A gustatory experience is a sensory undertaking - one that ought to be anticipated, savoured, and then relished in the subsequent moments.
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The act of devouring corresponds to the presumption of pleasure, oftentimes boasting an inversely proportional relationship to rate of consumption.
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Imagine a world without appetite.
Devoid of desire, dereft of drive, and dearth of delight - the mere contemplation renders shudders down my spine.
Devoid of desire, dereft of drive, and dearth of delight - the mere contemplation renders shudders down my spine.
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To succeed as an entity offering fare for the people, one must first define a niche market. The next step is to grasp an understanding of the demographic, their baseline, and inclination towards dispense of disposable income. In today's class of Basic Business, we shall review a case (study) of two cafés - one notably new to the St. Lawrence neighbourhood, the other established in East York.
mon K is a longtime occupant of its primarily residential district, offering Japanese-inspired French pastries in a cozy coffee shop context. Parking is an anxiety-inducing nightmare for driving disciplines, and, while available, is subject to payment by the meter. The patisserie is as renowned for their elaborate cakes as their dissent of credit cards; cash and debit are the preferred methods of money exchange, though e-transfer is also offered (no PayPal here).
The pastry selection is quite vast, spanning from macarons to complex dome desserts. A similar approach was adopted for the beverage menu, though it sufficed to say that there was but a single row that succeeded in instigating appeal.
The pastry selection is quite vast, spanning from macarons to complex dome desserts. A similar approach was adopted for the beverage menu, though it sufficed to say that there was but a single row that succeeded in instigating appeal.
Service was lacklustre on both occasions, as was the quality of the $2.95 twelve-ounce cups containing what couldn't possibly be Iced Coffee, the meek paper straws, abhorrent abundance of ice, and weak, watery profile indicative of the staff's commitment to customer satisfaction. Regrettably, the bakery items revealed no distinct difference: overpriced, soggy, and bearing atrociously minimal filling was the Pistachio Custard roll; relentlessly sugary to a fault was the $5.95 Mont Blanc. T'was indeed an 이불킥 moment for yours truly.
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As the sole physical retailer for Momo Tea, I had considered bestowing upon the patisserie second chance, yet it was just one more than deserved. The experience was anything but endearing, leaving behind an unequivocally negative impression.
Stomachs filled but contentment levels unquenched, an alternative named Third Wave Coffee was sought out.
Stomachs filled but contentment levels unquenched, an alternative named Third Wave Coffee was sought out.
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Aren't all cafés in the core considered "third wave" ventures? one may ponder. At a high level, the answer is "Yes.".
Truthfully speaking, the term holds greater significance than many establishments are able to deliver. Despite transforming into a work-from-home-r as of late, it remains undeniable that the scene is ever-changing, ever-evolving in response to the fluctuating supply and demand of the city and its residents.
Truthfully speaking, the term holds greater significance than many establishments are able to deliver. Despite transforming into a work-from-home-r as of late, it remains undeniable that the scene is ever-changing, ever-evolving in response to the fluctuating supply and demand of the city and its residents.
The St. Lawrence café is an aspect of downtown lunch walks that I miss ever so dearly. Innovative coffee creations, unprecedented pastry items, and unwavering amicability are factors warranting successive visits, even in the face of municipal "No Stopping"/"No Parking" signage.
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Initially closed at the start of COVID-19, I was elated to learn about their re-opening and comparatively longer operating hours, since their competitors were due to close around 2 or 3 PM. Proper protocols were in place: masks, gloves, plexiglass barriers, contact-less (and cash-less!) payment methods brought about a sense of comfort - reliability even. It was a wonderful scenery swap given the mask-less, cash-handling situation of mon K.
New to the ̶ ̶s̶w̶e̶l̶t̶e̶r̶ ̶w̶e̶a̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ summer menu were Espresso Lemonade, Nitro Cold Brew, and Blue Matcha Lemonade. The former two were secured without hesitation, along with two counts of their fantastic Financier and a Nutella Cruffin, presumably a croissant-muffin hybrid.
New to the ̶ ̶s̶w̶e̶l̶t̶e̶r̶ ̶w̶e̶a̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ summer menu were Espresso Lemonade, Nitro Cold Brew, and Blue Matcha Lemonade. The former two were secured without hesitation, along with two counts of their fantastic Financier and a Nutella Cruffin, presumably a croissant-muffin hybrid.
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Edibles ought to entice the senses. The very metric of evaluation that proved mon K's shortcomings precisely allowed Third Wave to triumph. A single whiff of the caffeinated delicacies and the two cups of "Iced Coffee" were instantly shoved aside. Decidedly refreshing and surprisingly not acidic, Espresso Lemonade evoked depth and complexity with a scanty sprinkling of ingredients. Forever one to steer clear of overly sour sustenance, the fizzy solution succeeded in overriding prejudice towards the combination and further invigorated our souls. A similar reaction was garnered from the Nitro Cold Brew, which sported a stout-like appearance upon first glance. From the crema to the ice-less coldness to multi-faceted brew character, I'd declare it to be as equally satisfying as a Guinness paired alongside sticky BBQ ribs, if not even more so.
