Working in the downtown core is tragic in more ways than one.
With each step outside, I become a victim of secondhand cigarette smoke, vape clouds, and rancid puffs of marijuana. Overall sanitary levels of my personal belongings have also plummetted sharply due to constant contact with public transit as well as other riders. But the most significant change of all is that of my expenses. With countless retailers at one's fingertips, unintentional spendings are not uncommon on a daily basis
With each step outside, I become a victim of secondhand cigarette smoke, vape clouds, and rancid puffs of marijuana. Overall sanitary levels of my personal belongings have also plummetted sharply due to constant contact with public transit as well as other riders. But the most significant change of all is that of my expenses. With countless retailers at one's fingertips, unintentional spendings are not uncommon on a daily basis
1) Yutaka Japanese Cuisine
Japango is a name that's overheard quite regularly by the City Hall crowd, though I hadn't paid much attention to the spot until sushi cravings crept up. Many Yelpers had complained about long lineups and deteriorating quality, and that the establishment wasn't very spacious to begin with. Upon reading this, it was noticed that a handful of reviewers had headed over to Yutaka several steps away.
Japango is a name that's overheard quite regularly by the City Hall crowd, though I hadn't paid much attention to the spot until sushi cravings crept up. Many Yelpers had complained about long lineups and deteriorating quality, and that the establishment wasn't very spacious to begin with. Upon reading this, it was noticed that a handful of reviewers had headed over to Yutaka several steps away.
The front door was undoubtedly heavy - as noted by the signange near the entrance - but the restaurant interior was comfortable and serene. High ceilings, spacious booths, and dark-toned furniture were the main constituents of the dining area; an open sashimi bar enabled customers to peak at the sushi chefs' work while munching away.
It was abnormally quiet for weekday lunch rush hours, but I wasn't about to grumble about speedier service. Two uniform-clad waitresses drifted across the floor every so often to take orders and follow up with guests.
Yutaka's menu was rather tattered, in spite of being laminated. Few images were present, proving the need to carefully scan the listings before coming to a conclusion.
Yutaka's menu was rather tattered, in spite of being laminated. Few images were present, proving the need to carefully scan the listings before coming to a conclusion.
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< Pictured above and below: Sashimi Lunch, Chirashi Lunch >
After plucking two sets from the mid-day specials menu, the waitress followed up with miso soup and a side salad. To my utmost surprise, the soup was full-bodied - or as full-bodied as miso paste and water can be - and contained a hefty amount of wakame and tofu cubes; featured on the surface on the side salad was not the standard, onion-based ponzu sauce, but rather a tangy, creamy variation instead.
Both mains arrived shortly, looking relatively similar in terms of selection and sashimi cuts. Where the Sashimi Lunch included separate portions of sashimi and rice, the Chirashi Lunch combined the two into a shallow dish with additional garnishes.
After plucking two sets from the mid-day specials menu, the waitress followed up with miso soup and a side salad. To my utmost surprise, the soup was full-bodied - or as full-bodied as miso paste and water can be - and contained a hefty amount of wakame and tofu cubes; featured on the surface on the side salad was not the standard, onion-based ponzu sauce, but rather a tangy, creamy variation instead.
Both mains arrived shortly, looking relatively similar in terms of selection and sashimi cuts. Where the Sashimi Lunch included separate portions of sashimi and rice, the Chirashi Lunch combined the two into a shallow dish with additional garnishes.
Frankly speaking, I hadn't been expecting much from Yutaka, but, in the end, I was pleasantly surprised. From the vibrant orange sake to lean maguro to an unidentified smoky, buttery slices, there wasn't a single component that failed to amaze me. Even the tamago - the inevitable "miss" of most eateries - had been cooked with the ideal proportions of dashi stock and whisked egg. I also appreciated the fact that furikake had been omitted from the dish; the sodium-laded sprinkling is intended to boost umami, though can be overbearing when consumed in conjunction with certain cuts
Prices were reasonable and reflective of the dishes' quality, variety, and portion size. That said, my only gripe is that amaebi hadn't been included in place of cooked shrimp.
