Category: Birthday Buddy

Out & About #794 | Week #104 Quarantine Update Feat. Genmaicha Japanese Cheesecake

3/12/2022

Snow arrives when you least expect it, just like the influx of work requests robbing me of hard-earned periods of spec and drawing familiarization time every Friday.

The despair ought be apparent in my utterances: Week 104 (aka 52 x 2) has arrived. While a multitude of COVID-19 restrictions have been eased - and continue to be eased - there remain several aspects unchanged since its first appearance:

My work-from-home situation persists, upholding my title as an involuntary homebody
My professional license remains unattained, despite the tremendous degree of hell I've somehow survived and lived to tell the tale of
My next concert has not yet happened, nor have I seen GOT7 since the summer of 2019

I've debated continuing with these titles as the world gradually regains its pace. No longer is every day a quarantine day, masked with fear of the scientific unknown. These thoughts hinder us from moving forward as individuals, as a society, and as a global community. Inflation and supply-demand issues prevail, their impact undeniable in our daily lives, but, if anything, I hope for these comparatively minor struggles to be less daunting than the past two years endured by the Earth and its inhabitants.

Can we possibly leave it all as pawprints in the show? Let's learn, digest, and forge ahead.

Creations of the week included:

1) Genmaicha Japanese Cheesecake

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Out & About #607 | Halo Espresso Bar + Bread and Salt Bakehouse

12/24/2019

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"Crabby" encircles the complex attributes shared between myself and my birthday buddy, for we are both loud and stubborn citizens of the west GTA, forever living our preposterously overloaded lives.

It was with great displeasure that our previously arranged plans (603) were infinitely postponed. That said, a last-minute incarnation of brunch plans made up for the lost catch-up time. On a chilly Christmas Eve, we headed to Halo for some much-needed chitchat. I had actually been meaning to pop into the cafe for an eternity, but an appropriate opportunity never seemed to arise.

< Pictured above and below: Latte, Bagel w/ Cream Cheese, Turkey Croissant Sandwich, Pour Over - Single Origin, Columbia >

Seating was ample, just as Google search results had professed. Dispersed throughout were two- and four-seaters, while two communal tables assumed space at the north end of the interior, by the Christmas tree and opposing bathroom stalls. At each table was a short stack of books, mainly coffee-themed, to tie into the vibe of the espresso bar. A swivelled mound of magazines adorned one of the communal tables. One of these was picked up and transported to a lounge-style two-seater to commence our coffee date.

We - or really, just me - requested recommendations from the menu. The beverage listing were quite diverse, and some items even featured tiny pink hearts. Given the spot's total operation time of one year and three months, I was informed that some of the fan favourites had changed. For example, Iced Coffee had been a popular pick during the warmer periods, when the café had first opened. Nutella Latte remained a top-seller; espresso-based drinks were also well-loved.

I inquired about the Pour Over, to which was met with a confident nod of approval. Beans were, in fact, roasted in-house, therefore allowing quality control. Options of the day included: Single-Origin Guatemala (light) and Single-Origin Columbia (medium). As I had previously ingested two cups of cold brew, the latter was the less-ideal-but-nonetheless-safer bet.

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Out & About #587 | The Apple Factory

10/6/2019

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Kind enough to spare me several hours of her scarce vacation days, I roped my birthday buddy in on an annual tradition: a drive to The Apple Factory.

It was the designated destination for all things autumn-related - where peace and pleasure were procured by way of pies.

Fun fact: Last year's visit had coincidentally been executed on the precisely the same day! Differing this time around was the absence of the giant pumpkin display (and the fact that I had a fellow photo-snapper for the journey). Straw bales and scarecrows retained their presence, on the other hand.

With raindrops materializing from the grey blanket above us, we dove into the market in search of dryness. Once inside, interest was piqued by cheese curds (that ultimately went unpurchased), apple cider samples, Hewitt's Dairy cartons (previously only observed east of the city), and a supposedly limited edition Pumpkin Pecan Crunch Pie.

The opportunity to indulge had been presented, and we, as wary of our daily sugar intake as enthusiastic about sweet treats, exhibited zero reluctance to taking two pies home each. Blueberry, No Sugar Apple, and the new Pumpkin Pecan Crunch were our picks of the day.

