I love T&T Supermarkets, the Chinese/Asian grocer that started appearing in the GTA just a few years ago. Their latest store on Cherry St. is a weekly stop for me. Filled with all sorts of asian specialty goods and fantastic prices I think it has been a huge success here as it has been in their home market in Vancouver.

This success was noticed and today Loblaws announced they are buying T&T for $225 million dollars. This gives me mixed feelings. As an investor of Loblaws, I think this can only be good for the company. Expanding into ethnic markets is a sure avenue for growth and buying a chain is definitely the best strategy rather than building their own brand.

However, one of the joys of T&T was that it wasn’t Loblaws. They were the first in the city to introduce those new rolley baskets, they have great fresh food and a sit-down area to eat the prepared foods. They have products offered from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds – most recently I noticed their Korean food offerings being expanded.

Let’s hope Loblaws doesn’t tinker with the formula – and try to increase profitability by sacrificing the uniqueness of this market. If the aisles prominently display President’s Choice Soy Sauce front-and-center on the shelves, it will be time to shop somewhere else.

Sweet Lulu has several locations in Toronto – last week we went to try the one near the financial district, right near the intersection at Bay and Adelaide. The enterance is on Temperance St. so it’s a bit hidden – not the best location to be discovered by pedestrian traffic.

Sweet Lulu has a bright fresh style, very strong on the “cute” but with a bright airy atmosphere and it’s not too crowded. In a smaller space, this design would feel more claustrophobic, but here it works. The menu is based on choosing your own rice or noodles, your sauce/broth and then garnishes. It’s pretty basic but the meals are put together quickly and efficiently, and the portions are pretty good for a fast lunch. I tried rice with green curry and it quite good, it was spicier than normal thai food which i really liked.

Overall Sweet Lulu is good for a quick lunch or dinner, but probably not a place you should take a date to.

Sweet Lulu
350 Bay St.
416-203-2228