Welcome, winter.
The first snowfall of the season is bound to hit before Chinese New Year, and by February if not in January. That said, snow isn't quite as foreign to us Central Canadians as it is to West Coast-ers and some of our southern neighbours. We are not the type to cease activities because of precipitation. Rather, the adequate services are simply forced into play. Life must continue.
The first snowfall of the season is bound to hit before Chinese New Year, and by February if not in January. That said, snow isn't quite as foreign to us Central Canadians as it is to West Coast-ers and some of our southern neighbours. We are not the type to cease activities because of precipitation. Rather, the adequate services are simply forced into play. Life must continue.
1) Behold our beautiful blue skies!
2) Another snippet of a CoCo run, as per usual
2) Another snippet of a CoCo run, as per usual
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5) Attempting quick s'mores with the few unused digestives lying around the house
6) A pineapple-turned-potato-head microfoam creation
7) Experimenting with waffles while utilizing orangecane's most trusted recipe source ultimately led to the nastiest, stiffest lumps of cooked dough ever. (I'll stick to my regulars next time.)
6) A pineapple-turned-potato-head microfoam creation
7) Experimenting with waffles while utilizing orangecane's most trusted recipe source ultimately led to the nastiest, stiffest lumps of cooked dough ever. (I'll stick to my regulars next time.)
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8) Love Me Sweet (Square One)
The bakery had introduced bubble tea to their menu towards the end of last year. Seeing as the mall-centric chain does not specialize in such a field, I was fully informed that quality was not guaranteed.
I steered clear of their ostentatious smoothies and cream caps, opting for an Oolong Milk Tea with Grass Jelly instead. It was a typical combination that allowed little room for error; the absence of complication was the very reason why it was chosen.
The bakery had introduced bubble tea to their menu towards the end of last year. Seeing as the mall-centric chain does not specialize in such a field, I was fully informed that quality was not guaranteed.
I steered clear of their ostentatious smoothies and cream caps, opting for an Oolong Milk Tea with Grass Jelly instead. It was a typical combination that allowed little room for error; the absence of complication was the very reason why it was chosen.
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The presence of milk powder was apparent, but contrasted well again the bold aroma of the tea base. Frankly, I was taken back at the depth of the drink. Even though the grass jelly was something I could have easily obtained at BTrust or T&T, the overall concoction was satisfying. Value-wise, I may have been better off with CoCo's monthly specials, but this detour was a result of convenience.
9) Sikgaek
Days where one is overwhelmed by crippling cravings for KFC - that is, Korean Fried Chicken - prompt reluctant (yet very necessary) roundtrips to Mississauga's Koreatown. The intense hankerings called for half orders of Pa Dak, Fried Chicken, and YangNyum, along with an UhMukTang for substance.
Days where one is overwhelmed by crippling cravings for KFC - that is, Korean Fried Chicken - prompt reluctant (yet very necessary) roundtrips to Mississauga's Koreatown. The intense hankerings called for half orders of Pa Dak, Fried Chicken, and YangNyum, along with an UhMukTang for substance.
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Similar to my initial visit, the YangNyum proved the star of the trio. A moist, fleshy interior coated with a spicy, tangy sauce can never go wrong, especially when made milder than most chicken establishments.
The shaved onion threads and zesty gochu/sesame sauce had been packed separately from the chicken to prevent sogginess. Given this, it was difficult to distinguish between the Pa Dak base and separate half order of Fried Chicken. One was unmistakably dryer than the other, though nonetheless successful in relieving my hefty hankering.
For future reference, I'll be sticking to The Fry for my onion-topped chicken.
The shaved onion threads and zesty gochu/sesame sauce had been packed separately from the chicken to prevent sogginess. Given this, it was difficult to distinguish between the Pa Dak base and separate half order of Fried Chicken. One was unmistakably dryer than the other, though nonetheless successful in relieving my hefty hankering.
For future reference, I'll be sticking to The Fry for my onion-topped chicken.
Sikgaek's kimchi has probably been my favourite to date, though, in spite of its saltier profile.
10) Under the recommendation of a friend, my first Saje purchase was made in the form of a car diffuser. Stay tuned for a report in future posts!
11) Pre-Opening Yorkdale Visuals Feat. TORA and Starbucks (And no, I did not have the opportunity to feast here. Not yet anyway.)
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12) Curry Omurice from Naniwa Taro was uber scrumptious, even without greens of any sort.
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The flurries had hit the GTA already, but that wasn't enough to hinder me in securing Palgong's Original Milk Tea for the (excruciating) 1.5 hour drive back.
13) Well if you'd look at that: More snow!!
14) Kris Wu spotted in the unlikeliest of places: on the promotional shelf at BTrust
15) More CoCo
14) Kris Wu spotted in the unlikeliest of places: on the promotional shelf at BTrust
15) More CoCo
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16) Wonton Chai is, hands down, the best source of comfort food.
17) Early sunsets, as viewed from the editing zone
17) Early sunsets, as viewed from the editing zone
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18) Houjicha Grass Jelly Latte
Crafting drinks usually takes less than five minutes for me, but this project was proved trickier than imagined. Its primary function was to serve as an audio test, while the second was, well, for pure enjoyment.
Crafting drinks usually takes less than five minutes for me, but this project was proved trickier than imagined. Its primary function was to serve as an audio test, while the second was, well, for pure enjoyment.
Truthfully though, I tend to use pre-brewed batches of tea for cold beverage mixes. This is an exception I haven't yielded to in quite some time.
Stay tuned for CNY visuals week, along with the potential release of my ridiculously overdue Maritimes Madness video recap (should technology cooperate).
Stay tuned for CNY visuals week, along with the potential release of my ridiculously overdue Maritimes Madness video recap (should technology cooperate).
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