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Out & About #550 | K-Town, Kinton + ThirsTEA Revisited

5/16/2019

This weekday trip spurred from simple fangirl desires. There was one - and only one - motive behind this trip: to see NCT 127 before they hit the streets of Toronto.

A Thai ahgase - who is no longer an unfamiliar name on this space - and I had been monitoring our feeds all morning, hoping to catch glimpses of the members departing LAX so we could make the necessary arrangements for the remainder of the day.
By the time the necessary information had been acquired, we were already easing into the latter half of the day. As opposed to meeting up at the airport, then continue east for Korean BBQ near Christie, the plan was altered drastically.

I headed to Koreatown first. A last-minute hair appointment had been made while en route.
Having arrived earlier than the scheduled slot, my first order of business resided with Hodo Kwaja: a five-pack of brown sugar hoddeok was purchased to go, along with a tasty afternoon snack of walnut cakes and iced coffee. The family-operated establishment offered an expectedly potent three-dollar variation of the caffeinated beverage; four large chunks of ice assisted in maintaining its frosty temperature.

Ms. Faith was till a bit behind schedule, so I settled for exploring the area (yet again). In doing so, I discovered that Mississauga's ThirsTEA was soon to launch immediately next to CoCo. Meanwhile, I also caught sight of a limited edition Hello Kitty x h.naoto notepad that I had purchased some ten years ago in Harajuku.

Restricted in terms of time (and anxious over the reliability of public transit systems during rush hour), I set out to Kinton first to secure a table. Less than thirty minutes remained for feasting, rendering ramen a more suitable alternative to meat grilling.

< Pictured above and below: Burnt Kogashi Shoyu Ramen, Pork Miso Ramen with Thick Noodles, Hot Yuzu Sake >

Come to think of it, I don't think I've stepped foot into Kinton since my less-than-spectacular experience at the chain's original Baldwin Village spot. The Koreatown outpost carried an exclusive Cabbage Miso Ramen as well as a monthly special of Burnt Kogashi Shoyu Ramen.
The former was informed to be a somewhat spicy concoction, which ultimately led to swapping for the Pork Miso Ramen. Comprising of soybean paste, torched pork slices, corn kernels, scallions, and few dollops of garlic oil, my fellow idol-chaser devoured this in a matter of minutes. (We were on a time crunch after all.)

The Burnt Kogashi Shoyu Ramen boasted a far richer broth - evident in its darker hue and thicker consistency. A heavy handful of bean sprouts, two wide strips of torched pork belly, and a soft-boiled egg were substantial elements of the bowl. A dusting of charred seasoning - type unspecified - added depth and nuttiness, reducing feelings of satiation from the rich broth.

Both of these options paired well with the Hot Yuzu Sake, a warm glass of sweet citrus. It arrived in a stout glass, with bits of sugary yuzu jam lining the bottom. A single lemon slice drifted afloat.
Several rounds of prodding were required to obtain the precise species of house sake utilized in the drink. I rephrased my question three different ways before finally hearing the response I was searching for: Hot Yuzu Sake contained 5 oz. of Sho Chiki Bai.

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Out & About #548 | Partial May Visuals

5/14/2019

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Summer construction season is in full swing, yet it seems that neither Mother Nature - nor the spirits of employment - got the memo. The search for a position providing societal benefit ensues, as do sporadic periods of frigidity and heavy downpours.
As one jacket is returned to the closet, another must be summoned to accommodate the ever-indecisive climatic conditions.

1) Kung Fu Tea opened at Pacific Mall, and on the counter was a fake Brown.

2) The prominent sakura theme resurfaces every spring.
3) Dak Lak is a necessary (caffeinated) evil during P-Mall runs

4) Katsuya
It's been a "hot minute" since my last visit, for the post-paintball excursion in December is recalled with winter coats in tow.

Since then, the Brick Cheese Katsu - a fusion formula employing a thick, stringy slab of mozzarella - had been added to the roster of non-spicy katsu dishes. A Rosé Katsu is also anticipated in the upcoming months.

The restaurant's policies have seemingly also undergone some changes: unlimited rice refills no longer exist, and 5% discounts are now offered with cash payments.

