Portland's Best Shopping Find out what our editors and you, the readers, consider Portland's Best

EDITORS' PICKS:

Best Hidden Treasure

Hidden treasures. For some it could be a ladybug inside a flower, a five-dollar bill inside an old coat, or a cherry buried inside of chocolate. For us? Much sweeter. It’s a pipe selection in a porn store.

We happened upon the pipes one afternoon while hunting for Jack Hammer videos at the Treasure Chest on Pine Street. The video selection was pretty good, but mostly girl-on-girl stuff, including special two-video packages taped together with fluorescent labels, and on the cheap.

After perusing the usual adult-store magazine selection that needs to be torn open to get a glimpse of anything but the publication name, we headed to the counter, head bowed, to pay for our transgressions. And there they were, beautiful hand-blown pocket-rocket-sized vessels for the sticky-icky (er . . . um . . . tobacco). The pipes lined part of the shelf beneath the register and one whispered, "I’d fit perfectly in your pocket, man. Perrrrrrrrrrrrrrrfectly." And then a one-hitter started singing "Puff the Magic Dragon." But the guy behind the counter pretended not to hear it. And then the dildos started giving out strange vibes and it all seemed like a dream . . . except for the receipt.

The Treasure Chest is located at 2 Pine St., in Portland. Call (207) 772-2225.

Best Place to Get a Buzz Cut

It’s a saloon with one "o," a salon with an extensive menu. At Head Games on Temple Street, you can order a chardonnay with your shampoo, a beer with your body wrap, or a merlot with your manicure. Brilliant! The worst thing about taking time for grooming is that it means taking time away from boozing. At Head Games, clients can show up in a ponytail, enjoy a cocktail, get a buzz, and get to the bar to show off that new ’do. No time wasted.

The atmosphere at Head Games is relaxing and cozy, kind of like the Wine Bar, but with blow dryers. And the selection is suitable for any dye or diet. For starters, the menu includes cuts, colors, and scalp treatments. The entrees are exotic and indulgent, like the Reike Seaweed body wrap with melted coconut oil or the Brazilian bikini wax, which looks absolutely delicious. For lighter fare: a fat-free facial. Carb-watcher option: a protein scalp treatment. For dessert? How about a mystic tan? It’s light golden brown and contains no UV.

Of course, you’ve got to be careful not to let the trimmings into your beverage, but caution’s always advisable when you’re around scissors.

Head Games is located at 19 Temple St., in Portland. Call (207) 773-8393.

Best Taste of Rio

Vanessa McReynolds came to Maine from the southern tip of Brazil, down near Uruguay and Argentina where it actually gets cold in the winter. So relocating hasn’t been the shock for her that it might have been for Maine’s other Brazilians, who number in the hundreds. "The oldest Brazilian I know, who has been here 32 years, says there are 500," McReynolds says. "I haven’t seen 500." She’s guessing more like 200, sprinkled from Biddeford/Saco all the way up to Lewiston, and she wants all of them to congregate at her new Brazil Emporium, on Forest Avenue near Woodford’s Corner.

Not that she’ll mind if locals drop by as well. "Americans come and buy a lot of coffee," she says with a laugh, but she also offers Brazilian candy, snacks, and soda — plus coffee and pastries at the back. She took over the former Brazil Port grocery when its owner returned home, and redid the space as a combination market/arts-and-crafts emporium. The place "was really ugly before," McReynolds says, but now it looks like a more interesting version of the touristy craft stores you might see in Camden or Boothbay.

Only those aren’t going to carry bossa nova CDs, Nestle Prestigio candy, or Ronaldo jerseys. Or banana-leaf lampshades, onyx candlesticks and incense holders, soapstone toucans, bamboo sconces, bead jewelry, and clay-figurine chess sets. Not to mention trivets and baskets made from dyed cornshucks twisted around metal frames, and . . . you get the idea. And all of it, McReynolds says proudly, is "handmade by local artisans," many of whom make their entire living from the work they export to stores like hers.

They’re not doing food other than pastries right now, but on the first Saturday of every month McReynolds cooks up a giant pot of feijoada, a concoction of black beans and pork served over rice. "You eat this for lunch, you won’t eat dinner," she says of the portions, inviting more locals to stop by and partake — and while they’re there, take a look at what the artisanal traditions of Brazil have to offer.