Since the 9-inch rounds were intended for sharing, immediate satisfaction could only be obtained through individual pie slices. As such, we stashed our possessions in the trunk and returned for a duo of Strawberry Rhubarb and Apple Streusel pies.

The first was my personal favourite, as it has been for the past several years. Tart and delicious with chunky bites of fruit, it was the ideal complement to the much slicker Apple Streusel. Occasional swaps were made to cut sweetness in the absence of water glasses. We concluded that while the crunchy streusel topping was delicious, the filling was overwhelming; meanwhile, both slices had ought to been served warm for maximum enjoyment.

Municipal roadwork has finally ceased along the corridor, so the return trip on local roads wasn't too fearful. We arrived at the Square One exit soon after, in preparation for our scheduled visit for Inju-Oreo Bingsu.
Passing by Cineplex, however, the topic of JOKER was brought up. K-Idols had posted about the movie on the day of its release, and I, as one to be easily swayed by such idols, conjured up the suggestion of verifying its showtimes.

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Out & About #580 | A Fusion Dance Party

9/7/2019

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My birthday buddy and I go way back.
Back to our awkward teen years and cringe-worthy webcam group projects, from spending break time discussing absolutely nonsensical topics to filming a self-choreographed segment to a then-popular Franco-pop track.

As the years passed, it was inevitable that the frequency of our meetups dwindled due to schedule and financial restrictions. Semi-annual gatherings transformed into annual appointments, with a few sporadic meals in between.

The quoted individual recently returned from a three-week trek and, though it was yet her turn to walk down the aisle, I had the opportunity of catching up with her over a celebratory affair.

With a freshly-washed mane - a rarity, I dare exclaim - a crush velvet gown, and heels (another sight to behold), she nearly towered over me, someone who always prioritizes comfort over charisma. The ensemble was fit for a wedding, especially that of immediate family.

I was sadly not seated at Table 7, but my tablemates and general positioning within the hall compensated for that. Before each plate was a dainty butterfly cut-out, crafted in a similar manner to the glittery wedding invitation I had belatedly received from my birthday buddy. Glasses filled to the halfway point with champagne were set before each plate; ceramic tea cups and empty wine glasses beside it.
Seating was spacious, for the dining hall was vast. I was nestled between a few foreign faces near the dance floor, which meant a stellar view of the evening's happenings.

The menu was presented in both Chinese and English, thoroughly depicting a classic Chinese dinner lineup. It wasn't my style, but my insider informed us that the decision had been owed to familial preference.

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Out & About #399 | Part 2: Dear Fro + Ni-Ji

12/12/2017

View Part 1 HERE !

"So we went to Latea Era again, because Dear Fro was packed." is something I've heard several times now.

Is it really busy to that extent? I had thought. Situated in the same tiny plaza as Marathon and Snow Time, amongst countless other eateries, I could comprehend why weaving around the one-way entranceways and locating parking would be a headache. However, two other bingsoo-offering establishments resided in immediate vicinity. Adequate competition existed within a fingertip's reach, even if subpar and unauthentic.

Visiting on a weekday afternoon ensured that the burden of finding a parking spot would be lifted from my shoulders, simultaneously reducing the stress associated with checking the lot's numerous blind spots for speeding drivers.

The first thing that caught my eye was the prolonged strip of icicles that had formed directly beneath the storefront. While pretty to gaze at, both of us worried for our overall safety and well-being, as there was no way to predict when one would detach from its roots and come shattering down on our heads. Temperatures had been hovering about the freezing point, after all.

We carefully tiptoed around the prospective area of danger, heaving on the door to reveal a nearly empty dining area.

The interior of the dessert shop was stunning: each section of the seating area retained a slightly different vibe. Some featured couches and low tables, while others high stools surrounding a rectangular communal table. Moreover, the entire setting was decorated beautifully with festive bobbles and garlands. Atmosphere-wise, Dear Fro - or is it "Dear & Fro"? - raked in full points. By
means of customer service, food quality, and general accessibility though, quite a significant number of deductions were made.