View the full album HERE !

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Out & About #547 | Kariya Park Picnic

5/8/2019

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We're about one week late to the spring bloom. Though, I can't say I'm surprised given the on-and-off downpours and abnormally (read: below seasonal) winds we've been receiving as of late.

My favourite fangirl and I had originally made plans for the latter half of the week, but one look at the forecast and I was convinced that an earlier point in time would make for a more enjoyable hangout session.

I was not wrong, for the skies were a subdued, clear blue; the sun peaked out from between a handful of clouds, then gradually revealed itself in its entirety in the early afternoon hours.

That said, it was undoubtedly on the chillier side - for May, especially.

The ground beneath us remained a bit squelchy, thus we sought out higher ground with a balanced ratio of sun and shade. To our left was a flock of hyper-sensitive ducks, to our right were retired citizens eager to snap a photo of the sole sakura tree in the entire park.

We had whipped up a few shareable items at the last minute for a picnic in the park: Egg Salad Sandwiches and Watermelon Cucumber Cubes from me; a super scrumptious Chicken and Avocado Salad and crunchy munchables from her. Also included in the meal was a refreshing concoction of orange juice, club soda, and fresh mint, as well as a shockingly pink strawberry vinaigrette. And some Easter chocolates.

Sustenance depleted, the mat was inched slightly downhill, just enough to catch some modest yet potent UV rays. The scene could not depicted by a more fitting soundtrack than Talk Love - which, mind you, I heard for the very first time. K.will's melodic voice, paired with soft strums of acoustic guitar, was a seamless complement to the leafy rustle and chirping presence we had found ourselves engulfed within.

Some duration of time passed before a sharp breeze prompted us to pack up our containers and held elsewhere, namely in search of a warm beverage. Retreating back to the car with two Vanilla Chais restored warmth to our fingertips.

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Out & About #545 | Collective April Visuals

4/30/2019

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The first quarter is now behind us, in the most agitating form of part-time happenings and the endless job search. As for whoever said "April showers bring May flowers", they didn't quite take into consideration the duplexity of Mother Nature.

1) Sandwiched between consistent periods of gloomy, grey skies was an unforeseen sunny day, which meant taking to the tranquil - albeit terribly sodden - trails for the first cycle of the year.

2) The type of person to take present-plucking very earnestly, I decided to take matters into my own hands this year for my favourite fangirl's date of birth. A tri-layer Brûléed S'Mores Cheesecake endeavour assumed the majority of my Easter Sunday, though the results weren't optimal, in my eyes anyway.

The miniature dessert consisted of four layers: Chocolate Sponge Cake, Nutella Cheesecake, Marshmallow Cheesecake, and a thinly caramelized surface. Despite my intense research and meticulous scaling procedures, the sponge was a bit drier than desired. There was also an absence of marshmallow flavour in the topmost section.

Remnants of this cake were preserved and re-purposed for a different usage: CoCo's 22nd Anniversary Contest.
Coating the bottom two layers with a generous portion of Thai tea-infused whipped cream yielded a rectangular specimen - later deemed by the "(Knockoff) CoCo Cake" by an analytical taste-tester.

I shall not lie: the whipped cream was positively heavenly, and the perky, light orange hue was absolutely divine. Moreover, the fine specks of tea leaves contributed an additional degree of visual and gustatory texture. And amusingly, the chocolate sponge did not prove dry at all; the frosting had combatted this issue altogether.

Let me win the Switch please!!!

3) Tomo Sushi
A Chirashi bowl from Sushi Tei 2.0 was our ridiculously rushed pre-climbing dinner. Proper feedback shall be provided once a regular visit has been made.

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Out & About #544 | BLACKPINK 2019 World Tour in Hamilton

4/27/2019

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Who would have predicted the day that global K-Pop acts would choose Hamilton as their performance location of choice?
Not me, that's for sure.

Of all the neighbourhoods within the GTHA, downtown Hamilton does not rank high in terms of (my own list of) explore-able neighbourhoods. Campus life had been quite mundane a few years back, though I do admit that quite a handful of coffee shops have emerged since my era.

