The humidity has officially hit.
Personal catch-up time has suffered a dramatic drop.
Weekly visuals shall proceed until further notice.
Personal catch-up time has suffered a dramatic drop.
Weekly visuals shall proceed until further notice.
2) The Seunie Bingsu from Snowies
The GOT7-themed bingsoo series continues! Following BamBam's Thai Milk Tea was Jackson's Hong Kong Milk Tea, which, in comparison to the first item of the collection, exhibited more prominent flavour. The limited edition selection was served in a similar fashion: curated toppings and condensed milk on the side, and an absence of layering.
Tapioca pearls made another appearance, but instead of grass jelly was an oddly orange egg pudding. It had been set directly and served in a ramekin - a sharp contrast to the abstract shards of yellow utilized by most bubble tea vendors. Its consistency was also a tad more rigid, indicating either a higher percentage of stabilizer, whether it be egg yolk, gelatin, or some derivative of starch. A pizelle cookie - broken and inserted in the shape of wings? - was intended to add crunch, though I cannot produce any comments towards this addition. Admittedly, it is not my fondest type of cracker, so I did steer clear of it.
The GOT7-themed bingsoo series continues! Following BamBam's Thai Milk Tea was Jackson's Hong Kong Milk Tea, which, in comparison to the first item of the collection, exhibited more prominent flavour. The limited edition selection was served in a similar fashion: curated toppings and condensed milk on the side, and an absence of layering.
Tapioca pearls made another appearance, but instead of grass jelly was an oddly orange egg pudding. It had been set directly and served in a ramekin - a sharp contrast to the abstract shards of yellow utilized by most bubble tea vendors. Its consistency was also a tad more rigid, indicating either a higher percentage of stabilizer, whether it be egg yolk, gelatin, or some derivative of starch. A pizelle cookie - broken and inserted in the shape of wings? - was intended to add crunch, though I cannot produce any comments towards this addition. Admittedly, it is not my fondest type of cracker, so I did steer clear of it.
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Sampling the bingsoo on its own, familiar notes of Hong Kong milk tea were made discernible. Frankly, it lacked the astringency and 金味 (an attribute I can only depict as a distinctly unique lingering aftertaste) associated with the tea blend, however its profile remained recognizable. I was informed that the first few batches of the dessert had proved "far too bitter", thus the formula was altered to fit the dessert niche.
Egg pudding, tapioca, and a condensed milk drizzle with the consistency of evaporated milk enabled greater enjoyment of the bowl's contents, albeit resulting in a somewhat messy eating experience. As mentioned previously (561), Snowies' ice flakes have been observed to contain the lowest moisture levels by far; a direct runoff of loosened condensed milk was owed to this precise property. On that note, it is worth mentioning that the taste of tea diminished with the subsequent addition of toppings.
Egg pudding, tapioca, and a condensed milk drizzle with the consistency of evaporated milk enabled greater enjoyment of the bowl's contents, albeit resulting in a somewhat messy eating experience. As mentioned previously (561), Snowies' ice flakes have been observed to contain the lowest moisture levels by far; a direct runoff of loosened condensed milk was owed to this precise property. On that note, it is worth mentioning that the taste of tea diminished with the subsequent addition of toppings.
We also took the opportunity to try the Honey Butter Toast, a seemingly new addition to their menu, along with the Black Sesame Bingsu. The item arrived looking near identical to the Injeolmi Toast, and it was only afterwards that I learned honey butter had been incorporated into the soybean-centric creation. It was not an entirely different entity after all. A poor pick on my part, it was far too sugary in the absence of java; the mochi bits were tasty as always, though the combination of sticky slickness and friable injeolmi powder made for a throat-clogging occurrence.
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The striking gold knives are a wonderful touch, might I say.
3) Hale Coffee
This Junction native's outpost in the Food District is a spot I've been to visit for some time now. However, I must woefully profess that my first visit will also be my last. Not only was the barista/cashier extremely unattentive during off-peak hours, neither the coffee nor the Blueberry Crumble Muffin measured up to its reputation and steep price point.
This Junction native's outpost in the Food District is a spot I've been to visit for some time now. However, I must woefully profess that my first visit will also be my last. Not only was the barista/cashier extremely unattentive during off-peak hours, neither the coffee nor the Blueberry Crumble Muffin measured up to its reputation and steep price point.
4) LINE Friends x Sketchers is an unexpected collaboration that I hope to see graced with success.
5) It is with much regret that McCafé Union Station's hot Matcha Tea Latte is not being retailed at a mere two dollars. That said, it won't stop me from acquiring one laced with espresso as an afternoon pick-me-up. (Be mindful that the version being utilized is a synthetic blend and not pure matcha; it still beats Starbucks' though.)
5) It is with much regret that McCafé Union Station's hot Matcha Tea Latte is not being retailed at a mere two dollars. That said, it won't stop me from acquiring one laced with espresso as an afternoon pick-me-up. (Be mindful that the version being utilized is a synthetic blend and not pure matcha; it still beats Starbucks' though.)
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6) Featured are an Iced Latte (Light Roast) and Iced Cappuccino (Medium Roast), because Platform never gets old and iced caffeinated drinks are the best way to combat humidity-induced fatigue.
7) The Chocolate Waffle Cone warrants skipping. Union Station deserves an exclusive soft serve swirl instead.
