Out & About #652 | Kitchener First-Timer - Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger

Out & About #652 | Kitchener First-Timer

7/25/2020

A creature of nominal wanderlust, few regrets were spared towards Coronavirus' newly imposed limitations on air travel. Weekend getaways - or "staycations", as they are called - are more than sufficient in introducing respite in the chaotic lives of work-from-homers. Vital are changes in one's surroundings, yet with much of our immediate surroundings remaining unexplored, restricting international travel is not entirely a loss for local tourism.

With areas outside the GTA having entered Stage 3, we proceeded with a journey to the KW area. Milton was my previous northwest limit, and it was astounding just how quickly we were able to reach our destination, in spite of the bounceback congestion on 401.

Adopting the role of a tour guide in a foreign neighbourhood, we commenced with the Kitchener Market with the prospect that it would resemble the two-level Hamilton Farmer's Market at which I had lingered quite fondly.

To our surprise, access to the main entrance had been temporarily terminated, detouring visitors to an exposed side entrance. The former parking lot had been re-configured for one-way entry, with inanimate and animate guidance in the form of barriers and staff. Patrons were expected to pass through the indoor portion of the market, adhering to floor signage, then proceed to the outdoor produce area for egress.

Given the extremely compact operating hours of the market, it was disappointing to witness majority of vendors in the indoor market remained closed during our visit. Several were slowly commencing setup, though few items were deemed of interest. Caution tape barred the stairway to the second floor, which presumably offered dining in a food court-style setting.

Veering from my initial plan of obtaining sustenance from the market, we proceeded to explore the vicinity in search of an alternative.

With the exception of the municipality's ION LRT, Downtown Kitchener appeared quite bland and rather dismal, even when compared to the high-traffic sections of Downtown Hamilton. Questionable bypassers were spotted more frequently than students and public transit vehicles. A portion of this eeriness likely originated from COVID-19 impacts; that said, the general state of the King Street was noticeably less attractive than the likes of James North in Hamilton and Spring Garden in Halifax.

Retaining the previous night's research results, Caribbean cuisine was recalled to be a popular choice. Just west of the King/Benton intersection were two eateries catering to this demand: Mark's on the north, Rainbow on the south.

We first popped into Rainbow, whose elaborate menu and steady stream of customers had us in contemplation. Across the street was Mark's Caribbean Kitchen & Seafood, which, in spite of a patio presence, was as vacant as could be. Mindbogglingly steep prices and unauthentic dish names prompted us to return to Rainbow and join the persisting lineup.

Bearing not even a shred of cognizance towards the names before us, I took to requesting recommendations from the man behind the counter. It was evident that the shop's other patrons were regulars, rapidly vocalizing their orders as if out of routine. The constraint of purely mild selections led us to a Small Meal of Curried Chicken, Peas & Rice, and Macaroni Salad (at $12.95) and a Large Meal of Oxtail, Steamed Rice, Coleslaw, and the daily Cow Foot & Beef Soup (at $15.95). Ginger Beer was out of stock, thus resulting in a trio of Pineapple Guava, Orange Sof Drink (not a typo), and Peanut Punch.

The entire ordeal was nowhere near as swift as ought to be, especially given the lengthy group of customers behind us. Nonetheless, the staff were patient with us as first-timers, even confidently declaring that it surely "wouldn't be our last."

Our meal was unveiled at Victoria Park, a renowned highlight of the area. A mere five-minute drive from the downtown BIA, it offered trails, a playground, pavilion, and numerous picnic-ready spots in the shade - all with a stellar view of the meandering Victoria Park Lake.
Setting up fort was no easy feat, however, as the shore was a congregation area for all walks of wildlife, including the dreaded and protected Canada Geese. (Spoiler: We fortunately made it through unscathed.)

All components had been packaged tightly in Styrofoam containers, seemingly no different from any other takeout fare. Be not fooled by the unassuming appearance though, for its contents told a fascinating tale of flavour. Oxtail was our collective pick: braised to perfection and accompanied by soft carrots, sauce seeping into a steamy bed of plump white grains. Curried Chicken wasn't far behind either, with its exquisite pull-apart tenderness and wonderful complexity. Peas & Rice proved the superior of the two carby foundations, offering heartiness and chew to contrast the supple chunks of flesh.

