Out & About #222 | Uncle Tetsu's Angel Café + Ramen Isshin

4/22/2016

The day has finally arrived! After my previously futile attempt to obtain the matcha and chocolate variations of the ever-fluffy Angel Hat cake, I jumped at the chance to re-visit the perfectly pink cafe exterior when a friend expressed interest in meeting up.

We were first greeted by one of the maids (or maid costume-donning waitresses/hostesses, however you'd like to refer to them); through her walkie-talkie-like device, she informed the staff upstairs of the arrival of two guests. We were then directed to head upstairs to the cafe area.

Lining the corridor of the stairway were framed photos and graphics of Uncle Tetsu's cartoon character, each delicately positioned to ensure cohesiveness of the overall design. At the top of the stairs was a second baking area - the first one was at ground level, allowing passing pedestrians to steal glances at the bakery/cafe's intense crafting operations.

Directly across from the upper level baking area was the entrance of the cafe. Much larger than I would have ever expected, the cafe consisted of a wide display case and front counter (for takeout orders), extremely spacious seating area, and a third baking area towards the back. Couches, booths, vivid pink tables, and smaller wooden tables were distributed throughout the area allowed for the comfortable accommodation of parties of all sizes.

The team of maids and preppily-dressed waiters welcomed us enthusiastically, calling out with an audibly loud "いらっしゃいませ！/Irasshaimase!". It was Guu-like in nature, but expressed their energy in a more refined manner and did not impose on the conversations of already-seated customers.

As we eased into our surroundings, we gradually took notice of the amount of detail of the interior decor: the walls were a combination of pastel pink and coppery orange brick, while the ceiling featured a ribbed grid design reminiscent of a white chocolate Ritter Sport bar.

View the full album HERE !

Matcha and Chocolate Lunar Cheesecake slices were ordered following our review of the menu. We also opted for their Matcha Latte and a glass of Iced Houjicha, which they were kind enough to provide with a mini milk pitcher upon request.

Attention to detail is key when it comes to food presentation, and I've noticed that Japanese cuisine tends to value this aspect greatly. Whether it be a quick eatery for ramen and donburi or a cozy cafe meant for leisurely dining, I have never witnessed the delivery of a food or drink item failing to meet basic serving criteria.
In this particular circumstance, it was the placement of a waffle cookie with cake slices, the straw coverings on iced beverages (no unhygienic Green Grotto business here!), the careful removal of crumbs from the plate, and making sure that the cakes were served with the corresponding sauces (chocolate for chocolate; matcha for matcha).

The Lunar Cheesecakes arrived first. Both cakes were smooth and creamy, but, much to our delight, didn't retain the satiating richness of typical Western-style cheesecakes. Walking the fine border between soft and firm, the consistency of the cake was similar to that of softened cream cheese, though much more flavourful in comparison.
The Matcha version was grassy with a hint of bitterness, emitting a strong appeal to new green tea fans and matcha masters alike. Chocolate was silky smooth and decidedly decadent, but void of the head-shaking guilt associated with The Cheesecake Factory's high-calorie creations. The two featured thin, solid crusts in ideal proportions to the remainder of the dessert.

Pairing the desserts with a basic tea menu had been a great choice: the refreshing properties of these beverages proved to cut through the creaminess of the cakes exceptionally well, making for great gustatory balance.
And to be frank, I was rather impressed with my glass of Iced Houjicha. Although it didn't retain the same deep roasted flavour as Tsujiri, the tea had evidently been roasted to grant a subtle edge to the drink.

Throughout our stay, we were served by several different name tag-donning maids. Each attended to our inquiries and requests promptly, their actions accompanied with giant smiles each and every time. Despite the buzz within the cafe, they maintained alertness at all times and worked tirelessly to ensure that each customer was having an enjoyable experience.

Generally an uncustomary topic of interest, I still feel the need to bring attention to the washrooms. Behind an unconspicious door lies a gradual ramp and a short corridor of individual bathroom stalls, each stark white and equipped with its own sink, soap, and basic toiletries. I thoroughly enjoyed this concept, as it meant ultimate privacy. Uncle Tetsu is smart - the stalls would also appropriately double as a changing room for the maids prior to their shifts.

Beyond the adorable smiling maids, perfectly plated afternoon tea fare, and the tastefully tranquil environment, the highlight of the visit was the discovery of the variety of payment options available.

The Angel Cafe accepts credit!!!

The revolution has began. In addition to cash and debit, Uncle Tetsu's newest foray into Downtown Yonge also allows customers to pay with credit cards. Huzzah!!!

Truthfully, I hadn't expected the Angel Cafe to be as exhilarating of an experience as it emerged to be. Evaluating all aspects of the visit, the prices were rather fair. Service and presentation was impeccable, to say in the least; simply put, it was fun! I definitely intend on grabbing a few more friends next time to try out their puddings and other offerings.

We later made our way westward, towards Kensington Market in hopes of walking off the scrumptious afternoon snack before dinnertime.

I must say: the side streets were pretty lively for a Friday afternoon.

The original intention was to stop by Market 707 on Dundas, however I had incorrectly recalled the name as "Dundas 505". Google had returned no results, so we simply trekked on until fatigue hit. Looking up, we spotted Ramen Isshin's simple, yet eye-catching calligraphy sign. The following ten seconds consisted of brief eye contact and a silent exchange of "Should we eat here?".

The answer was clear; we stepped foot into the bustling ramen house and were immediately greeted. Positioned at bar seats adjacent to the combined front kitchen/cashier area allowed for a complete view of the restaurant and the chefs' speedy food preparation processes.

Service was quick, so we placed our orders and sat admiring our surroundings. One of the chefs had looked up as I was panning over the kitchen area, shooting a sneaky smile and a thumbs up. (It's too bad I hadn't been fast enough to catch it!).

Our dishes arrived shortly, with the Seafood Okonomiyaki making its way over in a matter of minutes after ordering. Generously topped with bonito flakes, okonomiyaki sauce, and Kewpie mayonnaise, the dish was a hybrid of external crispiness and bite-sized pieces of octopus enveloped in piping hot batter.

My friend opted for the Spicy Veggie Miso Ramen, requesting extra chili oil on the side (for reasons I, a being with severely low spice tolerance, could never fathom). She praised Ramen Isshin for its large selection of vegetarian options, as she, a casual vegan, could rarely justify her ramen intake due to its contents.

The meal was fantastic, and our server had been friendly. She had inquired whether we would be ordering dessert to finish, and brought over the menu for our review. While we had responded that we would need time to think about it, she handed us our bill, face down on a plastic black tray, when she noticed that we had not opened the menu while making her rounds between tables.
Neither of us found ourselves leaning towards mochi ice cream, thus we didn't flag her down to order. Though, it would have been appreciated to re-confirm with us before sliding us the bill.

Nonetheless, Ramen Isshin consisted of an enthusiastic and friendly group, with even the kitchen staff exhibiting profound appreciation and thanking us on our way out. Undeniably budget-friendly, Ramen Isshin has now made its way onto my list of ramen places to re-visit if I happen to pop by the area again.

The Downtown journey concluded on Queen St. W, with my friend requesting a Lemongrass Tofu Banh Mi from Banh Mi Boys, as she claimed the spiciness of the ramen had induced increased metabolism.