8) Morning commuting visuals are anticipated to regain their position on this space.
9) Birthday Timbits + a complimentary Iced Guava Tea Lemonade for the big day.
8) Morning commuting visuals are anticipated to regain their position on this space.
9) Birthday Timbits + a complimentary Iced Guava Tea Lemonade for the big day.
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10) Nutrition fact-less Donut Sticks from Timmies were not worth the $2.09. Sold in a pack of five, these limp pastries were anything but a relative of the churro. The interior was dry and depressing, with absolutely no crunch on the outside. Possibly the only highlight was the thorough dusting of cinnamon sugar.
11) Union Station snippets captured for sharing with orangecane.
11) Union Station snippets captured for sharing with orangecane.
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12) Night It Up! 2019
Markham annual night market returned to the Civic Centre grounds with inflated prices and a prestigious guest list.
I suggested a visit to orangecane, primarily to see the Wong Fu crew, Simu Liu, and other YouTube personalities. It wasn't until later that the concept of paid admission dawned on me. I retreated accordingly, but did not dispose of our intention to meet up.
Markham annual night market returned to the Civic Centre grounds with inflated prices and a prestigious guest list.
I suggested a visit to orangecane, primarily to see the Wong Fu crew, Simu Liu, and other YouTube personalities. It wasn't until later that the concept of paid admission dawned on me. I retreated accordingly, but did not dispose of our intention to meet up.
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As luck would have it, the drive to the northeast remained balmy and sunny, up until I turned onto the exit ramp. A grim grey cast shrouded the intersection, announcing the bleak arrival of heavy showers. Persisting until long after I had secured parking and trekked my way to the venue itself, it dampened not only my socks and sandals, but my spirits as well.
Orangecane was far more fortunate; her arrival was welcomed by clear skies and sunshine. By the time we found each other at the Laneige booth, all forms of precipitation had halted for the day. It was but another humid summer day.
Orangecane was far more fortunate; her arrival was welcomed by clear skies and sunshine. By the time we found each other at the Laneige booth, all forms of precipitation had halted for the day. It was but another humid summer day.
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An amendment to my 2015 ranking, NIU has definitely plummeted in a few aspects since my initial visit. The quality of food offerings have drastically dropped, despite portions diminishing and prices surging. The quintessential assortment of egg waffles, stinky tofu, bubble tea, and skewered items are never to be exempt, however I had hoped to witness an increase in innovation - experimental offerings that could be tested for feedback.
Brazilian cheese bread disguised as takoyaki were a flop, as were caramel custard waffle cones and overly salty vegetarian fare. A few vendors had included interesting games of chance to prompt purchases - one example of this was Miss Lin. Customers could play against the booth staff to earn a discount on their drink of choice. While this engaging initiative was commendable, the attitude and demeanour set forth by the front line members was far from. Condescending and crude, I wanted nothing more than to simply walk away without making a purchase. However, being the one with better morals meant delivering one's due diligence as a patron who participated in promotional practice.
Brazilian cheese bread disguised as takoyaki were a flop, as were caramel custard waffle cones and overly salty vegetarian fare. A few vendors had included interesting games of chance to prompt purchases - one example of this was Miss Lin. Customers could play against the booth staff to earn a discount on their drink of choice. While this engaging initiative was commendable, the attitude and demeanour set forth by the front line members was far from. Condescending and crude, I wanted nothing more than to simply walk away without making a purchase. However, being the one with better morals meant delivering one's due diligence as a patron who participated in promotional practice.
TD and Dove also hosted booths with opportunities to enroll in a virtual shopping challenge, claim free merchandise, and obtain blasts of cool air.
"Are you a TD customer?" piped the stout female figure behind the counter.
I stared back, expecting to hear a promotional offer. Instead came a snarky remark I could have carried on without hearing:
"You should get the app so you can budget your spending."
Customer service levels have hit all-time highs. (WHAT IF I DON'T CONCERN MYSELF WITH BUDGETS?! HUH?!)
"Are you a TD customer?" piped the stout female figure behind the counter.
I stared back, expecting to hear a promotional offer. Instead came a snarky remark I could have carried on without hearing:
"You should get the app so you can budget your spending."
Customer service levels have hit all-time highs. (WHAT IF I DON'T CONCERN MYSELF WITH BUDGETS?! HUH?!)
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I received a 50% drink voucher from the distinctly memorable experience at Miss Lin, and consequently took the opportunity to swing by before hopping back on the highway. Parking was, thankfully, not too tragic of an ordeal, but it was with great dismay that I discovered a reincarnated rendition of Mr. Coffee. Gone was the delectable milk tea inclusive of Coffee Jelly and Red Bean; in place was an Espresso Milkshake devoid of toppings.
Saddened but still determined, I took to customizing the beverage with the addition of the aforementioned toppings, only later to be informed that the voucher did not apply to either of ninety-nine cent toppings. "(A) drink is just (a) drink."
Well then. Can't say I'll be returning.
Saddened but still determined, I took to customizing the beverage with the addition of the aforementioned toppings, only later to be informed that the voucher did not apply to either of ninety-nine cent toppings. "(A) drink is just (a) drink."
Well then. Can't say I'll be returning.
PVC fans were popular handouts to combat the heat, but the real hero was my newly acquired portable Brown fan.
JJP anniversary sleeves were also owed to orangecane, or an acquantance of the fiery soul anyway.
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