Well, what do you know?! Here's another set of weekly food randoms, just in case the previous one wasn't enough.
1. Homemade Yogurt Parfait
Utilizing Mom's homemade matcha sponge cake as a base, I proceeded to layer coconut Greek yogurt, sliced bananas, raw pumpkin seeds, and pomegranate seeds until just below the brim of the cup. Both satisfying and texture-variant, this was a mighty fine snack to take on-the-go.
1. Homemade Yogurt Parfait
Utilizing Mom's homemade matcha sponge cake as a base, I proceeded to layer coconut Greek yogurt, sliced bananas, raw pumpkin seeds, and pomegranate seeds until just below the brim of the cup. Both satisfying and texture-variant, this was a mighty fine snack to take on-the-go.
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2. These totally adorable vacuum cleaners for kids even come with their own stands - not to mention their silly expressions!
3. Nohohon Tea Room
Applying the Ritual app as it was intended, I swiftly picked up a Yuzu Hot Chocolate after deciding that I needed a major pick-me-up. This very innovative concoction retained the soothing creaminess of standard hot chocolate, but added an unexpected citrus punch via the addition of yuzu. Admittedly, it was sweeter than I would have preferred, but nonetheless an amazing cold weather beverage choice.
(Now if only there was a way to automatically earn Vicinity points as well...but maybe I'm just being greedy. Ritual in itself has already aided in drastically improving efficiency.)
Applying the Ritual app as it was intended, I swiftly picked up a Yuzu Hot Chocolate after deciding that I needed a major pick-me-up. This very innovative concoction retained the soothing creaminess of standard hot chocolate, but added an unexpected citrus punch via the addition of yuzu. Admittedly, it was sweeter than I would have preferred, but nonetheless an amazing cold weather beverage choice.
(Now if only there was a way to automatically earn Vicinity points as well...but maybe I'm just being greedy. Ritual in itself has already aided in drastically improving efficiency.)
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4. milano espresso bar
No stranger to this West Coast-based coffee shop, I decided to try Ritual's services once again and grab a Pumpkin Danish and Veggie Panino before heading off to catch the train. While I was notified two times that the baked goods that I wanted were out of stock, I was already halfway to the shop as I re-filled the order form.
Thankfully, food items are all pre-made, and some even pre-packaged for those that employ a grab-and-go dining style. Even with a short lineup, I was out the door in a matter of minutes, Veggie Panino and Almond Biscotti (as that was one of the few items remaining at 3:30 PM) in hand.
No stranger to this West Coast-based coffee shop, I decided to try Ritual's services once again and grab a Pumpkin Danish and Veggie Panino before heading off to catch the train. While I was notified two times that the baked goods that I wanted were out of stock, I was already halfway to the shop as I re-filled the order form.
Thankfully, food items are all pre-made, and some even pre-packaged for those that employ a grab-and-go dining style. Even with a short lineup, I was out the door in a matter of minutes, Veggie Panino and Almond Biscotti (as that was one of the few items remaining at 3:30 PM) in hand.
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View the full album HERE !
5. Sharetea
This cozy bubble tea shop is the ideal hideaway spot for chilly, dreary days. It's always especially nice that the staff is super friendly and their Wi-Fi connection is stable.
Read about my previous experiences here: 1 , 2
This cozy bubble tea shop is the ideal hideaway spot for chilly, dreary days. It's always especially nice that the staff is super friendly and their Wi-Fi connection is stable.
Read about my previous experiences here: 1 , 2
< Pictured above: Matcha Red Bean Smoothie w/ Ice Jelly >
6. Pilot Coffee
A piping hot cup of silky smooth mocha combined with the beautifully-designed UP Express waiting area is a surefire formula for relaxation. (I mean, it's like watching the activities of Toronto Pearson take place on a smaller scale, but with a strong, publicly-accessible Wi-Fi connection.)
7. By the end of my impromptu downtown excursion, I'm relieved to say that my knees did not collapse even after 15274 steps of trekking to and from Union, and to again.
6. Pilot Coffee
A piping hot cup of silky smooth mocha combined with the beautifully-designed UP Express waiting area is a surefire formula for relaxation. (I mean, it's like watching the activities of Toronto Pearson take place on a smaller scale, but with a strong, publicly-accessible Wi-Fi connection.)
7. By the end of my impromptu downtown excursion, I'm relieved to say that my knees did not collapse even after 15274 steps of trekking to and from Union, and to again.
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8. milano espresso bar (Pt. 2)
Throughout the week, another Ritual order was placed: Hot Chocolate (with customized milk and whipped cream options) and a Banana Chocolate Loaf. This combo did not disappoint!
Throughout the week, another Ritual order was placed: Hot Chocolate (with customized milk and whipped cream options) and a Banana Chocolate Loaf. This combo did not disappoint!
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9. Whole Grain Carrot Orange Muffin from Tim Hortons (Feat. Orange juice in the background)
10. Did you know that you can request to have sugar syrup on the side instead of directly being added to your Iced Coffee?
The ladies had given me odd glances and exchanged a few snarky-toned remarks between them in a language I could not comprehend, though this did not deter my decision to have the components delivered separately.
(Their milk tasted more like heavy cream though.)
10. Did you know that you can request to have sugar syrup on the side instead of directly being added to your Iced Coffee?
The ladies had given me odd glances and exchanged a few snarky-toned remarks between them in a language I could not comprehend, though this did not deter my decision to have the components delivered separately.
(Their milk tasted more like heavy cream though.)
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11. Bamboo Bubble Tea
This family-run Vietnamese restaurant is relatively unknown even among Mississauga locals. I recall bringing a friend with me as I dropped by for a quick Banh Mi run following our trip to Unplugged; she had promptly exclaimed, "I didn't even know this place existed!".
