Out & About #372 | Partial August Visuals

​Recently, I've found myself embroiled in a state of planning turmoil. As one who can only find true peace of mind when tasks are accomplished in advance, the last few weeks have been hectic and a huge cause of anxiety. The reason behind these insomniatic nights shall be revealed in good time.

Until then, here's a look at this month's happenings so far!

1) Nutella being on sale means chocolate-hazelnut spread-covered everything, from toast to Matcha Nutella lattes.

2) P.A.T. findings: Honey Butter-flavoured corn cone snacks, packaged Green Tea and Cookies & Cream Bingsoo
The Green Tea Bingsoo contains nuts and a hefty block of green-tinted ice. The whipped cream layer on top is best consumed frozen, such that it yields a creamy consistency reminiscent of ice cream. The Cookies & Cream (aka Oreo) version is much tastier in comparison and contains more appropriate proportions of chopped cookies to sweet, milky ice. (Should you opt to try these pricey little desserts, I'd highly recommend allowing them to defrost for about 2 minutes before attempting to carve a hole in the icy layer.

3) One has no other option than to turn to simple lunches when ingredients are few; behold: Poached Egg over Soy Sauce-Scallion Rice
4) CoCo runs are a must.

​5) Dinner reservations for Kiin were finally made and successfully executed
6) Revisiting Sweetery after their initial debut in 2015

7) Oolong Lemonade Feat. Brown (and mini Cony)
8) Kravingz is a breakfast/brunch spot I'd definitely see myself returning to

​9) Scaborough adventures with feedthebear
10) A week of cookie experiments resulted in one batch meeting success, and another crumbling - literally - in failure from poor butter-flour ratios.

​11) Making morning errands through the Eaton Centre is the best way to avoid tourists and East Coast heat. Unfortunately, the current Sulley count is at zero...

12) Put A Cone On It
The Koreatown cafe has now implemented a stamp card reward system for drink purchases and expanded their menu to include yummy yogurt parfaits in addition to their addicting Matcha White Chocolate Chip cookies. (Spicy Black Sesame is, of course, another family favourite.)

I picked up one of my fave items on this planet - the only cookie containing white chocolate that I find joy in demolishing - and an Iced Latte to boot up my senses after an evening of restlessness. A two-tier Yogurt Parfait with Granola and Blueberry Puree also somehow made its way into my hands. The top compartment contained a heart mix of pumpkin seeds, toasted oats, nuts, and more, while the larger bottom compartment was home to yogurt topped with a luscious, purple-tinted layer.

My tastebuds anticipated a super slick formula, for I had grown up on Tim Hortons Vanilla and Berry Yogurt Cups and reached for Starbucks' rendition when stranded after a late-night bus, however Put A Cone On It's variation was different. The blueberry puree was thick and contained a noticeable amount of pulp, though it was nowhere near the texture of sticky fruit compote; the yogurt was thicker than both of the aforementioned franchises (yet not as congealed as Greek yogurt) and retained the tartness of froyo. The combo made for a healthy, wholesome breakfast that put cravings at bay until the late afternoon. And I didn't even finish it! (A certain careless someone made the uneducated decision of balancing the open granola compartment on her latte lid while simultaneously attempting to finish the yogurt...)

​Pssst. A little birdie also told me that Montreal-style bagels are on their way.