Long weekend is the perfect excuse to deviate from regular routine. It enables one to garner an additional morning of sleep while making it possible to include errand-running/personal time into the equation.
Weekend excursions that involve overnight stays are admittedly taxing on me - being Wi-Fi-less is miserable during pre-comeback season - but travelling to places that are seldom visited is always an activity of interest. Day trips happen to be the perfect compromise.
Weekend excursions that involve overnight stays are admittedly taxing on me - being Wi-Fi-less is miserable during pre-comeback season - but travelling to places that are seldom visited is always an activity of interest. Day trips happen to be the perfect compromise.
We awoke bright and early on Saturday morning, bound for a destination northeast of the Sauga suburbs. Markham was our first stop, where I pleaded for a stopover at One Zo's Markham location. The popular bubble tea spot had taken over Tendou's old location at Hwy 7 and Town Centre Boulevard.
Having pulled in just a few minutes prior to their opening hours, I stalled outside until a lady with a tiny handbag came up to me, looking rather perplexed I should add. Once she verified that I was nothing more than a mere customer looking to tend to curb an addiction, she unlocked the front door. Opening operations hadn't been completed fully though, so she quickly closed the door behind her and headed towards the kitchen area. A few minutes later, a uniform-clad member of staff welcomed me inside.
The menu did not differ from the North York or Chinatown locations, though, given the early hours of the day, majority of the tapioca options were not available. I settled for a Nature Melon Lemon with Crystal Tapioca (the only variation on offer) and a OneZo Spring Milk Tea.
The menu did not differ from the North York or Chinatown locations, though, given the early hours of the day, majority of the tapioca options were not available. I settled for a Nature Melon Lemon with Crystal Tapioca (the only variation on offer) and a OneZo Spring Milk Tea.
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I hadn't expected to enjoy the Spring Milk Tea as much as I did, since the Peach and Mango Spring Teas tasted sugary and synthetic. The addition of milk - or creamer - was a nice touch; the light floral notes remained without any sort of tackiness. The barista has also managed to attain the requested 25% sugar level without much effort.
Nature Melon Lemon was, well, just as anticipated. There were no distinct variations from my visits elsewhere.
Nature Melon Lemon was, well, just as anticipated. There were no distinct variations from my visits elsewhere.
It was odd to think that Tendou had once occupied the space, for most of its original elements had been shed and replaced. Seating area was rather limited in comparison: only a few small tables lined the walls. The west side of the interior had been segmented into a cashier area and tapioca-preparation zone.
I did not visit the bathroom on this visit and thus cannot provide any comments in that regard. On a general basis, the establishment was kept to minimal levels of cleanliness, with the only prominent area of filth being the 4 mm-thick layer of dust atop the fire alarm.
I did not visit the bathroom on this visit and thus cannot provide any comments in that regard. On a general basis, the establishment was kept to minimal levels of cleanliness, with the only prominent area of filth being the 4 mm-thick layer of dust atop the fire alarm.
That said, I was very much of a fan of the woodsy aroma oozing from the new decor and the artifical bird-shaped potted plant (ahgase things).
We continued eastbound afterwards, in search of an eatery that would satisfy our collective culinary criteria. The best of both worlds lay with a Hong Kong-style café - Phoenix Restaurant it would be!
Parking spots had gradually begun to fill up in the private asphalt lot. Many of the shaded spaces had been reserved for customers of the neighbouring businesses, which meant those that remained were in direct sunlight.
Prior to noon, there was no need to wait for a table. However, as our meal progresses, more and more patrons began to accumulate about the entrance.
Prior to noon, there was no need to wait for a table. However, as our meal progresses, more and more patrons began to accumulate about the entrance.
< Pictured above and below:
- B01 海南雞飯/Hainanese Chicken Rice w/ Chicken Oil Rice
- A01 魚骨豬骨湯墨魚丸米線/ Yunnan Vermicelli w/ CuttleFish Ball in Fish Broth
- 焗芝士茄汁牛利意粉 / Baked Ox Tongue Spaghetti w/ Tomato Sauce + Cheese [Custom] >
The restaurant was positively bustling during the weekend lunch peak. Servers were aplenty, but constantly occupied with the neverending flow of incoming traffic. For the most part, food delivery was prompt and attitude levels were kept to a minimum. Communicating our orders was not an item of concern for us, nor the surrounding Cantonese- or Mandarin-speaking guests. For those that are looking for detailed explanations on individual menu items though, you probably won't find that here.
