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Out & About #295 | Collective November Visuals

11/30/2016

 
I still wonder why Remembrance Day wasn't passed as an official holiday. Considering it's already gained statutory status in British Columbia and several other parts of the nation, I truly don't see a reason to object this much-needed mini vacation.

November was a torturous month, comprised of little beyond impending deadlines, an insurmountable number of final projects, dysfunctional group work, and sleep deprivation.
To make matters worse, weather was forgiving. Indeed, the abnormally above-season temperatures only further questioned my intentions to stroll outside instead of hibernating within the depths of my paper-cluttered chamber of sadness.

For the most part, I attempted to fill the void with sugar-laden treats and carby snacks alike, probably packing on several pounds in the process.

1) Starbucks
It's Christmas season! Red cups, festive-sounding beverages, and spicy baked goods lined every display case and menu board at Starbucks. Gingerbread loaves and Chestnut Praline Lattes were never my thing, but their newly-introduced Spiced Sweet Cream Cold Brew - "SSCCB" for short - serves as an unbelievably amazing pick-me-up for early mornings.
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2) Blue skies and crunchy leaves beneath my feet signified a slightly delayed fall.
3) Lemon King and Passion Fruit Black Tea from CoCo
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4) BLT Sandwich from Panera Bread (and a very costly one at that)
5) View through the gates outside Osgoode Hall
6) Popsicles in night class
7) A delectable Rainbow Bagel for lunch from What A Bagel on Spadina
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8) Sunsets now take place around 4 PM - too early for comfort, personally speaking.
9) Iced Matcha Milk Tea
10) Silly snaps captured in between toiling through assignments
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Out & About #294 | Koreatown + Put A Cone On It

11/29/2016

 
​The process of obtaining a haircut is an interesting procedure: I've honestly been trying to put it off until the winter break, seeing as I've yet to find a salon capable of meeting my needs, both economically-speaking and performance-wise, and am not particularly eager to risk my already thinning tresses on a mediocre stylist whilst attempting to find rightfully tempered bowl of porridge.

A hip friend of mine recommended Sora in Koreatown; Yelpers had commended it for suprising quality at an unbeatable price, prompting me to forthwith book an appointment.

The bold lettering was impossible to miss while strolling along Bloor. The shop was extremely easy to find and even featured the shop name in different languages to enhance clarity.
Its interior was concise and compact, comprising of all the essential hair salon elements in a fraction of the space of a suburban spot. A small reception table is situated directly beside the landing platform, and directly behind it a waiting area of black couches. Approximately five hair-dressing and two hair-washing stations line the perimeter of the shop. Mirrored walls lend the illusion of additional depth
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Washrooms were located at the bottom of a flight of crickety wooden stairs, which were almost completely hidden from view behind the hair-washing area. The once vividly pink frames were dilapidated, hooks were non-existent, and a decent layer of dust had settled on the individual elements of the stall. For the most part, it was in dire need of a facilities upgrade and renovation.

Retreating back to the main floor, I was guided to a comfortable patent leather chair by my selected hairstylist. A brief consultation commenced after my coat had been hung up and my handbag secured in a small chest of drawers. Coincidentally, she shared the same name as the stylist I had visited at mauve in the summer.
Their appearances varied vastly though: the Koreatown employee donned winged charcoal eyeliner and neo punk-esque sleek black locks featuring a half-updo with a sky-high bun and bleached blonde-pink tips. The West Coast resident had leaned more towards a mature 森ガール (Mori Girl) style with deep honey brown tresses and layers of muted clothing.
​The hair-washing process was executed leisurely; the chairs, while comfortable, were stationary, meaning that customers would be required to bend back as needed. Despite this, the well-padded chairs ensured comfort would be maintained. Additionally, a small piece of material was placed across the eyes to prevent the intrusion of splashed water.
Trimming was speedy but precise: the hairstylist made sure to check the length periodically for maximum satisfaction.

