Out & About #1055 | Black Friday Shopping, stackt Holiday Hills + Wellington Market

The average adulting life is brimming with stressors. Even in the absence of external interference, routine O&M procedures can span the bulk of one's day.

​While countless Ontarians complain about the local healthcare system, I'm glad to declare we have not yet stooped to the level of ridiculousness in BC. Wait times of sixty minutes aren't uncommon, but, at the very least, one can aim for off-peak times and taking advantage of virtual check-in platforms.
That said, results for my pre-sunrise blood test have yet to be delivered even 1.5 weeks later.

The odd breakfast of toast would serve to break routine from Marbled Banana Bread and oatmeal, while homemade Passion Fruit Hot Chocolate (using Passion Fruit Citron Jam from T&T and Tim Hortons' Chocolate Mix) was tested as an interim curiosity quencher before Sunday Baking's Milk Chocolate & Passion Fruit Cake could be constructed.

​The last week of November marked our final days in the ergonomic office. Outside the building, the tree was erected, the lights draped over the entrance, and the skating rink in the midst of being readied.

A complimentary sample of Kona Coffee hazelnut brittle sustained me throughout the morning, where I regretfully relocated not once but thrice due to desks being either double-booked or fitted with malfunctioning hardware.

​Lunchtime errands primarily comprised of retail-related errands. First up was Uniqlo.

​After acquiring the very last pair of flare leggings in my size, I headed over to Muji. Sales were mediocre at best. While I relished in the coziness of their fleecy earmuffs, the thirty-dollar price tag was far too steep for my budget.

​Back in the Eaton Centre, deals on Lindt truffles were spotted both at the official retail shop as well as within Hudson Bay. Remarkably, the latter provided the larger discount.

​My final stop of the day was Uncle Tetsu.

The Snowcap Espresso had caught my attention during the summer months, though I hadn't been adequately intrigued to test the concoction. Given our imminent relocation though, a sense of urgency surfaced.

​I had been denied the option of swapping Vanilla Soft Serve for Matcha, or even a swirl. Ordering the items separately would bring the bill total to a whopping eight dollars - a price to which I was none too keen. Furthermore, the Snowcap Espresso supposedly contained two shots of espresso, while a standalone order would contain one shot.

​On the basis of economics, I grudgingly took to the basic version. As anticipated, the espresso was nothing worth writing home about. I did, however, appreciate the use of ice to distinguish the soft serve from the drinkable portion of the creation. The bulb-shaped specimens prevented dissolution of the soft serve, enabling preservation of texture. The sole caveat was the lack of cohesion between the soft serve and underlying coffee layer; water (ice) and oil (soft serve) do not mix, thus any residual soft serve turned to white lumps persisting on the surface, as opposed to incorporating readily like in an affogato.

​By sundown, the municipal building had been mostly decorated, embracing a curtain of string lights against blue- and red-tinted pillars.

​The subsequent day entailed coerced participation in a holiday mingle session. ​Catering hiccups had been made obvious, leading to hasty compensations of Costco snacks and last-minute trips to Tim Hortons.

My coworker's gifted Matcha Chai Latte Mix from Mos Mos sparked intrigue. Adhering to the package directions, the synthetic blend offered the best of both worlds in a subtly spiced and somewhat grassy cozy concoction. Overall, the formula was a tad milky for my liking, but the sweetness was ideal. I shall also take care to refrain from over-frothing the milk next time.

​Black Friday at the Eaton Centre was noticeably more hectic than the day prior. Crowds swarmed the corridors, and being jabbed with elbows and bag corners was no longer uncommon.

We bypassed the new % Arabica without qualms and hurried through the remainder of the itinerary with vigor.

There were a total of three tasks to complete:

1. A pickup at Sport Chek
2. Black Friday drinks at Palgong
3. Cycling short try-on at MEC

The second stop was short-lived, but likely the highlight of our expedition. Service was incredibly friendly and swift, while our picks of Black Sugar Oat Milk Tea with Espresso and Lemon Black Tea were phenomenal. The stopover exceeded all expectations set forth by past visits to Palgong's Chef's Hall location.

