Out & About #474 | Cookie Choux Attempts + Platform Espresso Bar

orangecane had been skeptical about my proposal from the moment I dropped the link to Cookie tree's video.

"I don't if we'll have enough time..." had come her hesitant response. "Choux pastry is finicky."

​And I agreed. But when two well-versed eating enthusiasts bring their skills together, it's a shame not to challenge our baking repertoires with a magnificent yet labour-intensive project. Moreover, it seemed the ideal compromise between our individual desires for cookies and cake.

​After the highways had cleared of cottage-goers and weekend-trippers, I began my lengthy journey over. Early in the day it was, but it was adamant that baking preparations commenced early and ended early.

​I had transcribed the video into a condensed English recipe the night prior, so we merely had to decided on the amplification ratio and distribute responsibilities accordingly.
Swapping peach chunks for extra-ripe cubes of Ataulfo mango and incorporating a thickened mango syrup into the filling were the only modifications made. And while not a single issue was encountered with the making of the custard cream filling, the choux pastry flopped terribly, deflating into a thin, flat buttery biscuit upon removal from the oven.

All ingredients had been measured using a digital scale, and each step of the recipe had been adhered to. Our reason for failure remained uncertain.

​Spirits were not dampened, however, as cream puffs were tricky to tackle to begin with. With a dollop of mango syrup-infused custard cream and tiny squares of fresh, ripe mango on top, the "cookies" weren't half bad. They just didn't bear any shred of resemblance to the intended cookie choux.

​Bidding farewell to orangecane and Tofu, I set off to my next destination, with a cooler bag stuffed with a fraction of our creations in the trunk.

​Few and far between are writers who display commitment towards maintaining an online journal as great as their sense of moral justice. I was lucky enough to stumble upon an exceptionally rare exhibit of such a blog author some time ago and even luckier that our schedule openings aligned for a catch-up session at Platform.

​Despite having driven along Hwy 7 between Woodbine and Kennedy on more counts than imaginable, the coffee shop had never once caught my eye. Maybe it was the subdued palette of its storefront, or maybe my mind just rarely strayed from the goal before me. I discovered the café via a comprehensive story told by the exact being I would be seeing.

Immediately adjacent to Hibiki, one would imagine that spaces in the private asphalt lot would fill up at an unthinkable pace. A combination of outdoor long weekend activities and the not-so-Japanese restaurant's worked in our favour: there were plentiful spaces, even some located under shrubbery to reduce the effects of the 40-plus degree humidity.

​The interior of the café comprised of tall ceilings, spacious wooden booths, and sturdy furnishings reminscent of rail travel. The overall vibe was liberating, to which the abundance of illumination further enhanced.

View the full album HERE !

​I was greeted warmly by the ladies behind the cashier, then seated and shortly provided water glasses and menus. Given that the cashier area was located in close proximity to the booths and entrance path, there was an implied misconception that the eatery operated on a foundation of self-service. This wasn't the case, but I still couldn't quite shake this initial perception for the remainder of the visit.

As I scanned their range of offerings from top to bottom, then bottom to top, two things became apparent:

1. Platform was as serious about their coffee as their name had implied
2. Though the listing wasn't particularly expansive, plucking a single order from the menu was no easy feat; multiple items were of interest to me.

​Nearly half of the beverage menu had been allocated towards varying types of espresso-based beverages (and different roasts with different properties) - many with their own unique brewing method. From pour-overs to Cold Brew to the Classic Long Black, the train-inspired café's scope of caffeinated creations was bound to satisfy even the most meticulous of coffee fiends.
And for those that live in fear of insomnia, an extensive selection of teas, tea lattes, and caffeine-free tea lemonades/juices was also readily available.

After much thought, I settled on a glass of Cold Brew. An interesting aspect to note would be that the drink utilizes a different roast than the one used to prepare regular (hot) espresso shots. A lighter roast had been introduced for the scorching summer months, but we were informed that the choice of beans varies depending on external conditions.

​Served in a stout glass with a single block of ice for prolonged cooling, the drink was decidedly less bold than I had pictured yet as flavourful as I had desired. Its profile was light and refreshing - just as advertised by the staff - with a lingering fruitiness (that is not to be confused with acidity).

​We examined the compact snack menu several times: the list comprised of a few sandwich selections, a share-able waffle tasting board, and a handful of housemade desserts. It wasn't until later that an additional menu was provided; noticeably larger in its variety of savoury and sweet dishes, the decision-making process quickly terminated with orders of the Grilled Trio and Piggy.

