Jenny's Lust

Okay, it's Lolita's Lust and we all shared a bunch of things for dinner, but the standout dish was the Crespelle Lemon Scented Crepes Filled With Feta & Spinach Topped With Basil Rose Sauce. So utterly perfect was this dish that I couldn't even snap a photo before it was eaten. It's been a long time since something at a restaurant made me so happy.

I've eaten at Lolita's Lust before and been quite satisfied with my meal. However, I've usually eschewed the vegetarian offerings in favour of their Osso Bucco or the delicious Lamb Shank. After piling all the shared food on my plate and biting into the Crespelle, I was in rapture. The spinach was cooked to perfection and the addition of Feta instead of the usually bland ricotta was a stellar trip for the senses. All of this was blanketed in a silky tomato cream sauce that sent us all straight to heaven. We actually ordered another and I would have licked the plate if I could have.

Service was fabulous and also incredible was the featured entree of Ostrich Tenderloin. Ruby- rare strips of lean ostrich meat accompanied by earthy cocoa sauce. Simply fantastic!

$$$

****

513 Danforth Ave

Toronto

416.465.1751

Iberostar Tucan/Quetzal, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

With the cold weather, snow, ice and slush approaching, you might be looking for a tropical escape. Allow me to let you in on the highest rated and well priced resort in the Mayan Riviera: The Iberostar Tucan/Quetzal located just 80 kms south of Cancun in Mexico's Mayan Riviera.

I know there's been a lot of controversy concerning Mexico as a travel destination. Drug wars and exploding resorts aside, I think it's a fabulous destination. The Tucan/Quetzal is located in the Playacar complex, a safe gated community adjacent to the charming town of Playa del Carmen. Safety is not a problem and it's the perfect place to walk a bustling beach and do some great shopping.

This resort is a lush jungle paradise with waterfalls between the buffet restaurants, strutting peacocks on the way to the pool and howler monkeys in the trees outside your room. It's lovely to see all the nature interacting with resort guests and vice versa, making it a great vacation pick for families and couples alike. The winding trails and dim lighting at night might make this resort a bad choice for those suffering from mobility issues, but the resort did have motorized carts to help out. I found all the walking to be a great way to work off those afternoon guacamole binges!

The ITQ has one of the most gorgeous beaches on the Mayan Riviera. Sparking crystal waters, sand like white sugar, and lots of thatched palapas to lounge under. Until recently, the beaches were being reclaimed and that meant unsightly black bags of sand at many beaches a long the coast. Playa del Carmen has now been finished and I believe the beaches at Tulum and Akumal (20 km south) now have the sandbags. Servers will come and get you drinks on the beach but I found it faster to get my own since the bar was not that far. Yes, boys, there are topless sunbathers.

The rooms are very basic, sporting busy bedspreads and hard mattresses, but sleeping was never a problem. The showers are fabulous with perfect water pressure, lots of clean fluffy towels and a terry robe to wrap yourself in after your scrub. Mini bar is stocked with beer, sparking water and pop and there was a welcome bottle of Silver tequila in the room when we arrived.

A la carte restaurants were decent. Some of them still had self serve areas for the appetizers. the Japanese was the least authentic, but the teppanyaki tables were a blast to sit at. Mexican was delicious, Italian featured great decor and the service was stellar. Food was typical restaurant Italian. The buffets were staggering and always had a fresh selection of food. Breakfast was as international or traditionally Mexican as you like. A few of the highlights included roast suckling pig Tacos on mexican night, Grilled Habernero peppers that blew my mind with heat, lightly seasoned and grilled shrimp on the lunch buffet, fabulous guacamole and pic de gallo with fresh tortilla chips down by the beach, and the paella on the beach was simply fantastic. Being greeted with champagne and orange juice or tequila spiked coffee on your way to the breakfast buffet was also a nice touch. My glass was never empty and service staff were always smiling helpful.

Drinks are as strong as you like them. If you want more booze, ask for it and they will pour. The only down side to this resort is the quality of booze. Although I asked for Jose Cuervo, may of the bars didn't have it and what they did pour gave me a screaming hangover. Drinks are made with pre mixed syrups and not with fresh fruit. I was surprised and a bit disappointed at this, but I understand that it is common at many four and even five star resorts along the Mayan Riviera.

The lobby bar on the Quetzal side was a great place to lounge and have a cocktail after dinner and the Tucan lobby bar was where we met many new friends and congregated for drinks before dinner reservations.

Yes, the pools are cold. I prefer the word refreshing as I question why the pool is so warm if it is. Catch my drift?

Entertainment was actually not bad and the productions were quite elaborate. Staff did a great job overall.

This trip cost us $2200 for 2 people for a week. The Iberostar Tucan/Quetzal is only one of four all inclusives in the Mayan Riviera that has received over 90% in ratings from travelers and also the one with the best price point. If you're looking for fantastic value, a dreamy beach, great food and an overall amazing vacation, check this place out!!!

****

$$$$

Trip Advisor Reviews

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g150812-d214254-Reviews-Iberostar_Tucan_Hotel-Playa_del_Carmen_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

Iberostar Website

www.iberostar.com

Gold Stone = Go There Stoned

I eat at Gold Stone, when I've partied too hard to make it to King Noodle. Gold Stone is open super late and perfect for loading up on your MSG with your GHB or MDMA or whatever else you or your friends have popped that night.

Perhaps I'm not being fair. It is entirely possible that I resent the cheaply upholstered booths and I secretly long for the cramped communal dining tables of King Noodle. Or maybe it's just the grease; I find this place to be super greasy, to the point that no matter what I order, it comes with grease.

