BTS EPISODE: ARIRANG World Tour in Goyang Sketch

Namjoon: "Break a leg! But not like I did!"

This reminds me, I need to start praying to Mother Nature to keep it rain-free on the Toronto dates of the tour...

BTS EPISODE: ARIRANG North America Promotions Sketch

Out of nowhere, Yoongi: "Don't I look like a museum curator?"

Dining Out: Truffle Fries, Beef Bourguignon Eggs Benedict, Confit de Canard Eggs Benedict, and 15th's French Toast at 15th Avenue

After months of construction, 15th Avenue is finally open for business! It's a brunch restaurant that specializes in "bistro modern dining." (Note that their menu is still changing because they're in soft opening right now.) They're only open until 4:00PM, but since I ended work at 3:00PM today for the long weekend, Minji, Daniel, and I managed to get in there by 3:15PM for a super-late brunch (frankly, it was almost a linner at this point, but potato, potahto). 

Truffle fries

We started with the truffle fries to share since Minji was craving them, and who am I to say no to truffle fries? They were honestly pretty perfect — the fries themselves are super crispy and perfectly golden on the outside, but delightfully fluffy on the inside without being overly starchy. (They do suspiciously remind me of Costco fries, actually. Which might be my favourite fast food fry out there.) The truffle and parmesan flavours are prominent, and the truffle aioli is delicious. However, the portion size definitely does not merit a $12 price tag. So, unless you're with a pregnant friend who begs you to share truffle fries with her, I would say the truffle fries aren't worth it, as delicious as they are. 

Beef Bourguignon and Confit de Canard Eggs Benedict

Minji and I decided to split the beef bourguignon and confit de canard eggs Benedict because we couldn't decide on which one we wanted to try more. After tasting both, though, we agreed that the beef was significantly better than the duck. They're both served with poached eggs and hollandaise on English muffins, but the beef bourguignon, which has red wine jus and horseradish aioli, was perfectly tender and flavourful. The duck confit's texture was moist and juicy, but was noticeably under-seasoned — to the point where neither of us could taste any duck flavour at all. It was the first time in a long time that I really wanted to add salt to my dish. It's served with Bosc pears, but I only found two small pieces on mine and they lacked any sweetness so the whole thing ended up being extremely bland. I thought it was just me, but Minji said the same thing. (To be fair, our server did ask if we needed salt, pepper, or ketchup. I declined because I believe a dish at a restaurant like this should be served exactly as the chef intends it to be tasted.) Not sure how the other Benedicts fare, but I'd say go for the beef bourguignon — it's delicious and the most unique option on the menu. Oh, it's also worth noting that the Benedicts are currently served with their regular fries — not home fries, as it says on the menu. 

15th's French toast

No meal would be complete without dessert. So, obviously, we had to get the French toast. 15th Avenue's version is a HK-style brick toast with Biscoff spread and maple beurre monté, and then deep-fried, topped with icing sugar and fresh berries, and served with a side of maple syrup. For $18, we definitely thought it was going to be bigger, but it was very, very, very delicious. I'm not sure how much fat and sugar it has in it, but it's definitely guilt-inducing — and I shared it with two other people. (Still, it's not as much of a monster as the French toast at Pears which even is thicker, contains custard, and comes served sizzling in oil. Had to take a 45-minute walk right after that one.) Overall, brunch at 15th Avenue was delightful and our server was excellent — super nice, attentive, efficient, and patient (we had a 15-month-old with us, and we ended up staying 30 minutes after their official closing time and they never once rushed us out) — but it is definitely pricey for what it is. For three mains and two shareables with no drinks, we each ended up paying $45 after tax and tip. As with most restaurants in Downtown Markham, I would come back for a special occasion, but it's a bit too expensive for regular outings. 

15th Avenue

169 Enterprise Blvd., Unit 103

Markham, ON L6G 1B3

(905) 305-1885

Dining Out: Spicy Tteokbokki and Garlic Crunch Boneless Chicken at Bb.q Chicken

Minji and I wanted to watch The Devil Wears Prada 2 so we decided to have a girls' night (our first one in nearly 2 years!) and went for dinner beforehand at Bb.q Chicken.