A stable, password-secured Wi-Fi was also made available to guests to use during their stay - quite a bonus in my opinion. The bill totalled an impossibly reasonable thirty dollars with tax included, making Sora a superb option for a straightforward wash and cut. Given this price, I found that the level of customer service and cleanliness of the styling area to be significantly better than ancipated.
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Following my stopover at Sora, I headed to the Green Beanery for the sake of checking out the impressive selection of coffee brewing equipment, then to Put A Cone On It in search of sustenance.
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​This place was no stranger to my feed during the warmer months, so it brought me great joy to finally be able to visit the colourful ice cream shop and cafe hybrid in person.
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​It was largely empty on an early weekday afternoon, though this changed promptly as the day eased into the afternoon rush. A single member of staff - a young girl in a tan sweater - was in charge of the entire store's operations. She didn't possess too wide a variety of expressions, and seemed confused most of the time, but still remained pleasant in spite of the lack of smiles.
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​I first opted for Kyoto Smoke - the shop's take on a Houjicha Latte - along with a Chocolate Hazelnut Croissant. Both were absolutely scrumptious! The roasted essence of the latte paired exceptionally well with the croissant, which was flavourful and flaky without being excecssively buttery. The crispy bits (which I assumed to be chocolate-covered crisps) on the surface served to heighten the texture profile, while the gooey, delectable filling provided instant satisfaction.
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Out & About #293 | dunk'n Dip (Central Mississauga)

11/27/2016

 
​​When dunk'n dip's red logo was first spotted while driving along Burnhamthorpe during rush hour, my initial thought was: "How did this place even manage to expand?!"

The Lakeshore venture had proved an unprofitable experience with unreasonably overpriced food items and dessert. Honestly speaking, neither my mind nor stomach was prepared to undergo such an experience a second time.
But sometimes, chocolate cravings arise and must be satisfied.
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In contrast to the Port Credit location, neither parking nor commuting was an issue. A small, private lot was shared with Noodle Wok the its adjacent businesses; the restaurant is also conveniently accessible by highway and/or local roads (if driving) and Miway routes (if taking transit). I would have preferred the lot to be lit properly, however, since it was dim and eerie compared to Grotto's lot in the next plaza over.
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​What appeared to a narrow sliver of a dingy dining spot eventually revealed itself as a well-lit, red-white-brown-themed joint with high ceilings and a greater number of staff members than one could count. Majority appeared to be new: spread across the relatively young faces were expressions of confusion, anxiety, and, ocassionally, absentmindedness.
Several members of staff lay at the mature end of the spectrum, guiding customers to their tables and managing the part-timers as necessary.
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Operations and overall appearance was reminiscent of the waterfront location: tap-activated table lamps, password-secured Wi-Fi availability, chocolate fountains, red utensil holdlers, iPad-synced ordering systems, and a plentiful amount of decorations. It was as if an identical collection had been cloned, upgraded, and transported over.
Even the concept of individual bathroom stalls and an external sink had been carried over. The setup remained narrow, equipped with a pyramid of hand towels and a toilet paper installation situated in an cumbersome location. A faint layer of dust could be spotted on the paper towel dispenser, as well as the surface of the not-so-functional Stainless steel garbage bin.
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​The single noticeable divergence was the presence of three LED screens throughout the restaurant: each showed a different family-friendly animation. From our seats on the centre of the floor, we were able to watch Big Hero 6 and The Peanuts Movie - which was aired timely in opinion on two different displays.
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View the full album HERE !

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Out & About #292 | Cafe Augusta

11/24/2016

 
​Have you ever suffered from insomnia? I have, and at the worst possible times too. Possibly the worst case is being unable to fall into sleep despite being extremely fatigued.

Some commented that I simply had a lot on my mind, which, admittedly, I do. However, I found the most prominent cause of my restlessness to be consuming coffee past noon.

