All colours evoke a specific feeling: red is loud and proud, while green is organic and free-spirited. But amongst them all, purple holds a special place in my heart.
It's sophisticated, yet whimsical.
It's timeless, yet modern.
It's comforting, yet exuberant.
Purple
むらさき ('murasaki')
보라 ('bora')
And, on that note, how could one possibly resist a café depicting the precise penumbra of preferred purple? Moreover, it was one of the few spots from which I had failed to try signature items during my LA expedition last summer.
The common correspondence was certain though: these violet visual creations came with a steep tag.
Fond was I not of the microscopic portions and XL bingsoo bowl prices. The Bora Tiramisu was exactly as others had described - minimal in both depth and boldness. A traditional tiramisu is comprised of strategically placed layers of syrup-soaked sponge, a dense or crunchy addition of some sort, and a house variation of infused mascarpone cheese (or other creamy alternative). Sad to say, this rendition was not only shallow, it dared to consist of only a single, stale layer.. Sheer disappointment swept over us as we discovered the lack of syrup, extensive height of the sponge cake layer, and overall absence of sweet potato flavour. At one point, I had contemplated drizzling a dash of condensed milk on top, only to stop myself with the sight of the tiny, unsealed container.
All good things seemingly come to die in Toronto. The same can be said for Cafe Bora.
Not only were the desserts unreasonably ritzy and unjustified, dining space was scarce, and the bathroom was poorly kept. Urine stains and a seat in direct contact with paper towels (for post-handwashing) did not fair favourably in my books. The overall experience was negative; a second visit shall not be made.
We aimlessly trudged about the area until it hit me: Onnki Donburi wasn't too far!
The supposedly fresh, raw salmon slices were absolutely tasteless, so much of the bowl's composition hailed from the not-very-wasabi-like wasabi mayonnaise. It was light enough to consume as a mid-day meal, but otherwise not very satisfying.
- Hooks have still yet to be installed on the underside of the stool-based seating area. Be prepared to hold large bags or place them at feet level.
- The high stools are prone to slipping, so aim to prevent reducing contact points with the ground.