The Thai ahgase and I arrived at the early hour of noon, which coincided with the commencement of concert merch sales. Grey skies above our heads, we proceeded to affix ourselves to the winding lineup, jittering for the entire duration. Amidst this wait, we observed the Sound Check ticketholders: they were arranged about the venue a similar fashion, patiently awaiting their turn to file into the exclusive event. A few even had blankets wrapped about their bodies.

Each squeaky pink hammer lightstick rang in at a whopping sixty dollars, and yet, somehow, the bulk of the attendees had no issues mindlessly relinquishing this amount. This statement may come across a tad hypocritical, given its origin from one of the most dedicated Canadian ahgases, but I've never been to drop hard-earned funds before window shopping elsewhere.

Once the ordeal had finished, we sauntered over to the Hamilton Farmer's Market for lunch. Majority of the vendors remained familiar to me - an indication that they had survived the test of evolving demand. pokeh had shifted to a larger location (for reasons beyond me), and the ramen bar had acquired the adjacent next stall in its expansion.

We first took to Thai Tea from Nam Nom. The plastic cups contained less than the standard 12 oz./16 oz. serving, but the orange beverages could be depicted as nothing less than exquisite. Common gripes of the variations found throughout Toronto included heavy quantities of ice, excessive sugariness, lack of authenticity, and disproportionate milkiness. The undernotes of Nam Nom's version were unmistakably legitimate - not far from the result of brewing my own blend at home. Moreover, the slickness wasn't overpowering.

Hamilton isn't known for competitive prices, though I'd proclaim four dollars to be a fair deal.

The Slow-Cooked Pulled Chicken sandwich, on the other hand, did not deserve the same amount of commendation. At $8.50, the modern banh mi-style sub was not only pricier than Subway around the corner, but also far more compact in comparison. Personally, the combination of pickled veggies, crisp baguette, and fresh herbs never fail to impress. That said, large chunks of scallions, minimal dressing, a painfully lengthy wait time, and cash-only requirements are enough to encourage taking my business elsewhere for better value.
Slurp Ramen's customizable Miso bowl was tasty according to the tester, however one cannot dismiss elements such as chopped cabbage and charred sweet potato being ungenuine ramen components. The lumpy egg, in spite of its runny interior, was a deduction in terms of visual appearance for me.

We tossed our Thai Tea cups - now depleted of liquid - into the bins next to Cake & Loaf, where I secured a Chocoate Peanut Butter Cookie sample, and then proceeded with a walking tour of the one-kilometre radius. By this time, the drabness had cleared to reveal blue skies and warm rays of sunshine.

James Street proved to have undergone drastic developments in my period of absence. Added to the roster were new cafés, street art, and kitschy independent shops. The small stretch had been reformed in such a manner that it near emulated the crafty character of Trinity Bellwoods.

A hybrid motorcycle gear/coffee shop - with a lounge to boot! - was quite the striking combination.

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Out & About #540 | Collective March Visuals

3/31/2019

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As we near the final period of the first quarter, I continue my woeful babble of my current employment status (or rather, lack thereof). Granting that my schedule is likely lax in comparison to others, I've been able to invest more time in physical exercise and occasional kitchen projects.

The closure of Put A Cone On It had inflicted a forceful blow; the past few weeks were spent in denial. However, I am now back on my feet, striving to recreate the coveted Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookie that I had been fortunate enough to encounter in the time gone by.

1) Several videos later, I took to executing the formula yielding the most similar consistency. The first trial wasn't entirely fruitless, but its efforts resulted in cookies that were far too sweet even when paired with the most potent of coffee brews. An in-depth analysis would be required in preparation for the next release.

2) Frozen Leek Gyoza made better with Tasty tips. Rie is the best!
3) Matcha Nutella Latte - an unexpectedly indulgent combination

4) Phoenix Restaurant (Woodbine and Steeles)

Beef Brisket with Veggies + Hainanese Chicken with Oil Rice was the supper assortment of the day. There were no flaws to be found in the renowned Southeast Asian dish, though I could have seriously done without the tough, taut lumps of supposedly slow-cooked brisket.

5) The search of climbing shoes begins, for the stench of disinfecting shoe sprays at Hub have crept up on my olfactory senses.