Spring Rolls are fat and covered in hot oil. Shrimp and Eggplant stir Fry is gloopy and over starched. Won ton soup is, again... greasy.

For the price, this place also seems to be more expensive than it's late night competition. I've never spent less than $30 here and I'm not sure where it all goes because when I arrive home, I have no foam take out container sleeping beside me. Admittedly, there are worse things to wake up next to. Okay... perhaps I'm never in the most critical or even sober state of mind when I come to Gold Stone. It does serve the purpose of getting some late night Chinese into you. It's kinda the Mc Donalds of Chinatown, complete with French Fries on the menu.

In it's defense, the service is usually efficient and speedy and the place looks pretty clean.

R.I.P Mr. Pong's

$$

**

• (416) 596-9053
• 266 Spadina Avenue Toronto, ON M5T 2E4

Update: Perfect Pout Predicament

After writing a few weeks ago about the discontinuation of my dearly beloved Revlon Colourstay Frankly Scarlet, I leaned that Maybelline is coming out with a 24 hour lipcolour.

I entered a contest to win a free sample and guess what? I WON! But... they sent me the e-mail over the X-mas break and I didn't receive it until today.

Bah Humbug!

Here's what they wrote:

You're the lucky winner of Maybelline's new SuperStay 24 lipcolour.
Thanks for entering the 24H Challenge on Facebook.

To claim your prize, click the lower right button to enter your information. Don't forget your home address so we can send you the SuperStay 24!

Please note that you have two (2) days from the receipt of this email to claim your prize.

We hope you love the SuperStay 24 lipcolour, and we invite you to visit
our Facebook page to tell us what you think about the lipstick!

Thanks for being a fan!

The Maybelline New York team.

I wrote them back to sweet talk them for another chance at a sample. I will wait to hear, hoping for my perfect red pout!!

My bags are in the hands of Dior

Possibly my biggest beauty problem is covering the dark circles that heredity plopped under my eyes. On a good day, without concealer, I look like a raccoon who's been in a bar fight. Hopefully this helps you to understand how important a good concealer is to my makeup regime. With the holidays upon us, bags of all sorts are a pressing issue, indeed.

For years, I've ben using Dior's Long Wearing Moisturizing Concealer and it hasn't let me down yet. Even on those mornings when I've tossed and turned all night, or had a few too many glasses of Chardonnay, this concealer helps to diminish the look of fatigue and covers that excess baggage better than anything I've tried.

What I love the most about this product it's not your typical pasty concealer that dries into the creases under your eyes. Dior's formula is a thick liquid that can be easily applied with a few pats to the under eye area. My trick is to lay it on a bit thick and let it dry while I make a coffee. Once the formula has dried in it's place, it blends without wiping off and stays put for the whole day.

At $32 CAD, t's a little on the pricey side, but a tube of this stuff will last me over a year.

Available in Toronto at Sears, The Bay, or Sephora.

****
$$$$

Added Bliss

A few months ago I reviewed a couple of my favourite products from Bliss. They make beauty products that give super fantastic results and are worth every penny. I won't lie to you: since turning 35, aging is a concern for me, but I still tend to break out and can't use those thick aging creams. I found this trio of Bliss Products at Sephora for $103 CAD and thought it was high time I tried out the wrinkle goo thing.

Oh Baby, Baby... my skin looks positively radiant, soft and smells delicious! I'm not sure what exactly they put in this stuff, it says collagenso I'm crediting that for the youthful glow, but like all Bliss products, you smell squeaky clean after sudsing and slathering. I don't have a lot of pronounced wrinkles, but I definitely notice a firmer more youthful quality to my skin. The eye cream is the only product that has ever done a thing to fade my dark circles even a little. I don't know how, but it's nothing short of a miracle!

In short, I'm completely sold on Bliss products. For the price, they deliver uncompromising quality with a subtle uplifting citrus scent and now, I look younger, too!

Available at Sephora or on line at http://www.blissworld.com/

****
$$$

Dear Revlon Colorstay, You gone and took my colour away!

As a self confessed lipstick junkie, I could not even begin to tell you how many units of lip product that I have in my possession. My favourite colour? Bright, 1940's glam red. Believe me, I've tried 'em all and for years my number one was Revlon Colorstay in Frankly Scarlet. Everyone, and I mean everyone from snooty department store sales ladies to UPS delivery men would comment on my amazing red lips. A great shade of red is hard to find, but us ladies who wear red lipstick know that precise application is also key. You don't want smudging, creasy edges or fading in the middle. It needs to be 100% perfect. And this stuff is--or WAS until they discontinued the colour!
Revlon Colourstay has more lasting power than any other brand out there no matter what you pay. For about $14 CAD it even beats out MAC's Pro Longwear Lipcolour that is almost double the price.

What I love about Revlon's long lasting brand is that it stays put, has great clear colour and I can get through at least 6 hours of my shift at work (including a few snacks and lunch) with my lips still looking picture perfect. Other brands tend to get goopy and leave an unsightly white buildup of moisturizing ingredients at the inside of your lips. The whole point of wearing stay on lip colour is so that I don't have to check the mirror 10 times an hour to make sure I still look good.

I usually wear Frankly Scarlet in winter, as it looks fab on pale skin next to a black turtleneck, In warmer months, I prefer the more luminous, beachy colour of Constantly Coral. Imagine my dismay when fall came and my shade had been discontinued!

Why, Relvon, Why? This was my standby little beauty secret: kiss-proof, food-proof, smudge-proof perfection. The ideal colour, the perfect wear time and my most cherished product. PLEASE BRING BACK MY PERFECT RED LIPS!!!

