I pry my eyes open to the chilly sombre mornings.
The world is dark, and the air laced with frost.
An extended arm reaches for the alarm, which vibrates and rings.
The blanket is removed, and all ease is lost.
Lurking around the corner is none other than your internal clock's worst nightmare: Daylight Savings.
The world is dark, and the air laced with frost.
An extended arm reaches for the alarm, which vibrates and rings.
The blanket is removed, and all ease is lost.
Lurking around the corner is none other than your internal clock's worst nightmare: Daylight Savings.
The shift in seasons prompt changes in our daily habits:
- New shoes to prevent ankle-rolling;
- Grocery shopping for seasonal produce; and
- Limited edition craft brews
We may also end up munching a bit more, then resort to hibernating within the comfort of our homes, baking up sweet treats to combat the frigidity of the external mercury levels.
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A few tidbits of the week are as follows: a box of goodies from The Danish Pastry House (that went unsampled by yours truly), Banana Bread Beer (that went unpurchased), new Fresh Foam Craig Trails to combat grade differences in the concrete jungle, and a preview of Bluestone Lane's Yonge/Queen location.
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More Matcha Cookies were attempted (and butchered with an accidental dumping of baking soda), and patriotic cans of Royal City were acquired in anticipation of the eminent Canadian moment.
A Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddle and Brewed Coffee pairing facilitated the morning routine. The McD's App enabled the meal for under five dollars - a wonderful combination of sweet maple griddle cakes and savoury, headache-banishing fillings, accented with a jolt of caffeine.
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Positively necessary was the purchase of this duo, for what ensued was a visit to City Hall, an urban landmark towards which I embody feelings of resentment and grief.
A short breather allowed a visit the McDonald's flagship at Yonge and Elm, and prior to that a stopover at CoCo. Who would've thought that this mere trek would have resulted in a wad of saliva being hurdled in my direction, tainting not only my jacket but my beloved new tote as well. And yet, there are those that wonder why the intersection of Yonge and Dundas makes headlines for its detrimental acts to society.
The Grass Jelly and Pearl Milk Teas obtained were not captured due to pure shock from the scarring incident.
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Fall foliage continued to be witnessed over the course of the week. The northbound drive along the DVP saw bubbles of yellow, orange, and red were nestled between lofty greens, while the northeast end of the GTA welcomed a beautiful array of shrubs on municipal grounds.
Being back uptown meant another visit to ToPresso. With both the Almond Cream Cold Brew and ̶u̶n̶a̶p̶o̶l̶o̶g̶e̶t̶i̶c̶a̶l̶l̶y̶ ̶s̶w̶e̶e̶t̶ Ginger Milk Tea ranking decently high in terms of originality and profile, I followed up with the Hey Black Cappuccino, a caffeinated beverage containing notes of hazelnut and brown sugar.
The barista promised that sweetness levels would be kept to a minimum, which was especially appreciated after I voiced my concerns over the inclusion of brown sugar syrup. The result was a notably petite cup containing three distinct layers of milk foam, coffee, and molasses-like concoction. Probably no more than 12 ounces and totalling over six dollars with tax, it was an eyebrow-raising purchase that would have been even pricier without the 15% off coupon that had been bestowed upon me.
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The cafe had also grown Halloween-enthusiastic, with spooky elements scattered across all sides.
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Speaking of Halloween, this Banana Man was in eager spirits to get his scare on.
The midday meal had been up for debate for over thirty minutes before the party settled at long last. With fried chicken, ramen, dumplings, and even greasy cheeseburger-in-a-bread-well being tossed up as suggestions, the final contender boiled down to Thai cuisine, where there would be options for each diner and his/her respective preferences.
Slightly north of my regular point of foray, Royal Orchard was found in an unassuming Shoppers plaza just off Yonge Street on - you guessed it - a local road by the name of Royal Orchard Boulevard, situated adjacent to a Jazzercise facility.
The patio had closed for the season, and reasonably so given the declining temperatures of late.
The patio had closed for the season, and reasonably so given the declining temperatures of late.
Once inside, I was overwhelmed with a sense of familiarity. The sight prompted past stopovers at Thai Plate and Thai Bamboo - both destinations of proven authenticity - however to a much more spacious degree.