Spicy tteokbokki

Garlic Crunch boneless chicken

Got the classic spicy tteokbokki, of course, and decided to try their new Garlic Crunch chicken (we got boneless because Bb.q actually serves dark meat for their boneless option), which we both loved — there's actually no dry rub garlic option on their regular menu (both Soy Garlic and Honey Garlic are sauced), so this was a really welcome flavour. It's definitely more garlicky than the sauced options, but there is a hint of sweetness in it that keeps it from being too overwhelming. (Be warned, the dragon breath is unreal.)

As for the movie — the first one I've watched in theatres in nearly a decade — it was good, but not great. It's still fun and funny, but it definitely lacks the sassiness and charm and witty one-liners of the first one. Andy Sachs, sadly, is still annoying (albeit slightly less naive), though Miranda and Emily are still queens, and Nigel finally gets the credit he deserves. I also found the premise of prestigious print publications having to modernize to clickbait-y, short-form digital content very realistic. However, Andy's romantic relationship was completely unnecessary and, honestly, a little befuddling, and I also hated how utterly unrealistic it was for Andy to be able to afford what looks like a 1,500-sq. ft. luxury apartment in the middle of Manhattan on a salary that is presumably less than $1 million. But, I digress. 

Bb.q Chicken

8110 Birchmount Rd., Unit 1 and 2

Markham, ON L6G 0E3

(905) 305-8110

Dining Out: Mother's Day Brunch at Pears Restaurant

Sometime in late February, Pears Restaurant announced that they would be collaborating with sister restaurant, Glass Kitchen, to create a "new brunch experience." I'm actually not really sure how they've collaborated since they're both restaurants by Chef Keith Pears and they both feature Asian fusion cuisine, but the marketing e-mail says it brings together "the refined elegance of Pears with the vibrant creativity of Glass Kitchen." Suffice it to say, I was curious. But I wanted to wait a bit — for the hype to die down, of course, but also so the chefs could get more comfortable with the menu and tweak dishes as necessary. So I finally took the opportunity to try Pears' "First Light" Brunch with my mom for Mother's Day.

Char siu short rib eggs Benedict with kimchi pancakes, pickled cucumbers, poached eggs, and hollandaise
The char siu short rib eggs Benedict was excellent. The meat was flavourful and melt-in-your-mouth tender; the spicy-sour flavour of the kimchi pancakes and tartness of the pickled cucumbers was offset beautifully by creamy poached eggs and rich hollandaise sauce. The home fries also deserve a huge shout-out — these are extra crunchy like they're double-fried (maybe even triple-fried), and perfectly seasoned. I usually think home fries are boring and bland, but these were incredible. Totally worth ordering as a side on their own (which they offer for $7).

Shakshouka with gochujang tomato eggplant stew, lamb merguez sausage, and crispy mantou bao
The shakshouka was good — the flavours were bright and flavourful, kind of like a spicy tomato-based pasta sauce. Mixed with the poached eggs, it became a richer, creamier, more decadent stew. (My mom thought it was good, but "nothing special." So take that as you will.) The mantou buns were great for dipping; I'm glad they went with fried mantou instead of the regular steamed ones just for some texture contrast. Surprisingly, I actually wasn't a huge fan of the lamb sausage. I was expecting some gaminess, which I typically like, but this sausage was so gamey it almost veered on metallic, as if I was eating blood sausage. I ate it, anyway, but those who can't stand that iron/metallic aftertaste of blood will probably not be able to stomach the sausage.

Wagyu beef siu mai with black garlic nori sauce
The wagyu beef siu mai were… disappointing. Both my mom and I liked the texture of them, but hated the flavour. There's a kind of earthy pungent aftertaste that we didn't like — whether it was from the beef or the black garlic nori sauce or both. Weirdly enough, my mom and I usually have differing opinions on food, but we both agreed on this one. Also, you can't tell whether it's wagyu beef or some much cheaper cut of beef, anyway, because it's ground. So while these dumplings look amazing and the presentation is lovely, I just can't recommend them.

