Axia Restro Bar Cafe and Bubble Tease review

photo credits: www.gtarestaurantguide.com

Axia (located at Pacific Mall) has been one of the first Korean/Japanese restaurants I have ever visited (back when I was a kid). It was one of the first Korean/Japanese restaurants which opened in the Markham area.

I remember the craze everyone had when it first opened. This was the first place where I had my first bubble tea... visiting this place was cool when I was kid. (well... visiting Pacific Mall "P Mall" was fascinating to begin with :P).

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to return to this place... and seriously, it was no disappointment... I was really impressed with their bubble tea. I'm not sure if Bubble Tease took over or if it was always Bubble Tease.

I really appreciated how they had a Japanese open style kitchen so that I can see how my food was being prepared.

what I ordered and how it looks

Tempura Cheese cake - $4.99

Description:

• Tempura-ed a plain Cheese Cake
• sided with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream with Chocolate Syrup and Strawberry Syrup

Impressions:

• hard
• tasty
• ice cream made the 

Matcha Aloe

Matcha Aloe -  $3.60 (teaser size)

Description

• Matcha milk + iced tea w/ aloe vera

Impressions:

• very good Matcha combo
• lots of Aloe Vera bits

I really like Matcha... but sometimes, I feel that bubble tea shops either overdo or under-do the flavour... so I was a bit skeptical when I ordered this drink. To my surprised... It was really good! The Matcha was very smooth and texture was perfect! Absolutely love this drink!

Tropical Dream

Tropical Dream - $5.10 (teaser size)

Description:

• Coconut ceylon slush w/ starmango jelly

Impressions:

• has a very strong coconut slush
• not a very strong Ceylon taste
• slightly too sweet
• lots of starmango jelly

I got this second bubble tea because the server told me that if I ordered a second one the one with lower price will be 50% off... since the first one tasted so good, I decided to get a second one.

Since the Matcha was so good, I had high hopes for this drink. The find the coconut taste to be very strong, in fact, too strong that I could not taste the Ceylon tea at all!... There was a lot of star mango jelly to enhance the taste... but... I found this drink to be a bit too sweet... 

Environment:

The servers were also very attentive and nice, they were also very helpful. I really liked the environment, the way the tables were set up, I felt like I had enough privacy.

Score: 9.5/10

Website: no website

Moxie' s @ Fairview Mall Restaurant review

It has been quite a while since I have dined at Moxie's at Fairview Mall... when  I learned they have a new Executive chef (Chef Brandon Thordarson)... I was eager to give this place a visit.

Wild Mushroom & Truffle with Crispy Sage Pizza

Wild Mushroom & Truffle with Crispy Sage $15 1/2

Description:

herbed cream cheese & Grana Padano 

optional: add grilled chicken for an additional cost. <-- we did not add grilled chicken

impressions:

• very tasty
• lots of herbs
• filling

I was really impressed with this Mushroom Pizza... it was delicious! The Mushrooms and the Truffle were empowering and made the pizza very tasty (I didn't even miss the meat in this dish). The Sage really added an extra touch to the pizza making it absolutely addicting.

Asian Chopped Salad + Grilled Chicken Breast

Asian Chopped Salad $15

Description:

• grilled chicken breast & crunchy vegetables tossed in sesame dressing, 
• topped with taro root crisps + toasted sesame seeds

impressions:

• loved the crispy taro pieces
• tasted very nice
• did not notice the sesame seeds

I am usually not a big fan of salads, but this salad made me get seconds... first, I found the crispy taro bits very tasty, they enhanced the salad by making it more fun to eat. The grilled chicken breast was very tasty. The random vegetable pieces were all thinly and nicely sliced into consistent shapes and sizes making it look very delicate. I was a little disappointed I couldn't taste the sesame seeds though.

Brushetta

Bruschetta $8 1/2

Description:
Fresh tomato & bocconcini atop crostini

Impressions:

• could be more flavourful
• needed more herbs 

I wasn't a big fan of this dish... in fact, I found it quite bland... there was simply not enough flavour as I had hoped. I have tried this Bruschetta a few years ago (where they used goat cheese), and it had more flavours added to that dish... I enjoyed the crispiness of the leaves... but felt that the bruschetta tasted too bland. It would help if they could add more herbs to enhance the tomato and bocconcini flavour.

