This mortal will travel for food, no matter the distance or convenience (or lack thereof). If the spot or desired dish in question is sufficiently intriguing, a entire trip may be planned out for the sake of satisfying such an interest.
With news of Nohohon's temporary closure and relocation, I couldn't help but feel a sudden pang of anxiety. The urge to rush downtown to coat myself in zen was prominent, and soon resolved to a trip down the Gardiner on a Saturday afternoon.
The entire journey lasted over an hour long: ramps were closed, cars were slow, and congestion was absolutely ridiculous. A full 65 minutes passed before we managed to inch our way down the Jarvis exit, then creep up Parliament with only slight improvement.
With news of Nohohon's temporary closure and relocation, I couldn't help but feel a sudden pang of anxiety. The urge to rush downtown to coat myself in zen was prominent, and soon resolved to a trip down the Gardiner on a Saturday afternoon.
The entire journey lasted over an hour long: ramps were closed, cars were slow, and congestion was absolutely ridiculous. A full 65 minutes passed before we managed to inch our way down the Jarvis exit, then creep up Parliament with only slight improvement.
Our first stop of the day was lunch. While I had initially slid into the driver's seat with minimal appetite, the tedious, gas-squandering trip had left me hunched over and ready for something substantial.
The poke phase has more or less adjourned for me after two seasons of hunting down the best spot in the city (1, 2, 3), but Sushi Burgers remained an item of interest.
SU&BU had taken over Union Juice's previous location at King and John some few months ago, and I had patiently awaited the opportunity to swing by while pointing out my most frequented City office building.
The poke phase has more or less adjourned for me after two seasons of hunting down the best spot in the city (1, 2, 3), but Sushi Burgers remained an item of interest.
SU&BU had taken over Union Juice's previous location at King and John some few months ago, and I had patiently awaited the opportunity to swing by while pointing out my most frequented City office building.
The inside was more hectic than expected for 2 PM on a Saturday, with naive-looking Chinese students dressed in business casual hovering around the attached Presotea booth. Perhaps a nearby CPA test had cause this influx, as the remainder of the space was still relatively unoccupied.
SU&BU had actually removed some of the seating area to make room for a bubble tea-specific extension, significantly reducing the amount of space for customers to move around and wait in line. Bar seats remained the same, but with smaller stools, a grimier surface, and the additional placement of napkin holders. Hooks were in complete absence, meaning that all bags were to either be hugged closely during meal consumption or placed on the tiny neighbouring seat that caught as many tobiko fallouts as the floor.
The once conveniently-situated garbage bins had now been shifted to the eastmost end of the store - an area that almost unreachable once a group of noisy friends had blocked off the corridor to chat away at meaningless topics I wanted no part of.
SU&BU had actually removed some of the seating area to make room for a bubble tea-specific extension, significantly reducing the amount of space for customers to move around and wait in line. Bar seats remained the same, but with smaller stools, a grimier surface, and the additional placement of napkin holders. Hooks were in complete absence, meaning that all bags were to either be hugged closely during meal consumption or placed on the tiny neighbouring seat that caught as many tobiko fallouts as the floor.
The once conveniently-situated garbage bins had now been shifted to the eastmost end of the store - an area that almost unreachable once a group of noisy friends had blocked off the corridor to chat away at meaningless topics I wanted no part of.
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In all honesty, the washrooms weren't much better. While I cannot compare SU&BU to its precedessor - I hadn't been aware that Union Juice had a washroom at all, it is not difficult to conclude my negative impressions of the space.
Two individual stalls were present for customer use: one standard and one accessible. The standard featured a urinal-shaped sink and, once again, an absence of bag hooks; the accessible one was a tad more spacious and included a more user-friendly sink. Neither was particularly clean, nor painted with a high degree of proficiency.
Two individual stalls were present for customer use: one standard and one accessible. The standard featured a urinal-shaped sink and, once again, an absence of bag hooks; the accessible one was a tad more spacious and included a more user-friendly sink. Neither was particularly clean, nor painted with a high degree of proficiency.
The menu adopted a similar LED screen layout as Union Juice, but voluntarily provided a seriously peevish pop-up that would cover several menu items and their descriptions. The staff member attempting to assist us was incompetent at best: from his indifferent attitude to obvious resentment of his physical presence, I would have walked right out had I not been famished from the lengthy drive.
"Can you please turn the pop-up off?"
"We can't. It just appears." came his snide response. "It's not like it's blocking anything anyway.", completely dismissing the fact that half of two menu items had been hidden from view.
Patience rapidly deteriorating, we settled for a half portion of the Sensei Sushi Burrito and the Poke Nachos. The Sushi Burger had been "sold out" for the day, which was odd considering the mite of a weekend lunch rush. He ought to have told us that they simply hadn't prepared any at all.
"Can you please turn the pop-up off?"
"We can't. It just appears." came his snide response. "It's not like it's blocking anything anyway.", completely dismissing the fact that half of two menu items had been hidden from view.
