The desire for Easter brunch came swiftly but surely with the coming of my last examination. It seemed the most proper method of celebrating the termination of another semester and wrapping up my somewhat nonexistent Easter weekend.
Of course, last-minute ideas aren't always easy to execute. After being reminded that many restaurants would likely be filled with reservations, I took to my trust pal, known otherwise as Chrome, to bring forth the next available and uniquely distinct option. Some offered Chicken & Waffles and others a Mexican twist on a standard American breakfast; but alas, none fit the bill (or the budget, for that matter)
Of course, last-minute ideas aren't always easy to execute. After being reminded that many restaurants would likely be filled with reservations, I took to my trust pal, known otherwise as Chrome, to bring forth the next available and uniquely distinct option. Some offered Chicken & Waffles and others a Mexican twist on a standard American breakfast; but alas, none fit the bill (or the budget, for that matter)
Instead of hauling myself to a potentially disappointing experience for a fifteen-dollar platter of greasy eggs and burnt toast, I took matters into my own hands: an exclusive in-house brunch it was!
The menu stemmed from a compilation of Pinterest images, relevant Insta-feeds, and several of my favourite online cooking channels. Within an hour and a half, a trio of munch-ready dishes was prepared and promptly devoured.
The menu stemmed from a compilation of Pinterest images, relevant Insta-feeds, and several of my favourite online cooking channels. Within an hour and a half, a trio of munch-ready dishes was prepared and promptly devoured.
French Toast is a timeless treat meant for indulgence and sugar cravings; an elevated version meant Stuffed French Toast. In order to take the dish to new savoury heights, I once again drew inspiration from SORTED Food's Levelled Up Grilled Cheese to craft a gloriously glossy French Toast Grilled Cheese, complete with fresh apple slices, thick fluffy bread slices, and a drizzle of honey. A poached egg and yogurt sauce accompanied the maple butter-sautéed dish to the table.
Omelettes are also no stranger to the breakfast game, though my interest lay with the wispy thin variety that packed a revitalizing punch with diced cherry tomatoes. The fitness-conscious mortals' favourite source of "healthy fat" - also known as the "avocado" to the general public - was arranged atop in its overripe entirety, along with pickled ginger and a light dusting of pork floss.
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A refreshing fruit salad was made with the purpose of alleviating the heaviness of the entrées. Diced apples, finely chopped cucumber, and watermelon were drizzled in lime juice and rose syrup for the ultimate refreshing side.
A meal in mere concept is nothing beyond an ink drop on paper - only when conducted completely can it define its true potential. On a personal note, I found massive enjoyment in successfully achieving my brunch goals sans-recipe.
We took to High Park afterwards in search of cherry blossoms, but were later dismayed to locate little beyond gloomy shadows and overcast skies. Parking was in abundance, though the entranceway to the park itself was a struggle to locate with the surrounding constuction operations.
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Even with one defective contact lens - which I would highly advise against driving with! - the ducks were still rather pretty.
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Put A Cone On It was the first stop.
Unlike my previous weekday visits, the staff member tending to the shop this time was a smiley, bespectacled man approximately in his mid- to late-thirties. He acknowledged each customer immediately with a pleasant demeanour, and was more than willing to provide details on the flavour profiles of the individual gelato and cookie varieties.
Unlike my previous weekday visits, the staff member tending to the shop this time was a smiley, bespectacled man approximately in his mid- to late-thirties. He acknowledged each customer immediately with a pleasant demeanour, and was more than willing to provide details on the flavour profiles of the individual gelato and cookie varieties.
Along with extended spring/summer operating hours, the dessert parlour-coffee shop hybrid also introduced cartoon-like doodles on its walls for added visual appeal
Source: Mother Quirky
< Pictured above and below: Regular Scoop of Black Sesame + Pineapple Coconut Sorbet, Single Scoop of Hojicha and Matcha White Chocolate >
Black Sesame was silky and ever-fragrant, while the exotic sorbet offered a tart twist on Pina Colada. Hojicha, described to me as roasted sencha, paled in flavour intensity when compared to Tsujiri's rendition, but the Matcha White Chocolate Chip was every bit as enjoyable as its solid bakery version.
Needless to say, I also took advantage of the opportunity to pick up some Matcha White Chocolate Chip and Spicy Black Sesame Cookies.
Black Sesame was silky and ever-fragrant, while the exotic sorbet offered a tart twist on Pina Colada. Hojicha, described to me as roasted sencha, paled in flavour intensity when compared to Tsujiri's rendition, but the Matcha White Chocolate Chip was every bit as enjoyable as its solid bakery version.
Needless to say, I also took advantage of the opportunity to pick up some Matcha White Chocolate Chip and Spicy Black Sesame Cookies.
Rounds were made at P.A.T., Sarah and Tom's, and several independent retail shops before a final stopover at The Good Neighbour for a caffeine fix.
We initially ventured into the Sam James Coffee Pocket before discovering the absence of a bathroom and backing out of the doorway (Oops!).
We initially ventured into the Sam James Coffee Pocket before discovering the absence of a bathroom and backing out of the doorway (Oops!).
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The yellow-tinted interior was spacious: half comprising of a quiet seating area, one quarter outward-facing bar seating and line-up space, and one quarter merchandise/cashier/preparation area. Brick, wood, and an overall tan-ness made up the bulk of the cafe's design.
Our first order of business - the washrooms - were located on the basement floor, at the foot of a steep flight stairs underneath an impossibly low ceiling. It was definitely not the most convenient nor accessible method of relieving oneself, especially since facilities were aged and nowhere as efficient as downtown coffee shops. In all fairness, though, establishments found in the immediate vicinity also possess a similar setup.
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The line moved rapidly given that a single barista had taken on the combined responsibilities of a cashier, barista, and operational crew member. The customer before us had taken to ordering five iced beverages, which the barista crafted one by one using a cocktail shaker for maximum chiliness.
When she returned to the cashier area, I quickled requested a Cappuccino and Iced Chai Latte, casting a brief, side-eyed glance at the couple that had made obvious intentions to intercept my spot in line.
When she returned to the cashier area, I quickled requested a Cappuccino and Iced Chai Latte, casting a brief, side-eyed glance at the couple that had made obvious intentions to intercept my spot in line.
The particularly stout Cappuccino and Chai Latte rang in to just over eleven dollars with tax - quite hefty considering the location and portion size. While the Chai Latte was of adequate coldness, flavour, and sweetness, the plastic cup was revealed to consist of 75% ice chunks once the beverage had been drained; the frothy Cappuccino boasted a pleasant milk-to-espresso ratio and met the need for coffee, though wasn't exactly something worth writing home for.
Service, as with many downtown cafes, was a tad cold, yet still a few miles away from veering into the impudent category. It was outright obvious that the barista wasn't quite at ease with a multimedia-capturing device nearby (although she had every right to be...).
Service, as with many downtown cafes, was a tad cold, yet still a few miles away from veering into the impudent category. It was outright obvious that the barista wasn't quite at ease with a multimedia-capturing device nearby (although she had every right to be...).
The Good Neighbour Espresso Bar appeared to be a good choice for casual catch-ups and substantially caffeinated concoctions, but fell short of our expectations in terms of value and experience.
Continue reading Part 2 HERE !
Continue reading Part 2 HERE !
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