Lucullus Bakery

Bakery: Lucullus Bakery
Address: 7750 Kennedy Rd, Markham ON (one other location)
Website: http://www.lucullusbakery.com/
Style: Chinese
Price: $ 

So, the story seems to go that Lucullus is the best Chinese bakery, home to the best egg tarts and almond cookies. In fact, these guys have been on my to-visit list for quite some time, after having seen a newspaper article that went in search of the city's best almond cookie (and likewise stated -- something which I did agree with -- that all other Chinese bakeries were all the same and not so good); Lucullus was the victor. Granted, the emphasis was placed on the bakery's primary Richmond Hill location, and not the Markham one, but there seemed to be this impression that there was something remarkable about this Chinese bakery.

On a weekday morning, the only thing that was really remarkable about the Markham location, at any rate, was the fact that they had nothing and the "most Chinese" items in the store were red bean buns (and the usual meat buns). No cookies, no sesame balls, or moon cakes. Trips to Markham are few and far between, so it was a little disappointing, I must admit. Items are labelled and prices are slightly higher than your run-of-the-mill Chinese bakery, but still well-priced. I paid $4.85 for four items: two buns, two pastries.

Nonetheless, to the goodies~ the first was your traditional HK pineapple bun with red bean filling. Similar to the red bean doughnut (Japanese azuki doughnut or something along those lines; there was something "Japanese" about the name), it was fairly standard fare, although it was better than average without me being able to find any reason why. I guess it is higher quality and there isn't this commercial feel to it, like some bakeries. The red bean doughnut, in particular, was nicely fried with a good texture.

The third item were the "Chinese cookies" (I'm almost certain that was the English name, at any rate) which seemed to be flaky dough, the kind used in making 'double happiness' cakes, stuffed with a sort of tapioca filling. Is this tapioca? O.o Thicker than glutinous rice and more jelly-like, it wasn't bad in the first few bites. Fellow samplers (two brothers) said this was pretty good and the best item here. Good flaky dough, but I found that after you were halfway in, you start to realize that this tastes like nothing. It has no taste and this started to really bug me. I could have done with less filling too, but that's a personal choice.

Overall: I was a little disappointed with the lack of selection and would have liked to try those "famous" local almond cookies (I actually did buy the "original" ones from Macau -- I think it was from Macau -- and, yes, they're far from cheap, but they were really good! Not like the glowing yellow monsters sold here.... ._.;), but as it is, Lucullus didn't exactly blow me away. Above average, but nothing incredible.

Rating: ***