Brazil Emporium is located at 621 Forest St., in Portland. Call (207) 347-7453.

Best Girlie Store for Girls

Have you ever had one of these days?

It’s 8:45 a.m. and I am crawling out of my bed with about the same enthusiasm as a hippopotamus. It’s one of those really stark, gray days that remind me that winter is right around the corner and it won’t be long before every day is like this: bare, cold, and completely unwelcoming. Finally out of bed, dressed and ready to go, I head out to my car parked outside of my dorm, thinking I’m about to shoot off to the Phoenix.

There’s something on the windshield — a love note? A gentleman caller? No, the USM Police have left me a little love note of their own. Not only did they leave me a note, they also took the time to give me something special: the boot. This was incredible. I didn’t even know USM Police owned one boot, let alone enough to be giving out to people.

I was pissed, I was fuming, I wanted to throw punches. Regaining my composure I hopped on a bus and rode from Gorham to Portland next to a sweaty kid who insisted on picking his zit the entire ride there. I needed something to cheer me up. Sometimes a girl just needs a little pampering.

I decided to stroll into Making Faces on Fore Street, as I had heard they had all sorts of fun girl toys. Browsing around, I got a little misty. It was beautiful. The shelves were stocked with everything a girl needs to feel pretty, sexy, and fun. Shampoos, conditioners, make-up, grooming tools, bath products, and more. I personally loved the "Gingerbread Man" shampoo, conditioner, and body wash all in one — perfect for traveling. I also bought a Pumpkin Papaya Puree face masque, which is positively fabulous, leaving my face tingling and with a special glow (I actually had to purchase a stick with which to beat the hordes of men off, as an accessory). They carry quite a few different lines including my favorites: Urban Decay, Hard Candy, and Jessica Simpson’s new brand "Dessert." (Hey, the girl may be stupid, but she makes body spray you can eat, or if you’re lucky, your boyfriend can.)

Stop into Making Faces for a special girly treat. Buy yourself something fun just for you. It’s a perfect spot to take your mind of off your busy day, or a sweaty and zit-filled bus ride, and concentrate on the sexiness that is you.

Making Faces is located at 425 Fore St., in Portland. Call (207) 879-4242.

Best Retail Baby Sitter

What’s the deal with babysitters? These days, dinner and a movie sans the offspring may entail taking out a home-equity loan in order to finance the evening (does anyone else have to contribute to a 16-year-old’s 401k?). Wouldn’t it be nice to sometimes come home from that long hard day of listening to your boss squawk, and just sit back and relax, hanging out with your sweetie, while your children are entertained?

It’s not only a possibility; it’s a reality, my friends. Northern Sky Toyz on Fore Street willingly accepts ankle-biters every Wednesday evening from 6 to 7 p.m. for a Yo-Yo Workshop! All ages are welcome and here’s the deal: It’s free! The good folks at Sky Toyz even enlist a couple of kids who have a "Yo-Yo Championship" title under their little belts to help with the kid corralling. So bring the kids down, watch them marvel at the "yo-yo champions," and learn a thing or two yourself. Consider it a good solid hour of good, safe fun for your kids, and the best part: Your money stays good and safe, too.

Assuming you don’t give in and get Johnny and Janey a little something-something they’ve been ogling all night.

Northern Sky Toyz is located at 388 Fore St., in Portland. Call (207) 828-0911.

Best Place in Portland To Get Fit to a T

It’s a tie.

The last time I went to New York City, someone came up to me and was admiring my T-shirt. He asked if I picked it up at Barney’s, one of the most over-priced, haute couture shops for men out there.

No, I said of the shirt that I purchased at Casco Bay Books simply because I thought it was cool. The guy was stunned.

Little did I know that T-shirts made by local clothier Rogue’s Gallery are all the rage in high fashion and tend to run in the $90 range at shops from New York City–based Barney’s to Beverly Hill’s Fred Segal.

But you don’t need to knock over a bank to be a fashion statement in Portland. $24 is the asking price for these hip duds that are actually recycled, vintage T-shirts with very cool silk screened images of things like clipper ships and cathedrals.

