Portuguese Flavors in London

Money  can't  buy happiness. But sardines  can. Exactly! Sardines make me happy. Portuguese flavors make me stupidly  happy, the traditional portuguese cuisine! A friend  of mine  suggested me "A Toca" which is a portuguese restaurant in Vauxhall, London. On Friday, after finishing work, there we went. The first thing I picture  myself doing in Portugal, especially when I'm about to go on holidays, it's not going to the beach. It's going to a good restaurant! It's seating outside in a café doing nothing, enjoying a good talk, the weather, a good conversation with friends having in front of me a chocolate truffle or a custard tart. It's going  to the supermarket and buying the brands  that I grew up with, especially the tuna I adore. Food plays such an important  role in my life. I always say, the most important part of a house for me is the kitchen. Ok, a big closet is also important.  Give me a huge closet and a massive kitchen then. Put some music on in the background, don't forget the wine. Bring sardines, bread, cheeses, bring "caldo verde"  - a typical  portuguese  soup made of potatoes, kale and chorizo - bring love and friends, bring a homemade cake. Take off your shoes if you want. You're  home. You're  welcome! That was the feeling of going to a restaurant like "A Toca". The feeling of being home. OK... I didn't  take my shoes off but it felt like I could be in my kitchen, at home, in Portugal. It felt good. For those who don't  want to have sardines, those who would prefer a meat choice, try the "Costeletas  de borrego" - Lamb Chops - my boyfriend's choice by the way.