For the last few months I have been suffering with the MAC brand in Lasting Lust but in comparison, it sucks. I do still wear Constantly Coral, but it's not as remarkable. I so also like Bare Maximum for a more neutral shade, but I think they may have discontinued that colour, too. The next option is Endless Spice, which I find too brown for me.

This product is absolutely the bomb. I still love it the best, but Revlon has to get hip with the shades and give us glam-loving girls our sexy red pouts back!

Muah!

Available at all leading drugstores (just not in the colour I want). $14 CAD

$$
***** (still a five star product despite the colour issue).

By Kilian

If I have two addictions where shopping is concerned, it's lipstick and fragrances. Often times, I'll spend a Saturday afternoon at Holt Renfrew sampling different scents and letting them sit on my skin to see which one really works for me. While out sniffing a few months ago, I came across the by Kilian line, designed by the grandson to the founder of Hennessy Congnac and the house of Louis Vuitton. This perfume line is first and foremost about luxury, but Kilian has a knack for creating fragrances that are born in the memory and live out a long life on the nape of your neck or the inside of the wrist. They are haunting, complex and reminiscent of all things sensual. One spray will begin with top notes and melt over time into a heavenly marriage of each essential oil in the fragrance.

The Kilian line is also environmentally conscious and although the perfumes seems to be expensive, ($250 CAD) you're paying for the bottle, which is exquisite and comes in its own box of velvet and silk, designed to be refilled on site when you're finished with the fragrance. The initial investment is in the hardware and the refills are much less expensive.

The better deal, is to purchase the lovely refillable travel atomizer that comes with four refills (pictured here) It's a bit easier on the pocketbook at $150 CAD. Four refills are $80, which is completely reasonable for a fragrance of this caliber.

My purchase was Don't Be Shy. A haunting gourmand blend inspired by the marshmallow, accented with bergamot, honeysuckle and musk. The most striking quality of this fragrance is the lingering essence of whipped egg white, you're instantly transported to your mother's kitchen, making a lemon meringue pie, beating the egg whites to stiff peaks and watching the sugary whites brown in the oven. This is an example of how Kilian's perfumes manage to capture not just a scent, but a moment.

Aphrodisiac is also a favourite, reminding me of a sticky stream of honey enveloped with spicy ginger and warm tobacco.

Make sure to get samples before you make a purchase and see how each scent sits on your skin and changes throughout the day. The sales people really stand behind these products and are happy to send you home with lots of those tiny spray samples, even a couple for your friends.

Available exclusively at Holt Renfrew or visit: http://www.bykilian.com/

$250 CAD for 50 ml. refillable spray
$150 CAD for 30 ml refillable travel spray

$$$$
****

King's Noodle

If you like BBQ, Noodles and super cheap Chinese eats that satisfy, it's likely that you've already been to King's Noodle House. The Duck Noodle Soup is therapy on a cold winter afternoon in Chinatown. Tuck into one of the communal tables and load your broth up with lots of dry chili oil. This fix is sure to cure whatever ails you. Cantonese Chow Mein simply can't be beat and I love the BBQ Pig's Feet on Noodle after a night out at a concert. The only caveat here, is that you need to leave the bar to get there before 1:30 a.m. "Cold Tea" swillers may have to opt for another venue.

Recent renovations have left this place looking shiny and new. Prices have been raised slightly since then, but I'm not complaining much since it's still one of the best quality/price deals in the city.


296 Spadina Ave.
Toronto, ON
M5T 2E7

****
$

True Bliss

I can be fickle and I enjoy trying new things, but when I come across products like this, I'm ferociously loyal. Bliss makes some pretty fab stuff for the face and body. They can get a little pricey, but the Fabulous Foaming Face Wash and Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask are, in my opinion, absolutely worth the dough.

Bliss' FFFW is truly wonderful for a few reasons:

1) It gently cleanses away makeup, dirt and dead skin cells with these super fine exfoliating crystals, Leaving your skin smooth and supple.
2) Your skin will never be oily or flaky after. If you have combination skin, this is the perfect cleanser.
3)The smell is invigorating. It both wakes you in the morning and soothes you at night.

The Triple Oxygen Mask is an amazing pick me up. After cleansing, rub it all over your face and wait for five minutes until it puffs into an amazing foam (this will tickle a bit), but when it's rinsed off, your face will feel smooth and renewed. It also helps to even skin tone and colour. I use it after a late night or when my skin feels dull and tight. The additional benefit of this product is that it's quick. Unlike other masks that can take 20-30 minutes to dry or take effect, this is like an express facial rejuvenation.

I'll close this review by saying that almost all of Bliss' products are quite remarkable and I know they have a great line of anti-aging products that I'll have to try (at some point). Check them out on-line or purchase at Sephora stores across Toronto.

Fabulous Foaming Face Wash 197 ml $24 CAD
Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Face Mask 100ml $59 CAD

$$$$
*****

http://www.blissworld.com/

Derma Seta Ultimate Body Treatment System

I'll begin with a confession: I ordered this product from an infomercial. On TV, it seemed to be the perfect all-in-one solution to every skin snafu from hair removal, to cellulite and exfoliation. The idea is, that this battery powered unit (that can also be plugged into the wall) rotates in a clockwise motion and depending on the attachment that you use it will make your skin lovely, vibrant, and hair- free.

Not Quite.

It says that you have to use the Derma Seta until at least 12 times until you achieve the desired hair removal results, but they only sent me five of the 20 crystal hair removal pads that were promised to me on the infomercial. The pads remove hair for about 3 minutes and then you have to change it. So with my little TV kit, there was no hope of using the Derma Seta 12 times to see whether it would work well or not.