CBB only gets a small shipment here and there (the owner is friends with someone at Rogue’s), so it’s best to stop in often. And remember, you can be four times as cool as a Manhattanite for exactly the same price.

For the coolest T in town, though, go to Ferdinand on Congress Street, where owner Diane Toepfer silkscreens her own shirts. My faves? The snare-drumming squirrel and the anthropomorphic piece of tofu with the dry "I love tofu" caption beneath the cheeky chunk. Genius.

Second Best Place To Get a Shag in Portland

Disclaimer: All right, they’re not exactly shags.

For most people, purchasing a rug at Angela Adams’ studio store on Congress Street would be a bit of a luxury. The thick New Zealand wool runners, rounds, and elegantly large area rugs are all the rage in Manhattan — Bravo’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy is rumored to be featuring one on their show, and the apartment housing the ridiculous contestants of NBC’s The Apprentice is already decked out with several of Adams’ signature pieces.

The problem for Mainers is that they’re a little pricey, most running thousands of dollars. They’re also more suited to a trendy downtown loft than a New England farm house. Still, they are sorta like a Rolex — even though they’re a little over the top, you still want one.

Until recently, the only thing I could afford at Angela Adams was a notebook and a set of highballs.

However, from now until they run out (a sales girl told me it could be months) a number of rug designs are on sale at 66 percent off. That means that a runner will run you $170 and some rounds round out at the $350 mark.

From what we understand, the rugs weren’t quite up to spec — something went awry with the dye.

But who cares?

The problem, of course, it matching the rest of your décor to these fabulously funky floor savers. And, Angela, when is your husband’s extravagantly expensive furniture hitting the bargain bin?

Best Place To Try on Clothes You Can’t Afford

Wallis Girls, a prêt a porter designer clothing store for women (jeans for men), was opened in November 2002 by Wisconsin native Chantal as an appointment-only boutique in a loft overlooking Monument Square. At first, Chantal, who is both owner and buyer, wanted to see if there would be any market in traditionally plaid-, khaki-, and Bean boot-wearing Portland for edgier, hipper, more-expensive clothes that could not be found even at the higher-end boutiques in town like Amaryllis. Surprisingly enough, business went so well that eventually Chantal needed to move Wallis Girls into a regular storefront on Free Street. Her success may be due to the fact that all of her designers are exclusive to her boutique in the Portland area, so there’s no competition. Or, that she carries trendy clothes that would mix in any Upper East Side or Soho cocktail party in sizes 0 through 12.

Although Chantal does say she gets a lot of business in the summer, she also has a regular local clientele. One of the reasons the ladies I know like to stop in for a splurge is the supply of hot jeans by designers such as Citizens of Humanity, Chip & Pepper, and Blue Cult. Jeans being the black for dress-up and dress-down in the new Kerry-losing era, this is a major score.

However, despite the butt-slimming, lowest-waist appeal of a brand new well-worn pair of Citizens jeans, don’t expect to walk out without dropping a bill and change. So, if you’re like me, you might just drop in and slide into some butter-soft jeans just to see what you’re missing when you wear your Levi’s.

Wallis Girls is located at 11 Free St., in Portland. Call (207) 780-6732.

READERS' PICKS:

Best Art-Supply — Artist & Craftsman

Best Barber Shop — Columbia

Best Book Store (new) — Longfellow

Best Book Store (used) — Cunningham’s

Best Clothing store (men’s) — Joseph’s

Best Clothing Store (used) — Material Objects

Best Clothing Store (women’s) — Helene M.

Best Comic-Book Store — Casablanca

Best Furniture Store — Green Design Furniture

Best Garage — Portland Motor Sales

Best Hair-Stylist — Akari

Best Jewelry — D. Cole

Best Laundromat — Soap Bubble

Best Musical Instrument Store — Buckdancer’s Choice

Best Newsstand — Joe’s Smoke Shop

Best Pet-Supply Store — Fetch

Best Record Store (new) — Bull Moose Music

Best Record Store (used) — Bull Moose Music

Best Shoe Store — Terra Firma

Best Smoke Shop — Joe’s Smoke Shop

Best Sporting Goods Store — L.L. Bean

Best Tackle Shop — Tackle Shop

Best Tattoo Studio — Sanctuary Tattoo