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Mentioned countless times prior, the Financier is a nibble of Narnia - the gateway to heaven, if the gates were constructed of brown butter and almond flour, then coated with a Belgian chocolate ganache and lastly dusted with scrumptious bits of hazelnut. This unassuming rectangular pastry is one of the few to induce surges in BPM, and not as a consequence of blood sugar spikes. A stealthy indulgence is recommended; shrouding oneself in a brief moment darkness (read: closing one's eyes) ensures the that the experience remains uninterrupted, optimizing the sensory thrill.
Of nearly identical caliber is the Nutella Cruffin, whose ungodly portion of Nutella and iressistibly flaky exterior substantiated its status even after hours of being encased within a paper bag without the assistance of a toaster oven.
Of nearly identical caliber is the Nutella Cruffin, whose ungodly portion of Nutella and iressistibly flaky exterior substantiated its status even after hours of being encased within a paper bag without the assistance of a toaster oven.
Third Wave is far from your budget coffee stop, and it was never intended to be. Prices are warranted by quality, thus extremely reasonable from the perspective of their catered crowd. The tradeoff is a wholly marvelous product without a flaw to the eye, nose, or palate.
On Wednesday June 24, 2020, Peel Region and Toronto officially proceeded towards Stage 2 of the province's recovery framework. Malls were permitted to reopen their doors with stringent safety protocols in effect.
At Erin Mills Town Centre, the food court remained desolate, though high volumes of traffic were witnessed at barber shops throughout. It ought to be noted that only a selection of stores had re-opened, with more being phased back into business over the upcoming period.
This shall be denoted as Mall Run #1.
This shall be denoted as Mall Run #1.
Creations of the week include:
1) Beet Lattes (and its respective whipping cream-deploying reincarnations)
1) Beet Lattes (and its respective whipping cream-deploying reincarnations)
2) Baked Bagel Chips w/ Wasabi Mayo dip (Feat. the unlikely topping of pork floss
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3) Freezer Burritos courtesy of Kiano
4) Lazy Homemade Pizza, which was quite possibly better than any other combination of red bell pepper pasta sauce, chopped champignons, and Vienna sausage - oh, and mozzarella, heaps of mozzarella - from a can the entire party had collectively ever tasted. SKU ensured that crisp, delicious pizza could enjoyed regardless of whether you had six hours on hand, or twelve (or twenty-four).
4) Lazy Homemade Pizza, which was quite possibly better than any other combination of red bell pepper pasta sauce, chopped champignons, and Vienna sausage - oh, and mozzarella, heaps of mozzarella - from a can the entire party had collectively ever tasted. SKU ensured that crisp, delicious pizza could enjoyed regardless of whether you had six hours on hand, or twelve (or twenty-four).
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5) Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs reminiscent of specimens straight from the fryer. Heed my words should you attempt though: One ought best prepare himself/herself to engage in a thorough oven cleansing process following, as the ordeal differs not from deep frying inside an oven.
6) Strawberry-Nectarine Chutney - derived from its seasonal mango, pineapple, and cherry variations with the shameless intent of clearing out freezer space.
7) Spiralized Daigaku-imo and Luncheon Meat
Though sporting the appearance of soggy carrot slaw, the texture and brown sugar-soy seasoning is anything but. A combination of black and white sesame seeds were incorporated for added nuttiness.
Though sporting the appearance of soggy carrot slaw, the texture and brown sugar-soy seasoning is anything but. A combination of black and white sesame seeds were incorporated for added nuttiness.
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Mall Run #2 involved a trip to Yorkdale, a shopping centre whose infamously packed parking lot had been relatively vacant for the past three months.
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The corridors were lined with approximately 35% of their regular traffic levels; majority of patrons donned face coverings, though a handful remained noncompliant.
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After proceeding to empty my pockets at Innisfree (yet again), I made my way to Uncle Tetsu's Orfus Rd location, for the boutique contained within the mall would remain shuttered for a while longer. The dingy plaza saw an oddly busy scene with sidewalk sales and graduation balloon bouquets from Party City.
Lunch constituted of a Bacon Big Mac and Teeny Ty-featuring Happy Meal - Hi Griff!
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Proceeding with Mall Run #3, Square One saw lengthy lineups outside UNIQLO and Lululemon, and was distinctly busier than the aforementioned two.
We took to a Nitro Cold Brew with Sweet Cream - truly an elevated Iced Coffee! - before making our way about.
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Back home, our newly acquired possessions from Ladurée were sampled.
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Despite having visited the luxury macaron house in a previous Yorkdale run, the pictured Rose Petal Jam and Financier are the first purchases ever to be made. I shall admit to being a tad taken back by the fact that neither Toronto location crafts the French pastries in house, but rather imports them from Vancouver's Robson flagship. If that's the case, I ought to have procured my items on the West Coast, with 5% tax.
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The almond-shaped Financier was on the drier side, with moderate notes of brown butter and a prominent presence of vanilla. Crisp edges and a delicate crumb were maintained, though the generally floral profile was not quite to my liking. Third Wave remains triumphant.
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