It was at least late January when I had been informed of orderlyblue's intent to visit Ontario. Being the meticulous planner that she is, the itinerary was confirmed to me at least a month in advance. Upon nearing her two-week cross-border stay, meetup plans were finalized for the morning of her departure.
A traumatizing Wednesday had thankfully been met with a somewhat speedy recovery, albeit not to my usual capacity. I awoke to rumbling in the abdomen and a churning stomach; the mild pains transformed into diarrhea - repetitive counts actually. While I had regained the ability to form sentences and operate a motor vehicle, physical health had not returned.
I managed ingestion of Salted Pork Congee and a small banana before departing, willing myself to be freed of any unforeseen digestive issues over the hour-long commute.
A traumatizing Wednesday had thankfully been met with a somewhat speedy recovery, albeit not to my usual capacity. I awoke to rumbling in the abdomen and a churning stomach; the mild pains transformed into diarrhea - repetitive counts actually. While I had regained the ability to form sentences and operate a motor vehicle, physical health had not returned.
I managed ingestion of Salted Pork Congee and a small banana before departing, willing myself to be freed of any unforeseen digestive issues over the hour-long commute.
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Precipitation was anticipated for the bulk of the day, with a heavy downpour accompanying me into Toronto. The address provided to me was for a new condominium complex near Fairview, which meant unfinished streetscaping and unsigned inter-condo roads. For reasons beyond me, the duo - orderlyblue and a 99-liner whom she had established a recent friendship with - opted to traverse through a sod-filled planter to my vehicle instead of navigating along the adjacent muck-free, concrete walkway. Attempts to brush off the mud were in vain, and the floor mats (and carpet!!) would now be stained with dampened sod.
From the pickup point, a twenty-ish minute commute would ensue. The first destination of the day was Cafe Landwer.
Visiting on a Saturday morning with a tight timeline was absolutely frazzling. Reservations were permitted neither via OpenTable nor the Yelp waitlist during peak times, so I had merely hoped for the best (in that weather conditions would deter like-minded brunchers) and pulled up outside the restaurant for a waitlist check. Amazingly, I was informed that was no wait at all!
Visiting on a Saturday morning with a tight timeline was absolutely frazzling. Reservations were permitted neither via OpenTable nor the Yelp waitlist during peak times, so I had merely hoped for the best (in that weather conditions would deter like-minded brunchers) and pulled up outside the restaurant for a waitlist check. Amazingly, I was informed that was no wait at all!
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While the two non-natives slid themselves into a booth, I rounded about the building into the parking garage. Interestingly, the parking pass now expires on the same day of issuance at 11:59 pm, rather than the following morning, as it did in fall 2021.
When I eventually made it into the restaurant, the interior was found to be absolutely bustling, with all seating observed as occupied. Verifying my understanding with the West Coast duo, I learned that crowds had quickly flooded inwards after our arrival. We had just made it in the nick of time!
Skimming the offerings on the laminated menus laid before me, I was again overwhelmed with the same sense of disinterest experienced the previous evening while looking at the web version. There was no appetite to be found, and only a sense of foreboding should I dare challenge my unstable digestive system.
When I eventually made it into the restaurant, the interior was found to be absolutely bustling, with all seating observed as occupied. Verifying my understanding with the West Coast duo, I learned that crowds had quickly flooded inwards after our arrival. We had just made it in the nick of time!
Skimming the offerings on the laminated menus laid before me, I was again overwhelmed with the same sense of disinterest experienced the previous evening while looking at the web version. There was no appetite to be found, and only a sense of foreboding should I dare challenge my unstable digestive system.
Both the waitress and myself had recommended the Shakshukas, though neither appeared visibly curious about the chain's signature dish.
"I'm not really a fan of tomato sauce." the 99-liner admitted. She opted instead for the Eggs Benedict Florentine, remarkably the first item to be listed under the "Breakfast" header. Meanwhile, orderlyblue took to the Farmer's Breakfast.
