Out & About #540 | Collective March Visuals

As we near the final period of the first quarter, I continue my woeful babble of my current employment status (or rather, lack thereof). Granting that my schedule is likely lax in comparison to others, I've been able to invest more time in physical exercise and occasional kitchen projects.

The closure of Put A Cone On It had inflicted a forceful blow; the past few weeks were spent in denial. However, I am now back on my feet, striving to recreate the coveted Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookie that I had been fortunate enough to encounter in the time gone by.

1) Several videos later, I took to executing the formula yielding the most similar consistency. The first trial wasn't entirely fruitless, but its efforts resulted in cookies that were far too sweet even when paired with the most potent of coffee brews. An in-depth analysis would be required in preparation for the next release.

​2) Frozen Leek Gyoza made better with Tasty tips. Rie is the best!
3) Matcha Nutella Latte - an unexpectedly indulgent combination

​4) Phoenix Restaurant (Woodbine and Steeles)

Beef Brisket with Veggies + Hainanese Chicken with Oil Rice was the supper assortment of the day. There were no flaws to be found in the renowned Southeast Asian dish, though I could have seriously done without the tough, taut lumps of supposedly slow-cooked brisket.

​5) The search of climbing shoes begins, for the stench of disinfecting shoe sprays at Hub have crept up on my olfactory senses.

​6) Fluffy Eggs & Toast (not mine) and a Banana Kale Soy Smoothie (dubiously mine, but mine nonetheless).

​7) The second iteration of Sunday Baking's recipe trumped the disproportionately cloying first. Modifications in this batch included less sugar and double the matcha powder, resulting in prominent grassiness and a far richer hue. Stay tuned for the final edition on What I Make!

8) K-Pop is coming to Carassauga!
9) Starbucks' Caramel Cloud Macchiato was regrettably nothing more than a sweet, creamy latte. On the bright side, the inclusion of whipped egg was essentially imperceptible.​
10) Continuing my experimental quest of local craft beers

​11) Attempting the big kids' wall at Hub

​12) Sikgaek
A post-climbing meal took place at Sikgaek, as opposed to the originally suggested Myungdong Kalguksu.

The ever-popular YangNyum Chicken was chosen, along with the Uncle Joseph Chicken. The latter fell under the category of a specialty item, and thus could not be paired with the 양념 in a combo. Its portion size was also slightly larger than a Half, but less than that of a Full. A minimum amount of melted cheese bits had been distributed about its surface. And, given that the dish consisted primarily of bite-sized, battered pieces, it was more akin to Sweet & Sour Pork than traditional Korean fried chicken.

​< Pictured above and below: YangNyum Chicken (Half), Uncle Joseph Chicken, TteokManduGuk (떡만두국), Makgulli, Mini Kimchi Stew >

The Makgulli was unmistakably smoother than Man Doo Hyang's housemade variation, which was to be expected given the rigorous commercial filtering process. Our server brought the bottled beverage to our table, along with a gold-tinged teapot-like contraption and small bowls. Consuming alcohol from a bowl remains an intriguing custom to me.
A mini kimchi stew was brought over some short while later; the waitress explained that it was included with the makgulli order. Although the statement left both of us utterly perplexed, we gladly accepted the bonus.

​13) Strawberry Bingsu, Oreo Bingsu, and Verbena Blues from Snowies

​14) A second visit to The Rec Room was on a whim. As The Void was not offering our simulation of choice (Wreck It! Ralph), we stuck to the redemption and arcade games once again. (Note: The shrilling clinks of the new Air Hockey tables are not for the faint of heart.)

​15) Sora Sushi
I take back my previous comments in regards to the family-owned restaurant. The makeshift "Oyako Don" with chicken and vegetable stew over rice was positively preposterous! In no way, shape, or form did it bear a resemblance to authentic oyako don. Moreover, the supposed "stew" was merely a repugnant mess of peppery, starch-thickened goop.

To make matters worse, the sashimi slices were warm and bland. The tuna was even observed to stain both the underlying mound of rice and sides of the Styrofoam container with a pink hue.
The Sora Roll was decent, but not decent enough to justify a thirty-plus price tag and fifteen-minute wait surrounded by oily fumes.

​16) Pacific Mall run Feat. Mr Sun and several K-Beauty stops. (To my horror, IT's SKIN had shuttered!)

​17) Ingredients were modified yet again for the third trial batch of Matcha White Chocolate Chip Cookies. Baking powder had been added, and a mixture of two matcha powders was utilized. The result was airier and smoother than the second rendition, however it left a distinct synthetic aftertaste.

​18) Mini Mango Cheesecake attempts gone awry from gelatin overuse.

19) A delayed round of mall errands resulted in lunching at The Rec Room

Lunch Specials were offered between the hours of 11 AM and 1 PM. I took to The Trio, which consisted of: Arugula Salad, Margherita Pizza, and Ice Cream. The greens were fresh, however stripped entirely of their nutrient content by the heavy-handed pour of vinaigrette; the ice cream with salted caramel syrup was depressing as its appearance. Crisp and cheesy was the Margherita Pizza, though it wasn't exactly a redeeming dish, for sogginess prevailed mid-meal, revealing splotches of olive oil underneath.
With that said, one ought to stick to the Entertainment section for better value.

20) Strawberry Rhubarb Toast with Pumpkin Seeds
21) The ultimate post-work treat: Vanilla Cone in a Cup
22) Mother Nature has deemed it "too early" for spring weather after all.

​With that all said and done (literally), let the one-week hibernation cram period commence!!