Thai tea French toast stuffed with coconut custard and topped with Thai tea anglaise and strawberries

The French toast is insane. In the best way possible. It is a giant brick toast, stuffed with coconut custard, and then deep-fried, and topped with some sort of Thai tea glaze and then torched. And then served on a sizzling hot plate. With a side of Thai tea to make it even sweeter. (We added a dash of the Thai tea, but it really wasn't necessary.) To be quite honest, this French toast didn't really taste like Thai tea to me. It actually tasted exactly like crème brûlée, and it was… absolutely dreamy. It's crunchy on the outside and soft and plush and creamy on the inside, and it was almost a transcendent experience. It's the kind of dessert I will think about for years to come. Save stomach space, because the French toast is an absolute must-order here. 

The food did take quite a long time to get to our table — just over 35 minutes for the first dish to arrive — though all of our dishes arrived within a span of five minutes after the first. It wasn't a dealbreaker to us, but it is worth noting, especially if you're on a schedule or are extremely hungry. (If you weren't hungry going in, you definitely will be by the time the food arrives.) I am also really glad to report that service has vastly improved from the first and only time I came here (which was during their soft opening last February). Actually, the server from that initial visit was the sole reason I didn't want to go back again. But our server this time was lovely. Pleasant, welcoming, attentive but not cloying, and most importantly, didn't try to push us to order anything we didn't want. Overall, a delightful experience that both my mom and I enjoyed. There are a bunch of other dishes I want to try from the brunch menu (mini lobster crab rolls, smoked salmon donut sliders, rice cake Bolognese?!), but frankly, I would come back just for that French toast if nothing else.

Pears Restaurant

170 Enterprise Blvd., Unit J105

Markham, ON L6A 0A2

(365) 608-0939

BTS EPISODE: BTS The Comeback Live | ARIRANG Sketch

Can we just appreciate how absolutely monumental this production was, from planning to execution? How many staff members and government officials and lawyers had to get involved, how many permits and insurance policies and liability slips had to be obtained, how many people in sound and set and video production had to be hired, how many backup dancers they had to audition for the actual performance, how many people at Netflix they had to coordinate with to film and livestream this. And that's not even including the sheer number of days (months?) BTS spent rehearsing everything (and then even more days after Namjoon sprained his ankle and they had to find workarounds). Sorry, but there's no one else out there — K-pop, Western pop, or otherwise — who can officially (and legally) shut down a main district of a major metropolitan city to perform a free concert for hundreds of thousands of people in person (and livestreamed to millions of people globally).

This comeback was crazy. I don't know if we'll experience anything like that again.

Run BTS! 2.0: BTS' Trip Ep. 3 — The Great Foot Volleyball Showdown

To summarize the episode:

"Yah, your foot's got a little anger in it!" — Jungkook

"I laughed so hard, I'm all out of energy." — Jimin

It is always a good time when BTS plays foot volleyball.

Run BTS! 2.0: BTS' Trip Ep. 2 — You've never kneeled with your hands up for an hour, have you?

Jungkook: "How about this, then? Each member picks someone and shares an idea that suits them."

Taehyung: "Uh, even if that member doesn't want to do it?"

Jungkook: "Yep. You can only listen. Listen without saying a word."

Yoongi: "We're just suggesting ideas."

Jin: "For Jimin, I think climbing the Himalayas would suit him."

Jimin: [stunned silence]

Jungkook: "You can't say anything about it, Jimin."

Namjoon: "Oh, this is how it works?"

Taehyung: "For Yoongi, I say pole dancing."

[Everyone cracks up]

Yoongi: "That'd suit me very well."

Taehyung: "Apparently, it's great for your health."

Yoongi: "It gets your blood flowing right away."

Hoseok: "I'd like to see Jin have a really serious conversation."

Taehyung: "He's actually really serious when you talk to him one-on-one."