Our entry into the space had been made around the 11 AM mark, with all members of party congregating by 11:15 AM. Orders were taken with swiftness, yet sustenance was nowhere to be witnessed until long after 11:39 AM.
"I'm not really a fan of tomato sauce." the 99-liner admitted. She opted instead for the Eggs Benedict Florentine, remarkably the first item to be listed under the "Breakfast" header. Meanwhile, orderlyblue took to the Farmer's Breakfast.
Our entry into the space had been made around the 11 AM mark, with all members of party congregating by 11:15 AM. Orders were taken with swiftness, yet sustenance was nowhere to be witnessed until long after 11:39 AM.
The Farmer's Breakfast was gargantuan: two sunny-side up eggs and a (presumably) vinaigrette-tossed cucumber-tomato-red-cabbage salad laid on top of a sizable crispy pita. Tahini and labaneh were served in separate condiment dishes for dipping and/or smearing.
My eyes had widened at the portion size of the dish, however orderlyblue appeared unfazed, gradually depleting the entirety of the spread - minus the pita. The golden runniness of the yolks were an aspect to marvel at, along with the occasional bites of pita and tahini. "It tastes healthy, and refreshing!" She remarked, while digging into the chopped salad.
My eyes had widened at the portion size of the dish, however orderlyblue appeared unfazed, gradually depleting the entirety of the spread - minus the pita. The golden runniness of the yolks were an aspect to marvel at, along with the occasional bites of pita and tahini. "It tastes healthy, and refreshing!" She remarked, while digging into the chopped salad.
Meanwhile, the Eggs Benedict Florentine was comparatively normal in stature. Presented on a quaint, vintage-looking rimmed plate, its constituents included two poached eggs with baby spinach over grill-pressed challah - no English muffins here! - and a roasted, smashed potatoes. (Technically, the menu description reads as "crushed potatoes", though "smashed" is likely more fitting due to their overall intactness and single, lengthwise incision for improved surface area.
The 99-liner ate almost silently, thus I barely caught sight of the cross-section of the eggs before their elimination. On the contrary, she worked through the potatoes with sluggishness. It wasn't until nearing the end of the meal that I noticed she had peeled away the skin and brushed out the insides for consumption.
The 99-liner ate almost silently, thus I barely caught sight of the cross-section of the eggs before their elimination. On the contrary, she worked through the potatoes with sluggishness. It wasn't until nearing the end of the meal that I noticed she had peeled away the skin and brushed out the insides for consumption.
"Do you not like potato skins?" I commented.
"Oh, I didn't know you could eat them." She appeared genuinely surprised, much to my shock. "It's okay. I've already come this far." And she continued with her peculiar method.
It was, regrettably, a waste of crunchy, well-seasoned potatoes.
"Oh, I didn't know you could eat them." She appeared genuinely surprised, much to my shock. "It's okay. I've already come this far." And she continued with her peculiar method.
It was, regrettably, a waste of crunchy, well-seasoned potatoes.
Over the course of the meal, we discussed their collective vacation experiences, at a broad level, focusing primarily on the Montréal/Ottawa/Toronto leg of the trip. Having expected excited recaps of the various scenic destinations and tourist attractions of the province (along with renowned restaurants in each city), I was appalled to learn that most of their 4.5 days in the GTA had been merely acting as chaperones for local family friends and dining out in odd Chinese establishments in Markham and Scarborough. One of those days was even spent in Scugog, a town I had never heard of, on a farm doing "not much" while family members conversed with relatives over an-older-than-Pioneer-era fire pit fitted with a wok. Snack runs at T&T and stopovers at Chinatowns in every city were also mentioned. Placing food in the last priority slot (after family destination and price) had ultimately yielded unmemorable meals of strictly communal Chinese cuisine, confirming the atrocity of it all. Oh, the horror! Had this been my "vacation", it goes without saying that I would have taken matters into my own hands and found alternate paths for exploration and gustatory fulfillment.
