Out & About #1036 | Free ROM Nights, Corner Crepe Co. + Biking to EATALY/Distillery

Hangovers are hardly a happy time. Though, I had none to blame but my own series of questionable decisions that stacked impacts of dehydration from outdoor physical activity on intense alcohol intake in a short span.

​Ginger helped tremendously in curbing feelings of nausea. Gnawing on the root brought me back to reality, allowing for somewhat of a functional presence instead of headaches and pure suffering. Light meals and warm broths were sought out, as was a dessert of Black Sesame Glutinous Rice Balls in a yellow sugar syrup heavily infused with the anti-inflammatory root.

​With Monday constituting a "catch-up day" after my Sunday recovery, my mandatory in-office presence arrived swifter than expected, or desired.

​Morning skies were beautiful with cascading ribbons of clouds across an azure background. The presence of such atmospheric masses promised some degree of sun cover, which, in turn, convinced me to undertake another cycling adventure in the city.

My destination of the day would be EATALY. Seeing that Saletember was still underway and I had no immediate errands in the area, I decided to traverse along University towards Bloor. The northbound stretch along University was brimming with potholes, hot dog cart smoke, and pedestrians that somehow felt entitled to jaywalk before oncoming cyclist traffic. Conditions would improve drastically once past College Street, however.
Queen's Park Crescent featured unidirectional curbside cycle tracks separated from vehicular traffic with concrete barriers and bollards. Despite permitting two to three lanes of traffic on either side of the Legislative Assembly building, biking was exceptionally peaceful along this stretch. Although I was heading uphill, the abundance of street trees ensured plenty of shade, while uninterrupted travel gave rise to breeziness.

Particularly worth noting was the decidedly early colour change of foliage. A handful of crunchy, gold-tinted leaves had descended onto the grassy boulevard and along the gutters, making for beautiful autumn scenery. As with any urban setting though, cyclists must be mindful of turning vehicles and pedestrians that meander onto the crosswalk without checking for traffic. Vehicles halting past the stop bar can camouflage pedestrians in the intersection, leading to potentially dangerous situations. Being aware of such hazards is crucial in a city with bustling volumes.

Construction on Queens Park between the east-west crescent split and Bloor Street required additional care to navigate safely. The unexpected lane reduction prompted blind spot checks for oncoming vehicles, as well as a temporary detour onto the sidewalk to connect with the east-west Bloor St bikeway. By the time I had reached Bay and Bloor, pedestrian volumes were so substantial that I opted to dismount instead.

​The flyers hadn't noted any articles of interest to me. Nevertheless, I browsed every single aisle, scrutinizing the selection and their asking prices.

​In spite of chocolate-incited breakouts, I took to three sweet treats featuring the coveted ingredient. Since my last visit, the Loaker crackers have surged in price. A box now goes for $3 before tax; last year they were marked down to under $2.

​Yorkville, while renowned for seamless tiling, was barren of shrubbery. I became quite warm upon arrival, and even warmer after obtaining a bike and rejoining traffic at Bay and Charles. Naturally, I attempted to secure the same bike as my outbound trip: I'd need not verify functionality of the brakes, bell, or seat height adjustment lever. I was under the impression that the same bike remained where I had docked it, but the apparatus was obnoxiously squeaky compared to the first.

Suffice to say, the less responsive, screechy brakes drew much attention, in addition to leading to more uncertain maneuvers. Deduced from this experience was the sheer difference in navigability and enjoyment imposed by the selected Bike Share device.

Route amended to include missing data

​For some reason, my watch had not captured the outbound trip. I have since amended the map to the best of my abilities and approximate a total travel distance of 5 km and 30 minutes.

​Baiocchi biscuits were sampled without restraint upon returning to the office. The button-shaped biscuit sandwiches were delectable with a crunchy exterior and cocao-hazelnut filling - think Nutella, but sturdier and far less sugary.

The evening hours had initially entailed a compact schedule of camera-selling, ROM-visiting, and food-acquiring. With the last-minute cancellation of a 6 PM meeting, I was bestowed the opportunity to roam free of schedule constraints. I'd extend an invitation to my coworker for the journey.

Every third Tuesday of the month was allocated for free admission to the Royal Ontario Museum. Complimentary hours were slated for the late afternoon period, enabling visitors to peruse the arts and culture destination between 4:30 - 8:30 PM. The provided access rights would be the equivalent of a General Admission ticket, omitting special exhibits such as the ongoing "Earth: An Immersive Journey" and "Wild Cats" sections.