I decided to give this thing a whirl on my fine arm hair. I thought the results would be more noticeable. After five minutes of rubbing the pad on my left arm, my skin was definitely exfoliated, but the hair remained.

Not Impressed.

I attached the skin buffer in the hopes of buffing my exfoiliated arm into a silky smooth appendage. Nothing happened.

I can't say much for the cellulite massage heads. It feels sort of disturbing and the sound of the Derma Seta is so loud that I'm sure my neighbours think I'm using a different appliance!

Hoping to put my embarrassment aside, I whipped out the little stick that you're supposed to use on your lady moustache. I rubbed, as instructed in a circular motion and inspected. Nothing. Thankfully, my stashe is not that plentiful to begin with, but really... this was useless. Except for the sexy rash that arose on said area a few minutes later. Now I had a scaly, irritated red lady moustache.

At this point, I was not about to try the Derma Set on my bikini line.

The one thing I do love about the Derma Set is the facial brush attachment. My skin doesn't exfoliate very well and this soft brush worked magic with my cleanser to make my skin soft and glow-y. But, it hardly seems worth the price of $29.99 + $29.99 shipping and handling, plus tax, etc... it came to almost $100.00! I did get a free one for my sister-in-law, and I'm curious to see her take on it. The other minus, is that if you don't like it, you have to send it back and pay the S&H yourself for the 30 day money back guarantee. So if you don't like the Derma Seta, you're out $60 bucks for S&H.


The moral of the story? Infomercials are evil. I would not recommend the Derma Seta to anyone.

$$$
*

La Tienda Bueno Latina

If Kensington Market is already a feast for the senses, Perola Supermarket is an integral part of the ethnic and eclectic vibe. You're greeted outside by a spicy beat and the music lulls you toward the lovely, fresh latin produce; from shiny green tomatillos cradled in their tawny husks, golden whole kernel maize, earth coloured tamarind beans in the pod, and almost every variety of chile pepper one could think of. When I make my Cream of Poblano Chile soup, I come here for the chiles. I even found dried Naga Jolokia Peppers, known as the hottest on earth. A cooler at the back of the patio houses many different types of corn and flour tortillas, as well as burrito wraps of every size.

Inside, are lovely avocados, sugar cane and loads of latino canned goods, drink mixes, dried spices, queso fresco, as well as corn husks and banana leaves if you're planning on making tamales.

In addition to being one of the best places in Toronto to find your latino goods, on the weekends, Perola also serves tacos, chiles rellenos, pupusas and other amazing delicacies from the back of the store. Simply pick what you want, pay at the front cash and take your receipt to the back. Great for eating in the park while people watching.

Even if inspiration is the only thing on your latin grocery list, you're guaranteed to find it at Perola.

$
*****

Kensington Market
247 Augusta Ave
Toronto, ON, M5T2L8
(416) 593-9728

Moroccan Oil Hair Products

I buy Moroccan Oil products for the smell. Is that shallow? It's intoxicatingly fresh, tropical and perfumes your hair all day. It's also very unisex-fresh... not girlie or fruity if you're the sort of dude who's concerned with that. I actually wish they made a men's fragrance that smelled like this. Moroccan Oil is more widely known for their hair treatments, which I have not tried as I can't use a lot of thick intense conditioners on my fine hair.

Moroccan Oil does moisturize well and leave my hair tangle free, shiny and full of bounce but the price is hefty, Priced at a little over $20 CAD for 250 ml. So with a tag like that, I'm opting for a less expensive brand next time since I'm having difficulty determining what this shampoo and conditioner does that others do not. I think, to get that fresh smell in my hair I might continue to purchase the hairspray, which is light, holds well and doesn't leave a stiff or sticky residue.

$$$$
***
Available at Trade Secrets and leading Salons across Canada.

http://www.moroccanoil.com/

Balea 3 in 1 Cleansing Cloths

I will admit that this picture may be less than flattering to this fabulous product, but I use so many of these, it's rare to find a package in a pristine state. They're only available at Shoppers Drug Mart and they kick ass.

These things remove every trace of waterproof mascara, foundation and stay-on lipstick without oiling, over drying or irritating your face. I have sensitive skin, and they do make a specific formula for that, but I've never had a problem with the regular kind.

They're handy and easy to take traveling. In fact, two of these 60 cloth packages (which are sold as one unit) got my friend and I halfway though Europe. They were particularly useful when crawling back into shared hostel rooms when we didn't want to dig though our bags for toiletries or wake others late at night while doing our cleansing regime. Or if you're kinda too tipsy to do your full before-bed cleanse, these are heaven-sent.

You can usually find Balea facial cloths on sale for around $9.00 at Shoppers. $11.00 regular price. Since you get 120 in total it makes these wipes about 100% cheaper than other pre moistened facial cloths.

$
*****

Did I mention that they kick ass?

La Tortilleria

Nowhere else in the city can you buy freshly made corn tortillas, steaming hot and wrapped in paper. Sold by the kilo or 1/2 kilo, they are outstanding, super authentic, and a whole lot easier than making them at home.
La Tortilleria also a great little market to pick up other mexican goodies like house made tomatillo or chipotle salsa, chiccharones (fried pork rinds) or an array of Mexican favourites such as Tamarindo drink or assorted sweets.
The tacos they make here are not my favourite, but they are good if you feel like a snack while shopping. The location on Dufferin has more of a grocery selection as well as various dried chiles to make salsa at home.
If you're planning an mexican dinner at home any time in the near future, you need to pick up some of their tortilla chips, available in a re-sealable bag, they are light on the salt and big on flavour. Excellent with Guacamole!