​Lovers of cheese ought to make note: Grilled Trio is a dish worthy of summoning every bit of energy and effort from within. Intended as a snack, the grilled cheese sandwich isn't a sizable option at $6.50. However, the intricately woven strands of melty Cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan were indeed phenomenal.
Approximately 6 parts crispy, buttered bread and 4 parts oozing, stringy cheese, the savoury little sequence was a small slice of heaven. One cannot even begin to fathom the immense degree of satisfaction hailing from the slow detachment of the external carby components to the insane internal gooey-ness.

​I had also requested a side of the Passion Fruit Yuzu chocolate ganache - a tad odd in the absence of a Belgian Waffle order, but nonetheless delicious. Known to stray from white chocolate whenever possible, this fruity dipping sauce was a welcome alternative to the generally slick cocoa butter derivative. Coating the edges of Grilled Trio with this solution yielded the ultimate sweet-savoury sensation.

​My partner-in-crime's choice of Piggy was roughly twice as large as the Grilled Trio and assumed the role of a lunch sandwich (or 2-in-1 "linner" pick). Sandwiched between two thick slices of ciabatta was smoky ham, pork jowl, tomato, red onion, and an abundance of shredded lettuce.
Contrary to its appearance, the ciabatta bun was spongy and plush - an absolute dream to bite into. A Teriyaki-like blend of sauce had been adequately slathered on the bun and promptly penetrated the porous underside, locking in the marinade.
While it was evident that the amount of contained protein was quite minimal for a nine-dollar meal, this wasn't a major issue of concern for me. Rather, I appreciated the emphasis of fresh greens, because nothing is more disheartening than receiving a bundle of depressing, wilted lettuce.

​In line with offering a comfortable environment for socializing and meal consumption, the establishment also offered a password-secured Wi-Fi network and relatively clean quarters.
A single accessible washroom was found towards the end of the restaurant's only corridor. Its interior was spacious but dimly-lit, shedding enough light to maneuver with ease, but not enough to identify the potential trail of dust along the edges of the walls. Two hooks were fastened to the back of the door for convenience. The toilet was equipped with decent flushing capabilities; backup toilet paper rolls were nowhere in sight.

​Just as we were in the midst of polishing off the remainder of our orders, in came a gracious offer for complimentary dessert. A crème brûlée sampler trio was whisked to our table, each mini ramekin adorned with exactly one strawberry and three blueberries. The plating was adorable, albeit somewhat unrefined with visible streaks of strawberry juice.

​Original, Jasmine Tea, and Matcha were the flavours bestowed upon us - and, might I add, our near-bursting stomachs. The Original crème brûlée was undeniably sweet and laden with a strong essence of vanilla bean, while the Jasmine Tea was a lighter rendition with a prominent astringency towards the end of the spoonful. Matcha was an interesting variation: instead of the grassy, Uji-standard blend I had been anticipating, a thick blend of floral green tea awaited me. Its notes were ambrosial: the botanic counterpart typically found in Chinese half-ground, half-loose leaf composites.
Matcha easily garnered the top spot amongst the triad, especially given its bitter, digestion-promoting properties. Jasmine had been a pleasant step away from the saturated Houjicha scene, though I would have preferred a stronger presence.

​Without a sturdy, caramelized surface, a dessert cannot qualify as crème brûlée. Platform's version sported a thinner layer than other establishments; it was observed that the layer was not uniform and contained specks of undissolved granulated sugar in some areas. Personally, I would have enjoyed a denser layer of burnt sugar for enhanced texture and satisfaction of cracking.

​All in all, Platform Espresso Bar left a lasting impression on me and I cannot wait to return. It is my hope to try the Belgian Waffle Tasting Board or Affogato on my next trip!

​Planned next was a K-Pop drop-in class at VYbE. But, as luck would have it, the class was subject to an impromptu cancellation. We signed up for the higher-level Urban Choreography class instead.

​I filled with imminent anxiety, for not once had I deemed myself capable of passing the academy's Level 0 or Level 1 classes.
There was no tutorial this time around, nor a comprehensive guide of on-the-beat basics. The length of the dance and complexity of the moves had surged in comparison to my prior visits. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it immensely. K-Pop shall be reserved for next time!

​My body couldn't stomach another meal, so I opted for a CoCo run instead. Two cups of the (updated) Bubble Gaga were secured for the drive home.

​Shame on myself for forgetting to mention ice and sugar levels though...