​We arrived at 4:30 PM to observe quite a horrendous lineup around the museum towards the U of T Flavelle House law building. The queue would commence before the Queens Park entrance, rather than the distinguishable Michael Lee-Chin Crystal on Bloor. Majority of the queue consisted of students, in particular foreign students equipped with name tags, clipboards, and checklists of sorts. They navigated in groups, conversing amongst themselves in their native language. The remainder of the visitors included couples, middle-aged women, and a handful of Mandarin-speaking families (likely on vacation).

​While we pondered the possibility of being denied access due to entry caps, we'd heave a sigh of relief as guests were gestured into the building with swiftness. By the 4:45 PM mark, we had entered into the facility.

The main floor was incredibly busy, as visitors had decided to explore the floors in order. After taking to the bathroom and relinquishing three dollars each for coat check, I proposed commencing our expedition on the second floor. This would allow first floor volumes to gradually dissipate as we entertained ourselves with the ROM's other exhibits.
The coat check line was absolutely empty. Each bag would be priced at three dollars, though one could consolidate (as I did). Laptops, if made known, were required to be powered on to demonstrate functionality. That said, I can't be certain of the reason behind this policy requirement.

​This trip would mark my subsequent visit since P1HARMONY's ROM After Dark event.

​Little was observed to have changed. Fixed exhibits showcasing wildlife, aquatic life, Birds of Prey, and endangered species had likely not been updated since my high school field trip days. Nevertheless, I enjoyed browsing the floor, given that such recollections have become vague with the passing of time.

​Most memorable from the second floor was the wholly immersive Bat Cave, autumn-appropriate forest display with deer and artificial maple trees, and Vileplume-reminiscent artifact declared as the "largest flower in the world".

​Notably less acquainted was I with the third floor exhibits of Victorian era furniture, glassware, and utensils. The exhibit would then transition to Medieval armour and modern varieties of chairs implementing minimalist, geometric designs.

Levels 4, B1, and B2 would be closed to the public, the stairwells barred with queue separators and signage.

Consequently, we took to exploring the gift shop before heading back to Level 1.

Largely dedicated to specimens of Chinese and East Asian origins, the perpetually present array always conjures chuckles when discussed.
"Is it the same thing?" I had inquired weeks ago upon hearing of my browsing partner's downtown trip. And, indeed, it was.

​Being joined with my coworker presented a different experience: We shared personal stories about certain artifacts, including the ways in which they are incorporated in modern-day culture.

​Leisurely journeying about the entire museum took about two hours. We then set out for sustenance.

​Toasty above-seasonal temperatures would recede to a cool, double-digit conditions come the evening hours. The transition made our detour through U of T grounds not only comfortable, but absolutely breathtaking with the sun gradually easing across the horizon.

Queen's Park Crescent would connect to King's College Circle, King's College Road, then eventually to the north side of College Street. From there, a short walk would lead us to Terima and my chosen supper spot of Corner Crepe Co.

The savoury crepe spot had been assumed a spot on my radar since I had first strolled past. Budget-friendly and seemingly hearty, it had been a top contender for sharing with my browsing partner in advance of the Ripley's (album) visit. Unfortunately, being notified of peanuts used in their condiment eradicated this possibility.

Jianbing was a northern Chinese street food which I first encountered in a pre-pilates visit to Pacific Mall. Frankly, I had believed myself to be none too fond of it, given its excessive greasiness and overall lack of textural harmony. The Scarborough edition had been sizable, but otherwise derelict of proper ingredients.
Corner Crepe Co., on the other hand, boasted impressive reviews all around. I was convinced to try the Shredded Chicken version, which tacked an additional $3.99 to the base cost of $6.99. Other options included Sausage or Shredded Potato, though reviews had advised against the sausage, for it was merely thin slices of baloney.

At our time of arrival, the lady behind the counter was in the midst of accepting a phone order. She greeted us shortly afterwards with a smile. When I relayed my order to her, she was quick to note that the Shredded Chicken would be slightly spicy, but she could omit additional spice during its construction. The warning was greatly appreciated, for all in my immediate circle are aware of my meek tolerance.
The lady's follow-up inquiry of "Debit or cash?" had me quite surprised. As a business adopting a literal hole-in-the-wall appearance, I had expected cash to be the only acceptable form of payment. The transaction set me back eleven dollars; when the lady returned to the counter, I began to count my bills and coins to confirm that the amount was correct. Not only did she wave the need aside, she further presented us with a complimentary cup of soy milk - a generous, chilled 16 oz. portion no less!