Locations say that they're open until 9 pm, but I have been to the Kensington store around 6 pm and they were about to close. It was in the off season (March) so that may account for it.

$$
****

Locations:

Kensington Market
68 Wales Avenue

St. Clair Ave. West
1040 St. Clair Ave. West
St. Clair West and Dufferin

Bloor and Dufferin
1009 Dufferin St.

Jane
1682A Jane Street

http://www.latortilleria.ca/

Duff's Wings

I had expected Duff's to be more like a roadhouse bar than a family restaurant. Kids and parents aside, this place is pretty darn good and if you like your wings hot, the Armageddon are pretty awesome! It's rare that i can get chicken wings anywhere that are hot enough to impress, but these are beauties. My eyes were watering and I had a killer endorphin high for about 2 hours. Nicely done.

I'd also like to say how pleased I was that Duff's (unlike many other joints these days) does not bread their wings. Why does a chicken wing need to be breaded? The answer: It doesn't. Appetizers, however are all crumb-coated. I can forgive this since none of these items are blessed with their own crispy skin and hot sauce. Duff's also makes great salads for sharing if your mouth needs a bit of a cool off between bites.

Wings are plump and juicy with lots of meat. Best in the city. Real Buffalo Style that'll blow your mind!

$$
****

Baked Today? Not Me!

Cake's Hair and Body Refreshing Powder
WOW! I've been a fan of Cake's Hair and Body Refreshing Powder for years and it's still my favourite little secret. Especially since the matte hair look is really in this season. I've had people tell me that my hair looks better on Day 2 after a wash than on day 1! In addition to smelling absolutely scrumptious, it's a huge time saver and must have beauty tool for the girl on the go. For Instance:

Late night party/work/cram session and you sleep through your alarm. Uh oh...your hair is oily and looks like Charlize Theron's in the film Monster. Never fear... Shake a little Cake into your palm and rub through your locks, brush through, give your roots a little tease and comb over to smooth... VOILA! No more greasy roots AND your hair will smell divine! Smooth some over your body for added softness and TLC.

or:

Sweaty Head after the gym, bike ride or a run but no time to wash, condition, dry and style? Cake is your answer.

You don't need a lot of this stuff and it really does allow you to skip a day (or two) of washing your hair. Let's face it: Washing, combing and blow drying your hair can take upwards of 30 minutes depending on how long your tresses are. This is valuable morning time that can save your booty in a pinch. *NB: Booty Pinch not included.

AND it's Canadian!

www.cakebeauty.com

$18 CAD

also available at Sephora and The Bay

*****
$$$

Julie's Cuban

I really like Julie's Cuban. I just wish the food was as good as the atmosphere and drinks. Looking just like an old Snack bar from the 50's Julie's is hipster-ville personified, but that fiery latin soul gives it credibility over other haunts where horn rimmed glasses wearing chicks chat with beard stroking indie rock poseurs looking to be "scene".

The patio is tight but quaint and makes it ideal for people watching. Tuck in on a warm sumer night, order a mojito, some tapas and fire up some good conversation. The mains are negligible and lack flavour, but the corn fritters are out of this world! Guacamole is decent, but disappointingly served with store bought tortilla chips.
Value here is not the best and the food won't wow you. However, Julie's remains a remarkable little spot for cocktails, patio fun and kitchy Cuban knick knacks.

$$$
***

Kama

The service couldn't be more pleasant at this underground King Street gem. Servers will hop to get you water, wine or a cocktail There is an a la carte menu, but it wasn't offered to us. So on to the buffet we go...

I'm pleased to see that in addition to the common buffet staples of Butter Chicken, Saag Paneer and Aloo Ghobi, there is also a Pan station. Lovely little fried crisps of chick pea flour noodles and crackers with a sweet spicy sauce. This is the first time I've seen this on a buffet. Pakora are dry and lifeless and the samosas are ho-hum, but the Spicy Chili Chicken with whole roasted chilies is full of fire, mellowed by ginger and garlic. Curried Lamb Chops lack succulence, but it's a nice offering. Surprisingly good is a fresh sautee of spicy cabbage. The gentle flavours of cumin and ginger transform this under-loved vegetable into a delightful treat. Incidentally, the Butter Chicken is just 'okay'.

The food here is delicious, but for a Saturday night, and a large turnover of tables, I would have thought things would be fresher. I understand that buffets are a matter of timing. If you show up right before closing--everything will be old and they're not going to put out freshly prepared food at that time, but I'm left wondering what 11 pm tastes like if this is 6 pm.

Overall, the selection here is staggering and let's face it, buffets are all about staggering--out the door, holding your belly and wishing for bed. Variety and Selection are Kama's crowning glory. Value is high on the list, too. Quality takes a back seat, but in the end they do a decent job of feeding the masses and allowing for a sampling of many must-try Indian classics.

Price: $19 per person $70 for two with a glass of wine each
Value: Good
Rating: * * 1/2 Meh, but half a star for the selection.
Perfect for: Large groups, families, parties, Pre-theatre Dinner
Reservations: Yes
Take Out: Yes

214 King St. W.
Toronto, ON
M5H 3S6
(647) 977-6283

Lahore Tikka House

Curiously, still under construction after what seems like a century, this is the outdoor palace of Gerrard India Bazaar. Eating on this tented patio, festooned with coloured lights, is a an absolute must do on a warm Toronto night. Don't expect china or silverware at this place and be prepared to do a little leg work once you've been handed our check-the-box ticket of menu items. Pick what you like and make your way to the cash register terminal, where some busy employee will take your ticket and in return you'll receive a number to place on your table. When your order is up, several waiters will swoop upon your table with multiple dishes served sizzling in hot-cast iron skillets. On weekends, someone will come around with fire roasted chilies straight from the tandoori oven on a three foot skewer. Pluck them off carefully and eat them with caution.