Yoongi: "It can be something like his thoughts on the AI industry."

Jin, looking exhausted: [pinches nose bridge]

Namjoon: "Right, or his thoughts on the current Korean society."

Hoseok: "Something very intellectual."

Jimin: "Wait a minute. But why is mine climbing the Himalayas?"

Namjoon: "If we want to make Hoseok suffer, it would have to be something like, 'wear the same outfit for a whole month.'"

Hoseok: [loudest groan ever]

Taehyung: "I'd have to say personal colour analysis for Jungkook."

Jungkook: "But I did want to try that!"

Taehyung: "He only ever wears black."

Namjoon: "So he can't wear black and has to wear red, blue, purple, and green."

Jungkook: [looking scandalized]

Jimin: "How about something like a stunt show for Jungkook?"

Namjoon: "Or finding something Jungkook can't do?"

Taehyung: "He actually can't do a lot of things."

Namjoon: "Like what?"

Jin: "Jungkook's scared of things like elevators breaking down."

Namjoon: "Ah… But I'm scared of that, too."

Yoongi: "Wouldn't anyone be scared of that?"

Jin: "No, I mean, he actually gets scared every time he rides an elevator."

Jimin: "Wait a minute, everyone. You're all giving such serious thought to each member, but for me, it's off to the Himalayas?"

Jin: "Namjoon's should be something like boxing against a professional boxer. And fight until he wins."

Yoongi: "So you're basically telling him to die."

Namjoon: "Hey, if you don't want me in the group anymore, just say so."

Jin: "He could win, though!"

Yoongi: "No, there's no way he can win."

Taehyung: "Can I share something I've been thinking about?"

Everyone: "Yeah, of course."

Taehyung: "So, the last time we kneeled with our hands up for an hour was in elementary school."

Yoongi: "That's too cruel."

Taehyung: "I really want to try it."

Namjoon: "They don't do that in schools anymore. It's against the law."

Jimin: "You know what? I'm going to sleep next to you."

Jin: "Jimin?"

Jimin: "Yes?"

Jin: "Do you hear yourself right now?"

Jimin: "But I love you, Jin."

Jin: "This has nothing to do with love."

Jimin: "C'mon, baby."

I'm not sure what route Run BTS! 2.0 is taking, but it's currently like Bon Voyage meets In the Soop meets a podcast and I'm totally here for it.

Dining Out: An Epic Dim Sum Feast at Auric King

I decided to take a half-day off from work today since I had some time owing, so I met up with my friends Minji and Daniel (who are on early parental leave since Minji is now in her third trimester and thus have a lot of free time) for dim sum. Minji had asked me to ask my mom for a good dim sum option (because like most Hong Kong immigrants in their 70s here, my mom is a dim sum pro) and she suggested Auric King since they have some more unique options than the average dim sum restaurant, so we decided to try it out.

"Dim Sum Combinations": A selection of steamed dumplings
Steamed pork soup dumplings
Steamed crab meat and truffle dumplings
Steamed house special crystal shrimp dumplings
Steamed BBQ pork buns
Baked milk tarts with bird's nest
Baked shredded turnip puff pastries
Fried glutinous rice pork dumplings
Steamed Chinese sausage buns
Deep-fried creamy custard sesame balls

When we got there, I was immediately impressed with the interior. It is a huge, huge space — it took over the unit that The Pickle Barrel used to occupy at Markville Mall — and it looks freaking fancy AF. Massive mirrored pillars, gilded walls with intricate phoenix designs, huge modern chandeliers, tufted ivory leather chairs... I honestly forgot I was in a mall. It was also crazy busy — most dim sum places in Markham won't have a wait for a table on a weekday, but at 1:00PM on this Friday afternoon, we did have to add ourselves to the waitlist. (Granted, the wait itself was only about 10 minutes, but it is worth noting.) 