Corner Crepe Co. was indeed true to its reviews: The jianbing was a substantial portion that could easily be split between two people! Those with ravenous appetites may be able to deplete an entire serving, though the sizable rolls were adequate for small eaters such as my coworker and I.

​We retraced our steps along College and found patio seats before Braemar College. The box unveiled two wax paper-wrapped halves. The coverings deteriorated with the permeation of sauce, though they didn't distract from the quality of the crepe itself. Each bite was phenomenal: gratifying and scrumptious with plentiful amounts of shredded lettuce, egg, seasoned shredded chicken, and fragrant toasted sesame seeds. Within the crepe was a crispy dough layer of sorts. Unlike Nicola's, the shard was thinner, incorporating readily into the rest of the crepe while still contributing crunch. Fieriess was barely detected, thus very manageable.

Consumed alongside was the refreshing cup of soy milk, which would have also assisted in neutralizing spice levels, if present.

I was quick to propose dessert next. Cravings for bingsoo prompted me to lead the way to Hanbingo. Upon entry, we found an order kiosk by the entrance. Taped to the top was a large sign that forbid sharing of orders. In essence, a minimum order of one cup bingsoo per person would apply. Having neither sampled their creations previously nor expressed particular interest in their limited assortment of offerings, we resolved to head elsewhere. The sole member of front-line staff had also failed to acknowledge our presence through greetings.

Across the street was Honeymoon Desserts, and further west on the north side of College would be The Cups. Alas, I was compelled to try neither of these outposts. (The Cups has also seen better days, especially given the staggering decline in quality and service since expanding beyond Thornhill.)

My coworker enthusiastically declared that she'd be willing to try the outlet I fancied most. Consequently, we tapped onto the College streetcar and made our way to Snow Day. By this time, rush hour had passed the streetcar was no longer packed beyond capacity.

The second floor Korean dessert parlour was a few minutes north of College and Church, its entrance decorated with LED lights and a rainbow representative of Church-Wellesley Village.
About three tables were occupied at 7:37 PM. The main demographic were students - young adults clad in breezy attire and crocs, supplemented with backpacks and grimy crocs. Once again, Gen Z is most definitely in a league of their own. Responding to accidental bumps with "It's okay" instead of "Sorry" already seemed audacious. Asking me to "move aside" when I was snapping an image of the menu was another act I found ignorant and appalling.

My coworker and I eventually took to a Medium Green Tea Bingsu to share. I had been cautious to pick a flavour that could be enjoyed by both of our palates, seeing that both matcha and red bean are very much acquired tastes.
About 5-7 minutes after placing the order, our buzzer would indicate readiness. Served in a glistening Stainless steel bowl with wooden spoons and lined paper bowls in accompaniment, our eyes glazed over the concoction in awe - it was much larger than expected.

Snow Day has consistently boasted the airiest of shaved ice flakes, and the newest outpost was no exception. Delightfully chewy rice cakes, nicely textured red bean paste, almond slivers, and a heaping scoop of Green Tea ice cream would adorn the surface. The composition was barely sweet and practically devoid of grassiness. In fact, I'd recommend the option if sharing with those averse to matcha.

Our consumption speed decelerated as satiation overcame us. When we finally reached the lower third, a distinct amount of sweetened condensed milk was observed to have congregated at the depths of the bowl. A squeeze bottle had been situated near the water station for an extra dosage of sweetness, though we were glad to not have exercised that route.

​A single washroom wall could be found between the kitchen and order counter. Painted in pink, the stall emitted kitschy vibes synonymous with the Gen Z aura. That said, the low, sloped ceiling, scanty quantity of toilet paper, and high usage frequency resulting in filthiness and flies were none too impressive in my books.

​We comfortably perched ourselves near a dual outlet while tackling the Green Tea Bingsu before us. Our phones would be granted the opportunity to recharge as we engaged in pleasant conversation of off-duty topics. Just before nearing the two-hour transfer window, we boarded Line 1 back to Union and proceeded with our respective routes home.
I was ecstatic to have tried two destinations on my radar, and been accompanied on my first Free ROM Tuesday. Meanwhile, my coworker was overjoyed to join me on a guided tour (me being the guide) around the city. Needless to say, we agreed that future joint outings would be imperative.

The next office day would start with a full moon in the distance and OREO samples in the York Concourse.

​I'd later come to learn that the cocoa biscuits were of the Double Stuf variety, promptly gifting them to my supervisor.