Visually appealing furnishings and skillful implementation of colour were appreciated, but one needs to beware of the slippery floors (especially as heavy snowfall is just around the corner) and non-uniform floor heights. The latter is particularly important to take note of as orders are not delivered to one's tables. Instead, customers are provided LED-powered buzzers that alert them to head over to the pickup counter, Panera-style.

Dear Fro consisted of two bathrooms: a roomy, accessible one of utmost pristineness, and a second exhibiting the exact opposite qualities. When an "Out of Order" note was tacked on the first, we were forced into the narrow sliver of a restroom that not only boasted an overflowing wastebin of paper towels, but noticeably yellowy griminess (to illustrate: urine smeared on seat).
I had a flashback of Icha Tea at this point, where in contrast to generally sophisticated seating area, the bathrooms were found to be utterly revolting. It defnitely was not to the same gruesome extent, but had the potential to be.

We chose version 2 of the Matcha Bingsu, which was topped with green tea ice cream and red bean paste instead of questionable blocks of matcha jelly (that were apparently worth tacking on an extra dollar). The presentation of the item was consistent with the photos circulating social media: coarse, narrow shreds of pale green shavings made up its profile.

View the full album HERE !

Out & About #399 | Part 1: Ssangkye Jjimdak + GOT7 x It'S SKIN masks

12/12/2017

North York is food heaven for the average commuter, where anything ranging from ramen to shaved ice to quick bites from the supermarket can be found within walking distance. That said, Yonge and Finch is an area to avoid even for the most intrepid of automobile users.

And that's precisely where the budding region of Thornhill comes into play. Parking is no longer scarce here, though public transit is made a tad more challenging with TTC/YRT/Viva transfers.

Initially, it was Kobi that prompted me to make the drive. A mouthwatering ring of melted cheese surrounding a toasty pot of spicy chicken tugged at my heart - or rather, stomach - strings. Alas, the item was sadly not offered in sizes fitting of small parties of two. Nearby in the same plaza was a new opening by the name of Ssangkye Jjimdak. I figured braised chicken would bring about the same degree of joy, minus the blazing aftereffects.

Parking was ample, though the one-way route around was annoying albeit imposed for safety reasons.

Ssangkye Jjimdak was a compact, cozy restaurant overflowing with Christmas melodies. Warm, wooden tones yielded a familiar vibe, while books, star accents, and the ocassional navy wall contributed to a sophisticated contrast.

First provided to us were stout glasses and a Stainless steel water jug. Upon ordering, a substantially-sized salad and small appetizer plates were also delivered.

The greens were sprinkled with almonds, dried cranberries, indiscernible bits of sharp cheese, and crushed corn flakes before being drizzled with Balsamic dressing. Quite the peculiar combination of accents, I concluded the components to either sprout from innovation, or the concept of a kitchen sink cookie.
Two shallow dishes were used to share the salad. Meanwhile, appetizers in the form of pickled carrots, peppers, and radish were provided individually in small white dishes.

View the full album HERE !

White Cheese Jjimdak came with choices of red (gochujang/chili) or black sauce (soy). Erring on the side of caution, the latter was selected. It should be noted that though the milder option had been chosen, the braising liquid was not completely spice-free - bits of chopped chili pepper had found themselves within the dish, contributing greater impact over time.

Out & About #375 | Collective August Visuals

9/1/2017

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You might not know this, but I'm wiping away both virtual and literal tears as my body prepares for back-to-school season. The mind refuses to surrender wonderful LA memories - namely warm weather and GOT7 interactions at KCON - though, at the same time, there is little that can be done about the inevitable passing of time.

Below is a wrap-up of August, as well as a sorrowful farewell to the summer months.

1) JJ Diary
The Moments was a huge highlight of my August. Waking up to a new release and witnessing Jinyoung's angelic proportions in 1080p never failed to bring joy to my day, regardless of whether I operated on EST or PST.

2) KCON LA 2017
Half a decade could pass and the details of this three-day event would still leave me awestruck. Put simply: it was a majestical overload of happiness and fangirling.

I mean, DON'T YOU SEE ME IN THE GOT7 RECAP?!?