In the early evening hours, we set out for stackt, bracing treacherous winds the entire time.

​My coworker was in awe of Hello Nori's interior, while I mentally noted the Vancouver hand roll's commuting-friendly coordinates at King and Bathurst.

​stackt market's container concept is quite novel, albeit difficult to embrace in the colder winter months.

Over the years, the décor has grown more elaborate, and the vendors a sense of permanence. We strode by familiar storefronts along the Bathurst frontage, then entered to find the Holiday Hills Festival Map.

​New to this year's lineup was the GLAD Pop-up.

​Our arrival was too tardy for hot chocolate samples and a DIY ornament workshop. Nevertheless, the on-site staff member invited us  into the warm space with enthusiasm and bestowed upon us promotional coupons for the brand's recently upgraded compost bags. 

​Bonfires, drink booths, and eateries surrounded the market's twinkly Christmas tree.

​Nearing the west limit was the trademark Tunnel of Lights, an installation that grows progressively stunning as dusk descends upon the downtown core.

​Nearing the Belgian Moon Brewery were more bonfires. Suffice to say, neither my cotton apparel nor toque-sheathed mane could escape penetration of the intensely smoky scent.

​By this point, my coworker could no longer resist famine. An order of Butter Chicken Popcorn Chicken was promptly secured and devoured.

I politely declined the savoury snack item, instead showing interest in the Chai-spiced Snickerdoodle cookie on display. The $3.50 round was obtained, then reserved for later sampling.

​​Chai's inherently complex blend of spices complements the cinnamony, caramel-toned profile of Snickerdoodle. Termed the Priyanka Jonas, the mound reacted as a brown sugar-based formula would: fine fissures on the surface, a base wider than the top (minimal spread), a soft, chewy centre, and structurally sound edges. Its uniform flavour across the cross-section was all too predictable. There was absolutely nothing mind-blowing about the creation, in spite of its alluring description.

We opted to reside a few minutes longer to regain warmth. During this period, I learned of indoor plumbing facilities within the brewery. Take note though: the stalls were arranged parallel to the container wall to maximize space. Although not accessible by dimension requirements, they weren't cramped whatsoever. Rather, they were surprisingly spacious within, admittedly clean, and equipped with the standard toilet, toilet paper dispenser, and wall hook.

When we headed back into the frosty outdoors, the skies had dimmed completely. The Tunnel of Lights dazzled against the indigo backdrop, accentuated by the lofty spectacle that was the CN Tower.

​Ruthless gusts were encountered once more as we traversed along Front Street towards The Well. My coworker was clad in a long wool coat, while I was severely underdressed in just a windbreaker. Fighting frigidity on our cheeks and fingertips, we resorted to running the rest of the way.

At long last, we'd arrive at The Well, microscopic skating rink and all. A handful of cabin vendors were present at the lower level. Bypassing the stretch, I led the way to Wellington Market.

​The concourse level boasted a food hall, entertainment space, small grocery store (similar to Kibo Market), and a flower shop. Of greatest interest to us were the food hall kiosks, seeing as neither of us had consumed a proper meal at this point.

From ramen to lobster sandwiches to rainbow samosas, occupants of the Markets were varied across ethnic origins and cuisines. There was at least one vendor for every meal and occasion of the day, from coffee to mid-day snack to cocktail hour.

We passed by the renowned Postman Waffles stall, which was located adjacent to Chunyang and in proximity to Nord Lyon Bakery. Their spread consisted of both sweet and savoury articles, along with soft serve in rotating flavours. Baking operations appeared to take place off-site, for the kitchen area behind the cashier was empty and positively spotless.

