Greece: Athens, Tzitzikas kai Mermigas

Location:

Mitropoleos 12, Athens 10563, Greece

tzitzikas-mermigkas.gr

MAP

As soon as we arrived in Athens, we were starving and decided to check out the Plaka district. We asked a group of cops at the corner (we did wonder why there were cops hanging around in that area) for a recommendation of tasty and authentic fare that would be casual but not "fast food". They directed us around the corner and down a street. We were skeptical, and unsure if we'd know where it was, but then we found it easily as it was the only restaurant on a side street that had light spilling out onto the street, cheerful patrons and the delicious smell of seafood.

The BEST. I finally found the name and map to the restaurant, with a little bit of sleuthing on Google Maps! I don't know how to pronounce it, but if you're ever in the Syntagma Square area of Athens, GO THERE!

We had red wine, Mythos greek beer, a giant Greek Tzitzikas (just found out that it means salad) which is my favourite type of salad and a giant fried seafood basket. 

Amazing service, and INCREDIBLE food!! Sigh..to eat those olives once again. 

Frugal Fare #7: New York City: Angela'S Rock N Roll Deli

Location:

1428 6th Ave, New York, NY

Sometimes you just want simple bacon, eggs n' toast for breakfast. Add pototoes in the mix and I'm in heaven.

For $6?

Can't beat that.

I love NYC. 

New York City: Bread

Location:

20 Spring Street, New York, NY

orderbreadsoho.com

We celebrated N's cousin's birthday with her friend at Bread in Soho. Great venue for brunch and, well, bread.

A very cosy spot that was fully jam packed. The service was excellent as were all the dishes. They even threw in a tiramisu cake on the house. 

New York City: Brooklyn Diner

Location:

212 West 57th Street  New York, NY

www.brooklyndiner.com/menu.htm

On our way to the hotel in NYC, we passed by the Brooklyn Diner and immediately decided to try it out sometime. Turned out our hotel was only a few blocks from it, so we walked back for lunch. The place was packed with what looked like business men with heavy mid-sections. After seeing the menu, then our dishes, it was easy to know why. The portions are massive, quite like their prices. $18 for a sandwich? Um. Okay. Tourist trap, likely.

I chose their "famous tuna sandwich", mainly for the Ezekiel bread which I've always wanted to try. 

N got the turkey sandwich, which was basically Thanksgiving dinner in a sandwich. 

The tuna sandwich was greasy, yes, but good. Ezekiel bread was delicious, although covered in butter, taking away it's health factor. The fries were perfect. I don't eat turkey, but the mashed potatoes and gravy were divine. 

It's easy to see why this place is so popular, but if I were to eat here everyday, the Ezekiel bread won't help none. 

New York City: Love from NYC

Heart shaped pizza? How about some breaded love?

This is how NYC does Valentine's Day.

Truscott Italian Bakery and Deli

Location:

2425 Truscott Dr, Mississauga ON

I'm sure you will agree, there's nothing quite like freshly baked bread; the smell, the taste, the warmth, it's all so very good! 

I definitely heart bakeries. When I was growing up there was a lovely little bakery called Hot n' Crusty where the breads were baked fresh every morning; it was always such a treat to go there.

Recently we discovered Truscott Italian Bakery & Deli - a quaint little bakery right in the middle of a parking lot on the border of Oakville/Mississauga. It's been there only eight years yet it appears as though the parking lot was built around it.



I imagine though, that the past eight years have been enormously successful judging from the steady stream of customers at 8 in the morning! 



The cappuccino on the patio sounded like a great idea!



The breads! Rows of crusty, floured, multigrained loaves.  I wanted to try them all...and in due time I will, but to begin....we got some fresh buns, croissants, and this:



Spacatelli....which I've never had before, but which was undeniably fresh (and still warm!!!).

The trays of muffins, pies, cookies and pastries were astounding!

 



I've yet to try their hot-table items, but I got their mini cakes/tarts for a tea party recently and they not only looked pretty they were pretty delectable, too.



Then there's their deli meat counter which boasts a variety of European meats, the huge selection of pastas (I recently purchased some corn pasta [gluten free] and added to it the all natural Mediterranean Garden's "fiery hot arrabiata" pasta sauce, which was fantastic), fancy imported drinks (lemonades and juices), farmed fresh eggs, and of course a massive collection of olives and olive oils!  Heaven!

With our morning breakfast made complete with the addition of a divine "elephant ear" - stuffed full of chocolate - we were ready to start the weekend!



I'm sure many start their weekends this way and I for one can't wait to do it again!