Herb Chicken Alfredo

Herb Chicken Alfredo - $17

Description:

• Penne with herbs
• Sautéed onions on asiago cream
• Grana padano

Impressions:

• lots of sauce
• loved the garlic toast
• very filling
• needs more salt

I really appreciate Alfredo... it is one of my favourite Italian pasta sauces.... and I was glad that Moxie's was able to make this dish quite well... my only concern was that it was slightly lacking salt.

Verdict:
I will definitely be coming back for more dinner trips... in hopes of trying different dishes that Chef Brandon Thordarson has to offer.

score: 8.5/10
website: http://www.moxies.ca

Ginkgo Nut Yam Gruel Premium Review

Ginkgo Nut Yam Gruel

One of my favourite things is to look for new food items especially healthy food items. I came across this product while shopping at a local Korean grocery store.

contents in Korean

Impressions

• Very creamy
• Tastes strongly of yam with a hint of ginkgo nut
• a little difficult to fully mix the content
• there aren't a lot of ingredients

in English

I really like how filling this is... and since it is so natural, I feel so healthy after eating this. And because it is so filling, I do not need to eat other things... (good for losing weight!!)

nutrition information

I did some research regarding Ginkgo Nuts and Yams...

photo credits: crackinginkgonuts.wordpress.com

Ginkgo Nut Benefits:

• lower cholesterol levels
• prevent cardiovascular disease
• Protection Against Cancer (because of their high antioxidant content; Ginkgo nuts retain 60% of antioxidant content after cooking)
• Preservation of Brain Function (such as prevention of Alzheimer's disease)
• Ginkgo nuts improve blood flow to the brain (improving cognition and memory)

BUT, please keep in mind that there are also negative effects:

• excessive consumption can lead to food poisoning

photo credits: tag.120ask.com

Yam

Yam also known as: 

• 淮山
• Dioscorea opposita 
• nagaimo
• Chinese yam 
• Korean yam
• yamatoimo
• 大和芋 (やまといも)

Yam benefits

• a herbal treatment which targets both stomach and spleen; 
• helps both lung and kidney

Yams contain Allantoin which can acclerate the growth of healthy tissue and reduce healing time.

Yams are known to treat:

• poor appetite 
• chronic diarrhea 
• asthma
• diabetes 
• dry coughs 
• frequent urination

BUT, please keep in mind that there are also negative effects:

if consumed in large amounts, White yams can cause:

• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• an allergic reaction (such as rashes or asthma)

packet

We do not have to worry about the "negative" effects of overdozing since we aren't taking a lot (when we are consuming this product).

There is a lot in one packet, it might seem very little, but once you mix it, you can fill a 1 1/2 glass (12 oz).

powder form/before mixing

Ingredients:

• Ginkgonut5% 
• yam10%
• alpha rice powder50%
• lactobacillus5%
• corn starch
• glucose
• salt
• vegetable creamer

How to prepare

1. Pour cold or warm water into a cup or bowl (200 ~ 250 )
2. take appropriate amount of Yam gruel (4 ~ 5 spoons) stir well
3. You may add honey, sugar, or salt. *
4. You could pour milk or soy milk. *
5. You could eat Yam gruel products as snacks.

*I used water and it was tasty enough...

It was hard mixing this... I always found new "clumps" of powder... it was a very tedious task.

see the roughness of this gruel

This is a perfect filler/snack between meals (or it can replace your meal altogether).

glass full of goodness

As mentioned... I did find it a bit difficult to mix with water, you need to have a lot of patience..... see... there are still big chunks to powder....

I found this Gruel to be very tasty and healthy... I would buy this again.

score: 8/10
website: no website

Xiao Long Bao (小籠包) Shanghai Dim Sum Restaurant review

love the open kitchen

One day as I was passing by Brimley and Sheppard area, a restaurant called Xiao Lung Bao caught my attention... out of curiosity I peeped inside, and saw it was full (it was 9:00pm on a Thursday night). This has lead to my first visit to this place.

impressions:

• very clean
• casual environment
• service was quite good (waitresses were quite attentive)
• food was prepared really well

Shanghai Rice Cakes 上海年糕 ($8.99)

This dish was very delicious. It was savoury. They had used Gai Lan "branch" bits to fill the dish along with a marinated savoury chopped choi.

