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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
And so, Mr. Buttons was purchased, in addition to stackable cookie racks to meet the complimentary shipping minimum.
How could I possibly resist when even the mere sight of his belly beckoned a smile from the deepest of frowns?
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.
Having explored south, west, and north of the intersection, there was but one more cardinal direction to investigate.
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.
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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?
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?
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
Miraculously, my return commute spanned just fifty minutes!
Soon, I was able to unveil my purchases from the boutique bakery.
Soon, I was able to unveil my purchases from the boutique bakery.
< Shown above and below:
| Macarons
| Dacquoise
|
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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