Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger
  • ~ Home ~
  • ~ What I Think ~
  • ~ What I See ~
    • Events
    • Food
    • People
    • Places
  • ~ What I Make ~
  • Blog Series
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer

​Out & About #617 | Toronto Light Festival (Distillery) + Miku (Winterlicious 2020)

2/4/2020

0 Comments

 
​An ambitious undertaking after an extended weekend of ails, I managed to persuade a certain prehistoric creature to proceed with our long-awaited post-work plans as scheduled.
Picture
​My condition had fluctuated over the course of the day, from tilting surfaces to general cloudiness in the head, though it sufficed to say that neither symptom convinced me from adhering to the itinerary at hand. We set out to the infamous Distillery District to catch the annual instalment of the Toronto Light Fest.
Picture
Picture
Picture
During daytime hours, natural illumination permits marvelling at the 19th century buildings and strips of individual shops in all their copper-toned cobblestone glory; come sundown, strings of bulb lights and flashing attractions are the thieves of attention.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
​With a common ground as photo junkies, we had initiated this proposal for the sake of experimentation and lens testing. Late afternoon times granted us with a comprehensive view of the gargantuan installations, while the diminishing appearance of our solar system's largest star enabled a surreal effect to befall our surroundings.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
View the full album HERE !
Picture
Picture
​I guess I didn't quite understand the orange astronauts. Then again, art is more a matter of interpretation than logical apprehension.
Picture
Picture
​For once, I had my own personal photographer in tow - one displaying matched eagerness towards capturing specific moments with strategic technological application.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Our looming reservation time was the sole critter that nudged us to get going, driving aside our desires to dwell amidst the duskiness.
Picture
Picture
And so to Waterfront we went for Winterlicious, the dining event hosted by the City of Toronto on a bi-annual basis.

Past experiences - or should I say experience? - of the limited-time prix fixe occurrence were/was limited to participation in Miku's 2017 lunch offering. The menu hadn't evolved drastically in terms of selection, but had inflation had clearly done its way.
Picture
Picture
​Yawaraka, depicted as a "soft and gentle" Junmai Ginjo, was a light starter bearing no prominence of any specific flavour. It was a small sample that I personally found to be average at best, neither liking nor disliking its profile against the raw starters.

Second course was a "rich and savoury" Junmai Kimoto. Taiheizan was, indeed, noticeably savoury in its finishing notes and most definitely an acquired taste. On this observation, it was certainly not mine; I pushed this bold one aside.

The "luscious and sweet" aroma of Hakkaisan later captivated our senses upon first whiff. Intense in hue yet delicate in its execution, the Kijoshu Aged Sake provided the mellow grace to finish the meal with noblesse.
Picture
Picture
View the full album HERE !
​Our starting plates were accompanied by two variations of soy sauce, which were introduced to us (but not elaborated on) by the server. Distinguishing qualities nor recommended utilization were not named, though a vague memory heeding enjoyment of aburi species sans-sauce could be recalled.
Picture
Picture
Picture
The Signature Sushi Selection comprised of a compact array of the restaurant's signatures.  Aburi Salmon Oshi earned the title of the best item, single-handedly with its luscious, gratifying texture. Lime zest and a creamy topping garnered positive feedback for the Aburi Ebi Oshi, a sashimi style I generally possess no fondness towards. Other specmens such as the Red Wave Roll, Aburi Nigiri, and Coal Harbour Roll (and its negi topping) were delicious albeit pricey. (Yes, TORA-pricey.)

​
Beautifully arranged on a dusty pink plate was the Sashimi Platter: salmon, white fish, hotate (scallop), and a singular aka ebi were the colourful constituents. Red wakame and shiso were fine additions to the piece.​
Picture
​Reasoning behind restricting the entrée choices to cooked foods only is beyond me, given Miku's status as an upscale sushi establishment. Scrunching our noses at the Cauliflower Steak, our unanimous decision(s) lay with the Saikyo Miso Baked Sablefish and Soy Braised Beef Shank.

