Luckee by Susur Lee

Loved it!
Last week, I went with two friends to try the dim sum brunch at Luckee, Susur Lee's new Chinese restaurant. 

My two friends are French guys. And the two French guys behind yummybaguette.com. That is to say they are really, really picky about desserts. One of them, a vegetarian, has travelled extensively throughout Asia. That is to say he is truly picky about Asian food. I'm just a girl who loves good food. We all loved it!

Luckee Chinese Restaurant & Bar is located at 328 Wellington Street West, within the Soho Hotel in Toronto. You can use their own door (passing by a whimsical mural) but I recommend you enter through the Soho Hotel, stop on the threshold and look up to admire Chihuly's fantastic glasswork with the CN Tower in the background.

On your left, take in the dramatic decor of Luckee's beautiful lounge, mixing up the modern and traditional with luscious red velvet furniture, modern lamps and huge photo of a bather. The restaurant section is beyond the bar. It includes a counter overlooking the busy kitchen. (I was told that we can also eat in the lounge when the section is open.)

You can dine there Tuesday to Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. and have a dim sum brunch Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The bar section is open daily from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Note that the regular menu also offers dim sum, just not as many as you'll find on the dim sum brunch menu. You can reserve online.

I'm sure everything is equally good on the menu but our favourite amongst the selection we tasted during our visit: the crunchy texture of the rice rolls, the beautiful square shape of the crab and tofu dim sum and the cloud-like fell of the coconut tart. We didn't take alcohol and it cost us $33 per person, tax and tip included. We'll be back!

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A Paperbag Princess...

At Christmas time, it's always a pleasure to walk by Lea-Ann Belter's bridal boutique at the corner of Dundas and Broadview in Toronto. For years, the designer has dressed up her Christmas windows with glamorous paper dress creations.

That's the spirit!

Christmas stocking fillers at Labour of Love

Cabbagetown is always a favourite destination of mine to find fun little gifts... or to point my husband in the right direction for my Christmas gift.

See the very cool things I saw at Labour of Love this week! I focused on the small gifts but you can get serious jewelry in this store located at 242 Carlton in Cabbagetown. 

Cool books
They're big on clever little books but this $15 one really caught my attention because it will make it easy for you to offer a very personal gift: What I love about Mom, by me. On the back cover, you can read: Think of Mom, Fill in blanks, Give book to Mom, Offer tissues... They also carry What I love about you, by me. 

And what about this one: Letters to my future self (Write now, Read later, Treasure forever), $20. The book includes a series of envelops. 

Maybe now is a good time to mention that Labour of Love is always carrying my two walking guides Toronto Urban Strolls 1 and Toronto Urban Strolls 2. (If you don't see them, ask the staff and they'll find them for you.) 

Stocking fillers

Ice breakers!

Spin the shot... What a fun take on the "spin the bottle". Doesn't have to be alcohol! It could be a chocolate or colourful candy.

Fun combo suggestion!

They carry a full line of $25 cups featuring the characters of the beloved series by Roger Hargreaves. I suggest buying a few of the little soft-cover books in your local bookstore or on Amazon and roll them into the cup.

As for me...
Things for the moms too! Check my post on how to help your husband get you the gift you want for Christmas. You're welcome.

While you're there

There's a cluster of cool shops around Labour of Love. Across the street is Kendall & Co., a high-end design studio carrying a fantastic selection of collection items for the Christmas tree. 

 

The Me to We store is just west of Kendall & Co. with a great line of win-win gifts with a cause. One block further west is The Scullery at 200 Carlton, the perfect stop for coffee, a scrumptious scone (some of the best in town) or a bite. Finally, at 455 Parliament, you'll find the tasteful gift shop Spruce on Parliament.

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Toronto Christmas Market 2014

Toronto Christmas Market 2014 is on until December 21st, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the weekends and from Tuesday to Friday, 12 noon to 9 p.m. (Update: 2015: Nov. 20 to Dec. 20)

While pretty during the day, the Toronto Christmas Market is truly lovely when all the lights are out, and these days, the sun sets before 5 p.m. (See some night pictures from Christmas Market 2013.)

Note that Santa is there (near the "giant spider") from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekends and from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday (you can take your own photos or use the service of a photographer on site). Check their line-up of activities (elves sing-along, caroling, storytelling, etc.).

Last Sunday, people were holding mistletoe over our heard and offering hugs! It turns out that mistletoe is sold in a few stands and at Bergo Designs for $10. (Check the Christmas stoking fillers I found at Bergo this week.)

Uno Café was replaced this week by a new sushi restaurant called Touhenboku

Patio at El Catrin! Most patios are heated and offer firepits! Even better at night.

Lots' of thursty elves during the Christmas Market.

Old fashion toys seen in the little booth by the theatre

The entrance off Cherry Street has been reopened. The decorations are really cool on that side of the Distillery.

A Kodak moment on one of the small lanes, props supplied.

The Candy Cane Carolers strolling around the Distillery