6) Fluffy Eggs & Toast (not mine) and a Banana Kale Soy Smoothie (dubiously mine, but mine nonetheless).

7) The second iteration of Sunday Baking's recipe trumped the disproportionately cloying first. Modifications in this batch included less sugar and double the matcha powder, resulting in prominent grassiness and a far richer hue. Stay tuned for the final edition on What I Make!

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Out & About #537 | Mapo Korean BBQ

3/14/2019

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The last time I purchased an album without pre-order benefits likely dates back to DAY6's Sunrise. The online ordering system far exceeds physical trips to music stores in terms of convenience and efficiency. However, there are times when one cannot justify EMS shipping, and times where patience is a virtue that is wholeheartedly embraced.

Seldom it is that I'd embark on a journey purely for the sake of obtaining an album - a previous trip centred around a single task was much too time-consuming. That said, I opted to incorporate supper with friends; prior to that was a short-lived visit at Rustle & Still.

I remain on the hunt for the perfect Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookie, for the void in my heart - er, stomach - remains unfilled with Put A Cone On It's unexpected departure from Koreatown.

It's highly regrettable to say that the succulent-filled cafe did not fulfill such a yearning: their rendition was not only satiating, but also crumbly to the point where it was impossible to consume without the specimen shattering in countless tiny shards. Inelegant nibbling process aside, I was particularly unfond of the green-tinged grease dissipating from the mound. Commonly a consequence of an insufficient amount of dry ingredients, the one-year-old cafe ought to have taken the appropriate remedial measures the ensure the delivery of tried-and-true recipes.

This was possibly the most depressing cookie I've tasted to date. The remaining half was stuffed back into its splotchy, oil-stained paper bag; I simply could not bring myself to devour it in its entirety.

While waiting for a particular Thai ahgase to make her appearance, I conducted a thorough review of my newest acquisition: JUS2's "FOCUS" EP. Sleek and groovy was the vibe being emitted from the photoshoot. The concept images fell in step with the general sound of the SENSES-filled selection of tracks.

JB's album message was one that stuck with me, for he noted that enjoyment would be doubled by listening with earbuds. Guess I shall have to try that.

Our departure from the cafe was succeeded by a visit to Starbucks, then an impromptu coin karaoke session to pass time. I was mindblown that this activity had existed in the city all this time.

A different friend led us towards Echo, a spot that neither of us fangirls had ever stepped foot into, then up the stairs to the main desk. Five dollars earned us ten minutes of singing time in a private room. This equated to approximately five or six songs.

Albeit a tad cramped (and warm) for three participants, the room was quite cozy and ideal for an intimate belting session. By the time we had reached the last tune, a call was received from Mapo. Our table was ready.

An estimated twenty-minute wait passed in the blink of an eye, and we were immediately ushered into a roomy booth near the cashier.

As Yelpers had noted, the interior was comparable to that of Daldongnae, given the seating layout and heavy dependence of wooden elements. However, the comprehensive experience was beyond the likes of my uptown ordeal.

Instead of being confined into a tiny, dimly-lit wooden booth, we were offered a properly illuminated table with ample space to move and set down our belongings. An abundance of decorative elements filled the space, reminiscent of Sikgaek's 40's style poster art (think Rosie the Riveter's 'We Can Do It!'). A handful of tables with backless Stainless steel stools were distributed throughout the restaurant; amusing signage such as "여자 말을 잘 듣자" (translation: "Listen carefully/well to the words of women") was hoisted above the stairwell to the downstairs bathroom. According to our native Korean member of the party, this was, by far, the most authentic setup he was familiar with.

< Pictured above and below: TB3 별집삼겹살 (Honey Pork Belly), TB4 생목살 (Pork Neck), 바베큐 된장찌게 (Doenjang Jjigae), Rice, TB1 돼지갈비 (Pork Kalbi) >

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Out & About 536 | Partial March Visuals

3/13/2019

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Has half the month passed already? (My exam date is looming. Oh dear me.)

1) Onnuri
With the name change also came an updated menu. Thankfully, prices remained the same; the selection was similar, though the new focus seemed to lie with hot stone dishes (instead of solely on gamjatang).

