Category: Food - Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger

Out & About #622 | Third Wave (Round 2) + Eric Nam Before We Begin (Toronto)

2/24/2020

An abnormally hectic Monday had dismissed all thoughts of my post-work activities - namely the arrival of Eric Nam on Canadian grounds.

It was with considerable anticipation that my favourite fangirl (whose nickname ̶m̶a̶y̶ shall change hereinafter) and I had purchased tickets to the Korean American singer-songwriter again.

Since his last visit, I have been following his releases with technology as the greatest enabler. From the weekly drops of K-Pop Daebak to the monumental drop of Before We Begin, and then the release of I Think You're Dope, I can't help but marvel at the diversity of his content and, to an even greater degree, the sagacity of his character.

Alas, the entirety of the workday was to take place prior to any thoughts of leisure activities.
A certain prehistoric creature had returned from exile in Kingston at long last, thus a venture to Third Wave was undertaken.

Our exit from the building was met with more of Impact Kitchen's samples in the lobby - this time with additions of Chicken Bone Broth and cold strips of paleo-approved Chicken Tender.

A doughy French delicacy with a sticky, glazed surface and satisfying puff pastry crunch, the bichon was a new addition to the display case. Third Wave's rendition utilized a black cherry filling that was equal parts tangy and jammy, as opposed to the conventional lemon curd. The ever-exquisite three-bite Financier was also obtained by a certain prehistoric creature following my rivetting recap of the ganache-y goody.

Consistent with my initial visit, the cafe's bakery items were complemented perfectly with the shop's bitter-end, Yemen-derived beans, purposed into a Cortado and Flat White.

Near the coat rack pillar is also an accessible washroom stall - impeccably pristine and unlocked exclusively with a push of a button from the barista/counter staff, presumably to prevent infiltration by homeless individuals.

Some five hours later, once OT labours had been carried out (and eyes were twitching from exhaustion), I boarded my Lyft to The Danforth Music Hall. Under normal circumstances, transit, by the unfortunate means of TTC, would have been my default option. However, given the lack of stability in my digestion system and fear of missing the start of the show, I opted for the swifter, ride-hailing service instead.

Out & About #621 | Third Wave Coffee + Baking Things

2/23/2020

We all aspire for long weekends to be just a teensy bit longer, but, of course, that's just wishful thinking.

Escorted with a heavy dusting of snowy precipitation and countless delays across the commuter train network, the return to work was of utmost wretchedness.

The day was made milder with steadily climbing mercury levels and cocoa-containing treats from Impact Kitchen. Claiming to be one's "daily source of nourishment" for the body, mind, and soul.

Work days without a certain prehistoric creature feel off, almost unrewarding at times, especially considering my natural tendency to obtain two-person portions.

A walk to St. Lawrence commenced on a day of moderate climate. The trip was not aimless, though I did leisurely pop into Metro and the market just prior to the destination of highlight.

Third Wave at King and Church was the designated point of interest. A new café in the neighbourhood with a name nodding to the BTS of coffee origins, the quaint space was small powerhouse on a mission to deliver substantial quality.

A high ceiling, tall glass panes, and two forms of illumination yielded the impression of spaciousness - a clean, minimal design to summon organic thoughts, and a place for creative juices to flow freely. No more than several small tables surrounded a concrete pillar. Delicate pastries and a row of beans adorned one shelf, while bakery items were positioned in a separate display case.

Out & About #620 | Cookies Galore + Valentine's Day Visuals

2/17/2020

The group had departed Zakkushi amidst zero-visibility snowfall, just to witness the absurdity of it to diminish overnight. Blue skies and amiable walking conditions greeted me in the downtown core the next day.

With Valentine's Day around the corner, retailers were eager to take advantage of the situation, offering up quick, accessible solutions to fuel the occasion's flushing festivities.

With Valentine's Day around the corner, retailers were eager to take advantage of the situation, offering up quick, accessible solutions to fuel the occasion's flushing festivities. From Union Station's two-day exclusive Hershey's Kisses pop-up to Enchanted Rose-inspired compositions in our very own lobby, it was nearly impossible to forget the looming lovers' holiday.

My week was more or less unvaried, with the exceptions of Cinnamon Toast Crunch (not a fan, by the way) and Maple Syrup French Toast Crunch (this was scrumptious!) "samples" from a certain prehistoric creature.

A Vanilla Latte from Dineen's Commerce Court location provided a wonderfully fragrant boost to the Mon(dane)day. Additional features such as Ritual ordering, prompt, cordial service, and a password-secured Wi-Fi network further elevated the experience.