One of the waitresses had inquired whether "the sashimi needed to be explained", though the offer was politely declined. In hindsight, the additional info would have been appreciated. It would have been nice to learn the proper names of the ingested species.
One of the waitresses had inquired whether "the sashimi needed to be explained", though the offer was politely declined. In hindsight, the additional info would have been appreciated. It would have been nice to learn the proper names of the ingested species.
2) OneZo Tapioca (Chinatown)
Can't say I'm impressed that OneZo decided to discontinue their loyalty program without any confirmation of its slated return. The sugar levels of the downtown outpost are also lower than that of the North York and Markham spots.
Can't say I'm impressed that OneZo decided to discontinue their loyalty program without any confirmation of its slated return. The sugar levels of the downtown outpost are also lower than that of the North York and Markham spots.
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3) Butter Baker
Having never bothered with fragile pastries on roaming days, I decided it was high time to pay the bakery a visit on a brief afternoon break. The Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies were very reminiscent of my fave from Put A Cone On It. Sadly, they didn't even come close to fulfilling the void: crisp as they were, the addition of matcha produced a subdued floral vibe as opposed to the grassy boldness I had desired.
Having never bothered with fragile pastries on roaming days, I decided it was high time to pay the bakery a visit on a brief afternoon break. The Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies were very reminiscent of my fave from Put A Cone On It. Sadly, they didn't even come close to fulfilling the void: crisp as they were, the addition of matcha produced a subdued floral vibe as opposed to the grassy boldness I had desired.
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I also opted for a Baker's Tiramisu slice, which was a delicate, eight-layer masterpiece with vanilla chiffon, coffee chantilly créme, and Mascarpone creme. Visually speaking, it was flawless, with enunciated tiers of pâtissier skill. Flavour-wise, a certain degree of moistness was determined absent. In conjunction with three layers of chiffon cake, the cake was found to be quite dry overall. Perhaps I may simply prefer the traditional, richer take on the Italian dessert.
The hype behind this lavish bakery isn't incomprehensible, though I can't picture myself returning again in such a casual fashion. A slice of Tiramisu rang in at $6.95, while the mini matcha cookies were $2.25 per piece.
The hype behind this lavish bakery isn't incomprehensible, though I can't picture myself returning again in such a casual fashion. A slice of Tiramisu rang in at $6.95, while the mini matcha cookies were $2.25 per piece.
4) CoCo (Downtown Yonge)
Heed my advice: steer clear of the Pearl Roasted Milk Tea special at the downtown location. Not only are wait times long and tedious, the final product itself is below par in comparison to the Mississauga locations. Not a shred of lingering roasted-ness remained in the watery, bland concoction; a request for 30% sugar also ended up tasting closer to 10%.
Heed my advice: steer clear of the Pearl Roasted Milk Tea special at the downtown location. Not only are wait times long and tedious, the final product itself is below par in comparison to the Mississauga locations. Not a shred of lingering roasted-ness remained in the watery, bland concoction; a request for 30% sugar also ended up tasting closer to 10%.
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7) 許留山/Hui Lau Shan (Yonge/Dundas)
Hong Kong's popularmango dessert chain has arrived in Toronto, in the oddest of spots to boot. On the third floor food court of the VIP Cineplex tower resides 許留山.
Hong Kong's popularmango dessert chain has arrived in Toronto, in the oddest of spots to boot. On the third floor food court of the VIP Cineplex tower resides 許留山.
< Pictured above and below:
- A3 - Mango/Coconut with Sago (芒椰西米) (Regular)
- A5 - Mango/Coconut with Crystal Jelly (芒椰水晶晶) (Regular) >
The desserts are quite pricey at $5.90 for a Regular and $7.90 for a Jumbo. Several other traditional variations are offered as well, but with prices climbing steadily with each new addition. The Mango/Coconut with Crystal Jelly was scrumptious, even for a moderate mango maniac. Ideally, the treat(s) should be consumed fresh, since delayed devoured encouraged the formation of extra-sweet milk (and room temperature jelly strings).
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