An imaginary train ride across Europe

It’s fun to put on a travel mindset and explore at home. It’s been far too long since my tour of Europe in Bronte. Time to unpack my imaginary Eurail pass and map out a route. Why not visit a few countries? It’s so tempting. Distances are short. No border crossings. Like the model train set at the Royal Botanical Gardens (cover photo), I am talking about destinations within the Oakville and Burlington area. We may need to pack our imagination, but the food along this route is real. And tasty.

Our first stop is Ola’s Bakery. This traditional Portuguese bakery is located on Speers Road in a nondescript red brick building but stepping inside feels like a cozy neighbourhood hangout. I hear Portuguese. A group of men enjoy a leisurely lunch with a bottle of wine. The long bar across the back wall is equipped with an espresso machine and hanging wine glasses. Servers are quick to crack a joke. It’s a welcoming space made even more welcoming by the array of pastries behind the bar. All traditional Portuguese baked goods. All delicious.

Happily they serve lunch too! I have enjoyed everything I have tried so far. There are daily soups, such as leak soup served with a big fluffy bun (photo above) and lunch features, like chicken, grilled octopus, and pork & clams. The fish sandwich, a succulent sea bass fillet tucked between a soft bun, is excellent. I will definitely be returning to Ola’s to sample more traditional Portuguese dishes.

Our next stop feels more like a chain, yet I still have a hyggelig time. The Danish Pastry House, a small chain in the GTA, was established by a Dane who wanted to serve authentic treats from her homeland. The pastries and cookies are made at a central bakery in Mississauga and shipped every morning to the outlets. I learned this on my first visit from the elderly Danish gentlemen behind the counter (at the Appleby and New Street location). The seating area is adorned with kitschy posters of windmills and Vikings.

Hygge is about being kind to yourself – giving yourself a treat, and giving yourself, and each other, a break from the demands of healthy living. Sweets are hyggelige. Cake is hyggeligt. Coffee and hot chocolate are hyggeligt, too. Carrot sticks, not so much.

Meik Wiking, The Little Book of Hygge, Chapter 4 Food and Drink

The Danes love their pastries. They savour the moment and the simple pleasure of an indulgent treat. One of my favourites from the Danish Pastry House is the Høj Snegl, an extra high “snail” shaped pastry with cinnamon, custard in the centre, and glazed with chocolate on top. Mmm.

The next place has sweet items, but it’s the tzatziki and phyllo pies that will keep me coming back. You guessed it, we’re off to Greece! Farma Greek Market is a “small cozy marketplace” tucked below the Colossus Taverna in downtown Oakville. It’s an appealing and stylish space. Friendly staff. Mainly takeout though a couple tables tucked outside are ready for warmer weather. Farma is well stocked with Greek grocery items (olives, feta, olive oil, herbs, canned foods) and prepared foods (moussaka, dolmas, tzatziki and other sauces). There’s a lot to discover. For a filing and delicious meal, the classic gyro is stuffed with your choice of meat, lettuce, tomatoes, fries and creamy tzatziki. It’s big enough for two.

We went to France on the Bronte tour and we’ll visit France again. Pourquoi pas? Feel free to practice your French at Tradition de France on Lakeshore Street in Oakville. I do try. My French is okay, though I still didn’t catch one of the questions when I ordered my cappuccino (large mug or small cup?). Elles parlent rapidement! Once you have ordered, there is no rush. Linger in the french-themed café. There are plenty of tables. Shelves are lined with items that look like flea market finds (weathered books, an antique looking globe, ornate water jugs) and walls are adorned with impressionist-style paintings of Paris cafés and street scenes you want to walk right into.

Now let’s turn our attention to the elegant French pastries. That’s why you’re here. The jewel like pastries remind me of the alluring window displays in France. After all, the french expression for “window shopping” is faire du lèche-vitrines, which literally means “to lick the windows”. These drool worthy pastries are all made in house, from pain au raison and éclairs to fruit tarts, flans and other fanciful treats. On my latest visit I noticed there were a few savoury items too, like quiches and very buttery croissant sandwiches.

We’ve covered a fair bit of territory from Portugal to Denmark to Greece to France (a haphazard order only suitable for an imaginary route!). Imagine this next destination as a stop to buy picnic supplies for your next train ride. The Dutch Shop in Burlington has an impressive selection of Dutch products. It’s mainly a grocery store, including a deli, rounds of gouda and Beemster cheese, soup mixes, dry goods, cookies, Stroopwafels (of course!), and a staggering amount of liquorice. I did not realize how much the Dutch love this tangy dark treat. There are a range of flavours both sweet and salty. It’s a unique taste. You can also pick up souvenirs like clogs, delft blue china, tulip vases, and orange national soccer t-shirts.

The joy of travel is immersing yourself somewhere new. Being open to a new experience, taste or tradition. I am lucky to have these destinations nearby. I can easily return when I feel like a little jolt of Europe without flying across the Atlantic.

Thanks for zigzagging across Europe with me. If you have a favourite European destination in your neighbourhood, I’d love to hear about it.