O perfil de dtofano

This Tiny Portuguese bakery is unknown to most Hamiltonians; it is the lower floor of a 2 storey house situated off Barton Street East and you would honestly never know that this amazing bakery is sitting undetected in this residential area. To those who do know of the mini shop rave about its homemade breads.

I can remember as a little girl going on rides early on Saturday morning with my dad to Bonanza to get some wonderfully fresh bread for a family lunch.

When I was a student working for the great City of Hamilton trimming the grass at the city parks, I went with my crew (cutting team) at least once a week. I could never resist warm, fresh bread! It is so popular people line up down the block for their lunches. It seems that the city workers, police officers and firefighters are the biggest fans. You always see dozens of these service vehicles lining the side streets by the shop.

You must head over at 11.30am Monday – Friday, because that is how early people start popping into the bakery to grab a football sized sandwich made of fresh bread, tomato, lettuce and sauce and meat of your choice. You also have the option of hot meals like lasagna, veal parmesan and more (as they do change the hot meals regularly). It sounds pretty basic but they are more satisfying then any other conceivable lunch meal. If you don’t get there early you may have to wait in the massive queue and may end up not even get your favorite sandwiches.

Oh forgot to mention my top choice sandwich only cost $2 and man, was I full! Hooray to the great food and price!

Located in dozens of cities, in 8 different Canadian provinces, and in multiple cities all over The United States of America, The Pita Pit is a healthy alternative to burgers, fries, and greasy food in general.

My local Pita Pit (when I am at home in Hamilton that is…) is minutes from McMaster University and because it is open very late, it is a hot spot for late night partiers and/or students who are looking for some great food after the bar and before they head home to finally crash.

The atmosphere is fun and friendly, with music playing in the background while the young staff sing and strike up conversation with the customers. The décor it bright and silly with characters made from the basic ingredients (bacon, mushroom, cheese and tomatoes just to name a few with cartoon faces) – I recommend checking out the website for exactly what I mean. They are very amusing! At this particular location there is also McMaster Sports images. Also, there is a basket ball net at the cash register to try your luck at winning a free drink or additional snack to your already yummy meal.

Ok, most importantly, the Pita! My goodness, they are amazing! It seems pretty simple, pick the pita you want and the ingredients and eat. But, NO! You can choose from 22 different pitas (15 carnivore selections, 7 veg.). Next, you have to somehow choose between a surplus of fillers ranging from 2 types of lettuce, 3 cheeses, sprouts, pineapple and all the best fresh vegetable and way too many sauces. Then you have to decide if you need a drink or snack. Oh and if for some reason you don’t even want a pita you have a choice of salads or the soup du jour.

No matter your choice or how big or small the pita ends up, you will be in heaven eating your health fast food meal. Eat in or take away, you just can’t beat the pitas at The Pita Pit.

My flat mates informed me of this quaint little restaurant just a few minute walk from the Kilburn Overground Station tucked away from the High Road.

Little Bay is an exceptional European and Mediterranean eatery! The food is wonderfully reasonable in price and you may even feel as though it is a steal, because the food is rich, flavorful and filling despite what seems to be a smaller portion. Make sure to check the deals on the black board outside before you enter. They have deals such as 2 courses for 7.50 or 3 courses for 10 before 7pm (don’t quote me on that exact cost, due to the fact I haven’t been to the location since before the Christmas season and I could be slightly off).

They have managed to make the best use of space on the main floor by having many little tables but also built platforms that allow for a nook underneath with a very small intimate table for 2 and also a single table up on the platform itself. But, no worries! If you have a large group, the lower level is big enough to book a table for 10 for a special occasion. No matter which level you are on, the atmosphere is comfy, cozy, and quite romantic with each table having its only bit of candle light.

Was there for a leaving do last Friday and I must say the décor is wonderful! Gorgeous black and white pattern wallpaper, a large fireplace at the far end of the bar and the modern chair and couches are comfy and beautiful.

They have a fair sized patio in the back that would be fabulous for lunch and dinner in warmer weather.

The drinks are reasonably price and the food is also good! Great veggie burger!
The service was great and staff very friendly.

Luckily I work close by and would go back without a doubt. Highly recommend if you are in the area.

Granted the club itself is doggy looking when you enter. The toilet is incredibly tiny even though I love the ceiling artwork. The drinks can be cheap and the happy hour that end at 10.30 can bring people in. Like most clubs, it doesn’t get busy until sometime after that and my goodness it gets busy! I have to agree not to where your best shoes as the glasses and bottles always end up on the floor and being kicked around. The floor itself is horribly sticky, which never feels great, rather it makes you feel disgusting!!

