Nevertheless, chilly mornings are the stealthy culprit of summer colds, as made evident by those around me falling victim to summer colds, one by one like dominoes on a playing board. A compact cardigan goes a long way, my friends.
1) The Night Baker's insufficient grassy Mistachio prompted the seventh iteration of an old recipe on a relatively quiet Sunday afternoon.
Affogato is one the newest items to ease their way onto the menu, following closely after the café's introduction of crepe-and-coffee pairings. Having ordered an Americano to go in my past, as well as a Thai Iced Tea with a (pricey) shot of espresso, I didn't think twice about the quality of their espresso. It was surely better than whatever disappointing ration Archtop had offered.
Presented separately was a small pitcher of "Italian espresso", an aromatic presence of fine surface bubbles and minimal crema. Acidity was mild, though it mattered moderately, given the pre-existing profile of the ice cream and sugary profile of chocolatey condiments.
All factors taken into consideration, this would be an option I wouldn't hesitate to order again, especially alongside a nectarous bowl of ice shards.
4) Revisiting an old friend who has, admittedly, undergone quite an overwhelming number of upgrades.
Notes of bergamot were nonexistent, which, in my opinion, was a property worth commending. Vanilla was timid in presence, but nonetheless capable of being distinguished. The first few sips were on the cloying side, so I'd recommend swirling the beverage to incorporate the denser sugar syrup.
8) Strawberry Lattes are unparalleled equations of enjoyment.
11) Chipotle was obtained after the games run.
13) Nori jam, anyone?
The first of my wedding attendance frenzy commenced in Richmond Hill, not far from Inatei actually. Dilapidated in both in its interior and exterior, I wasn't expecting much from the overall experience.
That said, the quality of such ceremonies are tremendously contingent on the organizers (and their allocated budget). Guests were welcomed with leafy backdrop with LED lighting for Polaroid-taking, then swiftly ushered into the seating area. Tables were lined with a pristine white, chairs covered with gold jackets, and plates patterned and polished. At first glance, it appeared no different than your typical Chinese wedding. Scrutiny of its details revealed Western influences: candles, a floral centrepiece, wine glasses, and Stainless steel utensils (in addition to chopsticks) confirmed a localized composition.
Craft beer sourced from Kensington Market was another unexpected element, as were the shots of pineapple-flavoured (??) vodka, cognac, brandy, and other liquors that gradually made their way around the tables.
In regards to the Premier itself, service was prompt and efficient. Members of staff were constantly circulating the floor, with blazer-donning representatives scanning the crowds for raised hands and/or concerned glances. Lighting amenities were near nonexistent, for the evening's photographer and videographer had set up their own panels to capture the action. Gracing the dance floor was not even a single disco ball, let alone spotlights and coloured mood rays.
All factors taken into consideration, it was a worthwhile experience that was further enhanced with the introduction of well-loved K-Pop tunes like Bboom Bboom, Bang Bang Bang, and DDU-DU DDU-DU.
The inaugural cultural festival has returned to Celebration Square for another year of festive activities! With each passing year, the event sees a greater number/variety of vendors, more sophisticated performances, more social services and volunteers to maintain order, and, most importantly, more ways to participate in the action as an attendee.
That said, my favourite fangirl and I didn't make it over to City Centre until after 5 PM. With just under two hours till the end of the event, many vendors were winding down, some even offering closing promotions.
Takoyaki from Guu was deemed decent.
17) My favourite fangirl is not wrong when she notes "running late" as my daily source of cardiovascular activity.
An unexpected turn of events led to a lunchtime excursion in the Distillery District. I had wandered into Izumi aimlessly after spotting a sign for Sakekasu ice cream, then discovered the addition of information panels constituting a "self-guided" sake tour. It was a pleasant addition to the establishment that I don't recall being present during my last stroll-by.