A bustling concrete- floored ambiance, bordering on cafeteria style is the key here. Where else in the city will you eat on a picnic table, with paper plates and plastic cutlery? But what they may lack in table service, they make up for in flavour. Pakistani food is typically richer and more meat heavy than most Indian food and Lahore is known for keeping a thick layer of oil on most of their curry dishes that not only adds flavour, but carries the heat. The faint of heart may have issues.

I feel sorry for the sad little iceberg salad that precedes the symphony of flavour. It really is negligible--the colesalaw of Pakistani cuisine: There, but rarely eaten or enjoyed.

However the meat does not disappoint. The chicken Tikka from the Tadoor is smoky, moist and delicious. Kebabs of Lamb, Beef and Chicken are plump juicy, and more than aptly spiced. Lahore does a great job of food from the tandoor and if you're ever walked by the kitchen, you can see why. Giant flames leap forth and the heat from the oven is enough to scald your cheek at a distance. The Butter Chicken has a good level of spice and is riddled with charred chicken loveliness, tomato, cream and yes, butter. Speaking of butter, the Butter Naan is crisp with a soft, pillowy inside. Perfect for sopping up leftover sauce.

Sadly, the vegetarian dishes are lost beneath the excess oil. Saag Paneer is little more than heavily spiced spinach and a few cubes of the nicely cooked pressed cheese floating in a sea of grease. The channa masala is masked by a stack of oily fried onions. It's too much for vegetarian dishes to battle.

1365 Gerrard Street East ,Toronto,ON M4L 1Z3,Canada Ph: 416-406-1668

Price: $15 per person
Value: Good
Rating: * * * Delicious Pakistani Goodness
Perfect for: Ultra Casual Patio Dinner
Reservations: No
Take Out: Yes

N.B. Lahore Tikka House is not a licensed establishment. Alcohol is not served.

Vanipha Lanna, I Wanna, I Wanna!

Where else in the city can you sup upon an appetizer platter, two mains, dessert AND a bottle of cheap Niagara Gewurtztraminer for 2 for under $100 including tax and tip? I will tell you: nowhere but at Vanipha Lanna.

I'l preface this review by stating the you won't be impressed by the outside. It looks like the remnants of an old strip mall, and the neighbourhood (St. Clair West, just before Dufferin) can get a little dicey. But what's inside is worth the trip.

The decor is authentic, and busy, boasting a water fountain and several thousand plants. Being that so many Thai places are shifting to the North American friendly minimalist decor trend, I sincerely appreciate that VL keeps it real. And the food is seriously good.

The appetizer platter features the standby spring roll, but mixes things up with the likes of Gong Pun Oy, which is best described as a spiced shrimp cake coated in coconut and wrapped around a sugar cane stick.

For a main we try the Duck Stir Fry, which is a mildly spiced blend of shredded duck, baby cobs of corn and traditional standby Thai vegetables. The flavour balance is the perfect harmony of sweet, salty hot and sour.

Pad Thai is better than any I've eaten on the Bloor strip. The noodles are gently fried and devoid of gloopy cornstarch based sauces.

A dessert of Smooth Mango Rice pudding is like a sweet sticky cloud and the perfect end to a delicious meal.

Vanipha Lanna is the Thai that we've forgotten about with many of the baubled, watered down offerings that crop up in more gentrified areas

863 St. Clair Ave. W. (at Winona Dr.)
416-654-8068
Closed Sunday and Monday
http://www.vanipha.ca/

Value: Excellent
Price: $80 for Three courses (including 2 mains), dessert and a bottle of wine.
Jenny Likes It: ***Seconds, Please

Toronto's Best Taco

Hands down, after months of testing, I am pleased to announce that Tacos El Asador serves up the very best in Taco greatness! Although it's not really Mexican (the owners are from El Salvador), this place offers not only the delicious and more traditionally Mexican soft taco, but even more tantalizing are their CHRISPY (yep, you read it right...CHRISPY) tacos: freshly fried tortillas stuffed with your choice of meat filling nestled between lettuce, onion and a smattering of queso fresco. Load that taco up with their amazing taco sauce, fresh jalapenos, onions and cilantro!

Aside from how good the tacos are, the price is right. You can eat yourself silly here for $10 per person.

Also amazing are the pupusas. The cheese is a bit bland, but the other offerings such as the mixed bean n' cheese do a fabulous job of satisfying the lust for more latin goodness. Nachos depart from expectation with avocado and black bean mole.

The atmosphere is ram packed and smaller than some closets-- but convivial, complete with televisions broadcasting the latest in Latino pop videos, scantily clad ladies and infomercials for weight loss drugs.


690 Bloor St W
Toronto, ON M6G 1L2
(416) 538-9747
Take Out: Yes
Delivery: No
Reservations: No
CASH ONLY

Value: Excellent
Price: $10 for four assorted tacos and a pupusa ($15 with a beer).
Jenny Likes It: ****Utter Adoration

El Jacal

El Jacal is a case of no frills authentic mexican food, and lots of it for a deliciously low price. The unassuming location on Bloor West, just east of Dufferin gives way to a feast for the sense of taste. This is where Mexican Torontonians go to get the real deal.