Patience rapidly deteriorating, we settled for a half portion of the Sensei Sushi Burrito and the Poke Nachos. The Sushi Burger had been "sold out" for the day, which was odd considering the mite of a weekend lunch rush. He ought to have told us that they simply hadn't prepared any at all.
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The sushi burritos were available in half or full portions, however this did not necessarily mean easier economic decisions. I liked that white sushi rice could be swapped for purple rice, but that the extent of my joy. A leaking pocket of sauce, non-existent marination, and mediocre quality ingredients surely did not justify its $7.99 price tag; the most disappointing of all was the tacky quality retained by the fish. The messy mini meal wasn't even fresh.
Poke Nachos were a $9.99 atrocity. Deep fried wonton skins coated with synthetic cheese, tobiko, and an excessive amount of sauce was the definition of fushion "comfort" food gone wrong. Intended to be served warm, the shop's rendition was kept chilled to maintain texture of the fish, but this also meant that cheese shreds were firm and rigid instead of melty and gooey. Sriracha aioli was a suitable addition to counter tooth-splitting wonton chips, as the stiff triangles possessed absolute blandness.
Salmon and tuna chunks were in abundance, but ineptly added to the "chips" for a disjointed combination.
Salmon and tuna chunks were in abundance, but ineptly added to the "chips" for a disjointed combination.
Did I mention that not a single element was free from stains, grease, or crumbs? The takeout boxes, stickers, wrapping paper, and the dining area itself was as reflective of the new establishment's ranking in my books: downright detestable.
With poke competitors popping up left and right, SU&BU is likely only to survive off nearby office workers (and Ritual/foodora). Food quality is just below decent, as if the shop was being operated by the same shameless crew as Sugar Marmalade back home.
With poke competitors popping up left and right, SU&BU is likely only to survive off nearby office workers (and Ritual/foodora). Food quality is just below decent, as if the shop was being operated by the same shameless crew as Sugar Marmalade back home.
Nohohon assumed the next destination on our list - it was a way to attain the goal of the trip and pave the remainder of the day with positivity.
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We stopped to pick up a small Momo Oolong w/ Lychee Jelly and large Yuzu Lemonade w/ Lychee Jelly before heading across the street to explore several nearby shops.
I suppose I'll have to make do until the anticipated re-opening of their Dundas and Bathurst location in mid-June. It is allegedly larger and more spacious than the current venture, albeit less convenient for the commuting group of explorers.
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"THIS IS PARADISE". Candidly speaking, Jinyoung is my sole true paradise.
Continuing westward, a brief visit to Uncle Tetsu BAKE was made.
Triple Baked Cheese Tarts are a well-received indulgence in our household, especially when obtained fresh from the oven.
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In response to the derogatory comments directed towards us from the Chinese female member of staff:
Reality check: People don't actually want your face in their photos or videos. They're simply too polite to ask you to get the hell out of their shots.
Most shop workers pleasantly ask customers to refrain from filming their faces, so it would be immensely appreciated if you would do the same instead of throwing snarky remarks in the air at the citizens that are contributing to your ongoing employment. Thanks.
Reality check: People don't actually want your face in their photos or videos. They're simply too polite to ask you to get the hell out of their shots.
Most shop workers pleasantly ask customers to refrain from filming their faces, so it would be immensely appreciated if you would do the same instead of throwing snarky remarks in the air at the citizens that are contributing to your ongoing employment. Thanks.
As the sky began to dim, we gradually made our return via the cozy new King streetcar.
To my utter dismay, Tandem Coffee had just closed for the day as we marched our way over. The door to lucky cat shortbread cookies and comforting Sesame Lattes had vanished, resulting in massive mortification.
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Cacao 70 was the next best option for a late afternoon caffeine fix, though undeniably not the most favourable. We hobbled over rocky steps and planted our feet behind the "Please Wait To Be Seated" sign until the tortoise of a dazed staff member gestured a nearby table.
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Time was running low, which meant that cacao-lacquered desserts were not fated for our disposal. Instead, an Americano and small Mocha were taken to go. The server seemed none too impressed by our actions, though revealed no sense of remorse either. The Distillery District supports enough foot traffic that the loss of one table simply indicated a business opportunity for a larger group - quite a flawed conception, if you ask me.
Any of my previous declarations regarding the service levels of location have been revoked; service is sluggish and attendants are incapable of meeting the demands of individual customers and/or parties. The Mocha was sufficient in quashing fatigue, but was a tad sweeter than average and featured a sticky layer of unmixed chocolate syrup at its depths. The Americano, a rightfully basic beverage, was average at most. Both beverages cooled a bit too rapidly for our liking.
Oh, how I longed for Tandem.
Oh, how I longed for Tandem.
Before making the dreadful journey back, we opted to make a final round at Brick Street Bakery, as well as the entrance of GOTStyle to reminisce GOT7's adventures, specifically that of Jackson and Jinyoung, during their last visit to Toronto.
Bonus image: Attempting to recreate Jinyoung's Instagram update at the Distillery District. (What can I say? I'm a dedicated 아가새!)
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