Nowadays I opt for tea lattes or other chocolatey beverages - a selection of drinks that Cafe Augusta seems to specialize in.
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​It started with a debate between Durand and Augusta: the former was closer in terms of distance, but the commute to Augusta required less walking - a factor of substantial importance on a gloomy, wet November morning.
With visible signage on the front, the second floor cafe was easy to locate and clearly distinguishable from the kitschy homeware boutique underneath.
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​Truthfully, the interior caught me by surprise: I hadn't anticipated such a wonderfully serene space to exist in Hamilton! The space was predominantly white with sections of coppery red brick; walls were adorned with framed photos of book covers/landmarks, while artificial perennials graced the tops of marble and wood table tops.
Lighting took the form of an organic compound's molecular structure. A chalkboard menu was spotted on top of the fireplace across from the bar/cashier area, adjacent to a lofty white shelf stocked with various roasts.

Seating was ample, ranging from cozy lounge seats by the window to cushioned booths beside the fireplace to two communal tables by the entrance, each capable of seating six comfortably.
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.​While a tad gimmicky, I express profound love for holiday-themed beverages. (Peppermint mochas, eggnog-scented lattes, and spice-infused ciders are all top picks in my book!) Chai and mint hot chocolate sounded particularly appealing, but the Spiced Caramel Cider stood out just a bit more than the rest.
I opted for a steaming cup of apple goodness along with a very firm (but very tasty) Chocolate Chip Cookie.

Retrieving my items and stomping across the hardwood flooring to a vacant outlet, I set down my things before turning around to find a familiar face seated not too far away from me.
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​< Pictured above and below: Spiced Caramel Cider, Chocolate Chip Cookie, and Americano >

Needless to say, we spent the remainder of our work breaks conversing while making great attempts to complete our respective assigned tasks for the week. A fellow cafe-hopper herself, she commented that Augusta was more favourable than Durand for its environment and abundance of outlets, even though it was a bit far. It should be noted, however, that the cafe occassionally does become noisier with higher traffic volumes.
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​A single barista was working the weekday morning/early afternoon shift, which I found to be quite formidable given the consistent inflow of caffeine-consumers. She was quiet, but pleasant nonetheless.

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Out & About #292 | Weekend Visuals: Wasabi Matcha Latte + Light Up the Square

11/21/2016

 
Weekends are essentially catch-up days for me: school work just never seems to cease. The only difference is being allowed to sleep in.

With that said, here are some brief visuals of the weekend:

1) Wasabi Matcha Latte + Rainbow Bagel from What A Bagel (Spadina)
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And yes, this was ten times better than Rosemary Rocksalt's multicolour rendition.
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2) Holiday Street Market Mississauga
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Honestly, I had forgotten that sunset at the early time of 4:30 pm. By the time we had managed to weave through Square One parking lot traffic, the sky had dimmed completely to a solid charcoal.
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As with any pop-up comprising of food trucks, sustenance was inexplicably overpriced. Poutine and burgers rang in between $11 - $13, while basic drinks also succumbed to a 300% markup. The sole items worth purchasing, as we discovered, were the Classic and Kashmiri Chai from The Chai House. Kashmiri contained a unique, fragrant blend of spices, while the Classic was a standard take on the spicy milk tea.
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Thus concludes another assignment-filled weekend!

Out & About #291 | Pokito + Impromptu Downtown Trip

11/17/2016

 
Senseless are those that choose to pile assignments on top of final projects on top of term-end reports within the same week for various courses. Also senseless are those that opt to commence on said workload until only a few days prior: the stressful process is normally met with undue insanity and sheer reluctance to wake early the morning after.

This described my precise situation. I was losing sanity faster than groundwater slipped through to underlying aquifers.
An impromptu downtrip trip was executed, partially for enjoyment and partially to inspect the spots that GOT7 had grazed with their presence while shooting "Hard Carry" for M2 earlier this week.
(Did I mention they were riding the TTC?!?! The Marauder spirit swells from within, but for 12 hours, I had wished to assume the position of a commuting Ryerson student.)
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My initial route involved visiting several places and returning home before dusk, though insomnia had other plans in mind and the entire ordeal was shifted by several hours.

