Category: - Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger

Out & About #580 | A Fusion Dance Party

9/7/2019

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.

Out & About #579 | Collective August Visuals Feat. Japan Festival + The Night Baker

8/29/2019

Summer is drawing to a close, and, with its departure, should humidity excuse itself accordingly. The past two weeks have proved cooler than the predicted seasonals - not that I'm grumbling about that, of course.

Nevertheless, chilly mornings are the stealthy culprit of summer colds, as made evident by those around me falling victim to summer colds, one by one like dominoes on a playing board. A compact cardigan goes a long way, my friends.

Moving on to our regular run of feasting snapshots:

1) The Night Baker's insufficient grassy Mistachio prompted the seventh iteration of an old recipe on a relatively quiet Sunday afternoon.

Roasted peanuts remained an essential element in the dough, but white chocolate chips had been swapped for semi-sweet ones due to availability. This modification yielded a sweeter core, while the accidental increase in beaten egg resulted in overall softness.

2) Ice Q (Round 5)

Affogato is one the newest items to ease their way onto the menu, following closely after the café's introduction of crepe-and-coffee pairings. Having ordered an Americano to go in my past, as well as a Thai Iced Tea with a (pricey) shot of espresso, I didn't think twice about the quality of their espresso. It was surely better than whatever disappointing ration Archtop had offered.

The order included two scoops of vanilla ice cream - plain, in the absence of vanilla bean; a delicate drizzle of chocolate drizzle glazed the surface of the top orb, with dark chocolate curls dispersed for an added dose of texture.

Presented separately was a small pitcher of "Italian espresso", an aromatic presence of fine surface bubbles and minimal crema. Acidity was mild, though it mattered moderately, given the pre-existing profile of the ice cream and sugary profile of chocolatey condiments.

The combination was a match made in heaven: the fruit of bitter grounds gradually penetrating icy, sugary mounds, then finished with the tinge of semi-sweet crunch. I finished the creation with glee, foregoing any and all woes about becoming ridiculously roused for the remainder of the day. My surroundings appeared heavily saturated - and sharp, almost to a digitally enhanced degree - in the subsequent hours, which was a first for me. Thankfully, these stimulated perceptions of the world diminished during the later hours, enabling a restful evening of uninterrupted sleep.
All factors taken into consideration, this would be an option I wouldn't hesitate to order again, especially alongside a nectarous bowl of ice shards.

Out & About 578 | Canadian National Exhibit (CNE) 2019

8/23/2019

I can't identify with the CNE being an annual tradition.
Rumour has it that the August-limited venture warrants a visit from Ontarians near and far every single year. And that is, personally speaking, an occurrence that would spur greater stress than joy.

Scorching temperatures, draining energy levels, public transit chaos, obnoxious lineups, and pricey, off-tasting fare characterized my first visit. It's been five years since then - half a decade, in other words; the expedition garnered a lasting impression, flourishing with enough negativity to recall several years later.

This recount then poses the question: So why visit again?
Because I was looking for a post-work hour activity that could be easily accessed by all members of the party. At the same time, everything deserves a chance for redemption.

I renounced the grueling door-to-door trip on transit in favour of driving then commuting along the Lakeshore West corridor. By the time 4 PM rolled around, I was ready to head over, but due to staggered work times, the trio didn't assimilate until closer to 6 PM.

Brown had snuck his way into my bag, prepared to ventilate the vicinity when summoned. However, this year's visit was nowhere near as sweltering as the 2014 run. Weather conditions were stellar throughout our entire visit - totally unlike the sticky, humid obscenity from before. In spite of the incredulous amounts of foot traffic, neither a fan nor a sleeveless, strappy top was critical to my overall sanity. An occasional breeze was felt here and there.
Sundown paved the way for stooping mercury levels, prompting the need for either a cardigan or thin jacket.

View the full album HERE !

Out & About #577 | Weekly Roundup: Afternoon Snacking + The Night Baker

8/17/2019

It's pouring outside in the nastiest way right now. You know, that on-and-off madness where you're considering cancelling plans in favour of compiling paperwork in the company of hot tea and mellow playlists.

But perhaps I oughtn't to complain, because West Coasters endure far greater amounts of precipitation, suffering darker, gloomier days. Moreover, the entire week has been (mostly) mild with blue skies welcoming me into every weekday morning.

1) A lunchtime stroll thrust a complimentary can of White Ale into my hands. Enjoyed responsibly at home, the Niagara brewery's patio-perfect product was summer-ready with a refreshing, clean finish.

2) Double the Uncle Tetsu, double the fun.
3) More Percy Pigs grace this week's snacking roundup.