We let Minji pick the dishes since she's pregnant and arrived starving (and you do not get in the way of a hungry pregnant woman). Of course, that also meant she ordered 11 dishes. For 3 people. (The standard ordering at dim sum is generally 2 plates per person, maybe 3 if everyone is very hungry, so we definitely knew we'd have leftovers.) But I will say, despite being on the pricier side, the dim sum here is excellent quality and, as my mom had mentioned, more interesting than the usual yum cha fare. Highlights for me were the "dim sum combinations" platter (which includes 6 random steamed dumplings), the crab meat and truffle dumplings, the crystal shrimp dumplings, and the shredded turnip puff pastries. But we were all very pleased with the dishes and the presentation. Tea is served in a sleek clear pot over a holder with a lit tea candle underneath to keep it hot, and a massive metal pitcher of hot water is also provided for refills. Service is also attentive and very efficient considering how busy it was. A 12% service charge is included in the total (also worth noting since it is not mentioned upfront), but I thought for $42 a person after tax and tip with a big box of leftovers to bring home was actually not too bad. There are about 12 more dim sum dishes I want to try here, so I'll definitely come back for another visit.

Auric King

Markville Mall

5000 Highway 7, Unit 2006L

Markham, ON L3R 4M9

(905) 477-7222

Take Out: Classic Banh Mi and Iced Vietnamese Coffee at Banh Mi Queen

Classic banh mi
Okay, I am apparently not a good sandwich ripper but do not let that take away from the fact that the classic banh mi at the newly-opened Banh Mi Queen is truly excellent. I'd been wanting to try this place since it opened, honestly (it's inside the food court at New Kennedy Square, where my mom's go-to Chinese restaurant is, so we pass by it all the time), and the chance finally came today when I had some time to kill while I got my winter tires changed. Minji and Daniel picked me up for lunch, so I asked if they wanted to try this new banh mi place and they replied with an immediate yes. 

We all got the classic banh mi — no cilantro and no spice for me, no cilantro but with spice for Minji, and lots of cilantro and no spice for Daniel — with iced Vietnamese coffees for $10 a person. I don't even need to tell you what a fucking steal that is in this economy. I was actually surprised at the size of the sandwich because I'm used to places serving banh mi at half this size for the same price. Each sandwich was absolutely stuffed with pork sausage, ham, pork belly, pickled veggies, and, most importantly, pâté. The bread had a good amount of crunch on the outside but was still soft on the inside so it didn't hurt my mouth like most baguettes. All three of us were genuinely impressed with our respective sandwiches. The coffee was intense and strong, but sweet and creamy as one would expect. Would absolutely not hesitate to get the same combo again.

Oh, and the service was phenomenal. Everyone that worked there was just so damn personable. While the lady at the front was making our sandwiches, the chef at the back asked if we liked pho, and we were like, "Duh, of course we do." So he came back with little paper cups of his house-made pho broth for us to try and it was truly delicious — rich and flavourful and super beefy — so we will have to come back for the pho next time. But just the fact that he offered it to us was so genuinely welcoming and wholly unnecessary and it's these gestures that really make me want to visit again and again. And so I will.

Banh Mi Queen

New Kennedy Square

8360 Kennedy Rd.

Markham, ON L3R 9W4

(416) 456-0298

Dining Out: Dad's Birthday Dinner at The Big Brother 大師兄新派順德菜

I asked my dad what he wanted to eat for his 74th birthday dinner, and he just requested Chinese food (as usual) so my mom and I decided to take him to The Big Brother since we enjoyed it so much last time.

Deep-fried shrimp tossed in Thousand Island dressing with seasonal fruit
Special made puffy fish tofu with clams, sponge gourd, and mixed mushrooms in broth
Salt and pepper crispy fried silver fish
Traditional salt-baked crispy skin chicken

Again, the food was excellent. I never thought I'd need blueberries and honeydew with my deep-fried shrimp, but here we are, and it's freaking DELICIOUS. Honestly, that would be my must-order of the night. The fried silverfish (also known as icefish or noodlefish, NOT the insect) were also perfectly golden and crispy and an absolute DELIGHT. The broth for the fish tofu puffs and clams was milky and mellow — great for accompanying the deep-fried foods. The traditional salted chicken, which we also ordered last time, did take quite a long time to get to the table (they did say it would take 20 minutes to prepare, but it definitely took longer than that because but we were nearly done the rest of the other dishes by the time the chicken came out), but was still as tasty as I remember it being — perfectly crispy, salty skin, and juicy, tender meat. And again, service was great — welcoming, accommodating, and efficient. I think we might have found a new go-to special occasion Chinese restaurant.