The resulting trip included a quick stopover at What A Bagel (to see how their Rainbow Bagels compare against Vancouver's Rosemary Rocksalt), then Pokito for an extremely tardy lunch. 
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A fairly recent addition to the Toronto poke scene, Pokito has assumed its commuter-friendly Queen-Spadina spot since the beginning of September. Striding in with hopes that it would (hopefully) exceed the standards that Rolltation had utterly and wholly shattered, I was welcomed with a most warm invitation by the first person to catch sight of me.
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​The wood plank-based interior exuded a carefree, tropical vibe, especially when cheery splashes of turquoise provided highlight and contrast. Simply from the arrangement of the ingredient bar and dining area, it was evident that Pokito had taken the correct measures to embrace both hurried takeout and leisurely dine-in customers.
A separated entranceway leads directly to a horizontally displaced, inverted L-shaped ingredient bar and cashier area. Menus line the frontmost part of the bar, along with an amusing fish-shaped cork board.

The Hawaiian shirt-donning staff member first acknowledges my presence, then proceeds to explain their menu options as I relay my first-timer status. During this time, several others walk in. They are clearly more familiar with the selection, though the staff member makes sure to check back with me to answer questions in between taking the orders of those that had arrived later. It was a simple gesture, but well appreciated nonetheless.
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​Several friends of mine had recommended the shop's best-seller, the 420 bowl, though white rice is generally not my preferred base. To retain the flavours of the 420, I opted for a salmon-tuna Mix & Match tossed in Ponzu Lime Sauce. As opposed to white sushi rice, I made the daring decision of Mixed Green Salad and Soba Noodles - the latter quite a rare sighting in the poke world.
Toppings and mix-ins included Green Papaya, Cucumber, Hawaiian Guacamole, Crab Salad, Lemongrass Garlic Corn, Crispy Onions, and Avocado Wasabi Cream.

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Out & About #290 | GOT7 at Toronto Pearson Airport + Mii Sandwich

11/12/2016

 
​​​For those that aren't aware of this fact: I'm a dedicated IGOT7. When I'm not struggling to cope with an arduous, fatigue-inflicting workload, I'm keeping with their daily news (or eating my heart out somewhere in the GTA).

After the nightmare that was B.A.P's concert led by KpopMe, I knew better than to involve myself with the pain that was disorganization and fandom disrespect. Following GOT7's two shows in Vancouver on Friday were the two Sunday legs of the Toronto show, neither of which I would be attending as a result of my horrendous past experience at Massey Hall.

I was voluntarily surrendering the opportunity to witness their live performance(s), but I felt it to be too much of a shame to not see my favourite group of all time when they happened to be on Canadian soil, and within decently close proximity to me.
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For the first time in my life, I summoned up my courage to wait at Pearson in anticipation of their arrival.

It wasn't a solo adventure though - I didn't carry enough confidence to execute this mission alone. For this reason, I'd like to express profound gratitude to the fellow fangirl who accompanied me on this chaotic trip. (You're awesome and you know it!)
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​In summary:

- There were definitely over fifty fans waiting in anticipation of their arrival, which was a greater number than expected given the limited amount of flight information available.
- Contrary to what I had believed, it was difficult to identify the members when their facial features were mostly concealed under masks, caps, and hoods. (I couldn't locate Jackson until the very last moment!)
- Jackson, Mark, Youngjae, and Jinyoung were wearing heavy-duty NBA jackets, while Yugyeom, Bambam, and JB opted for lighter jackets.
- All members except for JB wore masks; in addition, Youngjae, Mark, Jackson, and Jinyoung wore caps.
- JB was the most casually-dressed out of all of them, with no hood, mask, or cap! He essentially looks the same as in photos, with little to no acne and generally even skin tone.
- Bambam posed for photos! The maknae line were stylishly-dressed - both Bambam and Yugyeom donned skin-tight black jeans and a leather jacket and olive green bomber jacket respectively.
- All members were extremely quiet, and didn't utter a single word upon their arrival.
- While waiting for their van to arrive, the members sat together in one section of the airport. Fans surrounded them in a circle, taking photos, but left a 4-5 metre radius of space around them as well as their manager and crew. Fans were all very respectful and did not impose on their personal space. (The only part that broke my heart a little was the fact that the scene seemed slightly reminiscent of a zoo... ie. being surrounded by eager shutters).)
- I had prepared fan letters for both Jackson and Jinyoung, but neither accepted them: Jinyoung lifted his hand up as a sign of prohibition while Jackson said "Sorry."
- However I did succeed in shaking Jinyoung's hand and wishing him "Good luck on your (his) drama!", to which he appeared confused but uttered a muffled "Thank you" in response anyway.
- Mark was really shy and quiet. When I asked if I could take a photo with him, he only bowed his head, bringing his hands together apologetically. He did shake my hand though!
- The fans escorted them to the vans upon their departure from the gate. The group's personal bodyguards were strict in their ways of clearing a path for the members, but all were respectful in that they only enforced a clear path and did not shove any of the fans away.
- Jackson, Mark, Jinyoung, and Youngjae left in one vehicle, while Bambam, Yugyeom, and JB departed in the other.
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My personal conclusions of the fascinating journey were that:
- JB is an extremely relaxed idol who looks as good in person as on my 1080p laptop screen
- Mark is, in fact, a very shy person, despite the grand steps he's made on variety shows
- Jinyoung remains an exceedingly strong bias wrecker, along with a calm and caring soul
- Jackson is as good-looking and popular as ever
- Youngjae thoroughly embraces his love for Chicago Bull-themed merchandise
- Bambam's model-like status is unreal - I mean, he even carried a clutch and ran his fingers through his hair several times
- Yugyeom looks amazing in turtlenecks, relatively beanstalk-like in height and frame, and has thinner legs than most of my friends
It was an exceptionally fruitful trip and experience, during which I happened to chance upon two girls that I attended the Toronto KPop Con concerts back in May!

Good luck on your shows, guys!!
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​We ventured to Square One afterwards, first indulging in Pinkberry's milk soft serve with honeycomb and then aimlessly roaming the packed retail shops until dinner time.

Mii Sandwich, which first appeared on my radar when a fellow food enthusiast relayed her experience at the Yorkdale location earlier this year, recently arrived at the Square One food court.
Having been overcome with a strong desire to try the Vietnamese fusion cuisine since its opening, I opted to take advantage of the fact that I had already nabbed a parking spot and request a Bao and Taco combo.
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​Along with the standard selection of fresh rolls, mango salad, sugar cane shrimp, Satay shewers, and pho, Mii Sandwich also offered a variety of steamed baos, soft shell tacos, and exotic beverages.
The Two for $8.50 deal permitted the choice of two baos, two tacos, or one of each; all entree orders entitled customers to a one dollar discount off a selection of nine drinks.

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Out & About #289 | Locke St. Bakery + Brown Dog Bootleg Cafe

11/10/2016

 
Early morning classes are usually synonymous with no breakfast nor morning caffeine fix. That being said, it's likely that I'll take to filling those voids immediately following said wretched morning class(es).

​While trekking back to King on Locke from my visit to Finch, an unfamiliar orange sign had caught my attention. The compact shop displayed "Locke St Bakery - Bagels and Cream Cheese" clearly printed  in bold white lettering atop a bold orange background.
Having made a mental note about the cozy, family-style bagel stop, I took to realizing the experience upon my next trip to Locke Street.
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​The recent opening proposes a straightforward solution to bagel cravings and classic Canadian breakfast (minus the eggs, sausage, and maple syrup). One quarter of the shop was lined with crates of varying bagel types, another section allocated for a drink refrigerator, and the remaining space for the counter/cashier/preparation area.

