February 28th 2013: Two Dinners in Waltham

Today after work, I had a meetup dinner at La Campania, an upscale restaurant in Waltham. I arrived a little early, so I decided to use the time to try out another restaurant in the area while waiting for the time to arrive, heading to a nearby Chinese takeout place, Asia Wok Restaurant, for a quick bite as I was really hungry.

I decided to get the Cheese Egg Roll

and the Yaka Mein Soup,

which were okay at best, with the soup not having much flavor.

After my quick and cheap meal, I headed back to La Campania a little late, and everybody was already seated at the table in this nice looking restaurant that did not look like much from the outside when I arrived.

I hurriedly looked at the menu, and finally decided to go with a small portion of the Beef Short Rib Ravioli (Veal Demi-Glaze, Shaved Pecorino)

and the Pan Seared Foie Gras (Fresh Fig, Duck Leg Confit, Port Wine and Orange Reduction, Gorgonzola Crema) appetizer,

while my friend got the Roasted Oysters (Wood Oven Roasted with Parmigiana crema and Speck) among other dishes.

In my honest opinion, although everything tasted excellent, the service was really slow, and we waited over 2 hours for our food to come. The portions were really small as well, so I was forced to get an appetizer and try my friends' food as well, like the Gnocchi which were full of mushrooms and tasted great as well. I even tried the bone marrow from the Veal Osso Bucco special as well.

My appetizer was the White Chocolate Creme Brulee, which was excellent and filling as well, although the caramelized layer was a little bitter.

Overall, the food was excellent, though in small portions, and the service was terribly slow, but hopefully it was only tonight.

February 24th 2013: Driving Around in the Snow

I got out late today because of the snow, but I felt I had little choice as I had meetup events to attend in the Boston area today, so I proceeded anyway, on my flat tire which I got yesterday.

Once again, no issues driving as I headed to Somerville for a brunch event at The Burren. There was a live band here, as well as a Learning InSync Bid n' Brunch auction featuring trinkets, paintings and other works of art from the African region.

After meeting my friends, we sat down right in front of the live band, which was actually pretty good.

After looking at the menu, I decided to get the Irish Breakfast out of lack of anything else that looked interesting, which looked pretty similar to the one I got at Mickey Cassidy's in Medway over a year ago,

while my friends got the Eggs Benedict, which came with a bowl of fruit as well

I would say that the Irish Breakfast was actually pretty good, if not better than that in Medway.

After brunch, finding nothing worth buying from the auction, I decided to bid my friends farewell and visit a few places in Somerville in the falling snow before heading to Medford.

Brazilian Presbyterian Church,

212 School Street

St. Benedict's Church

In Medford, I passed by a few places before heading into the city of Malden to start my sightseeing there.

Assembleia de Deus, 15 Marion Street

Medford Fire Station 3, 280 Salem Street

First Community United Methodist Church

Malden has several nice buildings,

Linden STEAM Academy

Immaculate Conception Parish

Spanish American War Memorial,

Pleasant Street and Highland Avenue

Congregation Beth Israel

Beebe School

7 Elm Street

First Parish Unitarian Universalist

St. Paul's Episcopal Church

48 Washington Street

Old Wilcox Hall,

80 Mountain Avenue

Philadelphia Seventh Day Adventist Church

First Baptist Church

Malden City Seal, 77 Salem Street

Malden Public Library

Davenport Memorial Home

Malden Fire Department

Sacred Hearts Church

City Hall Plaza, 200 Pleasant Street

First Congregational Church

Forestdale Community Church

Imani Temple Ministries,

264 Salem Street

Congregation Agudas Achim-Ezrath Israel

First Church of the Nazarene,

529 Eastern Avenue

Old Charles Daniels School

Temple Tifereth Israel

Good Shepherd United Methodist Church

Club 24

Maplewood Baptist Church

Old Maplewood Fire Station,

4 Laurel Street

St. Joseph's Church

First Lutheran Church

and a beautiful WWII memorial park at Bell Rock Park.

At this point, I was pretty much done with Malden, and decided it was time to head toward Boston, where I had plans to use my Groupon at Sibling Rivalry, an upscale restaurant with 2 chefs and competing dishes. While heading there, I passed through the town of Everett.

Shute Memorial Library

Old St. Therese Church,

801 Broadway

Glendale Christian Lighthouse Church, 

701 Broadway

Immaculate Conception Church

First United Parish

Town Clock,

Broadway and Norwood Street

Parlin Memorial Library

Time Dial,

School Street and Broadway

Heading into Boston, I was lucky to find a non-valet parking spot near the restaurant.

This place is definitely pretty upscale, as you can see from the pictures.

I was spoilt for choice when looking at the menu, but finally decided to go with the Roasted Pear and Endive Salad (radiccio, Bacon, Great Hill Blue Cheese)

and the Roasted Rack of Baby Pork (White Beans, Wild Mushroom Strudels, honey mustard glaze).

I have to say the portions were pretty small, though in really good presentation, but still pretty good, especially the pork, which I rarely order as it is usually overcooked and dry, but this was done just right, and I enjoyed my meal thoroughly.

I could not resist trying out a dessert as well after my enjoyable experience, getting the Orange Pistachio Wine Cake (pistachio mousse and kahlua anglaise).

The clementines were a little sour, but overall the dessert was pretty delicious as well.

My dinner was definitely a great ending to a good day of sightseeing, though a little marred by the constant snow.