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

*****
$$$