The Big Brother 大師兄新派順德菜

328 Highway 7

Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3P7

(905) 881-3333

Dining Out: Insalata Costa; Pizza Bianca al Tartufo; Linguine di Gragnano Cozze, Vongole e Peperoncini; and Pizza di Crema con Gelato alla Zuppa at Costa Sorrento

I hadn't seen my friend Ronsee since last December (because adulting) so when he asked if I was free for dinner this evening, I was like, "We gotta make this worth it." So I told him to meet me at Costa Sorrento, my favourite Italian restaurant, where he had never been before.

Insalata Costa: Baby arugula, radicchio, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and Grana Padano
Pizza Bianca al Tartufo: Fior di latte, mixed mushrooms, shaved black truffle, and white truffle oil
Linguine di Gragnano Cozze, Vongole e Peperoncini: P.E.I. mussels, clams, shishito peppers, and white wine sauce
As per usual, we decided to share everything to get more variety out of our meal. I had never been disappointed with a single visit here before, but unfortunately, that wasn't the case tonight. I'm not sure if it's because it's a weekday (I'd only ever come here on the weekend), or if the majority of the dishes we ordered were off the regular menu instead of the daily specials, or if they hired different chefs, but the only dish we both absolutely loved was the pizza. Whatever dressing they put in the salad was so salty that, added together with the Padano cheese, was like a bitter assault to my tastebuds. (I initially wondered if it was because I recently quit smoking cigarettes and flavours are just FLAVOURING HARDER now but Ronsee, who is not a smoker, agreed that it was excessively salty.) The pasta was okay, but all the shellfish was quite sandy, and with a total of four mussels and six baby clams in a portion of pasta that is definitely not made for sharing, we didn't think it was worth $40. (Sorry, but I've eaten bowls of cereal bigger than this.)

Pizza di Crema con Gelato alla Zuppa (Daily Special): Neapolitan pie with vanilla and chocolate custard cream, walnuts, peaches, and walnuts, with zuppa inglese gelato

We got one of the desserts off the daily specials menu, the Pizza di Crema con Gelato alla Zuppa. The pie itself was decent, surprisingly not too sweet with a nice firm texture and a buttery crust. But the zuppa inglese gelato was... horrendous. I'm not sure what I was expecting — maybe just a mellow, vanilla or milky flavour to complement the pie — but this tasted exactly like the smell of gasoline. Or pure rubbing alcohol. With a hint of permanent marker. Suffice it to say, it was the second assault to my tastebuds in the same dinner. I've never been so disappointed in a meal, let alone from one of my favourite restaurants. I hadn't been back here since November (during which I had a phenomenal meal) and a lot can change in 5 months, but I'm not ready to give up on them yet. I'll have to come back on a weekend next time and see if it's just a bad one-off or if they've truly gotten worse over time. 

Costa Sorrento

179 Enterprise Blvd.

Markham, ON L6G 0E7

(905) 604-2019

Run BTS! 2.0: BTS' Trip Ep. 1 — BTS' Room Assignment Saga

This is basically the comeback of Bon Voyage (except with no destination… and it's FREE!!!) and I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER WEEK FOR THE NEXT EPISODE. HOW DARE THEY ONLY GIVE US 25 MINUTES??!?

BTS EPISODE: "SWIM" Dance Practice Sketch

Is it even a dance practice if Hobi doesn't enunciate every move with a "bam"?

BTS — "Hooligan" MV Behind the Scenes

Ugh, truly the hottest leather-clad gothic anime ninja pirate villains in the world.