While I would likely take my bubble tea business elsewhere (likely to Chatime or Green Grotto) due to my enmity for repulsive flavoured powders, their Banh Mi sandwiches and Young Coconut Smoothie are definitely items worth checking out. Along with blended drinks, they also offer homestyle Vietnamese entrees and a rotating selection of desserts such as pandan sago cake.
This family-run Vietnamese restaurant is relatively unknown even among Mississauga locals. I recall bringing a friend with me as I dropped by for a quick Banh Mi run following our trip to Unplugged; she had promptly exclaimed, "I didn't even know this place existed!".
While I would likely take my bubble tea business elsewhere (likely to Chatime or Green Grotto) due to my enmity for repulsive flavoured powders, their Banh Mi sandwiches and Young Coconut Smoothie are definitely items worth checking out. Along with blended drinks, they also offer homestyle Vietnamese entrees and a rotating selection of desserts such as pandan sago cake.
Given the presence of only two small tables (with back-less wooden stools that show obvious signs of wear) and the lack of Wi-Fi, the couple at Bamboo Bubble Tea definitely don't anticipate customers staying for long durations of time. In addition, there is no washroom in sight.
I tend to enjoy visiting when I'm in the mood for a quick bite, but prefer to refrain from spending too much. Their selection of Banh Mi (French baguettes loaded with cucumbers, cilantro, strips of pickled carrot and radish, and your choice of other filling) is reasonably priced, ranging between $2.75 to $4.00 before tax.
I tend to enjoy visiting when I'm in the mood for a quick bite, but prefer to refrain from spending too much. Their selection of Banh Mi (French baguettes loaded with cucumbers, cilantro, strips of pickled carrot and radish, and your choice of other filling) is reasonably priced, ranging between $2.75 to $4.00 before tax.
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The Assorted Meat Baguette ($2.75) consists of pâté and a few slices of deli meat sandwiched inside a foot-long crisp bun; the BBQ Pork Meatball Baguette ($3.75) contains well-marinated meatballs bearing a sausage-like density enveloped in crunchy pickled vegetables. Both are great, affordable lunch/dinner options; remember to bring cash though, as they do not accept credit.
The only aspect I find to be slightly unnerving is that the kitchen is purposely concealed behind a panel, with only the sink in view from the ordering counter. But being the germaphobic creature that I am, I'd rather not think about it.
The only aspect I find to be slightly unnerving is that the kitchen is purposely concealed behind a panel, with only the sink in view from the ordering counter. But being the germaphobic creature that I am, I'd rather not think about it.
12. More telltale signs of being a local: finding transfers in coat pockets.
13. B's Sizzling Kitchen
Restaurants in the GTA that offer Halo Halo are largely scarce, but as I had recalled insauga's post mentioning a location in close proximity to Pearson, it was decided that it would be the perfect chance to locate #4 on the list after visiting the airport.
Restaurants in the GTA that offer Halo Halo are largely scarce, but as I had recalled insauga's post mentioning a location in close proximity to Pearson, it was decided that it would be the perfect chance to locate #4 on the list after visiting the airport.
B's Sizzling Kitchen is an extremely hidden restaurant, embedded deep within the industrial and commercial area of Mississauga on the side street of another side street. Thankfully, a large sign was upheld on its storefront, making it easy to spot once we made the turn.
Much larger than the typical Filipino quick service diner, B's provided a billiards table as well as several large tables, each lined with a tacky patterned tablecloth, for group gatherings. It was devoid of Wi-Fi, but there was a television screen mounted near the entrance playing a closed-captioned sports program for entertainment.
I proceeded to order the item that I had come for: Halo Halo; it emerged in approximately 8 minutes, and was accompanied with a a picola-esque wafer stick (broken in half to fit through the plastic lid), wide straw, and plastic spork.
Contrary to the multi-coloured ube-heavy tub offered by Quiapo! Quiapo!, B's version was composed of small chunks of ice drenched in evaporated milk and topped with various jellies, a generous scoop of mango ice cream, and a dark purple paste.
Contrary to the multi-coloured ube-heavy tub offered by Quiapo! Quiapo!, B's version was composed of small chunks of ice drenched in evaporated milk and topped with various jellies, a generous scoop of mango ice cream, and a dark purple paste.
I'll be honest: it was disappointing. The mango ice cream bore the overly sweet, artificial flavouring that I detested, and did not complement the other components of the dessert whatsoever. The substance that I shall assume to be purple yam paste was slightly sweet, but otherwise flavourless, leading me to almost believe it was red bean paste for a moment. The chocolate wafer stick was soggy, and the jellies simply did not deliver the same diverse blend of flavours and textures as Quiapo! Quiapo!. (Where was the ube and leche flan?)
Toasted rice had also been sprinkled on top of the jellies minimally, but quickly came to lose crispiness from absorbing moisture from melting ice cream. And to top it all off, the cup's contents had resulted in a deduction of $7.90 from my wallet - much too overpriced for its size and lack of variety.
Toasted rice had also been sprinkled on top of the jellies minimally, but quickly came to lose crispiness from absorbing moisture from melting ice cream. And to top it all off, the cup's contents had resulted in a deduction of $7.90 from my wallet - much too overpriced for its size and lack of variety.
On the bright side, service is friendly and the washroom is clean and well-kept with the exception of slightly sticky floors.
I didn't opt to try any of their savoury menu options, but based solely on Halo Halo and (its inconvenient) location, it's unlikely I'll make a trip when there are cheaper, better alternatives closer to home.
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