There was enough meat to make filling and noticeable.

The Rice cakes were cooked to a perfect chewiness.

I highly recommend this to those who are big fans of Shanghai Rice cakes.

drunken chicken 醉雞 ($12.99)

This was perhaps their most expensive pricey dish on their menu ($12.99).

I found this dish to be very authentic... but it had a bit of an overwhelmingly taste of alcohol.

Other than that, I found the chicken to be quite fresh... the chef has taken out all the bones of the chicken and rewrapped the chicken soaking it into some Chinese wine.

I would recommend this dish to those who like Drunken Chicken and can stand a heavy alcohol taste.

Crab Meat Xiao Lun Bao! 蟹粉小籠包 ($7.99)

I would say that these are the best Crab Meat Xiao Lun Bao's I have ever had in Toronto... they were cooked to a perfect and wrapped to a perfectly thin Xiao Lun Bao . The soup was cooked to a perfect consistency and cooked to perfection... there was a strong presence of crab flavouring was absolutely delicious!

look at all the crab meat!! 小籠包

The crab meat was wrapped in the middle of the pork meat. Absolutely delicious!

I recommend this to everyone who likes food (:P)... and not allergic to crabs

score: 9/10

website: no website

phone number: (416) 291-0123

• 
  Phone numbe(416) 291-0123

• 
  Phone numb(416) 291-0123

T&T green onion pancake review

 green onion pancake

While going to T & T I came across these Green Onion Pancakes... they were approximately $2-3 a pack (which contains 5 pancakes). Since I have been craving Green Onion Pancakes for a while and these were so affordable I decided to get myself a pack.

back of packaging

I was surprised to learn that these were from Taiwan...

Directions:

1. no need to add oil, just heat up a pan
2. place frozen pancake into pan and wait till it turns golden brown on both sides

frozen green onion pancake

impressions:

• very easy to make
• tastes strongly of Green onions
• Green Onions were very fresh
• batter (or Pancake) was not tasty, lacked flavour
• pancake was very dry

finished product

Verdict:

I was very happy with how easy it was to make this pancake, I liked the freshness and strong flavour from the green onions but was very disappointed in the taste of the actual pancake and how dry it was... the pancake was very hard and it made my mouth very tired from chewing.

score: 6.5/10

website: no website

Yum Yum cheese sticks review

Yum Yum cheese sticks 

To all my Canadian friends, I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving long weekend filled with Turkey, stuffing, blessings and love!

My weekend has been quite busy... so this review might seem a bit short... don't worry, I covered all thoughts (just didn't get to elaborate as I usually do).

Product of Canada

company since: 1959

close up of the cheese sticks

I was actually embarrassed to learn that this company has been around since 1959 and yet I have never heard of them at all! 

These were quite savoury, but I had hoped there to be more of a cheesy taste to it... they were really filling... (I was very hungry, when I ate approximately 18, I was full).

I am surprised with these stats and for 50 sticks!

impressions:

• filling
• not addictive
• needs more cheesy flavouring
• not as "unhealthy" as I thought
• not very greasy (gives you less greasy fingers compared to other brands)

ingredients

score: 6/10

website: http://www.yum-yum.com/Product/Snacks/913

My Beauty Diary Red Vine Mask review

box of My Beauty Diary Red Vine Mask

It seems that Red Wine has become more and more common as a facial mask, because of its amazing antioxidant properties.

Being a pioneer of Paper masks, My Beauty Diary is no different in providing a line of Red Wine masks...

back of package

Ingredients:

WATER, GLYCERIN, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, CITRUS GRANDIS (GRAPEFRUIT) FRUIT EXTRACT, GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA (LICORICE) ROOT EXTRACT, TRIETHANOLAMINE, ARNICA MONTANA FLOWER EXTRACT, YEAST EXTRACT, STYRENE / ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, DIMETHYLSILANOL HYALURONATE, POLYSORBATE 20, METHYLPARABEN, HYDROLYZED LACTOBUMIN, CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) FLOWER EXTRACT, NASTURTIUM OFFICIONALE FLOWER/LEAF EXTRACT, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM HYALURONATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, SQUALANE, DIMETHICONE, CARBOMER, XANTHAN GUM, SODIUM HYDROXIDE

one Red wine mask

Claims:

Antioxidant: contains polyphenols in Flavonoid serves as an effective antioxidant to fight against free radicals and suppress the formation of collagen dissolvent, keeping skin elastic.
Convergent skin and boost circulation: Anthocyans and tannins boost circulation and convergent skin, leaving skin white and tight with natural blush.
Amazing Nano spheres Technology: Structured with plenty of tiny holes, it enhances absorption of nourishment, leaving skin moisturized.

