You know that cookie cravings have intensified to new extremes when you purposely embark on a longer (and totally inconvenient) route solely to fill the void for Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies before continuing on with the remaining errands of the day.
Since my favourite fellow fangirl brought one back for me from one of her Koreatown trips, I've been completely smitten with the crumbly tea-infused carby goodness. Consequently, Put A Cone On It was my first stop of the day. I also took the opportunity to grab a Kyoto Smoke - which the girl charged me an extra 45 cents for?? - after snatching up the last two Grinch-hued creations of the day; neither of these could be resisted long enough for images to be captured though. (The addition is real.)
Since my favourite fellow fangirl brought one back for me from one of her Koreatown trips, I've been completely smitten with the crumbly tea-infused carby goodness. Consequently, Put A Cone On It was my first stop of the day. I also took the opportunity to grab a Kyoto Smoke - which the girl charged me an extra 45 cents for?? - after snatching up the last two Grinch-hued creations of the day; neither of these could be resisted long enough for images to be captured though. (The addition is real.)
I later ventured down Bathurst, eventually stopping at Market 707 as I recalled the existence of petit nuage. The well-loved Toronto dessert shop had unfortunately been closed during both of the times I had stopped by during the summer; the fact that I was finally able to check it off on my to-go list generated a great deal of joy.
The independently-run shop was extremely compact: present were the essential elements of a sink, hot water dispenser, display case, cashier, and merchandise rack as well as a substantial amount of small adorable decorations. Despite the apparent lack of space within the shop, it surprisingly did not evoke feelings of claustrophobia.
In addition to the cashier, the enclosed market stall could have likely fitted up to three backpack-less customers cozily.
The independently-run shop was extremely compact: present were the essential elements of a sink, hot water dispenser, display case, cashier, and merchandise rack as well as a substantial amount of small adorable decorations. Despite the apparent lack of space within the shop, it surprisingly did not evoke feelings of claustrophobia.
In addition to the cashier, the enclosed market stall could have likely fitted up to three backpack-less customers cozily.
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Earl Grey roll cakes, seasonal macarons, and matcha cookie puffs were spotted inside the illuminated display case. For someone not particularly keen on Earl Grey nor the ever-hyped French pastries, I settled for a single cream puff.
While I had honestly wanted to try the matcha-flavoured roll cake, I understood that petit nuage's selection of products were rotary and only offered in small batches to ensure freshness.
While I had honestly wanted to try the matcha-flavoured roll cake, I understood that petit nuage's selection of products were rotary and only offered in small batches to ensure freshness.
The Cream Puff of the Day rang in at $4.50 - a bit hefty for a single baked item in comparison Beard Papa's in mass production. Nonetheless, the quality and presentation were well worth the price. The fragrant cookie-covered choux was filled to-order and topped with a crunchy chocolate-covered pearl similar to the ones sported by Roselle's soft serve cups.
Inside was a luscious, milky green filling that was as rich in flavour as it was silky in texture. The grassiness of it all satisfied my profond fondness for matcha, while intertwined ribbons of vanilla lent it a subtle sweetness.
Inside was a luscious, milky green filling that was as rich in flavour as it was silky in texture. The grassiness of it all satisfied my profond fondness for matcha, while intertwined ribbons of vanilla lent it a subtle sweetness.
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A snow-laden winter season removed the option of enjoying beverages and desserts outside of the shop. Instead, the cream puff was encased in a rigid plastic container for portability.
Jams and Japanese green tea powder were also spotted for sale inside the shop.
Debit and cash were the two accepted forms of payment, though the latter was preferred.
Jams and Japanese green tea powder were also spotted for sale inside the shop.
Debit and cash were the two accepted forms of payment, though the latter was preferred.
I realized that it was gradually nearing 2:30 PM, yet I hadn't had the chance to consume a proper lunch yet. Options for poke were vast, and I looked into trying Poke Guys, until the streetcar failed to make an appearance after 7 minutes. I hopped onto the 510 instead, heading southbound to try Calii Love at King and Peter/Blue Jays Way instead.
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The former space of a cold-pressed juicery had transformed into a supposedly West Coast-esque health food joint serving up acai bowls, power smoothies, and "California-style" poke bowls.
In all honesty, I couldn't have cared less about the outrageously-priced smoothies and fruit-grain bowls; a friend had actually mentioned Calii Love as "that hipster place".
In all honesty, I couldn't have cared less about the outrageously-priced smoothies and fruit-grain bowls; a friend had actually mentioned Calii Love as "that hipster place".
Poke bowls were offered in Small ($10.95) or Regular ($14.95), with a separate option of making it Raw for a whopping $17.95.
Majority of their signature creations either included white rice or some element of spice, so I opted for a customized version in a small size. Calii Love did not permit mixing bases, so I stuck to single portion of zucchini and sweet potato noodles (which bore a very strong resemblance to carrot slaw). The bowl included choices of one protein, three toppings, and an unlimited number of sauces.
In contrast to the downright barbaric attitude of the lofty girl behind the cashier, the staff member behind the ingredient bar was much more welcoming. He agreed to mix half scoops of tuna and salmon to make up one protein choice, and even offered to add tobiko as the last ingredient of the bowl to maintain visual attractiveness. Wasabi aioli was also drizzled on in excess after I relayed my fondness for the Japanese horseradish.