3) Post-Red Eye Breakfast
When in doubt, a Happy Meal is the way to go. I originally had my doubts about finishing three hot cakes, but somehow managed to polish off the contents of the plate - er foam container - entirely amidst my extreme fatigue.

4) CoCo is always necessary.

5) JJ Project - 'Verse 2'
JJP's comeback EP finally arrived after my fateful return from the West Coast. I'm still on a hunt for the Tomorrow Version, though, along with Jinyoung cover cards.

6) Showing off my Level 10 difficulty Kang Daniel fanboard, since flaunting it at KCON was too strenuous of a mission.
7) Second Cup apparently retails select Pinkberry flavours now. And it actually tastes better than the Square One location.
8) Behold my Breakfast(s) of the Day

9) Japan Festival 2017 has expanded from last year's lineup mayhem to include two days of fun festivities at Celebration Square.

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Out & About #360 | Naan & Kabob + Pacific Mall

7/10/2017

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As far as Middle Eastern cuisine goes, I'm relative inexperienced besides the two rare incidents that brought me to try Paramount and Bamiyan Kabob. I was introduced to the latter by an entity of tremendous familiarity with the cooking style, and while it wouldn't have automatically emerged as my first choice before, I was pleasantly surprised with the unprecedented profile.

Fast-forward to this past June, I received a gracious invitation to an event titled "Foodie Silk Road". A "foodie", by perception, is an extremely generic term that can be applied to any mortal that appreciates the process of filling their appetite with food; an "enthusiast", on the other hand, narrows down the group within that is equipped with the knowledge of comparing and contrasting food-related concerns. The "enthusiast" can be narrow- or open-minded, though his or her opinions will likely be of analytical nature. To many, this is deemed as "pickiness", however I tend to enjoy referring to this accumulation of gustatory knowledge as a path of continual development and self-improvement.

Alas, let's not stray from the Silk Road. In order to raise awareness about the various types of Afghani dishes offered, Naan & Kabob set out to increase exposure via word-of-mouth as well as social media, a quintessential component of marketing in today's modern society.

The event was to be held in the recently refurbished food court of Scarborough Town Centre, a shopping centre that is quite distant from my own suburban quarters. To meet the start time of 11:30 AM, we set out just following the morning rush and arrived with ample time to spare.

A section within the food court seating was isolated for the purpose of this event; there was a distinct barrier surrounding the tables, though I can't quite say it was sufficient in obstructing hangry lunch-goers from sneaking in and plopping their trays before them. Frankly, it was a tad amusing to me that the thought of restricted access never crossed their minds.

We were ushered into the area upon arrival, provided beverages and complimentary gift bags, and seated soon after our lunch orders were taken.
The reign of Middle Eastern cuisine remained exotic, unexplored territory for me, so I had requested the assistance of the event staff for meal selection advice. Apparently, standalone locations had different best-sellers as opposed to the quick service outlets, and reasonably so as the establishment categories catered to different niches. The Shish Kabob and Tandoori Chicken were notable picks amongst the Grilled Kabob Plates, so we followed suit.

The images in the menu were a tad misleading, but there is no negative indication in this by any means. An identical set of elements were present in the containers we later received, though amplified to a portion size more extravagant than pictured.
Shish Kabob and Tandoori Chicken Kabob Plates would ring in at $8.49 and $9.99 respectively, with the addition of rice tacking on an additional $1.50 to $2.00.

Plastic black containers donning our names were presented to us shortly after noon. My immediate reaction was appreciation towards the labelling and organized manner of distribution. Containers with snap lids ensured that all leftovers could easily be taken home, while labelling prevented conflicts and confusion over similar orders.
Given the quick service setting, these operation details are key to maintaining steady service and uncompromised efficiency.

Each meal arrived with a toasty slice of Naan bread tucked into a white paper bag. Within the container was our choice of protein, curried chickpeas, a bed of seasoned long-grain rice (presumably Basmati), and a side salad tossed in a creamy but light dressing.
As the bases were essentially carbon copies, we took turns in sampling the marinated skewers. Tandoori Chicken featured six vibrant pieces boneless, skin-less chicken breast that were charred to perfection. We had been warned of its not-so-mild seasoning profile, but the result was a bold, smoky flavour with underlying flickers of pepperiness. Its cross-section was, interestingly, paler in tone and a bit dry given its glossy appearance. An entire platter of the chicken may have exceeded my own spice tolerances, though my dining partner-in-crime enjoyed the moderate mildness.

