Due to the frequency of Weekly Roundup posts, the monthly issue of Collective Visuals shall be suspended for this period, naturally. Please find the a short collection of late July/early August snaps below, which are not to be bereft of the series' regular food-centric feelings.
1) The discovery of coffee pod machines, in conjunction with the purchase of an ice cube tray, has enabled the creation of Iced Lattes right in the office.
2) JAWS-inspired OLG Pachinko?
3) I spotted the Honda Indy GO Bus!
3) I spotted the Honda Indy GO Bus!
4) Two Nine Tea (formerly Palgong)
Palgong has officially evolved into Two Nine Tea - a name potentially owed to its popular $2.99 milk tea. The interior and menu remains consistent with my last visit.
Palgong has officially evolved into Two Nine Tea - a name potentially owed to its popular $2.99 milk tea. The interior and menu remains consistent with my last visit.
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My only lamentation is in regards to the bathroom facility: a tiny space featuring both a toilet and urinal alongside cleaning supplies. A pitcher of water was provided to compensate the malfunctioning faucet. I'll take this as a better quick fix to a lack of running water than completely nixing the resource altogether.
We also stopped by Vava and its ever-adored wall of (knockoff) plushies.
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5) Sang Ji Fried Bao
As esteemed in the North York food scene as Juicy Dumplings in Chinatown, this hole-in-the-wall space had held a spot on my radar for over half a year. My first attempt was executed in vain, for it occurred on the single day of their closures: a fatefully snowy Monday.
However, it was a Tuesday this time; I was determined to succeed.
As esteemed in the North York food scene as Juicy Dumplings in Chinatown, this hole-in-the-wall space had held a spot on my radar for over half a year. My first attempt was executed in vain, for it occurred on the single day of their closures: a fatefully snowy Monday.
However, it was a Tuesday this time; I was determined to succeed.
The establishment was far from spacious, as are many along the strip. Similar to Naniwa Taro a few doors down, the interior consisted of nothing more than a menu board, a combined kitchen and cashier area, and a handful of seats. The differences lay in the cuisine style, presence of outlets in the seating area, and payment policy; Sang-Ji accepted none other than physical monies.
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The Sang-Ji Bao(s) were reminiscent of soup dumplings (the beloved "XLB"/xiaolongbao) but sturdier in appearance - think a gym rat versus a marathon runner. The thin wrapper utilized in the original Shanghainese version was swapped for a denser variation - one commonly seen in Northern Chinese cuisine such as Beef or Chive Pancakes. Denser and tougher, it enabled the undersides of the buns to crisp nicely upon contact with a well-greased wok.
Found inside the buns was a super succulent - and, dare I say, bewitching - pork filling. Needless to say, unexpected bursts of scalding broth was an aspect not to exempt from the experience. Potentially inflicting harsher burns to the tongue than its Shanghainese counterpart, Sang-Ji's namesake dish proved its popularity with unrivalled freshness and intense insulation.
Found inside the buns was a super succulent - and, dare I say, bewitching - pork filling. Needless to say, unexpected bursts of scalding broth was an aspect not to exempt from the experience. Potentially inflicting harsher burns to the tongue than its Shanghainese counterpart, Sang-Ji's namesake dish proved its popularity with unrivalled freshness and intense insulation.
A sprinkle of toasted white sesame seeds, shriveled bits of green onion, and (entirely optional) splash of Chinese dark vinegar ensured complexity in aromatic profile.
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Service was essentially nonexistent, besides the curt "Ok bye" we received in response our dish return gesture. Most patrons had opted for multiple takeout orders instead of dining in. During our short stay, the outflow of Styrofoam boxes never seemed to halt at all.
At $6.99 for a set of four, the eatery's signature wasn't bad at all. In large quantities, I can imagine the costs to accumulate rapidly, however it satisfied our desire for a small, pre-dinner snack.
At $6.99 for a set of four, the eatery's signature wasn't bad at all. In large quantities, I can imagine the costs to accumulate rapidly, however it satisfied our desire for a small, pre-dinner snack.
With a bit of time left, we swung by Sushi Bong. My memory of their Yonge and Steeles location presents itself hazy, while my last attempt at the North York location was marked unsuccessful due to the unavailability of cash funds on hand.
The interior of the Northtown Way shop was extremely tiny: a table of two sat cramped near the entrance. It, again, operated primarily as a to-go business.
The interior of the Northtown Way shop was extremely tiny: a table of two sat cramped near the entrance. It, again, operated primarily as a to-go business.
"Which dish is the fastest?" I inquired.
The ahjumma behind the counter pointed towards the Rolls section of the menu, noting that Spicy Salmon and Dynamite ranked highest in terms of popularity. I took this as a sign to shift my focus in that direction, and did just that.
The ahjumma behind the counter pointed towards the Rolls section of the menu, noting that Spicy Salmon and Dynamite ranked highest in terms of popularity. I took this as a sign to shift my focus in that direction, and did just that.
True to her words, my 8-piece Dynamite Roll appeared some five minutes later, chopsticks and soy sauce packets intact. I unveiled the contents of the box once embussed: a tamago and tempura shrimp roll coated in bland bits of tenkasu and opaque, low-grade tobiko.
Undeniably less formidable in comparison to similarly named items at full-service sit-down restaurants, my hunger did not waver.
Undeniably less formidable in comparison to similarly named items at full-service sit-down restaurants, my hunger did not waver.
Ultimately, I concluded the order to be a fair portion for its price, in spite of falling short in the taste department.
6) Coffee Break Feat. Assorted Timbits
7) Coffee Break #2 Feat. a Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin from Harbour Eats by Mercatino, a fancy little spot on the top floor of One York.
7) Coffee Break #2 Feat. a Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin from Harbour Eats by Mercatino, a fancy little spot on the top floor of One York.
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Ringing in at two dollars before tax, the baked treat was more affordable than I had anticipated, especially when taking into consideration the dining area layout (complete with outdoor patio) and average cost of neighbouring vendors. Its profile was moist, chocolatey, and boasted just a hint of grittiness - a welcome dose of texture.
8) My first Sephora purchase in Q3: a summer-themed Sunkissed Glow set (that later ran out of stock)
FENTY BEAUTY was an unexpected find within the kit, as was the full-sized tube of Seaglass in Suite Life.
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9) Milo Bingsu from Ice Q resulted from an insanely impromptu meetup before the Civic Holiday long weekend.
Having nestled itself soundly on my to-try list, I owe it to a lover of stars and pigs for enablement. I adored the crunch of the Cocoa Puffs, the liberal dusting of Milo powder, and the faint drizzle of chocolate syrup. Less fond was I of the creeping slickness that intensified over the dissolution process. (Ie. the provided jug of sweetened condensed milk was not utilized.) Bits of chocolate between the fragile, flaky layers were cherished until the entire concoction thawed to a sugary, sticky demise. Once again, I was not a fan of the whipped cream.
In retrospect, a Regular size would have sufficed (since our party of three had taken to a Thai Tea Bingsu as well), and the malty, chocolatey product could have probably been salvaged.
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