My order comprised of a single Hot Water, which was sipped slowly out of caution. Bathrooms were located between the dining floor and commercial unit access/elevators to the parking garage: one stall per gender plus a spacious accessible stall. It was clean, but I wasn't entirely sure of its functionality. The door appeared to lock, but did not open with the press of a button, and instead required manual twisting of the handle.
My order comprised of a single Hot Water, which was sipped slowly out of caution. Bathrooms were located between the dining floor and commercial unit access/elevators to the parking garage: one stall per gender plus a spacious accessible stall. It was clean, but I wasn't entirely sure of its functionality. The door appeared to lock, but did not open with the press of a button, and instead required manual twisting of the handle.
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Braving the raging droplets, we entered onto Yonge Street for a brief period of exploration. I led the girls into Lucullus for in-flight snacks, though emerged as the only one with bread in hand.
Acquired during this visit were:
- Butter Cream & Marmalade Soufflé Cake
- Hot Dog Bun (and an exceptionally pricey one at that!)
- Black Sesame Mochi
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Continuing northward, I began to name off common denominator bubble tea chains across the coasts, pausing only to introduce names that were unfamiliar. Don't Yell At Me, Mr. Sun, and Palgong seemingly hadn't made their way across the nation as yet.
Traditional Korean rice cakes from LUNA Bakery was the main item on the agenda. At around 12:35 PM, we pulled away the glass door to reveal their shelves fully stocked. What a pleasant surprise versus last time!
Traditional Korean rice cakes from LUNA Bakery was the main item on the agenda. At around 12:35 PM, we pulled away the glass door to reveal their shelves fully stocked. What a pleasant surprise versus last time!
A variety of rice cakes had neatly been arranged behind their product labels. At long last, I could pick to my heart's desire, and did exactly that. With the exception of the Rainbow Rice Cake and $13.50 Granola bag, essentially every unsampled item was added to my tray.
Interestingly, no Financiers were spotted. (That said, I prefer the traditional French version anyway.) Familiar faces such as Dacquoise and the Nutrition Bean Sweet Rice Cake were omitted from my selection; the latter had been tasty with its inclusion of honey, though the black beans a bit too crunchy for my liking.
Interestingly, no Financiers were spotted. (That said, I prefer the traditional French version anyway.) Familiar faces such as Dacquoise and the Nutrition Bean Sweet Rice Cake were omitted from my selection; the latter had been tasty with its inclusion of honey, though the black beans a bit too crunchy for my liking.
The following were gleefully piled onto the tray and taken to the cashier, where an older gentleman that hadn't been present last Saturday thanked me for my business:
- Coconut Walnut Pumpkin Sweet Rice
- Mugwort Fig Sweet Rice Cake
- Brown Sugar Snow White Rice Cake
- Strawberry Rice Cake
- Chocolate Rice Cookie
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Orderlyblue and the potato-skin-despising-99-liner took to a Brown Sugar Snow White Rice Cake and Strawberry Rice Cake each. We departed the shop shortly afterwards, only to return prior to our airport-bound commute for an Injeolmi Latte.
Originally, I wasn't sure if the beverage was offered hot, since it had been listed on the menu as being "Iced". But a quick re-entry into the shop, followed by a friendly "Welcome back!" allowed me to confirm my inquiry.
The nutty concoction was exempt of espresso yet preposterously potent. Impressively nutty and flavourful from the first to the very last sip, I showered the Injeolmi Latte with terrific praise, in spite of its steep $6.95 price tag. Thoroughly enjoyed was this velvety, aromatic creation.
Originally, I wasn't sure if the beverage was offered hot, since it had been listed on the menu as being "Iced". But a quick re-entry into the shop, followed by a friendly "Welcome back!" allowed me to confirm my inquiry.