During my brief stay, I noticed that several customers filled large brown paper bags with bagels to take them to-go. Few actually opted for a bagel-and-cream-cheese combo at that point of the day, though I may have just missed the hungry - or should I say, hangry? - morning rush.
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​Locke St. Bakery carried several timeless varieties such as Poppyseed and Sesame, along with trendier choices of Blueberry, Pumpernickel, and Onion & Garlic. I suppose the only thing that caught me by surprise was that their crates weren't fully stocked, at least not to the degree I had expected for a weekday morning anyway.
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​Counter interactions were minimal, as I only required my Pumpernickel bagel to be smeared in Apricot and Honey Cream Cheese. An older lady was in the midst of a phone call when I strolled up to the cashier, but she attempted to multitask to the best of her abilities while fulfilling the transaction in unison. A wide-eyed part-timer stood motionless beside the lady, next to the stocky, bearded man who grimaced at having to remove my bagel from the brown paper bag in which it was inserted before applying its contents.
While the older lady had thanked me for my business, this man did not. My order was hurriedly wrapped in checkered serving paper, then tossed onto the top of the counter without another word. A "thank you" was definitely lacking in this scenario.
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A small table and two flimsy patio chairs were situated outside, adjacent to the raised entrance of the shop. The table allowed for bags to be set down briefly, or for a bagel to be devoured swiftly; Locke St. Bakery was essentially a grab-and-go pitstop with parking at the back.

The Pumpernickel Bagel was a tad soggy despite having been toasted, emerging as a rather chewy challenge to consume. Apricot and Honey Cream Cheese, on the other hand, was actually quite glorious - it was similar to Tim Horton's strawberry spread, but without the icky artificial aftertaste.
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Normally, bagels would not rank as my breakfast food of choice, however I had been curious about the bakery ever since that fateful site visit. Now that it's said and done, I think I'll be content in continuing my latte-and-croissant-filled mornings elsewhere.
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Admittedly, Locke Street has changed quite a bit since the NaRoma stopover. Some shops have undergone massive makeovers, while others have completed or are currently experiencing much-needed renovations. The Cheese Shoppe on Locke is currently closed for such procedures.
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Out & About #288 | Old Firehall Confectionery + T-Swirl Crepe Preview

11/5/2016

 
A cappuccino craving was basically an excuse to bring ourselves about Main Street Unionville again. Touhenboku had been astouding last time aound, so the assumption was that both quality and service would remain consistent.

But I should have known that things had taken a negative turn when I stumbled through the cinnamon-hued frame to witness a slovenly dressed couple in blatant ignorance of the ear-rupturing barks produced their two tiny pups tied outside the establishment.
Clearly, some people prioritized their own enjoyment over the sanity of the others.
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The operations of the shop itself had also became one large mess. Much like our previous visit, there were two members of staff at Touhenboku: one on kitchen duty, preparing cakes and desserts, and the other engaging in front-line duties such as order-taking and drink brewing. Instead of seamless cooperation though, I had the opportunity to spectate the complete incompetency of one member, who either remained stationary behind the counter or hovered about the only other staff member in the cafe.
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The second girl seemed equally dioriented and extremely frustrated, just with an ungenuine grin plastered across her face. She forgot orders and customer requests and failed to distinguish between customers' different communication demands (why were you taking to us in Mandarin?); the most aggravating thing was her sheer lack of familiarity with the payment system. Not realizing that it is, in fact, possible to print copies of receipts on an advanced piece of technological equipment isn't a sin, but the blunt reluctance at offering us another solution definitely quantifies one.
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View the full album HERE !
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​Touhenboku recently obtained a Coffee Ripples machine - identical to the one at Initium. However, the resulting product was nowhere similar to the cafe-salon hybrid. These girls lacked knowledge regarding the pigment-extracting process itself, consequently lacking the expertise to produce clarity in the printed image. Several attempts and one lukewarm cappuccino later, the white flag was raised; we simply shook our heads in exasperation and took our Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies elsewhere.
I should remark that I have absolute disbelief that the cookies had been made fresh: fishing a silica gel packet from under the bottom-most piece was not pleasant.
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Uncle Tetsu was a brisk two minutes down the road, so it seemed only right to pick up a box of Madeleines while in the area. The lineup for Japanese-style cheesecake remained unswayed, as a group of approximately thirty filled the interior, spilling out onto the boulevard area.

