I'm rather reluctant to write about Shanghai Lily, since I found it by mistake, just like you should. Formerly a Chinese greasy spoon, this weirdly-cool spot is nestled amongst Chinese eateries, gift shops and the occasional booze-can that line Spadina. How the downtown crowd found its way here is a puzzler, but they have, and that makes this shrewdly lit place even weirdly-cooler.
When the space that had been a characterless eatery on Spadina near College became available, brother and sister team Jimmy and Doreen Chung snatched it up. Their parents had a restaurant, The House of Noodles. Now they wanted to add music, cocktails and fun.

The long, skinny dining room now features shiny banquettes lining walls paneled with lacquered pressed wood. Overhead, funky lighting with flame-coloured shades are paired with colourful, daisy-shaped "projections" that languorously illuminate the place. The effect is exuberant and festive. Maybe that's why everyone is staring at the walls.

Throughout Shanghai Lily, the Far East collides with Ikea, sheer curtains, the backlit glow of rows of bottles, the pinpoint lighting of the walls' projected images; the customers' eyes are meant to spin like pinwheels while the wait staff fetches the drinks.

This is as uptown as the club scene gets in Chinatown. But the people at Shanghai Lily hardly seem like young execs lounging off steam, ready to network and hang with the beautiful people after a day spent crunching the keypad. Rather, the club seems peopled with college kids and a disproportionate number of foreign-born guests--students and immigrants--who grew up in techno clubs.

"I love this area," Ng enthuses, on yet another night. "However, there are some things that I think need a little massaging. And one of them just happens to be the nightlife. There are plenty of beer bars in this area, so this place provides a different atmosphere to the mature clubgoer. And that's what Jimmy and Doreen are doing. ... People come here and say, 'I don't understand the difference between Chill, techno, break beat, drum and bass ... ' Who cares. Have a drink.”

That drink comes from a back bar that is presided over by statue of Chairman Mao, standing tall to oversee the good, cocktail-induced diversions. There’s lots to watch; there's a different, sexy sway to the bartenders, girls in satin bustiers and local lovelies - perhaps one that will lull you into the small hours.

In its short life span, Shanghai Lily already functions as a cozy meeting place for cocktail and grazing crowds. No matter that there's alcohol served in fun and inventive ways, and the music playing throughout the venue comes from an array of CDs, randomly selecting songs by such artists as Porno for Pyros, Royksopp, Moby and Roger Sanchez. Late at night, should you pick the right night some of the city's hottest club DJs come by for a little bit of fun, setting up their gear to spin an after-hours set.

Upshot: Love your place Jimmy, but that plant at the front is dead. - Don Ellis



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Reader Reviews

WOW WHAT GREAT FOOD
Patrick & Steve, Toronto,
November 19, 2004
Yes we can say for sure the best chinese food in this whole world!!!!!! We loved your take on Tapas - Call Chai-pas...how smart... the food was just too good and the presentation was out of this world... the drinks where like they have been sent from the GODS...just took good!!!! the decor very cool ,love the music,the service,everything you do Jimmy We are your Bigest fans...and to know that your a interior designer aswell .....WOW we what you to do our place and make it just Fab like your restaurant....and with great food too... Love your place Jimmy


No florescent lites!
mark, toronto
Sept. 2, 2004
My partner and i have never had such a pleasent time at a chinese restaruant before. usually you go to chinese restarant just for the food..this time it was so diffrent, not only was the food amazing and had real presentation!!..never had we ever spent 3 hours at a chinese restaurant and enjoyed every minute of it. The music was great! the Waitress Doreen informed me that her brother got the music from the budda bar from Paris. Doreen also made us the most yummy tasting martinis..must try the KING KONG! and sour apple and so mango and coco 88..maybe this will explain a bit of our 3 hour excellent time a shanghai lily! They had these Chai pas (tapas type) that were such a great idea!! We love food and that just meant that we were able to sample so much more!! the soft shell crab and the black bean clams were so tasty. l loved the mango dip with the shrimp snow balls. For those of you that are into hot and sour soup..LOOK NO FURTHER!! for those who love this soup wil l understand, how it has to be done right!!It was so pleasent, for once to have excellent food and have such an nice atmosphere. definitly no plastic table cloths here and no florescent lites. I was also quite shocked to see a clean washroom in chinatown!! My partner and I would highly recommend this place!! My partner is already planning to have his company christmas party there. Thanks Doreen for the rasberry cheesecake shooters!! you will definitely see us again!


What a great &FUN place too be The best chinese food in Town
Saojan Toronto
February 10, 2004
I love this place. I was there witha few of my friends on a week day and it was full of people. and we did not think of making a resavation in Chinatown but we now know this place is cool, hip, chic do I need to say more and I meet the guy who was the creator of Shanghai Lily Jimmy. He was a very nice and warm person.We all loved his place and I would strongly recomend this place to everyone.... Great food, Great Martinis, Great Wine list all by the glass, Great Decor....... Oh and the best service in Chinatown you well every get.......Love your Place Jimmy Keep Up the good work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Yummmmmieeee....
David Lariviere, Montreal
February 2, 2004
great food n great drinks great staff n Jimmy is just great.. very cool music....my friend told me about this place and I am so glad I went.....u must go and try this place....n they have this thing call Chai-Pas which is Jimmy's take on Spanish Tapas...very Tastieeeee.......very Yummmmmieeee.... must have a few.....great main dishes aswell.........go go go check it out ...........love it love it and love it more ..........I am there all the time every month when I am in town ...all my friends go there almost every other day........we all LOVE IT........