Lucullus Bakery

It is rare that I would walk into a bakery restaurant and give a report about them but Lucullus Bakery opened a new restaurant in Markham area and with its splendid decor and a above par experience, I figured I give them a good write up as a result.

Known for their famous butter pineapple buns and reasonably priced pork rib rice dinner at their other locations, this Lucullus Bakery just recently opened in the Birchmount Road and Enterprise Road area which is in the heart of downtown Markham.

When we went in, the place looked huge and the interior decor looked splendid.  It looked much bigger than the other 2 locations and had a sense of British grande to it.  We got there on a Sunday morning around 11 and there seemed like there was no one around.  Only about two tables were occupied and we thought that it was probably a new establishment and required time for it to build up.  After we ordered, approximately 10 minutes after we had sat down, about 15 people came in and pretty much ordered everything off the menu. The place was bustling.

Bo Lo Bao (Pineapple Bun)

I ordered their famous fresh from the oven pineapple bun.  What is making this bun so famous is that they add a slice of butter to the inside of the pineapple bun, re heat the bun so that it melts perfectly inside the bun while maintaining the crunchiness on top of the bun and serve the bun nice and hot to the customers.  The bun would not taste as good if it was taken home so it has to be eaten on the spot.

The butter they used I have to admit is not quite as good as the ones that they use in Hong Kong. I'm not really too sure what type of butter they use over there but honestly I have yet to find a bakery that serves the perfect pineapple butter bun that tastes as good as the ones in Hong Kong.

Overall it was still a great experience.  We did feel a little rushed when the crowd rolled in as it just got super busy all of a sudden.  Many of them ordered the pork rib and curry dinners that was on the menu.  I have had them before and when served hot, they are a delightful meal to have.  If you have yet to visit a Lucullus Bakery, then go find one and do so.  You could be pleasantly surprised.  Overall I give it a 3.75 out of 5.

Lucullus Bakery
8110 Birchmount Road
Markham, Ontario

Chloe's Garden Restaurant

One could argue that there are so many "Cha-Cha Tengs" in Toronto and its surrounding areas that another one is just one and the same.  It would have to have a significant wow factor to lure customers, otherwise it is just another one of these types of restaurant.  We always knew that there was one of these types of restaurants in downtown Markham however it was only very recently that we had a chance to go visit it.  The restaurant is tucked in the back and can't really been seen on the main streets but people who are familiar with the neighborhood will know where it is.

Hainanese Chicken Rice

I ordered a popular dish in the Hainanese Chicken Rice where I could compare this restaurant's quality with its competitors.  When the dish arrived, the rice itself was of the ordinary type however the chicken was very smooth however there was plenty of fat within the skin.  The chicken actually tasted pretty good and all the pieces were nice and big.  There were about 8 pieces on the plate and after the meal, there was no denial that I was pretty full.

Although I was pretty full, there was nothing spectacular that made it above the rest of the restaurants.  Some of the other noodles and rices that my friends had ordered that day were respectable but not remarkable.  Parking could be of a potential issue however there is an underground parking should more parking is needed.  With a cold drink to go with the meal, the entire meal could be had for less $10.00.  If you are in the area of downtown Markham, give it a try if you haven't done so yet.  You might be pleasantly surprised and the again maybe you might not..  I give it a 3.25 out of 5. 

Chloe's Garden Restaurant
3621 Highway 7
Markham, Ontario

905-604-4770

Jake's Bistro and Bar

There is always a fear that just when you go out and find that hidden gem of a restaurant, sometimes you might end up being disappointed as the restaurant will just vanish as it has become so hidden that no one else could ever find it.  We were invited to Jake's Bistro and Bar up in Richmond Hill where the restaurant served crab legs, seafood, steak and ribs.  Although the restaurant faced a major street in Richmond Hill and was conveniently located at the end of a busy strip mall, the restaurant itself appeared somewhat hidden to the point that I would never knew that it would have existed if my friends never mentioned anything about it.

When we got inside, the restaurant itself was pretty packed for a Friday night.  Oddly the only person that I could see working was the owner himself and no one else.  I was told the owner was the waiter, the chef and the bartender.  He had let go most of his staff, however my friends had eaten there all the time and it was pretty much their hangout place. They recommended the King Crab ($21.00) and the 12 ounce medium rare New York Striploin Steak ($24.00).

King Crab

The King Crab came out and it looked like everything came out as advertised.  The crab legs were all previously cracked however the owner did give us the cracker just in case we needed it.  The crab itself was surprisingly fresh as the meat tasted really good.  The crab was steamed to perfection and with a some garlicky butter added to it, the king crab actually tasted very, very good.  We were all actually taken aback at the quality of the crab as it certainly was unexpected.

New York Striploin

The New York Striploin steak was equally good.  I had asked that the meat to be medium rare and seeing that there was one person working all night, I thought for sure my steak was going to be well done however when the steak arrived, we were all pleasantly surprised to see that he had made it spot on.  It was nice and red and the meat itself was not chewy at all.  The only disappointment were the waffle fries which were highly recommended by the owner but just came out a little cool and mushy. 

With a couple of Caesars and a couple of beers to go with the meal that night, I thought it was quite the treat. Because it was a one man working crew, don't expect service to be snappy.  There were also some beers that were missing on tap despite being advertised in the restaurant.  It would not hurt to have one extra staff member to help with the overflow.  The food was excellent and I certainly will give it a second go around as long as it is still standing.  Overall I give it a 4 out of 5.


Jake's Bistro and Bar
138 Major MacKenzie Rd East
Richmond Hill, Ontario

905 237-9192