4) Palgong (Distillery District)

With the exception of the Grapefruit Green Tea and their lack of a functioning faucet, Palgong - or rather, Two Nine - has never disappointed. The act of extending operations into the Distillery District came as an odd discovery me; nonetheless, I was determined to see the store for myself.

The journey felt longer than anticipated, and unbelievably hot despite the waterfront breeze. Instead of biting the bullet, I hopped onto the first TTC bus I spotted, which ultimately took me to George Brown's waterfront campus instead of my desired destination. I trekked the remainder of the way, making my arrival with prominent sweat droplets lining my forehead.

For the sake of sheer comparison, I took to an Original Milk Tea via Ritual. And as the system was devoid of a "less sugar" option, I promptly selected "No Sugar". Minutes later, I learned the direness of this decision. A plastic cup under my name was plopped onto the counter, within it containing a tacky, repulsive substance that I'd be perfectly fine with never tasting ever again. I searched for a wastebin, where it rightfully belonged, however those thoughts were dismissed as my wallet wailed in outright disagreement. I also couldn't stand the thought of wasting food.
To further escalate my displeasure, the $3.49 price tag had come exclusive of tapioca. I only later learned that the business was holding a 50% off promotion for in-store orders.

5) "It's said that if you are able to look up at the sky three times a day, You Are happy."

Out & About #576 | Partial August Visuals Feat. Ice Q (Round 4)

8/11/2019

Indoor rock climbing was observed to be a trend since the first quarter of this year - "Suddenly everyone was scaling a wall", as artist Dami Lee calls it. Another observation was the general shift to a healthier lifestyle amongst my immediate circle. Gym memberships, yoga studios, and sore muscles were key words that rapidly infiltrated daily conversation.

I'm rarely one to enjoy perspiring in the presence of others, with the exception of badminton, so it took quite a while before my favourite fangirl could convince me to take advantage of her gym's one-time day pass. Truthfully, it sparked due to over-indulgence the day prior by means of boozy brunch at Pray Tell and devilishly decadent stuffed cookies from The Night Baker.

We stayed for a solid four hours, then hunger hit. When the nearby Freshco denied me of a readymade salad, I turned to foodora. A limited-time voucher prompted a late lunch at Basil Box; featured on the side is a refreshing, albeit slightly sugary, Pomegranate Mojito, which is retailing for two dollars till the end of summer.

One dollar Iced Coffees from McD's are a godsend. Even more so are the customization options; my go-to is: no liquid sugar and substituting milk for cream.

Outtakes from the aforementioned downtown excursion can be found below as well.

Resuming our routine format:
1) Homemade Cold Brew from my favourite fangirl (and her gifted pack of Albuquerque beans)
2) Blueberry and Lavender Honey Butter Chips proved underwhelming in profile, despite their fantastically floral fragrance.

Out & About #573 | Pray Tell, The Night Baker + Pilot Ossington

8/3/2019

Repeat after me: Do NOT contemplate venturing downtown on Caribana weekend.

The GO train WILL be loud and rambunctious.
The passenger car WILL reek of the newly-decriminalized plant, to an extensive degree.
The streetcars WILL be delayed from Exhibition Station.
The countless road closures WILL result in needless traffic chaos and an excruciating return commute.

Now, with that said and done, let's proceed with our regular gustatory programming

Pray Tell has assumed a spot on my downtown radar since December of last year, around the same time I discovered the fabulous Café Cancan. Alas, their unavailability of weekday brunch and late opening hours automatically ruled out the Dufferin Grove establishment for an early afternoon get-together.
The opportunity for analysis finally rolled around with much warmer weather and an ambitious brunch buddy; it worked out well, since their "secret" backyard patio was now in operation as well.

A day prior, we - or rather, I - secured a reservation via Bookenda, the eatery's alternative to OpenTable. My arrival was delayed, naturally, due to extenuating circumstances, but the restaurant was more than happy to accommodate our last-minute decision to switch to the patio from our window seat in the street-facing dining room. Three amiable members of staff serviced the interior and exterior dining areas, with occasional support from the bartender and kitchen staff.

Our migration to the great outdoors was greeted with a jug of ice water, along with new sets of napkin-wrapped utensils. Menus were also shifted for our perusing needs. Revealed within a hardcover bi-fold booklet were entrées, cocktails, and coffee/tea choices; an extension of the alcohol section was found in a smaller paper menu.

After some contemplation, we settled on the Very Nice Mimosa and Justice Beaver to start. A shareable sweet-and-savoury combo of Mr. & Mrs. Benny Hopes and Bad & Boujee French Toast ensued. Bottomless Mimosas at $33 per person were also available for a duration of two hours. Considering that each individual order was priced at nine dollars, it would have easily evened out should we been able to exhaust two glasses each over the course of consumption. Doing the math, we arrived at the conclusion that our tummies were unlikely to feature such a capacity.