Majority of their signature creations either included white rice or some element of spice, so I opted for a customized version in a small size. Calii Love did not permit mixing bases, so I stuck to single portion of zucchini and sweet potato noodles (which bore a very strong resemblance to carrot slaw). The bowl included choices of one protein, three toppings, and an unlimited number of sauces.
In contrast to the downright barbaric attitude of the lofty girl behind the cashier, the staff member behind the ingredient bar was much more welcoming. He agreed to mix half scoops of tuna and salmon to make up one protein choice, and even offered to add tobiko as the last ingredient of the bowl to maintain visual attractiveness. Wasabi aioli was also drizzled on in excess after I relayed my fondness for the Japanese horseradish.
< Pictured above and below: Small "Creative" poke bowl w/ tuna, salmon, zucchini and sweet potato noodles, pineapples, guacamole, tobiko, yuzu shoyu, and wasabi aioli >
Unfortunately, the resulting product wasn't as delectable as I had hoped. While I appreciated the smoothness of the guacamole, slight acidity of the pineapple, and gentle kick of wasabi, the bowl fared less favourably than Corner and Pokito. The fish hadn't been marinated in advance, but rather simply scooped on top like Rolltation; sauces didn't live up to uniquness of their names and lacked depth of flavour. Evidently over-oxidized, the guacamole could have used better seasoning and fresher avocados.
Unfortunately, the resulting product wasn't as delectable as I had hoped. While I appreciated the smoothness of the guacamole, slight acidity of the pineapple, and gentle kick of wasabi, the bowl fared less favourably than Corner and Pokito. The fish hadn't been marinated in advance, but rather simply scooped on top like Rolltation; sauces didn't live up to uniquness of their names and lacked depth of flavour. Evidently over-oxidized, the guacamole could have used better seasoning and fresher avocados.
Perhaps I am merely conducting a comparison to a Hawaiian-style establishment, however, can poke really be deemed authentic if it is modelled after a non-tropical prototype?
The pineapple-infused water, communal tables, turquoise decor highlights, and range of fruit toppings deserve their own merit, though, even if hygeine was severely lacking in all aspects: the dining environment (crumbs were squeezed into every crack and crevice), serving bowls and trays (fish fragments and sticky undersides), and washroom stalls (dust, dust, and more dust).
The pineapple-infused water, communal tables, turquoise decor highlights, and range of fruit toppings deserve their own merit, though, even if hygeine was severely lacking in all aspects: the dining environment (crumbs were squeezed into every crack and crevice), serving bowls and trays (fish fragments and sticky undersides), and washroom stalls (dust, dust, and more dust).
Plainly stated, Calii Love was simply not my cup of tea. Hence, I shall strive towards tring Poke Guys or The Poke Box next time around.
December 23d marked the last operating day of the Holiday Fair at Nathan Phillips Square, so I decided to take a detour in front of City Hall while en route to the Eaton Centre.
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Kids' rides, local vendors, Christmas carollers, and a photo booth made up the bulk of the event, along with the square's skating rink.
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Meeting up with friends later in the evening, we headed to Ema-Tei for a reunion dinner.
I had been informed of the restaurant's authenticity numerous times as we neared Village by the Grange. From the obvious lack of Japanese on the plastic laminated menu, it was soon concluded that this genuineness was questionable.
I had been informed of the restaurant's authenticity numerous times as we neared Village by the Grange. From the obvious lack of Japanese on the plastic laminated menu, it was soon concluded that this genuineness was questionable.
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We were seated in a corner of the restaurant, an area where our designated waitress visited a maximum of one time every half hour. The holiday season had encouraged an increased flow of traffic in the restaurant: tables were filled within minutes of the previous occupants' departure. Despite this, I don't believe the ignorance and dismissal of our table was warranted in the slightest.
One hour was required to place our orders, and another hour for the single member of staff to deliver any edible item to the table. Each order arrived independently of each other with ten- to fifteen-minute gaps in between; some members of our party even waited up to thirty minutes for the second component of their meal to be delivered. The whole process was outright ridiculous.
Incompetency in the English language also posed as a hindrance for smooth operation. Bill splitting, requesting mayonnaise to leviate spiciness, and other basic exchanges for information were retarded significantly as a result of our waitress's failure to comprehend us.
My order of Chicken Katsu Curry had arrived with stale rice and a fiery pool of curry that was lightyears away from the authentic mild Glico version. Upon asking for mayonnaise or yoghurt to reduce the spice, I had to refute her "Spicy Mayo??" suggestion several times before being granted my wish.
My order of Chicken Katsu Curry had arrived with stale rice and a fiery pool of curry that was lightyears away from the authentic mild Glico version. Upon asking for mayonnaise or yoghurt to reduce the spice, I had to refute her "Spicy Mayo??" suggestion several times before being granted my wish.
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Other aspects to note include that bathrooms were located at the bottom of a flight of stairs (inaccessiblity) and that there were no coat hooks or chairs provided to place personal belongings. The staff was largely inefficient and inadequate in handling the holiday rush on top of regular supper traffic in a reasonable amount of time.
And no, Ema-Tei was definitely not authentic, at least not by means of curry production.
And no, Ema-Tei was definitely not authentic, at least not by means of curry production.
The day concluded on a more positive note: an amusing evening at Captive Escape Rooms followed by a Ginger Lime Rooibos Soda from Infuse Cafe.
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My only regret was that the rooms were static as opposed to Korea's dynamic versions.
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