Out & About #1043 | Albion Orchards, Square One Errands + Gyu-Kaku

Read Part 1 HERE !

My coworker had glanced over with wonder as the topic of apple orchards was mentioned. As we pulled into Albion Orchards, she excitedly declared "Oh, so we're going to go apple picking!"
I bit my lip, reluctant to be the bearer of bad news. "Actually," I started, "We're just going to buy."
At seeing her fallen expression, I quickly added, "But we can take a look too, seeing as you've never gone."

Available varieties were posted outside the play area. The names were familiar to me, as one who frequents forums on the hunt for the best baking apple during different times of the year. For the average farm visitor, such as my suburban coworker, they retained little value.

Next to the pumpkin patch and play area entrance was a reception desk. Price lists had been tacked onto the checked tablecloth, reading:

• 10 lb bags for $25 (limited to 3 people)
• 20 lb bags for $45 (limited to 5 people)
• $5 admission per person, regardless of age

​Charging separately for entry and pick-your-own experiences is not uncommon, however Albion's prices were definitely exorbitant given the scale of the farm and their limited range of attractions. The costs were comparable to Applewood, Chudleigh's, and Andrew's Farm, but offered far fewer installations of interest. Thus, for two people to engage in apple picking at Albion Orchards, a minimum cost of $35 would apply. This was a premium to pay for 10 pounds of produce of questionable quality. For all I was aware, the apples could be bruised and ready for discard like Chudleigh's.

My lukewarm response towards the price list said it all. We'd head within the farm market store to peruse their selection of picked apples and bakery products instead. The latter was similarly steeply priced, though the apples were quite reasonable.

​Nearby posters tabulated apple varieties and suitable applications, advising visitors of the supposed prime pick for their objective. In reviewing the chart, I deduced a bias against Ginger Gold. My go-to baking species was depicted as "Not Recommended" for pie, sauce, nor baking. Meanwhile, red-skinned Cortland and sunny Golden Delicious were classified as "Excellent". I was in disagreement with these claims. Perhaps this stark difference is marked by my disgust towards overly cloying, mushy apples and others' acceptance of sodden pie crust.

Housed at the back of farm market were chips, sparkling (non-alcoholic) cider, souvenir gifts, and apples by the bushel. Neither prices nor weights had been clearly labelled, prompting me to return to the front section of the market to purchase apples by the pound. Grocery-style plastic bags were available in rolls; plastic bags can be shunned in favour of the orchard's own logo-sporting tote bags - at extra charge, of course. Naturally, I'd return to the car to retrieve my own reusable totes before purchasing.

​I'd join the checkout queue with a 4L jug of cider, 2.5 lbs of Mutsu, and 1.6 lbs of Idared in tow. While the apple picking crowds were scanty, the farm market was bustling with a lengthy lineup for the cashier. Ten minutes later, we'd return to the car and sample our first sip of Albion Orchards' Sweet Apple Cider. Admittedly, the concoction was tastier than expected: tart, refreshing, and embracing a respectable consistency. It didn't come close to The Apple Factory, but surely wasn't bad either. We ranked Albion Orchards second to our now-shuttered favourite.

A follow-up visit to Downey's was proposed for the procurement of spiked Apple Cider. I resolved the trip would be quick, for the farm would be slated to close in less than one hour. Oh, how wrong I was.

​We arrived at a chaotic scene with parking lots packed to the brim and visitors jay-walking from the farm to the apple picking fields. Miraculously, I had managed a spot decently close to the farm store entrance, but a ceaseless, winding queue to enter the farm market prompted us to invest our efforts elsewhere.

Even departing the area proved tragic, as streams of visitors would appear left and right, blocking turns and, consequently, obstructing traffic. Twenty minutes would pass before reaching the next intersection. I then sped my way to Tim Hortons for a much-warranted bathroom break.

The stalls were spacious and pristine, and the merchandise well-stocked and adorable. Our previously obtained Old Fashion Plain donuts were devoured in the parking lot with a side of chilled apple cider as a pre-supper snack.

About two hours remained until our dinner reservation - just enough to complete a round of leisurely errands at Square One.

​The self-serve lockers at Sport Chek were formidable. Rarely are in-person pickups straightforward, especially not at the mall on a weekend afternoon. The addition of pick up lockers facilitated a self-serve process, for customers could scan their pickup barcode and obtain their order from behind an automated door, thus eliminating the need to line up for customer service representatives.

Next on my list was Saint Germain Bakery. Alas, I had forgotten the gift card from ochungg's wedding, and settled for mere browsing of the the mediocre assortment of buns. Spotted from afar was the availability of specialty lattes. With hot renditions ringing in at $3.99 and iced counterparts at just one dollar more, there is undeniable incentive to sample.

​Finally, we made our way over to Gyu-Kaku.

Kuronama Black Lager was a new addition to the menu, and an inescapable choice for yours truly.

Between us, the Meat Lovers BBQ course ensured a well-rounded assortment of starters, plentiful portions of meat, and even S'Mores to finish. A three-dollar upgrade for Beef Sukiyaki Bibimbap was also applied for maximum contentment. ​We relished in the chosen fare, with absolutely no complaints whatsoever.

​Consistent with all of my earlier experiences, Gyu-Kaku offered delectable sustenance and extremely attentive service. Our booth was also found cleaner than usual.

​At my time of departure, I experienced difficulty with inserting my parking ticket. The machine refused acceptance, causing me to utilize the intercom for assistance for the first time ever. Coming into effect on October 18th would be a new parking validation program, and hopefully one that can eradicate such time-consuming troubles.

Around 11 PM, I finally sat down. 23,000 steps later, I was thoroughly exhausted and ready for slumber.