presented to me. The Chashu was comprised of layers of meat and fat, but lacked seasoning; the rice was also on the bland side. Thus I took to asking for sauce to go with the dish; the waiter was once again kind enough to bring both mayonnaise and the vinegar-based dipping sauce used to accompany gyoza.

Before we are subject to prematurely-made judgmental comments, I must inform that we did, in fact, order ramen during our stay. The Spicy Tan Tan Ramen (with thin noodles) was served in a medium-sized monogrammed bowl containing fiery hot, orange-yellow broth.

Out & About #164 | Downtown Brampton Christmas Market 2015

11/20/2015

Participating in a festive night market is unarguably the quickest way to ease into the Christmas spirit, which is exactly what we set out to do.

After a stop at McDonald's for dinner, that is. Behold our Happy Meals and The Peanuts Movie toys!

The popular Charlie Brown and Snoopy Bobblehead and Spinning Snoopy variations were out of stock at this location, but luckily, there were still other Snoopy options available.

We headed towards the Main St. and Queen St. intersection afterwards to catch some of the action.

The crowds were enormous! Many of the market-goers were young families or small groups of teenagers; the area flooded with as many colourful lights as eager participants of the zero-admission event.

There was even a merry-go-round!

In addition to the ride attraction had been situated in the centre of area, a small bonfire was also kept alit for the toasting of marshmallows on a stick. From time to time, supervising individuals sporting orange reflective vests would add firewood to the pit to allow the flames to maintain their flickering energy.
Lining the perimeter of the area were also several vendor booths, offering up locally-produced lip products, homemade jams, furs, and more.

View the full album HERE !

Out & About #163 | Toronto Things: Happy Meals and Green Tea Lattes

11/17/2015

As the mercury gradually drops week after week, I've switched out my oversized camo jacket, which has been subject to much abuse this season, for an equally-loved plaid wool alternative.

But sometimes coats just aren't enough.

Few things can beat the sight of trusty ol' McDonald's in gusty, frigid conditions, especially when Starbucks is significantly further of a walk and their holiday-themed drinks is almost half the price of the renowned Seattle-based chain.

The very spacious Yonge-and-Sheppard location is equipped with Wi-Fi, 24-hour service, outlets, as well as a variety of table/stools/bar seats. The level of cleanliness is on-par with other smaller locations, but with a nice blend of warm and cool-toned furniture pieces having been employed in the interior design, the dining environment is much more visually appealing.

I entered the eatery to pick up a Peppermint Hot Chocolate in the morning, and then returned for a Happy Meal lunch a few hours later.
While some may exclaim that I was a spoiled child (either that or a de-privileged one), I must confess that I can't recall Happy Meals being part of my daily lunch regimen. It was a sometimes thing, much like Lunchables.

Having watched The Peanuts Movie last week – did you know that it reached 2nd place at the box office?! – I was mildly intrigued when I discovered that Charlie, Snoopy, and several other members of his crew would be introduced as part of Happy Meal package.

And for the first time in over a decade, I set out to obtain my favourites, all while having flashbacks of the many Pokémon collectibles I acquired (from both McD's and BK) during my N64-battle days.

< Pictured above: Happy Meal consisting of a Grilled Chicken Wrap w/ Chipotle Sauce, Apple Slices, a Strawberry Yogurt Tube, and Nestea/Fanta mix >

I ended up saving the box (because, let's be real, who doesn't love Snoopy and his adorable expressions?), and sharing a short moment of "How did you get a different one?" with the girl next to me who received her meal packaged in Snoopy's red doghouse.

Out & About #162 | Toronto Things: Another Week of Exploration

11/14/2015

Well, what do you know?! Here's another set of weekly food randoms, just in case the previous one wasn't enough.

1. Homemade Yogurt Parfait
Utilizing Mom's homemade matcha sponge cake as a base, I proceeded to layer coconut Greek yogurt, sliced bananas, raw pumpkin seeds, and pomegranate seeds until just below the brim of the cup. Both satisfying and texture-variant, this was a mighty fine snack to take on-the-go.

2. These totally adorable vacuum cleaners for kids even come with their own stands - not to mention their silly expressions!

3. Nohohon Tea Room
Applying the Ritual app as it was intended, I swiftly picked up a Yuzu Hot Chocolate after deciding that I needed a major pick-me-up. This very innovative concoction retained the soothing creaminess of standard hot chocolate, but added an unexpected citrus punch via the addition of yuzu. Admittedly, it was sweeter than I would have preferred, but nonetheless an amazing cold weather beverage choice.
(Now if only there was a way to automatically earn Vicinity points as well...but maybe I'm just being greedy. Ritual in itself has already aided in drastically improving efficiency.)

4. milano espresso bar
No stranger to this West Coast-based coffee shop, I decided to try Ritual's services once again and grab a Pumpkin Danish and Veggie Panino before heading off to catch the train. While I was notified two times that the baked goods that I wanted were out of stock, I was already halfway to the shop as I re-filled the order form.
Thankfully, food items are all pre-made, and some even pre-packaged for those that employ a grab-and-go dining style. Even with a short lineup, I was out the door in a matter of minutes, Veggie Panino and Almond Biscotti (as that was one of the few items remaining at 3:30 PM) in hand.

View the full album HERE !

