Discovering Burbank.

We've lived in Burbank for 3 years now. The proximity of our location to everything you need to visit and see is outstanding. During school days, it only takes 2 minutes or so for my son Randall to cross Olive and walk to Bell-Jeff High School . On sundays, I can always find the best seat at St. Robert's church since it's only across our building. I can always borrow free DVD's and music CD's at Burbank Library anytime since it's just around the corner. We are approximately 4 blocks from the Media Center and it's an excellent walk if you don't want to drive and park. However, these years, I came to discover some hidden secrets that Burbank has to offer and I would like to share them with you. I'm talking about the following: The Original Martino's Bakery, Dough-n-t hut, and Porto's Bakery. I tasted my first tea cakes of Martino's Bakery only last Dec. 31st during our New Year's party at Roslyn Bicol. Someone brought those delicious cupcakes and they are excellent for tea . I always see this bakery on my daily drive to work, but never thought that they have this famous tea cakes. The tea cakes resemble cupcakes but in a rectangular shape. They are perfect in size as one teak cake can easily be devoured in three or four bites. Two components complete the Martino’s tea cake: the icing and the cake itself. When combined into the final product, the two components become one, singing in harmonious deliciousness. The icing is sort of maple-like in flavor and is quite sweet, lending only one thin layer to achieve perfect balance with the not-as-sweet cake beneath. The cake itself is moist without being gluey, buttery without being greasy, and light enough to consume more than one; The tea cakes are made fresh daily and it comes in 3 flavors; glazed, blueberry and cranberry. Martino's Bakery is located at 335 N. Victory Blvd. in Burbank , California . They are open Monday through Friday from 6:30am to 6:30pm, Saturdays 7:00am to 5:00 pm and closed on Sunday. Telephone 818-842-0715

If you're craving for doughnuts in the early wee hours of the morning, you can forget Crispy Creme..there is a tiny Donut house in Burbank at the corner of Keystone Street and Magnolia Blvd., this place start making their famous " Frenchie's " as early as 2 a.m. However, before you drive, try calling first at 818-840-8718 and check if they're ready . The Frenchies come in different flavors - chocolate, strawberry, orange, vanilla, glazed, etc . It's so yummy good and it melts in your mouth. The address of the family owned Doughn-t-hut is 2025 W. Magnolia Blvd.

No introduction is needed for the famous Porto's Bakery who now has a branch in Burbank on the corner of Magnolia and Hollywood Way. Porto's Bakery is a family-owned and operated business that has served Glendale and its surrounding communities for over 35 years. Their expert decorators create exceptional wedding cakes and specialty cakes for all occasions. Both Glendale and Burbank location has long lines so if you are needing some pastries esp. their famous " cheese cakes " or cakes for parties, it is better to order by telephone at 818-846-9100 and it makes it easy to pick up without spending hours in line. I will tell you, these bakeries seemed to never sleeps, every time I go there are lines everywhere. Whatever the wait .. it is worth it.