View the full album HERE !

Out & About #572 | Weekly Roundup: Sang-Ji Fried Bao + Coffee Runs

8/2/2019

Due to the frequency of Weekly Roundup posts, the monthly issue of Collective Visuals shall be suspended for this period, naturally. Please find the a short collection of late July/early August snaps below, which are not to be bereft of the series' regular food-centric feelings.

1) The discovery of coffee pod machines, in conjunction with the purchase of an ice cube tray, has enabled the creation of Iced Lattes right in the office.

2) JAWS-inspired OLG Pachinko?
3) I spotted the Honda Indy GO Bus!

4) Two Nine Tea (formerly Palgong)

Palgong has officially evolved into Two Nine Tea - a name potentially owed to its popular $2.99 milk tea. The interior and menu remains consistent with my last visit.

My only lamentation is in regards to the bathroom facility: a tiny space featuring both a toilet and urinal alongside cleaning supplies. A pitcher of water was provided to compensate the malfunctioning faucet. I'll take this as a better quick fix to a lack of running water than completely nixing the resource altogether.

We also stopped by Vava and its ever-adored wall of (knockoff) plushies.

5) Sang Ji Fried Bao

As esteemed in the North York food scene as Juicy Dumplings (520) in Chinatown, this hole-in-the-wall space had held a spot on my radar for over half a year. My first attempt was executed in vain, for it occurred on the single day of their closures: a fatefully snowy Monday.

However, it was a Tuesday this time; I was determined to succeed.

The establishment was far from spacious, as are many along the strip. Similar to Naniwa Taro a few doors down, the interior consisted of nothing more than a menu board, a combined kitchen and cashier area, and a handful of seats. The differences lay in the cuisine style, presence of outlets in the seating area, and payment policy; Sang-Ji accepted none other than physical monies.

The Sang-Ji Bao(s) were reminiscent of soup dumplings (the beloved "XLB"/xiaolongbao) but sturdier in appearance - think a gym rat versus a marathon runner. The thin wrapper utilized in the original Shanghainese version was swapped for a denser variation - one commonly seen in Northern Chinese cuisine such as Beef or Chive Pancakes. Denser and tougher, it enabled the undersides of the buns to crisp nicely upon contact with a well-greased wok.
Found inside the buns was a super succulent - and, dare I say, bewitching - pork filling. Needless to say, unexpected bursts of scalding broth was an aspect not to exempt from the experience. Potentially inflicting harsher burns to the tongue than its Shanghainese counterpart, Sang-Ji's namesake dish proved its popularity with unrivalled freshness and intense insulation.

A sprinkle of toasted white sesame seeds, shriveled bits of green onion, and (entirely optional) splash of Chinese dark vinegar ensured complexity in aromatic profile.

Service was essentially nonexistent, besides the curt "Ok bye" we received in response our dish return gesture. Most patrons had opted for multiple takeout orders instead of dining in. During our short stay, the outflow of Styrofoam boxes never seemed to halt at all.

At $6.99 for a set of four, the eatery's signature wasn't bad at all. In large quantities, I can imagine the costs to accumulate rapidly, however it satisfied our desire for a small, pre-dinner snack.

Out & About #571 | Tim Hortons Innovation Cafe

8/2/2019

New downtown openings in the city are essentially synonymous to winding lineups. Whether it be a fleeting fad or an up-and-coming startup, the queuing never seems to cease.

Hopping on the bandwagon after Starbucks' more upscale Reserve locations is the Tim Hortons Innovation Café. Claiming to be the solution to generating interest (read: stimulating business) amongst the younger generations, the venture has expanded Tim's original selection to include over-the-top donuts, exclusive (and arguably pretentious) caffeinated options, and supposedly premium sandwiches (think Caprese with focaccia), foregoing the typical glazed donuts and tried-and-true Fruit Explosion. Like Second Cup's King and John flagship, a brew bar is found towards the end of the counter, just adjacent to the drink pickup area.

I persuaded my favourite fangirl, who has recently found herself in the core not too far from myself, on a lunchtime adventure. We scoured The PATH in search of the outpost, eventually confiding in the directory to guide us to the ground floor of the Exchange Tower. Contrary to our suspicions, it was not on the lower level of First Canadian Place. Street access could be found on Adelaide at southeast corner of York and Adelaide.

