Vitamin Daily

It was bound to happen. Now you can add Kosher-Italian to the list of Montreal’s daring new fusion joints.

But don’t expect red-checkered tablecloths at Il Conté in Monkland Village. With its all-white modern décor, this lounge gets our heartiest Mazel Tov! The alluring menu features over a dozen tempting pizzas, but we love the towering meat lasagna ($14.95), cheesy eggplant parmesan ($13) and pizza al tonno served with an egg in the middle ($14.95).

Could Austrian-Asian be just around the corner? Bring it on.

Il Conté Lounge, 5557 Monkland Ave., Montreal, 514-439-4333.

Play therapy may be the buzzword of the day, but here’s a new twist: modeling clay that soothes and calms your kids with its scents.

Available for the first time in Canada, Mama K’s Aromatic Play Clay comes in scents like Lemongrass to inspire, Lavender to sooth, and Pink Geranium to balance.

And the scent will come in handy when you find it under the couch six months from now.

$25.99 for 5 tubs at www.naturalpod.com

It’s only the best for our precious pooch.

The owners of Chien Zen take a refreshingly holistic approach with their pet spa. All treatments (from $50) start with a skin and hair assessment, followed by therapeutic touch therapy focusing on Poochie’s pressure points, and an aromatherapy massage using essential oils. Doggie’s nails are clipped and filed (so no scratched up floors) then treated with paw protection butter homemade from organic beeswax, coco butter and Vitamin E. We love that this animal oasis sells eco-friendly, locally-sourced toys and doesn’t smell one hair like dog.

Bow wow, indeed.

Chien Zen, 3805 Jean-Talon W., Montreal, 514-564-0222, www.chienzen.blogspot.com

Meg and Jack ooze cool, so when they toured our every province and territory, we felt hip by association.

Shot on 16mm in the summer of 2007, White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights follows the non-siblings from coast to coast on a series of planned and impromptu concerts. They jam with elders in Iqaluit, sing with commuters on a Winnipeg city bus and perform at a bowling alley in Saskatoon.

We’re red, white and cool.

Tickets from $8, 9 p.m. on March 11 at Cinéma du Parc, 3575 Parc Avenue, Montreal, 514-281-1900, www.cinemaduparc.com
Limited Edition Box Set ($259.99) available March 16 at www.whitestripes.com

After four days of runway shows, here are our top five picks from Montreal Fashion Week:

Among all the woolens and leathers, Coccolily’s SMM debut was a refreshing romp. Models literally strutted down the walk in sexy stockings and tulle-skirted frocks.

Denis Gagnon’s fantastic fringe and zippered pieces have already sold out at Holt Renfrew so we’ll have to settle for a Bedo T-shirt featuring his bespeckled visage.

Harricana par Mariouche unveiled a peppy skiwear collaboration with Chlorophylle. But our favorite piece of the night was a vintage lace and recycled fur-trimmed frock. Slope-side nuptials? I do.

Can’t decide if you're grunge, glam or rock n roll? The Barilà sisters say a lady can work all three. We adored the duo’s electric-blue sequins on blazers and leggings.

Joseph Helmer has been working the patchwork for years and finally his stunning frocks fit the zeitgeist. The multicolored evening gown will surely earn us a bold-faced name at the upcoming Daffodil Ball.

Mark Darcy held Bridget’s wobbly bits in high regard, but we’re ready to throw ours off the edge of reason.

We got help with our own unsightly inches at the Institut de Beauté Lorraine Termetz. Its VelaShape treatment uses cellulite-busting technology with rolling sensors to break up fat cells, infrared heat to melt away liquid fat, and bipolar radio frequency to filter toxins on your hips, thighs, buttocks or tummy. After eight pain-free sessions ($190 each) we’d lost a mighty three centimeters off our midsection.

V. good! We’re officially tossing the granny pants.

Institut de Beauté Lorraine Termetz, 4489 Fabre Street, Montreal, 514-523-8346, www.institutdebeautelorrainetermetz.com

To get us through the last leg of winter we need food, friends and firewater.

With its giant windows, cozy vibe and sinfully high-carb menu, we’ve found salvation at Le Chien Fumant. Do start with a fabulous French 75 cocktail ($8), made from brandy, sparkling wine, sugar and lemon. We dove into a bowl of spicy-sweet New Dynasty Calamari ($15) before savouring a basket of Southern Fried Rabbit ($31) that put the colonel to shame. 

And with the menu changing every few days, a few regular visits will take us right through to summer sun. 

Le Chien Fumant, 4710 rue de Lanaudière, Montreal, 514-524-2444.

If an apple of day keeps the doctor away, we've got an MD in Triple Jim's Crispy Organic Apple Chips.

Grown and manufactured in B.C., these tasty apple chips  are completely natural—and addictive. They make a perfect afternoon snack or post-dinner sweet treat.

Apples for dessert? Aren't you clever now.

Triple Jim's Crispy Organic Apple Chips, $3.99 (or 2 bags/$5 on sale now) at Whole Foods, www.wholefoods.com

The flight’s late, your nerves are rattled and you’re positively parched.

For trying travel and long layovers we’re turning to the Canadian Beer Lover’s Airport Guide. Compiled by Cheapflights.ca, it lists locally produced brews at terminals from coast to coast. Sip a crisp Okanagan Spring 1516 at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport hotel, savour Blanche de Chambly pale ale at YUL’s Marriott Bijou Bar, Bellegeule at Quebec City’s Aéroport Jean-Lesage or Alpine Lager at Moncton International.

At this rate, we might switch to a later flight.  Bottoms up!

www.cheapflights.ca

It’s no quilted chain bag, but we’ll take it.

Just in time to flash some spring skin, the house of Chanel has launched a line of temporary tattoos ($75/55 tattoos) designed by Creative Director Peter Philips.  The Trompe l’Oeil skin art includes classic Chanel symbols like chains, pearls, wheat, tiny swallows and interlocking c’s that can be applied around the neck, wrist, ankle or leg.

Now that’s making a fashion statement.

Available March 15 at Chanel, Holt Renfrew, 1300 Sherbrooke Street W., Montreal, 514-842-7318, www.holtrenfrew.com