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 #861 | Mr. Buttons + The Social Blend

12/2/2022

0 Comments

 
Restless nights, hair loss, and a sticky digestive system were characteristic of a stressful week.

Work-from-home days hectic, banishing whatever plans I had to execute prepwork for my Holiday Cookie Box project. While occupants of my workspace have donned plush Santa hats on their already plush figures, the seasonal spirit has yet to fall upon the realm of emails and submissions.
Picture
Picture
Throughout the earlier half of the week, I took to munching on items that could only be truly relished in the comfort of one's own home (read: crafted to my heart's desire and consumed at the optimal temperature). A mossy-looking Genmaicha Ginger beverage was constructed using Paragon's Genmaicha powder and copious squirts of salted ginger syrup left over from making ̶c̶a̶n̶d̶i̶e̶d̶ infused ginger. It was passable - neither exceptionally grassy nor spicy.
Picture
Picture
Chilly mornings welcomed frothy, caffeinated starts. The milk steaming pitcher was retrieved once more and attempts at microfoam art were made, albeit with minimal success.
Acquired from the local Chinese bakery were cocktail buns and raisin twists - rare sightings in my household these days. They served as splendid afternoon snacks, just as a Mince Tart from COBS Bread - a decision stemming from misinformation surrounding the concept of mince meat tarts/pies - would be enjoyed with De Mello's holiday-exclusive La Campanella for a light breakfast.
Picture
Picture
Resolute had been the impression of a certain, furry buttoned snowman since our first encounter at Smitten Kitchen's book signing at Indigo. Impeccably fluffy with protruding fluffy buttons, I was unable to shake the lasting tactile impression, even searching again in my own local bookstore.
Picture
Picture
Picture
I had originally intended to wait, for all adorable articles are met with markdowns following the winter season. But thoughts began to swirl in my mind: "What if he sells out?! There aren't that many left as it is..."

​And so, Mr. Buttons was purchased, in addition to stackable cookie racks to meet the complimentary shipping minimum.
Picture
How could I possibly resist when even the mere sight of his belly beckoned a smile from the deepest of frowns?
Picture
​My grueling commute was postponed to Thursday in consideration of Mother Nature's indecisiveness.
A drizzly, double-digit morning followed by subzero precipitation was likely to generate horrendous driving conditions both ways, thus I avoided potentially icy roads in favour of dry, gusty conditions.
Picture
Having explored south, west, and north of the intersection, there was but one more cardinal direction to investigate.
Picture
​An older coworker of mine had relayed opinions about being reared in the surrounding neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant, warmly referring to the name with underlying tones of affection - nostalgia. Scanning the area via Google Maps would inform me that Eglinton Avenue east of Mt Pleasant Road was largely residential, meaning that my lunchtime sojourn would best be utilized by detouring south.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​Given the grimy chaos of the Midtown intersection, I am often stunned to discover the wider sidewalks and generally tranquil aura of establishments situated just minutes outside the Crosstown endeavours. Construction fences aren't eliminated, and neither are TC-54s. But, in the very least, the streets are walkable and surely not filthy.

​I chanced across portions of paved asphalt cycle tracks, by which labourers were busily sawcutting and placing interlock. It is undeniable that the completed Eglinton Crosstown project will be beautiful - and, most importantly, functional! - once complete, but the construction is truly madness. Had the Queens Quay development taken place in a similar manner?
Picture
Located within Mount Pleasant Village was a wealth of local shops, featuring national/global brands fitted in between.

Flaky Tart was compact yet absolutely cozy and aromatic. The shelves were lined with various types of cookies, while the behind the counter were handheld and full-size tarts and pies. I restrained myself from indulging in the assortment; my kitchen would fill with baked goods in due time anyway.
Picture
Picture
Picture
After going out of my way to fulfill the sleepy polar bear's gift box request, my route was retraced, footsteps treading on the north side of Eglinton for a varied perspective. The Social Blend, Toronto's renowned seller for Korean-style macarons, was located much closer than expected. Naturally, I dove in for a gander.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​Not particularly interested in the bags of hatch coffee, matcha, or brewing equipment on display, I ventured over to the case of refrigerated desserts. Frankly, I've never been keen on macarons, and all readers of this space ought be aware of that fact. When I had initiated the sixty-minute-long urban trek to Stay Sweet, the intent was no more than support of Sunday Baking's foray beyond YouTube and hotel kitchens. From the visit, I had deemed Korean-style macarons worthy of revisiting from time to time, though the combination of wispy thin shells and ample buttercream lies far from my typical preferences.
Picture
​Nonetheless, I was curious - curious as to other variations of Korean macarons, and curious as to the longevity of the brand amongst locals. My delayed visit had coincided with the first day of December, enabling me to choose from their new assortment of monthly flavours. Opting for the $32 Monthly Mini, I had my pick of 6 macarons and two dacquoise.
From the other side of the display case, I pointed towards the Eggnog, Bûche de Noël, Stollen, Mint Choco, Oreo, and Matcha KitKat, and then the Maltesers and Coffee Dacquoise.

Truthfully, expectations had been low given the sticky meringue of Luna Bakery and frail, dismal cross-section of Cafe Login. Alas, economics and convenience prevail as the pillars of decision-making.
Picture
Picture
​I set out to redeem a Peppermint Hot Chocolate as the last order of business, only to have the sole McDonald's outpost in the 2-kilometre radius inform of a milk shortage following a cramped, fryer grease-filled wait of ten minutes.
Picture
​Miraculously, my return commute spanned just fifty minutes!

Soon, I was able to unveil my purchases from the boutique bakery.
Picture
Picture
< Shown above and below:
Macarons
  • Eggnog
  • Bûche de Noël
  • Stollen
  • Mint Choco
  • Oreo
  • Matcha KitKat​
Dacquoise
  • Maltesers
  • Coffee >
Picture
Picture
We took to the Dacquoise first, namely the Maltesers for its intriguing clamshell visuals. Feathery was the shell, almost unthinkably so. An awestruck "mmmmm!" reverberated about the kitchen. The parcel was the perfect package of fluffiness, nuttiness, and silky buttercream - enjoyable without being excessive in any facet.
​
The Coffee Dacquoise was sampled second, and triggered a similar response in terms of contentment. We agreed that, while a roasted, more bitter profile would have been desired, the French delicacy was still scrumptious as is.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​I'm not sure that I can quite distinguish the macaron flavours to the same degree of precision. The ornately-decorated rounds were smaller than Sunday's, yet equally as satiating. Shells were soft, sweet, and chewy, while the fillings were satisfying but far too rich. Unable to deplete them in one sitting, they were stored in the refrigerator and thawed slightly before eating.
Picture
​The holiday flavours of Eggnog, Bûche de Noël, and Stollen weren't all that memorable, beyond the Bûche's holly topping that nearly broke a tooth and the Stollen's sweet-savoury peak of pistachio. Oreo and Matcha KitKat induced identical remarks, in which neither offered vast enough profile differences.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
However, I was impressed by the comprehensive incorporation of Mint Choco: considering the common utilization of Palgong's Mint Chocolate mix, my delighted response ought come as no surprise.
Picture
​Broadly speaking, it suffices to say that macarons, French or Korea, are seldom my go-to form of afternoon tea. Meringue shells are, in my humble opinion, terribly challenging to construct and even more challenging to enjoy. Dacquoise are a hit or miss, as evident from the varied experiences. That said, I'd be less reluctant at experimenting with different vendors, whereas my macaron tolerance has been exhausted (for this year) after this six-piece set.
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.