Italian - Pizzeria 

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At the very top of my list of 'Things that make me happy', is a well planned out night, filled with lots of goodies, all while in great company. I was pressured to sit into a chair at an effortless '300' (movie) booth at The Motorcycle Show at the Direct Energy Centre. Shown three stencils, I hesitantly looked over the three and nodded to the most subtle one. I felt my left sleeve being pulled up, exposing my inner forearm and watched the brisk 15 second spray of a pretty damn tacky airbrush tattoo come together. I stood up, glanced down at the new vibrant addition and reconsidered the worth of walking down here. There must have been something more to this. Spotting out a ballot box for - something something to do with 300, I filled in my full name and email, folded it in half and dropped it into the box, then made my way back to work. 

The evening started off with a pair of tickets to the '300: The Rise of the Empire' screening. I was probably the only non-fan, having my friend fill me in on the history of each character as each appeared. I spent the next two hours trying to be amused, but, the IMAX experience of blood splattering onto your shades quickly got old, and I was pretty relieved once it ended. Phase two of the night got us onto a Subway to Bathurst and Bloor, a chilly walk landed us infront of Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria.

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria is really, the perfect place for a date. The seating was so cozy, and the lighting was just right. The next few hours were spent piecing ourselves together. It's really nights like these that keep me on track.

Brunch/Dinner - Drinks - Free WiFi - 20% for students

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 Two weeks of promoting for Insomnia, all I had running through my head was - 'Spin the wheel for free food! Everybody's a winner. Win yourself $10 off, a free smoothie, or, a free plate of chicken and waffles at Insomnia Restaurant, Bar and Lounge. Located at Bloor & Bathurst, we have a full kitchen until 2AM and always a 20% off for students!', that, along with the sound of the spinning wheel, leading up to the last final slow ticks before landing on either three prizes....2500+ times. No complaints from me though, the weather was beautiful, we encountered a lot of excited (but many more, unexcited...they just didn't know what they were in for!) characters and I got to experience a lot of University eats. Lots of Hotdogs, fries, takeaway Chinese food and beef patties.

It's been a solid three months since the sunny days of prancing down George Street throwin' Insomnia vouchers like hunnids. I have never had the pleasure of eating at Insomnia in my life, but I sure knew the points of attraction to this place - from the top of my head:

Meeting up on my fortnightly visits to Bathurst and Bloor on Thursday evenings, I couldn't stop thinking about the plate of $5 Chicken & Waffles at Insomnia. After three months of (insomnia - not really - I just wanted to use that pun), I finally locked in a date for my mate and I to enjoy brunch here. There wasn't one reason not to already fall in love with this place, the 20% off for all students was the biggest winner for me! Waiting an extra 20 minutes for my mate wasn't a problem at all for me. I happily did so, connecting to their WiFi and enjoying the sight of snowfall right infront of me. I took my time taking in the place and snapping shots of my surroundings, of course.

A fifteen minute wait, packed at a lunch hour is to be expected

One of my aunty's favourite restaurant, Fresh! Entirely vegan friendly, with an immense menu of burgers, wraps, salads and shakes - there is even 'tempeh' bacon (made of soy, it's a less processed kinda' tofu)! It's all pretty creative, the substitutes they have going on here. I've wanted to visit the Queen Street West location for the longest time, but, believing all Fresh restaurants would be the same, I happily agreed to visit Fresh at The Annex.

1. Nutty Buddy ($6.00)

Almond milk, Cashew, Butter, Banana, Strawberry, Agave and Cinnamon

2. Shamrock ($6.00)

Matcha green tea, Peppermint, Banana, Agave and Almond Milk

Nutty buddy tasted like soy milk with a slight nutty taste, I could pass it up. While Shamrock was that step up! Shamrock was amazing, of almond milk with a bit of matcha and peppermint! Definite recommendation.