Out & About #332 | The First Blossom + Outpost Coffee Roasters

​Not even a week had passed before the spring highlights of High Park made their long awaited appearance. It was official: the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and the magnitude of congestion had amounted to the people's same extent of excitement.

​We hopped onto the Gardiner on a late Monday afternoon in hopes of catching a glimpse of this natural wonder before rainfall was to hit the GTA in the upcoming days. While traffic had been light, the scene at the park entrance was an entirely different view.
K-Pop played on shuffle to ease impatience and soothe nerves, though it didn't quite mask the fact that we only made inches of progress with the wrapping up of each song.

Eventually, we found ourselves amidst the cherry blossom trees and ecstati selfie-snappers; some were young couples, others small families (Do people not have jobs to attend to?!). Slowly but surely, we creeped along the curved one-way path towards The Grenadier, until a middle-aged man strode across the pathway, keys in hand.​

Luck had been bestowed upon us! I snagged the spot with swiftness, then proceeded with manuever through Cantonese-speaking aunties and uncles for shots of the pale pink flowers.

Picnics and family photoshoots were in full swing, making photobombing more intentional than accidental. There was no doubt that every level shot would involve a foggy, illuminated silhouette.
I set out to conquer this challenge, undeterred by my absentmindedness at having forgotten a reflector for the astonishingly sunny weather.

​For the duration of our shortlived stay, it was observed that majority of park visitors would try their best to avoid intruding in the space of others while evident photo-taking processes were carried out. Some citizens did not abide by this common courtesy, however.
While in search of pretty petals, I was interrupted once by a rude bunch of amateurs attempting to capture a backlit portrait image with a cut-rate, panel-type car reflector (Excuse yourself, thank you very much!) and twice by a visor-donning middle-aged woman for making physical contact with the tree branches. Though I suppose neither was nearly as frustrating as being crowded by baby strollers and picnic blankets in close proximity.

View the full album HERE !

​Claustrophia instills feelings of anxiety and discomfort in me. As such, a change in environment was a much-needed relief after numerous attempts at snapping (somewhat) satisfactory shots.

​We stepped foot into The Grenadier Cafe for a brief moment to recharge. Lineups for sustenance were atrocious, but the washroom wait even more so. Thankfully, the innermost dining area was relatively quiet and free from such sorts of chaos.

< Pictured above and below: Coffee, Beef Barley Soup, and French Toast >

​The Grenadier emphatically fit the stereotypical description of a tourist-centric greasy diner: a kid-friendly environment consisting of well-loved booth seating, slightly sticky tables, laminated menus, and ridiculously overpriced food items. At least the patio and ceiling design was appealing.
Coffee was presented with a wooden stir stick and 90's-style plastic cream containers. Beef Barley Soup seemed as if it had been poured from a can (or from a high school cafeteria); no comments were overhead regarding this tan-toned item.

​As for French Toast, I frankly cannot justify a whopping eight dollars for three stale pieces of egg-covered bread and horribly synthetic-tasting syrup. The shockingly yellow lukewarm butter and non-existent dusting of powdered sugar contributed minimally in improving its musty, depressing state.

​Our departure from the park was met with yet another tedious journey, yet this time proving more torturous than the way in. It wasn't until some twenty-something minutes later that we saw the light - er, rather the gate at twilight.

​Google Maps had notified me of the nearby Outpost Coffee Roasters and its late opening hours. Seeing as street parking was permitted at all times except weekdays between 4 PM to 6 PM, grabbing a proper beverage was easier than ever.

​The rustic coffee shop was small, but tastefully furnished with a long wooden booth and cushioned chairs. Natural lighting was limited to the few small tables located near the entrance of the shop, though the spots further back provided a serene environment where only the gentle hum of the espresso machine could penetrate one's creative thinking bubble.

I was greeted loudly and cheerfully by a young man clad in a fitted button-down and bow tie within milliseconds of bypassing the StopGap ramp and pulling open the door. It was a very pleasant atmosphere that made me wish I had time to relax for a while instead of making a quick takeout order.

Upon receiving payment for my Mocham, he set to work on brewing the flavoured latte. I, in turn, glanced around the cafe to spot various bags of in-house roasted coffee beans, coffee brewing equipment, and, the most fascinating of all, a hefty piece of equipment situated in the corner immediately adjacent to the bar.
The gigantic contraption appeared to be used for coffee bean roasting, sporting a funnel on the top and Stainless steel catchment area at its foot.
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All attention was immediately directed towards the friendly barista's sophisticated hand movements as he began forming a swan in my beverage. A rapid yet beautiful creation, I couldn't help but immediately hover on top for a photo. To my surprise, he replied with glee, "Oh thank you!" in that his work was deemed memorable for safekeeping.

​I happily sauntered out with a steamy cup of goodness that emitted fragrant bursts of cocoa with every sip.
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(Note: While the cup's red logo design is indeed eye-catching, it is best to avoid gripping too hard on rainy days to prevent ink transfer. Alternatively, grab a napkin!)