The decor was characterized by vivid lime green walls, a ceiling of royal purple, plentiful wooden furnishings, and an abundance of natural lighting. The square-shaped skyroof above the dining area was another wonderful addition. Spacing between tables was as generous as could be, removing potential concerns for claustrophobic tendencies.
The decor was characterized by vivid lime green walls, a ceiling of royal purple, plentiful wooden furnishings, and an abundance of natural lighting. The square-shaped skyroof above the dining area was another wonderful addition. Spacing between tables was as generous as could be, removing potential concerns for claustrophobic tendencies.
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Lunch sets spanning no more than a single-sided menu were placed before us to start; the sheet showed options of green, red, and yellow curry, with spring rolls and salad as plausible sides. A full menu was provided upon request, revealing an unthinkably broad assortment of appetizers, traditional Thai dishes, and desserts.
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Experiencing the aftereffects of the previous evening's karaoke-and-korean-kitchen outing, I steered clear of curry and took to my tried-and-true Tom Kha Kai and Coconut Rice pairing instead. A Thai Iced Tea was ordered as well, though the restaurant also offered Thai Iced Coffee amongst its eight-item beverage lineup. The drink's saturated orange profile commanded the attention of the other diners at the table. Its hue had been depicted as "carrot juice"-like, though the depth it offered was entirely un-carrot-like at all. Creamy and sweet, it served as the ideal contrast to the stronger herby flavours that would later be presented.
The rest of the team took to Pad Thai plates with sides of spring rolls and mango salad, all of which garnered unanimous praise.
The rest of the team took to Pad Thai plates with sides of spring rolls and mango salad, all of which garnered unanimous praise.
Vegetable Cold Spring Rolls - also referred to as "fresh rolls" in other tropical parts of the world - and deep-fried, vermicelli-containing Shrimp Spring Rolls were shared amongst the table. Served with tangy red and savoury peanut sauces, the former was my favourite of the two. Tightly bundled in a thin sheet of rice paper were fresh romaine lettuce, crunchy carrots, and a small portion of fried tofu. Saigon's depressing rendition had nothing on them.
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The Tom Kha Kai was originally intended as a two- or three-person portion, however the waitress noted that she was able to halve the portion if it was merely to be consumed as my main dish. The price, in turn, was lowered to a linearly proportional five dollars. As with other Thai restaurants, rice rang in at additional charge; a platter of Royal Orchard's coconut cream-oozing rice induced a fee of three fifty.
It is likely that Thai cuisine ranges by region, for the Tom Kha arrived with a decidedly noticeable quantity of tomatoes, just like Koh Lipe's version. Admittedly, it contained more nightshades - and more specks of spice - than desired. Craved at that instant was Jatujak's purposefully less acidic edition.
On the bright side, the Coconut Rice was likely the most flavourful platter I've tasted. The moistness was unexpected - just like the tiny fly I uncovered after a few spoonfuls.
On the bright side, the Coconut Rice was likely the most flavourful platter I've tasted. The moistness was unexpected - just like the tiny fly I uncovered after a few spoonfuls.
Bathrooms were situated towards of the back, past the cashier and kitchen. Upon first pushing open the door, one would be inundated with a peculiar scent of unpleasantness. Inching towards the sink and stalls, however, there was an absence of areas demanding concerns over cleanliness. Toiletries were well-stocked and the garbage bin had seemingly just been emptied prior to our visit.
For the most part, it had been an uneventful afternoon for the eatery. A maximum of five parties graced the floor over the duration of our stay, all of which were handled effortlessly by a single waitress. Meals were also delivered at ridiculously rapid rates.
For the most part, it had been an uneventful afternoon for the eatery. A maximum of five parties graced the floor over the duration of our stay, all of which were handled effortlessly by a single waitress. Meals were also delivered at ridiculously rapid rates.
Conclusively speaking, Royal Orchard proved a decent destination for Thai cuisine, despite a dedicated travel route being unwarranted. It suffices to say that Jatujak persists as the eatery I'd most like to revisit at the current point in time.
Uji Senbei courtesy of a well-travelled voyager from the far west end of the commutable GTA made for a scrumptious Sunday snack. With a side of milky Thai Tea, the power couple yielded perfect balance by means of tea-infused harmony.
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