BUT, after all that, the music is great!! I have been on a Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. You do get that mix of old classics, top 40 hits and alternative rock. Everyone sings along and there is a good vibe overall. I found Thursday night the best catering a little more to the alternative and indie music I love.

Would like to venture to more clubs in London, but I wouldn’t say no to going back to The Roxy.

Not what I was expecting. When you think Mexican restaurant, images of cacti, sombreros, and terracotta -red colored walls pop in your mind. But, NO! Chilango is a modern twist to the Mexican restaurant, when it comes to design. The color pallet is that of lime green, bright pinks and blue and flowers climbing up the walls with their heads as light fixtures. Pretty cool really!

More importantly though, is the food. After you want into this bright, modern eatery you just don’t know if the food will be what you expected either. MY GOODNESS! It is even better than anticipated! All the food is put together right in front of you. You have a variety of choices from beans to sauces. They wrap it up tight and you are taken aback at the cost as it seems a little expensive for fast food and you are not even sure that 1 burrito will fill you up. Again, another surprise, because you can’t even finish the thing! It is quality Mexican food!! The Grilled Chicken burrito is worth the £5.90 and the loaded Nachos are incredible! Also, seriously one of the best guacamole dips I have ever had!!

If you are craving Mexican (like I often do!) you have to head to Chilango on Upper Street in Angel or Fleet Street! Totally Worth It!!!

The Walkabouts around London are a great place to go for cheap drinks and a good night of fun people and ridiculous dancing. But, my absolutely favourite reason to head to the Aussie Pub is for Bogan Bingo!

Each Monday night at the Shepherd’s Bush location (can’t confirm that it goes down at all the pubs because I have not been at all of them) you can participate in Bogan Bingo. All you need is a fiver and to be in the mood for a good laugh. The hosts of the evening dress-up in classic 'hick’ clothing including fabulous mullets! They play classic rock anthems and request everybody to join in and chant silly phrases when certain numbers are called.

Best of all they give away a variety of prizes. You could win a Bogan apron, porn, kitchen appliances, or holidays! YUP! They give away something holiday related each week. It may be a voucher for a tour company or a full out holiday! That alone is worth going.

I must add that there is an air guitar completion in between the 2 games of bingo played. That is a riot! Drinks are 2 for 1 also…but they always are at the Walkabout Monday-Friday.

It is something to look forward to while back at work on Monday.

Like most London tourists, I made sure to go to the Tate Modern and The National Gallery before any other London Museum. I was then informed that The Imperial War Museum was a must.

I went to the War Museum on a Saturday afternoon and was very impressed. The exterior is amazing! It was a beautiful old building with two massive canons outside its doors. There were also some strange flowers/plants residing in its garden.

As you walk into the lobby you are floored to see tanks, submarines, jeeps and planes from WWII. I spent a good hour in the lobby reading about the machinery.

They also had some many exhibits. You could enter the James Bond exhibit to view the movie props and learn more about the iconic playboy agent, but sadly, I didn’t feel like parting with £8. I did go into the Holocaust exhibit on the 3rd floor. It was really well put together. The pieces in the exhibition were unreal. It was wonderful to see, but I did get a little teary eyed, especially when listening to the accounts of the Holocaust survivors that are played in specific sections of the exhibit.

I managed to get into the Blitz Experience and The Trenches before closing time.

The Blitz Experience allows you to walk through a section of street that resembled what it would have been like in the Blitz here in England during WWII.

The Trenches was a replica of the Trenches of WWII. That was intense. It made you feel like you were really walking through the trenches, smelling air and seeing how they were arranged during the war.

Sadly, The Imperial War Museum closes at 18.00, so I didn’t get to see everything. I will definitely go back to the Museum to see the D-Day exhibit.

I can honestly say I enjoy this Museum more than any other in London, so far.

I went to the Royal Academy of Music to attend the FREE performance of the Junior Symphony.
IT WAS AMAZING!!

The children were very talented and played some fabulous pieces of music. It felt like I was listening to the sound track of a film like Star Wars, Jaws, Indiana Jones, or Lord of the Rings!

The venue is in a beautiful hall full of portraits and chandeliers which creates a magical atmosphere.

The performers were very talented teenagers who played every instrument imaginable from the violin to the gong!

Best of all, the entire show was FREE!!

It was something we definitely wouldn’t have done back home, and we are so glad we had the opportunity to experience it. It was one of the most memorable things we have done in London to date.