She likes the bustling and noisy atmosphere, which give the restaurant a warm and friendly feel.

Most importantly, though, she says she knows Mike's as the place where her mother has been sending her to buy pastries for many years, in what has become a very appetizing family tradition.

Joseph M. Fiorentino, the manager of Mike's, says that the restaurant draws its customers from many places: Boston, the suburbs and out of town.

"Mike's is one of the best pastry places in the city," notes Bostonian Frank G. Palmentino. Palmentino's uncle makes a priority of visiting Mike's every weekend, all the way from Lowell, Mass.

After a visit to the new penguin exhibit at the New England Aquarium and lunch at a nearby restaurant, a trip to Mike's Pastries was the natural conclusion to Mike J. Bshara's Sunday trip to Boston.

"You just drift in here for coffee and something," said Bshara, a Fall River, Cape Cod resident.

Back in 1992, the shop drew in another out-of-towner: it was one of President Clinton's favorite rest stops while he was on the campaign trail.

Next to the president's photograph is his pledge to the workers at Mike's---a pledge that, laughingly, Fiorentino says the president managed to keep: "If I win the presidency, I'll come back here myself. I promise."

According to waitstaff, the president kept his promise: he not only returned, but also ordered several pastries for the road.

Beside the presidential portrait, a picture of Frank Sinatra (a remarkably common item in the North End) and a portrait of the Virgin Mary line the walls.

Vintage silverware is also placed throughout the small store.

Adding to the cheerful atmosphere, Mike's waitstaff displays a remarkably friendly and cheerful manner toward their customers.

Serving tourists and North Enders alike with her friendly smile, Jennifer K. Saint Germain of Medford has been employed at Mike's since June.

Wearing a blue kitchen coat with Mike's Pastry written on the lapel, Saint Germain smiles when she says she enjoys the experience of working at Mike's. She "likes meeting people," she explains.

Mike's Pastries is located at 300 Hanover St. in Boston's North End.