< Pictured above and below: Grilled Mackerel (고등어구이), TteokMandukuk (떡만두국), JaJangMyun (짜장면) >

2) At-Home Visuals Feat. Mixed Berry Jam Grilled Cheese
3) Cereal for the iron-deficient
4) My first cup of Mango Green Tea w/ Lychee Jelly since 2015, courtesy of a friendly former co-worker

5) Tip of the day: Wear long sleeves and trim your nails short prior to climbing.

Revisiting Hub in short sleeves earned me a nasty scrape. Also displayed are the consequences of when an elbow and door frame collide.

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Out & About #530 | North York Things: MeNami, Hey Sugar + Karaoke

2/18/2019

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"So much for being open on public holidays."
I had suggested sushi for my long overdue meetup with ochungg, namely Japan Eats located on the ground floor of Yonge and Sheppard's predominantly Chinese condo building. Alas, we arrived to find both front and back entrances locked and the interior was empty. Despite my prior research, the information on their social media page had proved inaccurate.

With one of us craving sashimi and the other in favour of Korean, we settled on MeNami. Reservations hadn't been made in advance, but, thankfully, we were seated without a wait. Those arriving closer to 1 PM were spotted standing by the entrance for short periods of time.

As a familiar choice for both of us, narrowing down our selection was a fairly uncomplicated task. ochungg opted for the Salmon Cream Sauce Udon, while I pointed towards the Fresh Salmon Don without a shred of hesitation. Fresh greens and sashimi were precisely the two elements I had been searching for.
Other additions to the menu included an eighty-dollar Family Day Special, which showcased a few of their signature dishes, and a new series of cocktails (that were arguably less appealing than their initial lineup).

We had also agreed on requesting a Fresh Fried Ika to share. Regrettably, the portion was much smaller - and greasier! than past visits.

Trying the Fresh Salmon Don was a first for me. Comprising various components and an extravagant presentation, it was managed to fill the sashimi void without leaving behind feelings of satiation. The dish was served with a choice of sweet soy sauce or a spicy, tangy gochujang-based dressing; being concerned over the degree of spiciness, I requested that the sauces be served on the side. Our server, who was all grins and expertly blended eyeshadow, obliged with a smile.

The main was a medley of mixed greens, pickled peppers and cucumbers, tenkasu, and chunks of salmon sashimi.
A bowl of warm, steamed white rice and clear dashi-like broth accompanied the ceramic platter. The rice grew mushy quite quickly - it was either not of a short-grain variety, or had been cooked with an excessive amount of water. The soup acted as a palate cleanser between bites of pickled vegetables and onion.

With the exception of a bone amidst the sashimi chunks, I was quite fond of the don overall. In comparison to the restaurant's other dishes, it possessed a more subtle profile, yet did not skimp on flavour nor texture.

Atmospheric conditions were milder than predicted, so we trekked down to Hey Sugar afterwards.

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Out & About #529 | Partial February Visuals

2/16/2019

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The first day of the month hit me with a wake-up call, in the most literal sense thinkable.
Whatever poor feasting decisions I've committed in the past cannot continue. I am no longer a young soul, thus my actions are tied to specific consequences. Taking note of others' unhealthy habits is something I do frequently and naturally. It's high time to commence the process of rectifying my own.

Let the journey to health begin!!
Or, as I'd like to rephrase it: The 豬年唔再做豬大作戦.

1) Congee to soothe an enervated digestive system
2) A Matcha Almond Milk Shake (made disppointing as a result of low-grade matcha)
3) Offsetting winter blues with a colourful lunch bowl

4) Honey Butter Chips - the "Winter Warmers" Edition
Sadly, the Caramel Almond flavour falls short of both the Original and Maple editions.

5) White Cake with Peaches
The consequence of utilizing all the yolks in the fridge for custard, and then overheating said custard to a runny disaster, is a White Cake. In other words, it is a cake constructed with egg whites and devoid of yolks.

A tad stiffer than a traditional cake, it is important to glaze the surface with sugar syrup and pair it with a fat-heavy counterpart to supplement moisture and flavour. (Mind you that I had combined the ingredients in the incorrect order, causing large, non-uniform air bubbles to appear in the batter.)