Discovering new places

While I don't live in Hamilton, I do spend five days a week there. The key to making a strange, and let's be honest, sometimes scary, place enjoyable is to find places and people you like there. I know people who live in Hamilton who are hardworking, decent people who I would totally hang out with outside of work! As for places, I want to share a few neat spots I discovered last weekend.

MULBERRY STREET COFFEEHOUSE

 This coffee shop was recommended to me by my co-worker Debbie - she is a Hamiltonian through and through, and knows where all the best spots are in the city. The atmosphere was very...hipster, but still cool. Vintage bar stools, reclaimed wood, barista wearing crazy glasses - that sorta thing. I ordered a rooibos tea to go because I had an appointment, but also ordered a delicious Valentine's themed carrot cupcake that I ate there. The baked goods at Mulberry are made in-house - I know this because the barista made mention of their baker. It's located on the corner of James Street North and Mulberry - across from the armoury.

The verdict? I'd love to go back and try their specialty coffees. I saw a quiche in the display, and I love quiche. I would go there on my lunch hour for sure.

THE TEN SPOT

The Ten Spot is a chain of spas - so it's not an independent Hamilton business. However, the aesthetic of the place is very "James North," so it's a bit more hip than your average spa. While, I don't recommend it for people looking for a relaxing oasis type spa, the services are quality. Great for a mani-pedi. It's located between Cannon and York on James North.

The verdict? I might go back for a manicure, but I really love the spa I go to in Burlington for the atmosphere. I guess I'm more traditional when it comes to spa, and I kinda just want to float away to the sounds of new age music. Plus, I wouldn't go in the winter again, hard to put gloves on when you just had your nails done!

MIXED MEDIA

Mixed Media, at Cannon and James North, is an art supply and stationary store that offers hard to find, Canadian, and local art. I picked up some unique gifts and cards there and flipped through the bins of prints by Hamilton artists.

Verdict? Great place to go if you want a unique card that definitely didn't come from Hallmark - not that there's anything wrong with Hallmark. As a fan of stationary and local art, it was a great little shop. I'd go back.

CANNON COFFEE CO.

Last Saturday, I was out with two ladies I run with shopping Ottawa Street for upholstery fabric. Ottawa Street is known for the fabric and antique stores. I had googled coffee shops in the area before hand so I would know where we could go after for a drink and a snack. Cannon Coffee Co. had a very cool atmosphere. Mismatched chairs, all painted bright yellow to match their logo. The menu was scrawled in chalk, and the cups were mismatched too. I ordered a tea and it came in a china tea cup with a saucer. Very cool place - I'm glad we went there rather than the local Tim Horton's. They're located on the corner of Cannon and Ottawa.

Verdict? I want to go back and try their sandwiches because they're made using waffles instead of bread. Seriously - I love waffles! I need to try one of these sandwiches!

Oh, and in other news, last week I saw a woman on the Barton Bus wearing and hat and scarf that looked like they were made using silver Christmas garland. Seriously.