What to order here? Carnitas. A generous helping of moist roasted pork will arrive to your table with onions, fresh cilantro, a smooth avocado salsa and chipotle sauce, all of this ready to be wrapped, by you, in a warm soft corn tortilla. Available by the kilo or half kilo, the value is staggering. And the fun is just beginning...

Despite the kitschy neon Mexican decor, this place serves great mezcal cocktails, whereas many other taco joints in town stick to beer. The Jacarr-ito Loco, was my favourite, boasting a 2 oz. helping of Mezcal grapefruit pop, lime juice and salt, crowned with a powdered chili rim.

Value: Excellent
Price: $40 for two with a cocktail.
Jenny Likes It: ****Utter Adoration

Osteria Ciceri e Tria

Smaller than it's parent restaurant, Terroni at the Court House, and warmer than it's little Terroni sister on Queen west, Osteria Ciceri e Tria has a lot going on behind its modest street-front exterior. The combination of exposed brick, semi communal dining and blackboard specials make for a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The buzz word here is Antipasto, but after eating here, I wish it weren't. The service is fabulous and they are great about explaining that the idea is to try all of the antipasto (there are five in total) and then choose either a primi (first course of pasta), or secondo (second course of meat or fish) for a fixed price. Alternately, if the antipasto are ordered on their own for five dollars each, the portions are larger.

After sampling all five of the tiny antipasto, I was left wishing that I could have chosen three larger portions of the ones I had enjoyed the most. The Salt Cod stew, although delicious, arrived in a ramekin that was too small to spoon out without slopping most of it on the table. The crostino was a fabulous morsel of crisp grilled bread with soft ricotta cheese and a perfect variation of sweetness between pear and a light drizzle of honey. I was sad to see it go.

The house specialty pasta is a handmade orechiette, which is satisfying and does a good job of cradling the cherry tomato and anchovy sauce, albiet a bit sticky on the finish. I would have liked a little more of the garlic chili oil to lubricate the dish. They do a fabulous job of a secondi with seabass, calamari, clams and mussels in a cherry tomato broth. It's light, bright yet satisfying, leaving you with a tangy broth to sop up with some bread. Other Secondi include a Grilled Cornish Hen with sauteed rapini or a AAA Tenderloin with warm rosemary olive oil.

Wines are, of course, Italian and reasonably priced with most of them around $40-$50 mark.

For dessert, the ricotta and chocolate tart is lipsmacking and despite the density of the tart filling, the pastry is still substantial and buttery.

It's been said that French food is about the cook, and Italian food is about the food, itself. I found Osteria Ciceri e Tria to be more about the overall feel of the space, the buzz and the warmth. But it's worth a go.

Value: Average
Price: $100 for two people with a bottle of wine.
Jenny Likes It: *** Seconds, please. (I'd go back and order differently...maybe order the antipasto a la carte and a primi.)

106 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON
(416) 955-0258

Reservations: Yes
Closed Sunday

Aji Sai: All You Can Eat, But Give Up Your Seat!

Aji Sia is possibly the best all you can eat deal in the downtown core next to Sushi Island on College, but you'll be on the clock, so don't get too comfortable eating those delicious maki rolls.

The location on Queen, just west of Spadina is prime, especially with the underwhelming Japanese offerings that lie further east on the strip, and the lack of any real sushi for blocks west. Decor inside is comfortable and modern with most of the tables placed far enough apart to allow for a decent amount of comfort and elbow room.

Although Aji Sai's sushi and sashimi offerings are scant, they do a fabulous job with the maki. Make sure to order the Firehouse Roll, a delicious surprise of tuna, tempura bits and banana, draped in a spicy mayonnaise. The Rock and Roll is a delicious treat with cucumber, salmon roe and avocado lightly coated in tempura and deep fried. The oyster roll is a delightful contrast of hot, sauteed oyster nestled between warm rice and tightly wrapped nori. From the kitchen, Negienoki Yaki, enoki mushrooms wrapped in tender beef are delicious, despite needing soya to round out the flavour.

My only caveat: because of the high turn-over and massive lineups that form during peak hours, the servers will allow only a 70 minute window of ordering. And they will come to your table repeatedly to remind you of this. If you're planning on lingering, chatting or doing much more than stuffing yourself to the gills at a rapid pace, you might want to opt for an a restaurant that permits you to digest your food. This is especially off-putting, after enjoying everything else so much.

Value: Good
Price: $21 per person for All You Can Eat. $65 for two people and a bottle of sake.
Jenny Likes It: *** Seconds, please.

467 Queen St W
Toronto, ON
(416) 603-3366

Indian Rice Factory: Scrape Up Your Change for Channa

Although I adore the food at the Indian Rice Factory, I find that some of the dishes are outrageously overpriced. I am not cheap. I eat out a lot and I know that more often than not, you get what you pay for. However, I have a problem paying over $12 for Channa Masala that essentially is made of chickpeas, tomato, spices and onion. The cost to make this dish is almost nothing and it is fabulous, but not fabulous enough to deter me from visiting Lahore Tikka House or anywhere else on Gerrard St. for a dish of really good Channa that will only cost me $6.50 or so.

It’s true, the Vegatable Pakora at Indian Rice Factory are light enough to levitate and hover over your table like crispy fragrant clouds. They are arguably the best I’ve ever had (and don’t tell My friend Anita’s mother Saroj that I said that because I have repeatedly told her that hers are pure divinity!).

I enjoyed the Butter Chicken, but found that it was much sweeter than I like it to be. I appreciate a spicy, smoky Murgh Makani, but the cook uses molasses or something that is bittersweet. I was left craving more heat.