Out & About #619 | Zakkushi on Queen West

2/9/2020

Read Part 1 HERE !

A quick round of messages were exchanged, and the dinner destination was secured along Queen West.

Driving by, it was learned that VDL, Sanko and Sukoi were no more.

Zakkushi on Queen was quiet on a Sunday evening, mysteriously so. The gathering spot wasn't particularly large, though managed to seat diners in a manner that emanated a sense of roominess.
A small waiting area by the entrance, series of four-party tables along the walls, and a communal squoval table at the back assumed the layout of the narrow izakaya. Stone walls - or perhaps concrete with opaque, stone-like finishing - along with wooden furnishings and a classic-meets-concurrent bamboo ceiling embellishment. Wooden plaques bearing the names of individual menu items also doubled as coat hangers, as we were so informed by staff.

We perused the tri-fold menu while in wait of the second half of the party. Some items had been blocked off, indicating unavailability, though the assortment that remained was still vast enough to keep us content.

Once the group assimilated, the first round of orders was submitted to a bubbly waitress - a Japanese lady whose kindness permeated through her speedy utterances.

Speaking from a personal perspective, oden is an dish more frequently associated with that of Taiwan than Japan, specifically in the regard of a convenience store staple. Zakkushi's 關東煮 was a welcome change from Korea's jalapeno-infused rendition: pierce-able segments of simmered daikon, sweet dashimaki, and chewy konnyaku submerged in a savoury, soothing broth was precisely what the weather had called for. In hindsight, the omelette square was darker and less eggy than anticipated, while the rigid slab of a "yam cake" was, more or less, flavourless. However, the daikon and basis of broth were more than sufficient in compensating these shortcomings.

Find the full album HERE !

None of us had expected the Shishamo to be delivered as a single skewer serving. It was a delicious starter, with its surface grilled and even slightly charred. Internal components remained supple as well. Togarashi-dusted mayo was another noteworthy element on the plate. The only downside was the portion size.

Out & About #619 | The Night Baker + Winter Light Exhibition (Ontario Place)

2/9/2020

Following a frenzy of holiday pop-ups, The Night Baker disappeared for a short vacation. Their recent return did not go unannounced - four new flavours were introduced to the roster, likely in preparation for the upcoming lovers' holiday.

Pink Lady: The first blush-coloured cookie I had ever laid eyes on, Pink Lady packed a sweet, milky filling within a polished pink package. Notes of almond and rose were faint at my time of consumption, so it didn't necessarily succeed in astounding me. That said, it was nonetheless delicious and par with the bakery's other imaginative pieces.
Red Wedding: Indeed the flourishing marriage of luscious berry jam and white chocolate chunks, I couldn't resist releasing suppressed "oohs" and "aahs" in response to this innovative-yet-no-brainer pairing.

Red Velvet: Known as America's tried-and-true party piece, this one delighted me more than expected with its savoury cream cheese interior. Did I mention it was a gooey cream cheese interior?!
Black Forest: Chocolatey conceptions are a hit or miss for me, personally speaking. However, The Night Baker is the clear exception. Harnessing the denseness of a brownie in its triple chocolate cookie base, then projecting a gentle tartness through maraschino cherries, Black Forest was the distinctive winner of the transient quad.

View the full album HERE !

It remains a fact that the independent dessert shop upholds its reputation for churning out consistently heavenly handiworks.

Pilot was not far. Between a cold glass of milk for dunking freshly acquired cookies and the Beetroot Latte that had left such a strong impression, it was tough to waive an opportunity to re-experience the latter.

Having been mesmerized by the extensive crafting counter and bevelled wall decor last time, I hadn't craned my neck upwards to take in the triangular ceiling design: a ceaseless collection of white paper airplane-like fixtures, likely to emulate the roastery's own logo.

Out & About #616 | Tiramisu from Truscott Bakery + Oreo Stuf Shoppe

1/31/2020

I owe many a restless night to our bipolar thermostat. Poor quality sleep has, unfortunately, been a regular occurrence as of late, and Parasite flashbacks hitting me at two thirty in the morning was the last thing I wanted.

Enter Monday with a vengeance for its too-short, two-day disappearance. I arrived at my desk to the marvelous sight of a Mocha from Pilot, along with a handful of snacks that a certain prehistoric had nabbed from the past weekend's Chinese New Year festivities.