The lineup extended outside of the store, which we joined without much hesitation. Inching in with every passing minute, the red decor, not-yet-operative self-serve kiosks, and downtown-exclusive menu slowly came into view.
Greeting us first was the donut display; the colourful, sugary treats could be purchased as singles or dozens (half or full). Next along the ordering path was the cashier, where drink orders were placed and names were taken, inaccurately might I note, for the cups. The pickup process didn't differ too greatly from Starbucks, but it felt oddly less personal than the Seattle java giant.

Cleanliness level did not vary vastly from any other Tim Hortons: sticky counters, coffee splatters, a disoriented utensil area, and stained delivery slips possess a consistent presence. The addition of name tag-bearing drinks is a recent introduction - likely to appeal to the urban masses. Seating may be more sophisticated in comparison, with a wooden communal table and velvety finish sofas along the north perimeter, but I found neither inviting due to the tables' overall filth and clutter.

Out & About #569 | Basecamp + Revisiting Kinton Bloor

7/26/2019

Six weeks is a long time. In retrospect, it's only a little over a month, and likely a shorter duration than my last scheduled catch-up session. But these 42 days were sufficient in making me aware of my suppressed climbing capabilities. Meanwhile,Miss Rushka's been avidly preaching the phrase "Practice makes perfect", exhibited in her nimble movements up the wall.

We had probably arranged to meet for a climb in the first quarter of the year, at the time I had first become engrossed with the sport. Alas, as my enthusiasm wavered, she gained social climbing circle. It was at that point that our progress began shifting in opposite directions.

Fast forward to more humid conditions, our appointment finally realized on a late July afternoon.
I first headed to Hair Bank, where a stylist by the same name as Red Velvet's tallest member carefully tamed my frizzy, scraggly strands.

Some forty-minutes later, Miss Rushka and I began our first climb at Basecamp - a gym neither of us had attempted prior. Day passes were twenty-five dollars plus tax (without a student discount), with rental shoes and harnesses extra.

The Koreatown spot comprised of three floors: a basement floor allocated for lockers and showers, a ground floor of belay routes, and an upper level dedicated to a small bouldering area. Much like both Hub locations, the second floor overlooked the rest of the facility as the highest static point in the establishment

Waivers were required from us first, followed by a read-through of the rules sheet, a bouldering orientation, and belay test. The staff member that guided these pre-climb checks was exceptionally stern, which wasn't bad at all. Safety training is not an aspect to overlooked in any sport, and the man's attitude was a pure reflection of this. He eased up towards the end of the orientations, cracking a small smile while giving us an introductory tour of the available routes, colouring/grading notation, and general policies.

Once our tags were securely knotted, it was time to start climbing!

Firstly, I noticed the limited number of auto-belay routes: a total of five versus the countless lead/top rope. In other words, solo climbers would have to stick to bouldering, or befriend a gym mate or two to exchange belays. To one side of the gym were somewhat easier routes, with relatively straightforward hold placement and minimal incline. Several of the routes, as I observed, crossed its neighbours'; extra heed ought to be used when attempting overlaps.
The most amusing aspect of the auto-belays were the animal-shaped holds, likely an initiative to encourage the younger generation to commence climbing.

Out & About #568 | Weekly Roundup: Butter Baker + Ice Q

7/20/2019

Only fools catch colds in the summer.
Or that's how the saying goes anyway.

So I've branded myself a fool, catching a bug and letting it wreck havoc on my entire being. A rapid recovery was made from a 101 fever - the actual kind, not the one catching fire in Korea - but a new hump arose after my round of unhealthy eats at Night It Up. I lost my voice instantly, and essentially transformed into a toad living in fear of inflammatory foods.

1) Butter Baker goodies from my favourite fangirl

Matcha White Chocolate tasted better this time around: crisp and more bitter, but still very heavy in the floral department. Winning my heart in a heartbeat was the Triple Chocolate, whose fragrant aroma I warmed up to even while launching the most disastrous coughing fit of the season. It was an item that was easily polished off. Birthday Cake was the sweetest of the pack, and, admittedly, my least favourite. Its spreadability and high sugar content did not pair particularly well, in my opinion. Then again, I'm not one to prefer overly sweet treats.

2) Hestia
In The PATH underneath the TD Centre was a cafe find I hadn't expected at all. On the hunt for a turmeric latte, the name popped up in my results alongside nutbar at Assembly Chef's Hall. Nutbar's rendition was hefty at $6.25 before tax, and nut milks aren't generally my go-to either.

It took a few loops for me to finally find Hestia, and I'm glad I persevered. The caffeine-less Turmeric Ginger Latte soothed the throat while reviving the senses. Its potency was evident in the slight tingling sensation experienced during consumption. Oat Milk, which I had requested in fear that dairy might worsen my condition, was an alternative that incurred an additional charge of sixty cents. That said, it was a sweet decision that I felt no remorse towards making.

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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