​A communal dining space was shared amongst all food and drink vendors on the premises except one: East Tea Can. The Middle Eastern restaurant outpost had been made known to me by a local Torontonian. Its name was not unfamiliar to me, for the standalone location had remained a persistent presence near my local Costco for years. Alas, I simply had never been met with an opportunity to sample their fare.

Initially captivated by the distinctive interior furnishings and Baklava muffin, we inched further into the space to catch a glimpse of their menu. The woman behind the cashier was more than willing to introduce the menu and provide recommendations. Until 6 PM, we could take advantage of a $7 Mezze Madness selection. The shareable selection could be supplemented with side orders at reasonable prices, and then either be taken to-go or served within the dedicated dine-in space.

​We sought the takeout option, for it provided flexibility to simultaneously try other vendors in the dining hall. Once the order was placed, an approximate ten-minute wait would be relayed. During this time, I hunted for seating and learned that cocktails could only be consumed at the bar.

​Surely enough, our order was ready for pickup shortly afterwards.

The Beetroot Hummus emerged as a generous portion, topped with a handful of chickpeas, sprinkle of za'atar, and small well of olive oil. Two rounds sesame-scattered pita accompanied the vibrantly coloured dip. Its brilliant shade of magenta was impossible to ignore, as was its luxurious mouthfeel and aroma from roasted beets. My pita disappeared rapidly, and I soon halted consumption to reserve stomach space for the other constituents of the meal.

Fattoush Salad, like the Beetroot Hummus, had also formed part of the seven-dollar Mezze Madness selection. Unfortunately, this dish fell below expectations with an extravagant amount of balsamic, more onion slivers than a sane person could withstand, and an absolute absence of pita, wholly contradicting its name. The balsamic was particularly unenjoyable as its acidity stung my lips and all corners of my mouth, for they were already extremely chapped from the wind and external conditions.

​An eleven-dollar side of Chicken Cigars comprised of three grilled pita rolls in an aluminum container. Amusing was the sweet glazed exterior, which was concurrently crisp and chewy. Within the cigar was slightly curried, mashed chicken with tender onions. The trio offered a sense of substantiality, in addition to assuming the sole source of animal protein for the meal.

​In all, the bill totalled just twenty-five dollars before tax (and optional tip). Shared amongst two diners - albeit with fairly compact appetites - East Tea Can provided stunning quality at unthinkably low price points within the up-and-coming Toronto food scene.

​Prior to dessert, the rest of the building would be explored in an attempt to walk off feelings of satiation.

Since my visit last year, majority of the retail spaces have now been leased. The third floor was occupied by Arcadia Earth, Sweat and Tonic, and, most notably, Warner Music. A number of beauty and medical offices were spotted on the second level, bordered by branded (ie. Indigo, adidas) and independent retail.

​Returning to Wellington Market some fifteen minutes later, Egg Nog ice cream would be procured from Shake Therapy.

A single scoop of the Kawartha Dairy formula set me back $4.89, while a waffle one an additional fifty cents.

​The pale yellow pick was found too cloying for my preferences. On the other hand, the waffle cone was aromatic, tinged delicately with vanilla, and remained crisp throughout the dining experience.

Before depletion of the dessert, feelings of fullness had returned. A Japanade (Japanese lemonade) from JAPADOG would aid in appeasing stomach discomfort. The formula was tangy and, thankfully, more tart than sweet. Originally, I had debated the yuzu or matcha editions, but recoiled in seeing their atrociously steep price points. The $4.71 cup of Japanade was swiftly presented to me before the stall ceased operations sharply at 9 PM.

​Two fountains were spotted near the washrooms, but oddly barred by a queue separator. Water refills could be obtained from JAPADOG's customer-facing soft serve machine, though paper cups incurred a charge of thirty-five cents. As such, it is recommended to bring one's own tumbler and refill as needed.

​A DJ would continue to play beats in the dining area the evening. That said, it was worth noting that the space featured a high turnover with astoundingly low foot traffic for a Friday evening.