The morning daze was gradually assuaged with the assistance of caffeine and sugar, and by lunchtime, I was ready for more exciting endeavours. Well, errands in disguise that later led to the discovery of an illegitimate Brown at UNIQLO. Despite its inauthenticity, the weighty figure brought joy nonetheless.

The week then proceeded with more mid-day errand-running: fresh fruit to aid digestion and powdered effervescents to keep colds at bay.

Having been denied of the drop-in zumba class last week, the arrival of Wednesday marked our redemption day.

The post-work plans commenced with tasty treats from Truscott Bakery, an Italian grocer within ten minutes of Clarkson (that I had, interestingly, never chanced across in all my years of commuting).

Far larger than I had imagined, the bakery offered a variety of breads, imported packaged goods, and even a small seating area for in-store consumption. A Buy 6 for No Tax Mix & Match sticky note was pasted at the corner of the pastry section, however I made a beeline for my two items of interest and swiftly maneuvered over to the checkout. This resolution was, regrettably, bulldozed by a supposed sale on ladyfingers. Two packs for $2.49 seemed reasonable in the moment; it wasn't until afterwards that I discovered significantly more competitive prices.

Moral of the story: Think twice about checkout-side merchandise.

Out & About #615 | Seara Bakery + Oatmeal Cookies

1/24/2020

Weekends these days are generally an extension of the regular work week, with the exceptions of errands replacing email correspondence and nonstop cooking in place of site visits. The 9-to-5 working hours hold consistent.

Sparse pockets of time are sometimes allocated towards baking projects, for the process enables creativity without fear of criticism for abandoning my post in the kitchen. Dried cranberries, raisins, and unsalted, roasted almonds had been obtained on the most recent grocery run, thus prompting the realization of Oatmeal Cookies.

An accidentally heavy handful of baking soda resulted in modest dryness, though the cookies remained suitable as a hearty breakfast item.
As an afternoon snack, it paired swell alongside the 8 Man English Pale Ale - a variety I had initially anticipated to prove as bitter as an IPA.

A quick round of cleaning took place before more errands. Oh, and hair-dying at home. For the very first time in my life.

The offer had been on the line for quite some time, but it wasn't until a certain prehistoric creature swung by to relieve me of my workload that the procedure properly materialized.
Consumed whilst awaiting the reveal of rose-tinged hair was Coffee Stout and a spice-laced cider gifted by my favourite fangirl.

Zero comments were extended towards my return to the real world with a mane of revived red. It was of no matter to me; I proceeded with my lunchtime excursions about the PATH for economical snacks, errands (yes, there is always more on the to-do list), and the Plant Positivity pop-up at Union Station.

It's been an unusually quiet (gloomy?) time in the house thus far, and I was reminded of Chinese New Year festivities only upon observing the floral Shiseido tunnel at Hudson's Bay.

Mid-week undertakings were scheduled to take place by Eglinton West: research results for low-budget physical activity pointed in the direction of free drop-in classes at York Recreation Centre. And nearby just so happened to be Seara Bakery, a colleague recommendation for Portuguese egg tarts.

Located in a sidewalk-less plaza near Keele and Lawrence, the bakery-café hybrid bore a great degree of similarity to SanRemo. That said, the seating area was roomier, significantly cleaner, and more pleasant overall. A double-sided laminated menu and napkin dispenser were positioned at every table; a cartoon-esque mural of the city adorned the south wall of the establishment

We took to sharing Crème Caramel as well as a single Nata - aka the primary purpose of the stopover.

Out & About #614 | DIY Sushi, Ninetails Coffee Bar + Lim Ga Ne

1/17/2020

Group activities are decidedly uncommon in my neck of the woods. So when a certain prehistoric creature extended an invite to a DIY sushi get-together with the promise of mahjong, I was more than thrilled to get going on the 401 early Sunday morning.

The day prior could be summarized to outright helter-kelter: in between weekend work shifts were "grosho" runs, and in between those were intermittent preparatory procedures for gathering-ready baked goodies. Without a doubt, I was worn to the core by the end of my sixth workday, especially given that badminton and laundry were the customary terminal tasks of the day.

Nonetheless, there was no shortage of enjoyment in presenting Chocolate Buttercrunch Cookies - made possible with the acquisition of fraktals from the Seasons Christmas Market at the table.
Apple Pie and an impromptu Mixed Berry (with hidden marshmallows) also received astounding feedback.

After being acquainted with nigiri-wrapping and shari-tossing techniques, we cleared the table and proceeded with the next order of business: Mahjong, with a side of mild alcohol.