Shish Kabob comprised of two lengthy strips of chewy ground beef. Seasoned with a medley of herbs and spices, the unsliced kabobs were fragrant and bursting with flavour. In particular, I found the coarseness of the meat to lend texture without veering into stiffness. A soft, herb-laced interior provided further satisfaction.

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Out & About #319 | The Poke Box + Teddy Story

3/1/2017

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I'm not afraid to admit it: I'm on a hunt to try out the complete slew of poke stops that Toronto has to offer. (Well, maybe not all of them, but surely those that don't pose an enormous difficulty to transit to.)

New outposts are popping up throughout the downtown core at an alarming rate, with some even spreading uptown to relieve the fishy desires of North York and Markham residents alike. With each shop introducing an individualistic flair of their own, it's become increasingly onerous to monitor and evaluate the numerous options on a fair scale.

After trying the Pokito's hip, tropical Hawaiian Guacamole and Poke Guys' simple but well-received bowls, I was ready to undertake a new challenger. Venturing a bit further east on a humble side street saw the small and unexpected location of The Poke Box.

I'm not entirely certain what type of establishment had occupied by the super-compact space beforehand, but from the grey exterior and stony-looking concrete steps, it appeared to be anything but a poke restaurant when viewed from the outside. While the front-facing side was primarily composed of glass panes (all windows and the door), signage was extremely minimal and it hadn't occurred to us that we passed it until we carefully scanned the vicinity for landmark hints.

While probably unintentional, I find it amusing that The Poke Box is, essentially, a box. From the exterior design to the store layout to the menu board to the infinite crates of avocado, boxiness was included in every possible way, rendering a steady sense of cohesiveness. Food-related puns and simple images had also been placed along the perimeter of the inside for added vibrance.

Before noon, the establishment was enveloped in a tranquil emptiness. We took our time in analyzing the available options, and the staff readily took to answering to our concerns and inquiries without delay. The general concept of offering both signature and customized creations was present, but the main differences were that The Poke Box carried a Poke of the Day selection and that bowls had been substituted with takeout-friendly brown boxes (as indicated by its name).
It was observed that their in-house creations and signature bowls comprised of pre-marinated species, while the BYOB choices usually combined fresh fish with customers' preferred sauce(s) and slapped on additional charges for specialty picks (ie. tuna and avocado).

In addition to the no-nonsense menu boasting an impeccable degree of clarity, majority of the topping ingredients were also labelled on the surprisingly smudge-free barrier. Despite this, it still took my friend and I a substantial amount of time before finally settling on the Rainbow Poke and Poke Box.

From previous experiences, the standard base options usually comprise of white sushi rice, brown rice, and spring mix. I've witnessed sweet potato slaw and soba noodles as well, but the spiralized zucchini noodles and purple-brown rice "Grain Blend" were refreshing alternatives to lay eyes on.

View the full album HERE !

Both bowls - er, boxes - permitted personalized bases, sides, and additional sauces and toppings. Where Poke Box automatically included all three salads (Wakame salad, a Tropical Slaw of spiced pineapple chunks, and unseasoned, shredded sunomono Crab Salad), the Rainbow Poke permitted the two salads. (One of the staff members bearing a manager-like aura kindly squeezed in a small portion for me when he overheard my playful complaint though.)

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Out & About #794 | Week #104 Quarantine Update Feat. Genmaicha Japanese Cheesecake

Out & About #607 | Halo Espresso Bar + Bread and Salt Bakehouse

Out & About #587 | The Apple Factory

Out & About #580 | A Fusion Dance Party

Out & About #399 | Part 2: Dear Fro + Ni-Ji

Out & About #399 | Part 1: Ssangkye Jjimdak + GOT7 x It'S SKIN masks

Out & About #375 | Collective August Visuals

Out & About #360 | Naan & Kabob + Pacific Mall

Out & About #319 | The Poke Box + Teddy Story

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