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Substitutions in meal combos are not a common occurrence here, although custom standalone dishes are abundant. Orders of Hainanese Chicken Rice and Yunnan Vermicelli w/ Cuttle Fish Ball in Fish Broth were placed without much difficulty; my custom Ox Tongue dish was another story entirely.
I desperately desired a Baked Ox Tongue Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce and Cheese, but this particular selection had been exempted from the combo listing. Rice and spaghetti bases can usually be swapped without additional fees, but switching the sauce option was a much more tedious task than anticipated.
I desperately desired a Baked Ox Tongue Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce and Cheese, but this particular selection had been exempted from the combo listing. Rice and spaghetti bases can usually be swapped without additional fees, but switching the sauce option was a much more tedious task than anticipated.
The young male server we had flagged over had a dubious look on his face.
"I'm not sure we can do that." He told us, "But I'll try."
Our meals appeared in less than ten minutes, at which point I had discovered the base of my order to consists of white grains instead of the spaghetti noodles. I waved him the server over yet again, pointing out the fault in the base.
"You didn't tell me..." He mumbled, as he retrieved my platter and strode towards the kitchen.
"I'm not sure we can do that." He told us, "But I'll try."
Our meals appeared in less than ten minutes, at which point I had discovered the base of my order to consists of white grains instead of the spaghetti noodles. I waved him the server over yet again, pointing out the fault in the base.
"You didn't tell me..." He mumbled, as he retrieved my platter and strode towards the kitchen.
Not even five minutes had passed before an older member of staff came over to our table. This middle-aged lady then insisted that the change could not be made, and that it had been the younger server's naïve mistake. It was at this point that we were informed of the rigidity of the combo meals.
Not a single member of the party could understand this claim, for the dish had already been prepared and all that was needed was a base swap.
As the lady continued to fend her point, the same male server appeared behind her with the correct order. Nothing more could be said by her, so the two merely walked away. From a distance, I overhead "Just don't do it next time, alright?" as I dove into my saucy pan of spaghetti.
Not a single member of the party could understand this claim, for the dish had already been prepared and all that was needed was a base swap.
As the lady continued to fend her point, the same male server appeared behind her with the correct order. Nothing more could be said by her, so the two merely walked away. From a distance, I overhead "Just don't do it next time, alright?" as I dove into my saucy pan of spaghetti.
Macey's had been our Cantonese diner of choice for decades, so I hadn't known the world of baked ox tongue otherwise. Spearing the topmost slice of ox tongue, I came to the conclusion that I had been living under a rock all this time.
The ox tongue was ridiculously tender, yet also of substantial thickness. The sauce was tangy, with satisfying bits of stringy cheese unravelling between twirled forkfuls of soft spaghetti noodles. Al dente has never been my cup of tea, but neither has mushy, overcooked pasta. Phoenix's rendition was just right - perfect even. I had no complaints whatsoever, and even managed to demolish majority of the dish without assistance in any form.
Of course, this was largely owed to the young server who placed customer satisfaction over restaurant policies in this specific circumstance.
The ox tongue was ridiculously tender, yet also of substantial thickness. The sauce was tangy, with satisfying bits of stringy cheese unravelling between twirled forkfuls of soft spaghetti noodles. Al dente has never been my cup of tea, but neither has mushy, overcooked pasta. Phoenix's rendition was just right - perfect even. I had no complaints whatsoever, and even managed to demolish majority of the dish without assistance in any form.
Of course, this was largely owed to the young server who placed customer satisfaction over restaurant policies in this specific circumstance.
The Hainanese Chicken Rice combo was tasty, though the Chicken Oil Rice could have used an added boost of boldness.
Bland was the Yunnan Vermicelli, which was we didn't end up finishing at all.
Bland was the Yunnan Vermicelli, which was we didn't end up finishing at all.
Bathroom stalls were cramped and repulsive, to say in the least. I appreciated the full-length mirror and the powerful electric hand dryer. The same cannot be said for the grimy toilet seats, overflowing wastebin, and questionable pile of toilet paper on the stall floors.
Next stop was the main focus of the day: the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge!
Read Part 2 HERE !
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