When dunk'n dip's red logo was first spotted while driving along Burnhamthorpe during rush hour, my initial thought was: "How did this place even manage to expand?!"
The Lakeshore venture had proved an unprofitable experience with unreasonably overpriced food items and dessert. Honestly speaking, neither my mind nor stomach was prepared to undergo such an experience a second time.
But sometimes, chocolate cravings arise and must be satisfied.
The Lakeshore venture had proved an unprofitable experience with unreasonably overpriced food items and dessert. Honestly speaking, neither my mind nor stomach was prepared to undergo such an experience a second time.
But sometimes, chocolate cravings arise and must be satisfied.
In contrast to the Port Credit location, neither parking nor commuting was an issue. A small, private lot was shared with Noodle Wok the its adjacent businesses; the restaurant is also conveniently accessible by highway and/or local roads (if driving) and Miway routes (if taking transit). I would have preferred the lot to be lit properly, however, since it was dim and eerie compared to Grotto's lot in the next plaza over.
What appeared to a narrow sliver of a dingy dining spot eventually revealed itself as a well-lit, red-white-brown-themed joint with high ceilings and a greater number of staff members than one could count. Majority appeared to be new: spread across the relatively young faces were expressions of confusion, anxiety, and, ocassionally, absentmindedness.
Several members of staff lay at the mature end of the spectrum, guiding customers to their tables and managing the part-timers as necessary.
Several members of staff lay at the mature end of the spectrum, guiding customers to their tables and managing the part-timers as necessary.
Operations and overall appearance was reminiscent of the waterfront location: tap-activated table lamps, password-secured Wi-Fi availability, chocolate fountains, red utensil holdlers, iPad-synced ordering systems, and a plentiful amount of decorations. It was as if an identical collection had been cloned, upgraded, and transported over.
Even the concept of individual bathroom stalls and an external sink had been carried over. The setup remained narrow, equipped with a pyramid of hand towels and a toilet paper installation situated in an cumbersome location. A faint layer of dust could be spotted on the paper towel dispenser, as well as the surface of the not-so-functional Stainless steel garbage bin.
Even the concept of individual bathroom stalls and an external sink had been carried over. The setup remained narrow, equipped with a pyramid of hand towels and a toilet paper installation situated in an cumbersome location. A faint layer of dust could be spotted on the paper towel dispenser, as well as the surface of the not-so-functional Stainless steel garbage bin.
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The single noticeable divergence was the presence of three LED screens throughout the restaurant: each showed a different family-friendly animation. From our seats on the centre of the floor, we were able to watch Big Hero 6 and The Peanuts Movie - which was aired timely in opinion on two different displays.
Evening hadn't yet arrived, but the lack of natural light in the sky had given the illusion of nightfall, which I generally associate with dinnertime.
I opted for a savoury item that could easily be transformed into lunch leftovers for the following day: a Montreal Style Crepe.
My favourite fangirl chose a Creamy Mushroom Soup, which was served in a gigantic bread bowl, Fisherman's Wharf-style. The meal included a beverage, so a simple Americano was requested.
I opted for a savoury item that could easily be transformed into lunch leftovers for the following day: a Montreal Style Crepe.
My favourite fangirl chose a Creamy Mushroom Soup, which was served in a gigantic bread bowl, Fisherman's Wharf-style. The meal included a beverage, so a simple Americano was requested.
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< Pictured above and below: Coffee, Montreal Style Crepe, Creamy Mushroom Soup >
Both meals proved hearty and satisfying - entirely unlike the frozen waffle and beany tortilla disaster from my visit at their first location. I particularly enjoyed the subtle hint of sweetness to the crepe, which was later offset by a well-seasoned portion of roast beef and tangy squirt of mustard. The sweet potato waffle fries added a nice crunch, though were a bit too greasy and evidently storebought.
Both meals proved hearty and satisfying - entirely unlike the frozen waffle and beany tortilla disaster from my visit at their first location. I particularly enjoyed the subtle hint of sweetness to the crepe, which was later offset by a well-seasoned portion of roast beef and tangy squirt of mustard. The sweet potato waffle fries added a nice crunch, though were a bit too greasy and evidently storebought.
Once the meals had been largely demolished, we began to re-examine the menu for dessert.
Fell In Love emerged as our final choice, given the considerations for fruit, chocolate, and ice cream.
Taste-testing the ice creams, we agreed upon Hazelnut. A dark-milk-white chocolate hybrid mix was requested on the side.
Fell In Love emerged as our final choice, given the considerations for fruit, chocolate, and ice cream.
Taste-testing the ice creams, we agreed upon Hazelnut. A dark-milk-white chocolate hybrid mix was requested on the side.
The $15.44 plate comprised of a waffle cone, sliced bits of kiwi, strawberries, banana, and blackberries, along with a generous scoop of melting ice cream (who, in the right mind, uses a warmed plate to serve dessert?). In essence, Fell In Love could be re-created with little to no effort in the comfort of one's own home for a whopping fraction of the price. With the exception of tempered chocolate, few factors remain distinctly unique in composition and execution.
Nonetheless, it was tasty, but far from warranting its price tag.
Nonetheless, it was tasty, but far from warranting its price tag.
Majority of the workers seemed either lackadaisical or confused, donning blank expressions for most of our stay. Albeit friendly, they were neither efficient nor effective in their actions.
I must also remark on the downgrade of the cookie served with coffee. The first cup was joined by a small, chip-containing bite, though the one residing beside the second cup was no more than the depressing tail of a shortbread dough roll
I must also remark on the downgrade of the cookie served with coffee. The first cup was joined by a small, chip-containing bite, though the one residing beside the second cup was no more than the depressing tail of a shortbread dough roll
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In conclusion, it was found that savoury items were prepared to a much greater degreee of satisfaction than the Port Credit stop, though desserts and chocolate-drizzled items remained plain and heftily priced.
Geez, I wish we had Cacao 70 in the GTA to straighten the choco-game.
Geez, I wish we had Cacao 70 in the GTA to straighten the choco-game.
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