It should be noted that the claim of "no lineups" for madeleines and ice cream was a misrepresentation of the actual shop operations. The shop attendants had dared to instruct me to take a spot in the regular line since they could only distribute madeleines following the processing of each batch of cheesecakes (ie. every twelve cakes)  Excuse me?! 
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What followed was a rambunctious ruckus - led not by yours truly though - and interrogation of the seven-plus staff members' poor role organization. Eventually, we strolled out with a box of Black Sesame, Yuzu Blueberry, and Chocolate Madeleines, not entirely pleased but unwilling to continue for the sake of time and sanity.
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​We continued onwards, since madeleines and coffee clearly hadn't managed to satisfy morning carb and sugar cravings.
Old Firehall Confectionery is a staple spot among Markham locals; while social media feeds only expose the most decadent soft serve cones for all to see, the reality was that they carried much more than just frozen, churned milk.

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Out & About #287 | Ark + Anchor Espresso Bar

11/3/2016

 
Libraries make studying depressing, or at least it feels that way to me.
But I can't be the odd one out when even the BAM co-president confesses to fostering creativity amidst the depressing atmosphere of the Thode basement.

​In addition, flu season contributes to nominal levels of grime. Being a germophobe, a dim, cramped area with grey tinted tables and a lack of outlets is far from my ideal study spot.

​​It's at this point that I'd like to express gratification for nearby cafes. While venturing into the downtown area requires a minimum one-way travel time of thirty minutes on the HSR, the bright, comfortable atmosphere and serenity is well worth the trip.
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Ark + Anchor is located just east of the King-Queen intersection, making it a convenient spot for commuters and locals alike to obtain their caffeine fix. Street parking is available outside, and it's also relatively close to both northbound and southbound bus routes.
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The ground floor is quite compact, but exudes an effortless, chic vibe. The sleek design of the counter encourages a straightfoward ordering process: requests are made at the section closest to the entrance and picked up on the other side of the bar. It's a tad similar to the Starbucks layout at Main and Emerson, with the exception that Ark + Anchor had shifted small tables to a quieter area of the cafe instead of allowing lineups to form alongside customers.
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​Admittedly, I had scratched my head at attempting to decipher certain items on the menu. Where a teapot labelled "H2O" had been included in the equation, I had assumed it to be tea, however one of the owners later clarified that the 2 oz. shot of espresso at the beginning of the equation would make it an Americano.
The remainder of the items were listed in a similar - and might I add, eclectic - fashion: macchiato (4 oz. of milk), latte (8 oz.), mocha (8 oz. plus chocolate), etc.

A smaller chalkboard hovered above the cashier; this one only featured text, outlining their savoury hummus and spread options. A tempting selection of baked goods grazed the front of the counter, prompting me to grab their most popular item to accompany my Latte: a Herb and Cheese Croissant.
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​After tapping seven dollars away on their archaic-looking ingenico machine, I was informed that my order would be brought to me once ready.
Climbing up to the second floor ever so curiously, I was amazed at the world that unfolded in front of my eyes. It was extremely spacious, with a lofty ceiling, stark white walls, and a surprising number of mirrors. Two large group tables were situated at either end of the seating area, while smaller tables lined the perimeter.
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    Who Am I?

    Formerly an avid owner of several interest-based portals, Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger presents precisely the elements expected. From experiments in the kitchen to miscellaneous musings, from IGOT7 reflections to developments in transportation infrastructure, it's all consolidated here. Welcome to the raw, unfiltered side of Quirky Aesthetics.



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WHAT DOES "QUIRKY AESTHETICS" MEAN?

Quirky =  a term that commonly refers to something/someone distinctly different and unique
Aesthetics = the visual aspect of things



Together, Quirky Aesthetics refers to the things, events, and happenings seen and perceived by this blog's creator - quirky perspectives in a visual form.

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