I remember years ago when I first stepped into a real Chinese bakery. Actually, it was probably the first time in any real authentic Chinese place. I grew up in Scarborough (yes...Scarberia, Scarlem, ...blah) and Chinese food was your standard sweet and sour chicken balls, fried rice, egg rolls and fortune cookies. Thank the Lord that I went to UofT in downtown Toronto. It was an education in people, places, and things!!!
I got to experience many flavours of Asia. Especially food from different parts of China and surrounding countries. It was wonderful, but I never liked was their desserts. Always found it artificial tasting, lacking in basic amounts of butter, milk, sugar, even technique.
I didn't expect much walking to Hui Lau Shan, however, the business has done a wonderful job of modernizing and making the shop comfortable. Numerous seats and bench for you to plop yourself down and enjoy a meal on tables that have been made by one of the staff's significant other.
Fun fact! It turns out that this is a chain from a famous dessert place back in Hong Kong. Here is a wiki on them: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hui_Lau_Shan
The story of how this location was put together and opened was quite charming and cute. One of the owners came to Canada over a decade ago and wanted to have her favourite dessert place. Worked with a couple of people and opened up this franchise. Standing next to her husband, they recount the tale of how the place opened and what they wish to accomplish.
The main attraction at HLS is the MANGO. They take painstaking steps ensure that they get the right variety and do their best to ensure that it is just ripening. Much detail to the freshness is seen in all their ingredients and finished products - they will not sell their mochi mango balls if they have been sitting for two days. Production must be well thought out.
Their are plenty of choices on their menu. So many items in both to go cups and sit down and enjoy goblets. The number of ways they can produce a mango dessert is mind boggling. The way they prepare and plate is well thought out too.
My personal experience and review, is based on the hospitality of the place, and the takeout that I had. I ordered a mango pomelo sago drink, and 6 of their mango mochi.
WOW!...flavour explosion. Move over ice cream and waffle joints, move over french cafes, and Italian bakeries. Asian desserts have landed!
You can really taste the freshness of the mango, the sweetness and just the little tartness that I like. Their sinful mochi is stuffed with a generous chunk of mango and dusted in coconut shavings. You cannot stop at one...or even 2. I had my espresso after the mochi as I didn't want to spoil the taste of each bite.
I think that there is an HLS nearby and hope to have the same experience there, but I will make a note to drop by here if I am running through Hamilton. OR hmmm...any Commuting Yelper can pick me up a dozen please!!!
Cheers!!! read more