The rest of the group guzzled Asahi while I had my taste at MacKinnon Brothers' Red Fox Ale; it was, regrettably, bitter and not reminiscent of amber ale in the slightest.

The Indian Roti House along Queens Quay was visited for a quiet weekday lunch, with our roti ordered online in advance for pickup.

A Mango Chicken Curry Roti - made mild (with special instructions for further mildness) - was shared amongst a party of two. Presented in an aluminium foil tin was a rectangular parcel, and within it a sweet-savoury mix of tender chicken bites and occasional strands of spinach. Its cloying properties were likely owed to canned mango concentrate, which yielded a degree of sugariness that would have paired optimally with higher notches of spice. Nonetheless, it was a highly enjoyable dish and ideally portioned for two.

The pick-up process was swift and effortless; the hair net-donning cashier was also incredibly amiable.

Out & About #613 | Pilot, Balzac's St. Lawrence + SanRemo

1/10/2020

With each passing year is incremental desensitization to the infamous New Year resolution buzz. Perhaps it is the coming of age, or maybe the progressively surging workload as a full-fledged human in the workforce. Our growth as mortals is somehow proportional - linearly or exponentially is for you to decide - to the daily task count that must be accomplished by day's end. And with that, we lose sight of the specifics of daily activities. A routine is adopted thoughtlessly, and time slips through our fingertips as do grains of sand on a Malibu shoreline.

As extensive as this collection of visuals may be, it merely serves to convey my early 2020 observations at a very high level.

Java is the notorious propellant of all Monday activities, in addition to majority of weekday morning happenings. To be graced with the smoothest espresso on the planet, one heads to Pilot. A decadent Mocha and exquisite Flat White soothed our fatigued souls from the evening prior.

Later in the afternoon was a second boost. Marked by a lunchtime walk about St. Lawrence (and prompted by the St. Lawrence Market's weekly closures) was a stopover at Balzac's. The two-part partitioned coffee shop was a cozy endeavour in the historical, parking-scarce neighbourhood: brick walls, wooden floorboards, and seedling-and-coffee-pot-embellished wallapaper contributed a certain zen-ness to the established environment.

The clock was ticking, so we chose our items to go: a Brewed Coffee for the prehistoric creature and a Ginger Mollasses Cookie for myself. My treat was chewier than it was crunchy, and not nearly spicy enough. The prominent presence of molasses was pleasant, though the tacky texture of the flat round left much to be desired. A slight gripe was also emitted at the absence of the ginger candy centrepiece adorning the surface of every other unit in the stack. Unfortunately, the specimen had been shoved into a paper bag swifter than the blemish could be diagnosed.

Out & About #612 | MiKi Sushi, Skating + Sam's Congee Delight

1/5/2020

Upon the mention of Hub, I can summon forth only memories of definitive quality. And while it's been brought to my attention, on several occasions, actually, that across from platform emerged their sister location, I had yet to find a chance to visit.

Immediately before MiKi's doors was a similar parking situation to Daldongnae - an access permitting entry via right turns only - and a scarcity of spots much like Katsuya's original uptown location. The interior was, in fact, a tad tinier than the famed cutlet eatery, though adopted a similar format to Hub. With a maximum capacity of thirty seats in the forms of four- and six-seaters, raised communal tables were in absence.

The floor layout was compact with a sushi bar that faced the dining area and washroom stalls at the back of the restaurant. Spotted within one of the two individual, gender-separated stalls was a multi-tier shelf, complete with air freshener, just like Hub.

A reservation was originally made for their opening time of 11:30 AM, however was later postponed due to collective tardiness amongst the group. Finding parking was my initial concern, but thankfully all three personal vehicles under consideration were able to be accommodated without issues.
Despite being geographically furthest, I was first to arrive and nabbed the table just short of the clock striking noon.

As I awaited the arrival of the others, FANCY played overhead; videos of orangecane's favourite septet cycled through on a small screen above, remaining consistent for the entire duration of our visit. The playlist blaring above, annoyingly persisted with more behind-the-scenes tunes, in the same manner, interrupted only by a few bursts of BLACKPINK and (G)I-DLE.

< Pictured above and below: Salmon Pressed Sushi, Tuna Pressed Sushi, Unagi Kimchi Donburi, Over the Rainbow, and Legend Dynamite >

The group was guided through the menu, with emphasis on their tried-and-true offerings. Aburi pressed sushi and wacky Special Rolls possess unwavering appeal to first-time diners, as did the positively irresistible Unagi Kimchi Donburi (well, to the vast majority at the table anyway).

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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