The former had earned itself a lasting impression of ineptitude during my first visit, so I had mild reservations this time around. In general, it was tender and flaky - as fish ought to be - but it was no JaBistro. Accent elements were more to my liking, surprisingly. Miso sundried tomato, otherwise merely known as "tomato relish", perfectly cooked mushrooms, and an unidentifiable baby broccoli-like floret were the highlights of the plate, since, while the Butter Poached Lobster Ravioli was tasty, it was a far cry from being memorable.
Picture
​In contrast, the Soy Braised Beef Shank was a composition warranting commendation. From the unbelievable tender meat to the carrot dashi purée, and from the umami-dusted baby potatoes to the red vein sorrel accent, amazement radiated from within. Pan Seared Foie Gras was less to my liking, on the other hand, and was promptly shoved aside (much like Taiheizan).
Picture
Picture
Picture
​Dessert adopted the forms of Green Tea Opera and Passion Fruit Soy Milk Panna Cotta.
A classic contender at Miku, the seven-layer creation was exquisite as ever, in spite of being tinier than ever. The only aspect causing eyebrows to furrow was a streak of blue food colouring in the matcha ice cream - an indicative element of artificial colouring in homemade concoctions.
Picture
Picture
Picture
The coconut caviar advertised in the Passion Fruit Soy Milk Panna Cotta was simply just sago, but the bottom-residing orange yuzu marmalade and sable crumble were scrumptious. Also notable was the dollop of honey mint oil, an innovative ingredient for escalated complexity.
Picture
​Service was attentive, naturally, with the waitstaff being prompt in removing empty plates and meticulously removing splatters with a clean wipe.
All factors taken into consideration, one can conclude that though the dining experience has persisted in quality, the portions are microscopic at the given price points. As someone with a notoriously shallow appetite, I could perceive oncoming cravings for a McD's Vanilla Cone shortly after exiting.
Picture
Picture
Picture
The evening concluded with more light photography, taking place just outside the neighbouring RBC building.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​With audio clippings and illuminated flipboard-like stories embedded within each ring, Loop was advertised as an interactive exhibit for perusing while visiting the South Core.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Who Am I?

    Formerly an avid owner of several interest-based portals, Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger presents precisely the elements expected. From experiments in the kitchen to miscellaneous musings, from IGOT7 reflections to developments in transportation infrastructure, it's all consolidated here. Welcome to the raw, unfiltered side of Quirky Aesthetics.



    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013


    Categories

    All
    Ahgabond Adventures
    Ahgase
    Arctic Aquarium
    Atlantic Canada 2018
    Barrie
    Beauty
    Birthday Buddy
    Calgary 2023
    Chinese New Year
    Conquering COVID 19
    Daily Randoms
    Eyes On You World Tour 2018
    Food
    Friends
    Hallyucon
    Hamilton
    Hong Kong
    Iron Ring
    J Movie
    K Drama
    K-Drama
    Korean Beauty
    K Pop
    Los Angeles 2017
    Macau
    New York 2018
    Ottawa 2019
    Pilates
    Random Rant
    Restaurant Review
    Seoul
    Shopping
    SSMC
    Taiwan
    Vacation
    Vancouver 2013
    Vancouver 2014
    Vancouver 2015
    Vancouver 2016
    Vancouver 2020
    Vancouver 2022


    trazy.com

    RSS Feed


WHAT DOES "QUIRKY AESTHETICS" MEAN?

Quirky =  a term that commonly refers to something/someone distinctly different and unique
Aesthetics = the visual aspect of things



Together, Quirky Aesthetics refers to the things, events, and happenings seen and perceived by this blog's creator - quirky perspectives in a visual form.

Contact ME

​Subscribe

Join our mailing list today!
Join Now
© Quirky Aesthetics. All rights reserved. Last modified: August 10, 2015.