Macaroni Salad and Coleslaw were offered in rather microscopic portions as "sides", and teetered on the edge of the customary parcels escorting the KFC dinner buckets from my childhood. Emphasis had instead been placed on the Soup of the Day: Cow Foot & Beef. Its presentation was, again, seemingly undistinctive, yet an entirely enthralling experience upon first taste. Another unique blend of tremendous robustness, I caught myself subconsciously draining the small portion. "Comfort food" resonated through my head, "Foreign, but familiar all at once." In fact, the meal had left such a memorable impression that I nearly wanted to grab a second serving for dinner that evening. The man behind the counter had been correct.

Dishes offering heat would have paired wonderfully with our trusty trifecta of glucose-fructose, in particular the Peanut Punch. Encased within the carton was a creamy, near-milkshake beverage resembling pre-packaged 花生糊 (otherwise known as Chinese Peanut Dessert Soup), with greater aromatics. Following this personal favourite, was the Pineapple Guava drink - for as artificial as its ingredient list may have been, one cannot deny the ambrosial qualities of guava. The sugary, fizzy bottle of Orange Sof Drink assumed the subsequent third place ranking.

Perhaps the sole unnerving aspect of lakeside dining was the constant presence of Canada Geese, their gradually expanding party, and treacherous dispersion of feces.

The next item on the itinerary was the St. Jacobs Flea Market. Alas, we had concluded lunchtime activities too late; Google Maps declared our slated arrival to coincide with their closing time.

Thus, I proceeded to punch in the next destination. An afternoon pick-me-up is crucial on any out-of-town journey, and Smile Tiger filled that void effortlessly.

Overlooking the asphalt lot of Kitchener GO station, the independent cafe offered caffeine fixes for commuters and tourists alike. Its own parking lot was ridiculously compact, with only a few spaces allotted to stays exceeding one hour in duration. Moreover, the space was shared by not only Smile Tiger, but other occupants of the building, including commercial units.

The local cafe was our first dine-in adventure since the start of COVID-19. One-way patron flow, masked baristas, and socially-distanced tables were society's new introductions to the coffee shop experience. Customers surrounding us were few: friends in groups of two or three catching up, a couple in sandals and baggy loungewear, and earnest workers with laptops and demeanours of maximum concentration. They remained unmasked while seated, reasonably so, though ensured face coverings were intact upon departing the establishment or extending requests to the counter staff.

After being provided an introduction to the cafe's best-sellers, I excitedly placed my order of a Tiger Spritzer, a summer seasonal of espresso over San Pellegrino. Cold Brew (on tap!) and a Brewed Nightmare Hippy Girl were also requested.

The cashier area was sandwiched between two pasty shelves: to the left dessert bars and to the right an assortment of bakery goods. Chilled beverages, including craft beer, were also available.

View the full album HERE !

Tiger Spritzer garnered immediate affection at first sip. Invigorating as could be, the concoction bore rich body with sweet/tart notes - an extremely close contender to Third Wave's potent Espresso Lemonade.

Acquired during this visit were a Pecan Butter Tart and Raspberry Crumble Muffin, the former receiving positive feedback overall and latter moist though devoid of noticeable chunks of fruit. Purchased for later enjoyment were the Espresso Chocolate Chip Scone and Flourless Almond Chocolate Fudge Cookie. A burlap bag, priced at a measly toonie, was also plucked from their merchandise counter as a kitschy-cute souvenir.

Washroom facilities were shared with other occupants of the building, and required keys for access. Individual stalls ensured safe distancing and privacy.

Our (supposed) last stop of the day was one reflective of personal enjoyment.

Waterloo Brewing has earned the title of my favourite brewery to date. And having tried their entire range to date, it was only fitting to swing by their beer store to obtain their latest and greatest regional exclusive: the Strawberry Rhubarb Radler.

Adjacent to the Beer Store was the Taproom, from which bright tanks could be spotted from the interior dining hall. A spacious patio area resided outside - a patio we set our minds on paying a proper visit at some point in the ̶n̶e̶a̶r̶ future.