​Lunchtime would involve a bike trip to Distillery. Traversing north along University, east along Gerrard, south on Sherbourne, and east on The Esplanade made for a swift trip. That said, one must not overlook urban hindrances such as eating dust from TTC buses and street sweepers, vehicles making right turns (always!!), and pedestrian crossovers at overlapping bus stop-cycle track regions.
I can affirm that Sherbourne and Shuter is generally not a good area, for it features plenty of homeless sightings, especially near shaded areas and parks. In addition, the narrow raised cycle track on Sherbourne, combined with extensive streetscaping, made for difficult maneuvering around slow bikers.

Weaving about construction at the SE corner of The Esplanade/Lower Sherbourne, I continued my way onto Mill Street. The two-way cycle track on the south side of The Esplanade was decidedly challenging to maneuver, for curb repairs had caused TC-54s to be placed around the curb where asphalt had yet to be placed, forcing two-way traffic to utilize one lane.

​Twenty minutes of travel later, I docked at an utterly vacant station at Mill and Parliament. The Distillery District would then be roamed from the Mill Street entrance.

Venturing onto the cobblestone grounds during the late summer/early fall was unheard of. Come to think of it, all my visits to date were made in the peak of winter for the sole objective of perusing the annual Toronto Christmas Market/Distillery Winter Village event.

​awn chairs, strings of flags, floral installations, and patio chairs were foreign observations to me.

The Jellycat booth was learned to be a year-round installation, persisting beyond mid-November to late December attendance.

​Although my intentions did not veer from unadulterated interactions with the Amuseable Peanut Bag Charm, the staff watched me like a hawk, resulting in an extremely uncomfortable experience.

Surprisingly, the corridors were quite busy. Besides the occasional city local, an extravagant number of tourists were spotted. These groups ranged from Cantonese-speaking aunties, European families, and hefty Americans.

​Lovely was the short-lived stay: I hadn't known of Distillery's scenery in other seasons, and Bike Share enabled the optimal opportunity to take a quick gander under uninterrupted conditions and glorious skies.

I'd return to Yonge/Dundas perspiring profusely. Surrounding the Eaton Centre was at least five Bike Share stations, each with varying numbers of docks and available bikes. Docking on the southeast corner of Yonge/Dundas Square allowed for a detour towards Tony's Gelato.

​While I had my suspicions towards the cramped quarters' authenticity, the immediate need for a refreshing, cool treat would momentarily revoke such reservations. The interior was barren and the display case offering only seven flavours. I presumed the selection was not made fresh, since the kitchen was non-operational with dimmed lights. Tony's Gelato functioned more like a kiosk to serve the needs of tourists and unintended passerbys.

A lady emerged from the back to take my order. I pointed towards the Lemon gelato, but should have confirmed the price first. The menu board read "$5/80", which translated to $5.80, as opposed to my interpretation of $5 + 80 cent cone surcharge. My questions towards the price appeared to disgust the staff: the lady's attitude quickly evolved to displeasure, sealing the deal with a prominent scowl.

​My Small Lemon gelato was zesty and invigorating, though definitely not cheap given its portion size and synthetic aftertaste. The first bite resulted in brain freeze, but the latter spoonfuls were fine, temperature-wise. At the centre of the bottom scoop was a streak of brown substance. I wishfully assumed it as chocolate; for those with food sensitives and allergies, my suggestion is to avoid the shop on the basis of careless contamination and inadequate scoop-washing procedures.

In reviewing my receipt, the Square portal was discovered to be linked to the adjacent barber shop. This further confirmed a lack of authenticity and freshness.

Briefly popping into Uniqlo, I'd exceed my allocated lunch break to prioritize size checks for interested articles of clothing.

​Fifteen minutes later, I'd return to the office and continue snacking on biscuits from EATALY until it was time ot head home.

The remainder of the work week would involve sporadic clean-up sessions and errands:

• Beads and new pliers from TEMU were sanitized, then set aside.
• Another Ontario Parks Pass from the Lucky Day Collection would be secured with the gracious help of library staff
• Ticketing woes would be settled once and for all before BamBam's concert
• A bank appointment would reveal incompetence of the new generation and the importance of experience as applied in the workplace

​Meals of the week comprised of: Pork and Apple Soup over rice, Drumsticks and Gravy from Church's Chicken, Pita with Egg Salad with Parsley, Mustard, and Wasabi, and IKEA meatballs with homemade Raspberry Jelly.

Too-tart berries were subject to copious amounts of sugar to render them edible. When not mixed into carbonated beverages, the formula served as a splendid substitute to lingonberry jam.