Out & About #488 | Collective September Visuals

​"The next evening appointment will be in mid-October. Is that alright?"
October?! I gasped in shock.
"Next week is October." the receptionist replied matter-of-factly.
Oh. Right.

The first month of the academic year has passed in the blink of an eye. My schedule has been congested for majority of its duration, and vacation images have yet to make their way here. Meanwhile, take a look at some of my pre- and post-trip munchies instead.

​1) Tsujiri

​Tsujiri's Black Sesame Cake was positively fragrant and absolutely lovely.

​2) Berto's on Dundas served decent, but pricey Halo Halo.

​Like Somethin' Sweet 4 U, the restaurant served the typical selection of sauce-laden Filipino dishes. The environment was casual and the interior filled invisible clouds of grease and peculiar odours.

​According to a friend of a friend, Berto's supposedly carried the "best halo halo" in the city. While the flan and ube ice cream was delicious, the portion was meager. Majority of the plastic cup was filled with rapidly dissolving ice flakes, bean paste, and Rice Krispie-like puffs that gradually grew soggy. Seafood City's version was unmistakably better in terms of both diversity and economics; I've yet to discover an establishment capable of dethroning Quiapo Quiapo's lasting impression.

​Might I add that Berto's washroom is not for the faint of heart. Situated immediately behind a flimsy wooden door near the cashier, I constantly lived in fear while carrying about my business. The connecting back door didn't provide much assurance either.

3) A late evening visit to CoCo's new location was made following the Halo Halo mission.

It was here that I reunited with Mr. Teddy. I cannot speak on his behalf, but I sure was glad to see him. (No pun intended.)

4) Costco always calls for additional manpower.
orangecane thrives over the stories of budget-friendly buys of other shoppers. Meanwhile, I anticipate the hot dog (or Polish dog) lunches and swirl soft serves that follow.

​The hot dogs were great as usual, but the diminishing quality of the now foamy-tasting ice cream cones was downright disheartening.

​5) Behold: a breakfast of Ma Lai Go (steamed Chinese sponge cake or 馬拉糕) and Mixed Berry Jam Matcha Latte
6) 3 Guys is an essential pre-vacation pick-me-up, especially after a comeback morning.

7) Pearl Roasted Milk Tea was announced as CoCo's Tea of the Month upon my return from the East Coast.
8) Why, hello again, old friend.

​9) Vanilla Cake from Costco is an abomination. Heed my words.

​10) Jinyoung and BamBam's first generation It'S SKIN standees were spotted downtown!

​11) Chocolate cookie x matcha chocolate squares were arguably our best snack purchase of the Atlantic adventure.

12) The Library Specialty Coffee

Not far from the AGO is a cafe that's garnered quite a loyal customer base. Only a few seconds away from Village by the Grange, The Library's storefront is unpretentious and easy to miss. Upon entry, however, one quickly discovers that the menu is not only pricey given its coordinates, the variety of milk choices (oat, "premium dairy", and macadamia) are every bit as exaggerated as Kensington and Queen West independents.

I took to taking a Matcha Latte with "premium dairy" to go, along with an Almond Croissant. The duo rang in at just over ten dollars.​

​The range of error for matcha-based beverages is generally greater than the standard espresso drink. Such is owed to the art of whisking, temperature control, and matcha quality itself. Received at the other end of the bar was a beautiful rosetta, but contained within the insulated cup was a monstrosity my taste buds would never wish to revisit.
Its surface was gritty and bitter - so bitter to the point where even a green tea fiend such as myself recoiled in shock at its astringency. Silky milk was found towards the bottom of the cup - the exact opposite of a typical brew. The Library's product was nowhere near as coarse as One Zo, but the immediate need for the liquid sweetener (and constant swirling) was a good indication that I would be better off taking my business elsewhere, or simply crafting my own.

​My Almond Croissant was gratifying, well deserving of the -- I had relinquished to obtain proprietorship. Despite being a tad burnt and consisting of fewer layers than preferred, the toasted slivers and sweet almond paste contained within the pastry made up for its slightly deflated profile.

​A single washroom stall was located at the top of a flight of extremely narrow, carpeted staircase. It was maintained to an appropriate degree of cleanliness and stocked with the necessary apparatus. Facilities were also modern and reflective of the current society.
I would just steer clear of the matcha here.

​
And that concludes the September roundup!