5. Sharetea
This cozy bubble tea shop is the ideal hideaway spot for chilly, dreary days. It's always especially nice that the staff is super friendly and their Wi-Fi connection is stable.
Read about my previous experiences here: 1 , 2

< Pictured above: Matcha Red Bean Smoothie w/ Ice Jelly >

6. Pilot Coffee
A piping hot cup of silky smooth mocha combined with the beautifully-designed UP Express waiting area is a surefire formula for relaxation. (I mean, it's like watching the activities of Toronto Pearson take place on a smaller scale, but with a strong, publicly-accessible Wi-Fi connection.)

7. By the end of my impromptu downtown excursion, I'm relieved to say that my knees did not collapse even after 15274 steps of trekking to and from Union, and to again.

8. milano espresso bar (Pt. 2)
Throughout the week, another Ritual order was placed: Hot Chocolate (with customized milk and whipped cream options) and a Banana Chocolate Loaf. This combo did not disappoint!

Out & About #161 | Khao San Road, STAY Cafeteria, and Food Randoms

11/11/2015

Events don't always occur in the manner in which they're intended, which is why the phrase "Expect the unexpected" holds true in many circumstances. Having a contingency plan in place reduces the anxiety associated with dealing with unforeseen circumstances, but every so often, a situation shall arise where not even a Plan C will cut it.

My day got off to a great start: I picked up a smooth, creamy mocha from Pilot Coffee's pop-up shop in Union Station's Great Hall on my way to this year's ProFusion, and then witnessed the busy terminal gradually come to a hush to honour and remember our country's brave veterans during a moment of trumpet-accompanied silence.

Pilot Coffee Roasters, a very fitting name provided that the UP Express station can be found just around the corner, has a physical shop location over on the East End, in Leslieville. And according to reports, their "green" beans are sourced directly from the farmers that produce them, making them true coffee connoisseurs.
For the common commuter, making a trip to the East End is no easy feat; fortunately for me, as well as the many others that frequent Union Station, Pilot is now serving their fragrant, caffeinated creations within a few minutes of the bus/train platforms. By no means an expert, I couldn't quite describe the flavours present, but I can conclude that the Mocha utilized a rich and somewhat chocolate-y bean to compliment the addition of steamed chocolate milk.

Out & About #160 | The Peanuts Movie + Kenzo Ramen

11/10/2015

There are three types of nutty people out there: those that like peanuts, those that don't, and those that are allergic.
Personally, I'm not too fond of peanuts: they're dense, satiating, and generally heavily salted.

But I enjoy cartoons and animations, especially if they feature cute characters such as Snoopy.

Snoopy has been making a comeback lately, earning himself a spot in both clothing and accessory collaborations (GAP, Coach, etc.) as well as debuting on the big screen for the first time ever.

Despite Schulz's popular comic strip ran for a solid fifty years before being discontinued, it wasn't until recently that the Charlie Brown crew was brought to life with the use of modern technology.

I must confess: I've never read the comic, nor had the chance to appreciate the original artwork. But that didn't stop me from taking advantage of Tuesday's half-price movie deal and learning about the characters from scratch.

Perhaps I was one of the very viewers over the age of seven, but it didn't matter. For the first time in three years, I had set foot into a theatre, and realized just how different the movie-watching experience had become. Along with an incredulous amount of advertisements before the start of the movie, there was also the addition of a quiz segment that would allow viewers to earn Scene points by answering the questions via a mobile app.

The movie was enjoyable; I thoroughly appreciated the efforts put towards accentuating the vibrancy of the tones and enhancing the textures of different surfaces. (Even the cable knit of Charlie Brown’s sweater was made to be noticeably yarn-y.) The focus was unarguably on Charlie Brown and his infatuation with the unnamed “Little Red-Haired Girl”, but I also found that Snoopy played an equally important role in the progression of the story. In contrast to his owner’s clumsiness, the trusty beagle exhibits the courage and wittiness that isn’t seen among other characters. Snoopy is a lively troublemaker, but also a helpful and truly loyal companion, assisting Charlie in his many attempts to make conversation with and impress his elementary school crush.

It is extremely difficult to animate 1D/2D characters while retaining their original expressions and features, and even more challenging to successfully portray their distinct personalities through voice actors. The plot was anti-climatical and also rather aimless, making the moral of the story is relatively implicit for younger viewers. That being said, the adaptation itself was done well, but maybe just not captivating enough to pique the interest of children.

.
After reviewing the ending credits (and watching The Red Baron meet its death by flunging into a lake due to an unexpected malfunctioning), we headed towards Kenzo for dinner.

We arrived to find a full house, and proceeded to write our names down on the waiting list. Browsing through the menu while huddled in their tiny waiting area with other patrons, we were led to a table some five to seven minutes later.

I started with a Matcha Latte, which was more watery than it was grassy. Despite its unmistakable green hue, the standard Matcha flavour was barely there; thankfully though, it wasn't overly milky as with other shops, nor was the cup unnecessarily filled to the brim with ice. Although it was generally average in all aspects, I would definitely prefer Kenzo's rendition as opposed to Chatime, especially if I'm in dire need of a refreshing post-ramen beverage.

<<Previous

Out & About #168 | Union Station Holiday Market

Out & About #167 | Brunch at Union Social + Snaps Over the 403

Out & About #169 | Collective November Visuals

Out & About #166 | Neo Coffee Bar + Exploring St. Lawrence

Out & About #165 | Sansotei (Markham)

Out & About #164 | Downtown Brampton Christmas Market 2015

Out & About #163 | Toronto Things: Happy Meals and Green Tea Lattes

Out & About #162 | Toronto Things: Another Week of Exploration

Out & About #161 | Khao San Road, STAY Cafeteria, and Food Randoms

Out & About #160 | The Peanuts Movie + Kenzo Ramen

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