The nutty concoction was exempt of espresso yet preposterously potent. Impressively nutty and flavourful from the first to the very last sip, I showered the Injeolmi Latte with terrific praise, in spite of its steep $6.95 price tag. Thoroughly enjoyed was this velvety, aromatic creation.
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We also took to samples of their Mugwort + Bean Powder Sweet Rice Cake by the cashier - they were delightfully chewy and dusted liberally with the bakery's ever-aromatic injeolmi powder (and probably an item for purchase next time around).
Venturing close to Finch, I proceeded to point out a few more uptown favourites: Pastel for crepes and M Brand for my K-Beauty needs.
Venturing close to Finch, I proceeded to point out a few more uptown favourites: Pastel for crepes and M Brand for my K-Beauty needs.
The boutique had seemingly renovated - or adopted a brighter aura overall with pink chandeliers - since my last stopover with the sleepy polar bear. Product range had expanded, yet price points had been maintained at a reasonable level.
The Saem's Cover Perfection Tip Concealer was not only cheaper than Sukoshi Mart, but offered in a wider range of shades! The accessory and jewellery selection was also worth mentioning, as the pieces had evolved to be on par with my go-to mismatched earring destinations in BC.
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Decision-making is quite the speedy process for me, personally, but the others had a difficult decision narrowing down their picks. Eventually, we had to make haste. For those with a more leisurely schedule and companions interested in combining purchases, M Brand offers 10% off for purchases of $35 or more with cash payment.
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By 1:15 PM, the rain had lightened to a mere drizzle. These conditions enabled a quicker trip back to the parking garage and a relatively smooth drive to Pearson.
Once back home, I unveiled my souvenirs: a wooden Punta Cana magnet and bonus Seaweed-flavoured Turtle Chips that they could not fit the bag in their luggage.
A hearty bowl of Salted Pork Congee, supplemented with Tomato Egg Scramble, would be consumed. Then, it was time to reveal my LUNA Bakery haul.
Strawberry Rice Cake
I've read positive reviews about this one and can declare in earnest: Do not be fooled by the subdued baby pink hue! The Strawberry Rice Cake smells amazing, like freshly puréed strawberries, securing both flavour and fragrance in one delightful package. Its texture is a bit tacky, given that it is 설기 (seolgi), and quite filling, but otherwise a good snack.
I've read positive reviews about this one and can declare in earnest: Do not be fooled by the subdued baby pink hue! The Strawberry Rice Cake smells amazing, like freshly puréed strawberries, securing both flavour and fragrance in one delightful package. Its texture is a bit tacky, given that it is 설기 (seolgi), and quite filling, but otherwise a good snack.
Brown Sugar Snow White Rice Cake
Topped with a dainty moon reflective of the bakery's name, this white rice cake (백설기) comprised of mostly rice cake with not much brown sugar encased within. The filling was reminiscent of hoddeok filling (minus the cinnamon and pine nuts), which succeeded in exuding a cozy aura, but was an inadequate amount by personal preference.
Topped with a dainty moon reflective of the bakery's name, this white rice cake (백설기) comprised of mostly rice cake with not much brown sugar encased within. The filling was reminiscent of hoddeok filling (minus the cinnamon and pine nuts), which succeeded in exuding a cozy aura, but was an inadequate amount by personal preference.
Coconut Walnut Pumpkin Sweet Rice Cake
Seemingly excluded from their fixed range of offerings via a handwritten product label, the Coconut Walnut Pumpkin Sweet Rice Cake was an intriguing pick, though not one I'd aim to revisit. The 찹쌀떡 product was coated liberally in unsweetened, untoasted coconut shreds, and sliced into three strips, each measuring roughly 1 cm in width. It had a peculiar first bite: subtly savoury and laced with the fishy essence of pumpkin. Candied walnuts topped the creation: they were sweet without much a toasted warmth.