It is ideal for all skin types, especially loose and dull skin.

contents/info/instructions

impressions:

• smells like grape juice
• makes skin feel very soft
• leaves skin feeling cold (not sure why)
• lots of essence (dripping)
• use with caution (makes your skin very vulnerable)

how mask looks out of the package

Directions:

1. Put the mask on cleansed and toned face. 
2. Leave it for 20-30 minutes and peel off. 
3. If some serum is left, gently massage for better absorption. 
4. No rinsing is necessary. Followed by usual skin care products.

I find that using moisturizer makes my skin absorb the mask better (maybe because it is more acidic)

Pros:

• really nice smell (smell of slightly fermented grape juice (not yet a wine but not juice anymore))
• moisturizes skin (making skin really soft)
• lots of essence!

Cons:

• makes skin very vulnerable after
• size of mask is awkward... (couldn't fit my features properly)

how mask fitted on my face

I was not very impressed with the placement of the "holes" on the mask... I found them quite "incompatible" with my features... most My Beauty Diary paper masks fitted well... but I'm not sure why these did not... (I assumed they were all the same...)

score: 6.5/10

website: 

IÖGO probio yogurt review

Probiotic Yogurt

My mom was extremely sick and ended up having to take antibiotics... unfortunately, they resulted in giving her an upset stomach with severe diarrhoea. Luckily... the pharmacist had an amazing cure... "buy some probiotic yogurt before you take the medication".

Because I had an extremely bad experience with iÖGO last time... I was very reluctant to get it again... but to our "luck" the only option available to us was iÖGO Probio yogurt... the grocery didn't offer other brands with Probiotic yogurt!

close up of the yogurt

However, to our surprise... the yogurt was surprisingly good... much better than their Greek Yogurt...

Impressions:

• On the sour side
• textured (not creamy)
• Helped sooth the stomach
• Will purchase it if I need to take antibiotics (since it works)

This brand still needs to improve on its taste!

Score: 6/10

Website: http://www.iogo.ca/en/products/iogo-probio/

Etude House Eye Mascara Remover review

Etude House Mascara Remover

I went online and found Etude House's Mascara Remover so I decided to give it a try... since the most annoying part of removing make up is waterproof Mascara (cringes).

tagline: one shot clean
amount: 80ml


ingredients:

Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Dipropylene Glycol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Sodium Chloride, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Allantoin, Betaine, Benzophenone-4, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben, Fragrance(Parfum), Red 4 (CI 14700), Blue 1 (CI 42090)

how it looks after I shake it

To use it, you need to shake it, that is to blend the water and oil elements together to make them work together to remove your eye make up/mascara.

before and after on eyes

I tried this Mascara Remover and wow... I was shocked at the results... it seemed that most of the eye make up products from my eyes were gone! :) There was a slight stinging feeling (but nothing compared to the stinging feeling I got from Clinique's Make up remover).

But of course, to really see how effective it was... I had to do a test on my hand just to see how amazing it really is

products used correspond to the products on my hand

These are the products I decided to use for this test, and they correspond to the lines on my hand:

1. Kate eye shadow palette
2. Kate Super Sharp eye liner
3. Maybelline's Falsie waterproof mascara
4. Maybelline's Express Turbo Boost mascara

results

As you can see, the waterproof eye mascara and the normal eye mascara were literally wiped off (I only wiped it off once). The Eye Liner is still slightly showing and the eye shadow literally disappeared... I am extremely impressed.

Impressions:

• really removes make up off completely
• slight stinging sensation to sensitive eye area skin
• very mild "creamy" smell
• easy to clean eye after this is applied

I was really impressed with the results shown on my eye and my hand... this remover did a perfect job removing most of the products out and stinging was very minimal... the price is extremely reasonable... and if I do need to purchase it again, I will!

Score: 8.5/10
website: http://www.etudehouse.com/index.php/mascara-remover.html