The Shrimp Curry is also wonderful. Plump tiger prawns tread in a mouthwatering sauce that is smooth and fiery. But again, if I recall correctly the price was close to $15 or $16 for the dish and the portions aren’t heaping, either.

The ambiance is a refreshing departure from the traditional Indian. Minimalistic blue lanterns dangle gracefully from the ceiling and one feels that it may be more of a trendy new bistro rather than a traditional Indian restaurant. The tables are a bit too cozy to the diners next to you.

In my opinion, you can get a better deal elsewhere, but you won’t find a better pakora anywhere!

El Plebeyo

You’d never suspect that such a place would exist, but next to the Money Mart and the papered up windows of what used to be a 7-11 at Bathurst & St. Clair, is the most wonderful little Peruvian restaurant that ever there was.

Pepe, the owner will greet you and show you to a quaint table in a small room decorated with paintings of all things Peruvian: mountains, llamas, Peruvian people making treks up mountains on llamas…The colours in the room are traditionally bright with lots of turquioise, red and emerald green. The music that plays is an eclectic mix of Peruvian and 97.3 easy rock-type tunes.

Start with a Pisco Sour, the national cocktail of Peru. It is made with fresh lime juice, egg, Pisco,(which is a form of Peruvian grappa that tastes more like tequila), and topped with a sprinkle of nutmeg.

The menu is a staggering five pages long with everything under the sun. Whatever the level of carnivorism or veganism is amongst your guest, everyone will find several items that will satisfy.

Before your food is ready, a basket of warm bread will arrive at your table with a little cup of one of the hottest and flavourful sauces that you have ever tried. My bet is that it is made from Aji peppers, which are found all over Peru. I think I may have the recipe pieced together from tasting it, but Pepe would kill me if I divulged the secret!

My personal favourite is the Sea Bass Ceviche. Tender morsels of sea bass marinated in lime juice with red onions and cilantro. The best ceviche I have ever had.

The french fry is dead to me. Instead, have the Fried Casava. Lighter than a potato and crispier on the outside with a soft fluffy middle and served with a mayonnaise-based sauce for dipping ( I like to use the remnants of the hot sauce that came with the bread!)

The calamari stuffed with rice is out of this world!

I haven’t had a thing on the menu that isn’t fantastic!

The service is slow, but caring. Don’t rush them…. enjoy the company of your guests and be careful how many pisco sours you have…ok, DON’T be careful…get really drunk and dance with Pepe at the end of the night…uhhh, I’ve never done that before, I just heard that someone did it…

Make the venture and tell Pepe that Jen from up the street sent you!

Swan, for Oysters and Seafood

I was implored to come to this little gem on Polk St. I was also warned that I'd have to get there early, that it would be crowded and that it was the only place to go in San Francisco for the real deal in seafood.
I arrive just before five pm (they close at 5:30) to find that my advisors were right on all counts: there is indeed, a lineup. I wait impatiently as inside, chalices of shrimp cocktail and crab float by, placed beside fresh oysters that look like gleaming pools of heaven. The servers/bartenders/oyster shuckers hurry between glasses of wine, bowls of steaming chowder and takeout orders from customers who linger behind the barstools eagerly awaiting their fresh fish or seafood. The old '50's style diner decor is punched up with nothing more than vases of fresh irises on the bar. Everything else remains true and untouched. This is perfection, not pretension. That's what I came here for.

The crowd is rowdy and I suspect that more than a few of them ave been drinking since well before noon. I find out that the woman two seats away is celebrating her birthday. She claims to be younger than forty (she's full of shit. I guess her at at least fifty) and she and her friend slur sexual innuendoes at the fresh- faced and innocent twenty three year old behind the counter. He promises to meet them for a drink after he goes to some thing for his aunt tonight (right, pal.)

Jealous of the attention this young buck is receiving, one of the older men behind the counter chimes in with a timely witticism. "Hey, in your thirites, you're a puma, in your forties, you're a cougar and in your fifties your a jaguar!"

I've heard this before, but it makes me smile to hear it recounted by this guy, his hands dripping with oyster liquor.

The two drunk cougars concur hour grateful they are to still be pumas and clink their glasses of Cabernet in celebratory inebriation.

My oysters arrive, and as promised, are fabulous. I'm also pleased to find that the horseradish is hot enough to bring tears to my eyes. One of the drunk cougars tries some, too and a chorus of painful wails ensues. I laugh silently as my clam chowder arrives. It is hot, salty and brimming with the flavour of fresh clam, laced with tender chunks of potato. So delicious. So classic.

I order a prawn cocktail as I finish my glass of chardonnay and the latest apron clad shucker asks me if I would like another. I'm driving, so I decline. He frowns, but then brightens, pulling an almost empty bottle of Sauvignon Blanc from the ice- filled bus pan on the counter. "You can have the rest of this for free! " he beams.

"Okay."

My prawns are pink, plump and delicious. I dress them with cocktail sauce and some more of that kick ass horseradish. Drunky pants cougar bleats about wanting to take a bottle of the stuff home with her. Part of me wants to tell her to shut up, but really, she's sort of adding to the atmosphere.

I drain my glass and feel happy to have made it here in time. The place is closing and the waiters are stacking the stools on the bar and telling a few latecomers who just walked in that they are closed, but they can get them some take out. If you really want a true San Francisco seafood experience, do yourself a favour and visit Swan. It's uncompromised-old school -San Fran- seafood- bliss.

Value: Average
Price: $100 USD for good feed for 2 with wine.
Jenny Likes It: ****Utter Adoration (especially that cute, young oyster shucker!)