Seemingly excluded from their fixed range of offerings via a handwritten product label, the Coconut Walnut Pumpkin Sweet Rice Cake was an intriguing pick, though not one I'd aim to revisit. The 찹쌀떡 product was coated liberally in unsweetened, untoasted coconut shreds, and sliced into three strips, each measuring roughly 1 cm in width. It had a peculiar first bite: subtly savoury and laced with the fishy essence of pumpkin. Candied walnuts topped the creation: they were sweet without much a toasted warmth.
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Mugwort Fig Sweet Rice Cake
This visit marks my first purchase of the Mugwort Fig Sweet Rice Cake at the bakery's new location, as well as the third purchase overall. Previous visits saw a thinner texture and darker hue, whereas this round would exhibit a less uniform consistency with bits of white intertwined within. Nonetheless, the 찹쌀떡 square was tasty, with crunchy fig seeds persisting as the highlight. Admittedly, the glutinous rice product was a bit damp from being sealed within.
In fact, it was observed that the rice cakes are now sealed entirely in tear-away packaging instead of being wrapped in cellophane at their previous location. My hypothesis is that this packaging is easier to handle for mass production, and assists in preserving product integrity in areas of high foot (and hand) traffic such as Yonge and Finch.
This visit marks my first purchase of the Mugwort Fig Sweet Rice Cake at the bakery's new location, as well as the third purchase overall. Previous visits saw a thinner texture and darker hue, whereas this round would exhibit a less uniform consistency with bits of white intertwined within. Nonetheless, the 찹쌀떡 square was tasty, with crunchy fig seeds persisting as the highlight. Admittedly, the glutinous rice product was a bit damp from being sealed within.
In fact, it was observed that the rice cakes are now sealed entirely in tear-away packaging instead of being wrapped in cellophane at their previous location. My hypothesis is that this packaging is easier to handle for mass production, and assists in preserving product integrity in areas of high foot (and hand) traffic such as Yonge and Finch.
Chocolate Rice Cookie
I had previously read mixed reviews regarding the Rice Cookies and had my reservations, but, honestly, it was amazing! The chocolate rendition was flavourful and delightful, neither veering too far into face-wrinkling bitterness nor gag-worthy sugariness.
The Rice Cookie isn't overly buttery, like our annual Christmas cutout cookies, but has a good snap with craggy ending notes, like fine bits of puffed rice. Each cookie rings in at the steep price of $3.95, though is undeniably scrumptious. I shall be anticipating the other flavours in future runs.
I had previously read mixed reviews regarding the Rice Cookies and had my reservations, but, honestly, it was amazing! The chocolate rendition was flavourful and delightful, neither veering too far into face-wrinkling bitterness nor gag-worthy sugariness.
The Rice Cookie isn't overly buttery, like our annual Christmas cutout cookies, but has a good snap with craggy ending notes, like fine bits of puffed rice. Each cookie rings in at the steep price of $3.95, though is undeniably scrumptious. I shall be anticipating the other flavours in future runs.
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LUNA Bakery is at the forefront of rice flour baking in the city, and perhaps the only retailer of traditional Korean rice cakes. Although their products aren't as economic as I'd like, with each traditional Korean rice cake rings in between $3.85 and $4.75, quality is ever consistent, whether pre- or post-move. I enjoy majority of their tteok, and can faithfully swear allegiance to their Rice Cookies as well! As for their fusion items, such as the Dacquoise and Financier, I am less fond of the rice flour swap due to compromised texture and additional dampness.
I would speculate the products to be crafted in small batches due to their innate moisture content dampness and short shelf life. As such, it comes as no surprise that the bakery would err on the conservative side in terms of daily inventory. It is always ideal to bake fresh to preserve flavour and textural integrity.
In other words, arriving early in the day is one's best bet to securing the freshest, most popular tteok.
In other words, arriving early in the day is one's best bet to securing the freshest, most popular tteok.
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