March 31st 2015: Seafood Meals in Burlington and Somerville

I had to use my deal at Bonefish Grill by next week, so I decided to use it today, heading to the Burlington location. Pretty nice decor.

With my $10 deal and $25 gift card, I got the Maryland Crab Cakes (Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes and red remoulade sauce)

And the Wood Grilled Arctic Char with Herb Pesto sauce and Potatoes au Gratin on the side.

The crab cakes were pretty good, but too small for what I paid for them,especially when compared to the ones I had just yesterday.

The fish wasn't too bad either, though dry at times, and the potatoes were way too salty for my liking.

Overall, disappointed as always by semi upscale chain restaurants like these.

From here, I headed into Somerville for my next meal with friends at Earl's Kitchen and Bar. As I was a little early, I walked around the Assembly Row area for a bit.

The restaurant itself is pretty chic and upbeat, filling up quickly with people as the night wore on. For food, most of my friends got burgers and sandwiches, with Truffle Fries (custom salt and pepper blend, truffle aioli) on the side,

while I got the Oven Roasted Moroccan Salmon (smoked paprika oil, chermoula, pearl onions, peas and persian cauliflower).

I have to say, the salmon was really good, the skin being really crispy and the fish going really well with the sauce provided. I also liked the Truffle Fries I got to try. Overall, not a bad place to hang out with friends.

March 30th 2015: Dinner at Westender Restaurant and Bar, Marlborough

I headed to dinner at Westender Restaurant and Bar, a typical sports bar/restaurant in Marlborough after work today.

With my deal, I decided to get the Maryland Lump Crab Cakes (pan sauteed lump crab cakes with spicy remoulade),

the One Pound Little Necks (steamed in white wine, butter, virgin olive oil, garlic, scallions, red onion, chopped tomatoes, with croutons for broth dipping)

 and the Fettucine Carbonara (bacon, prosciutto, mushrooms, crisp peas, sundried tomatoes in garlic cream sauce).

The appetizers were okay, but nothing amazing. I did not really like the pasta either, which was a little bland, and the prosciutto just made everything too salty otherwise.

Not coming back here again.

March 29th 2015: Watching the Big Apple Circus in Boston

I started out this morning with my first hike in a long while at the Reading Town Forest in Reading. The path I took here to try to get views of the Ipswich River is shown below in pink.

There were a few decent views of the river, which was still partly frozen today. Not worth the effort though, in my opinion. Pictures follow.

Unfortunately, most of the paths were still covered in snow, making me decide not to hike for the rest of the day, choosing to head to North Andover

The Loft Restaurant

for breakfast instead at Baked and O So Good.

This place is more of a bakery than a deli,

but in order to use my deal here, I had to get 2 sandwiches, both of which sounded interesting enough as well, namely the Turkey Dinner Sandwich (Turkey, Stuffing, Butternut Squash Puree, Cranberry Mayonnaise, and Gravy, on Cranberry Walnut bread)

And the Tuna Wasabi Sandwich (Tuna with Celery & Carrot, Wasabi Mayonnaise, Napa Cabbage, Asian Pickles on Multigrain Fociccini),

along with a Boston Cream mini-cupcake just for kicks.

Surprisingly good, especially the cupcake and the filling. I should have gotten more dessert.

From here, I headed into Lawrence to do a little sightseeing there

John R Rollins School

Lawrence Engine 6

Redeemer Lutheran Church

Ministerio Apostolico,

96 East Haverhill Street

Durant Square,

East Haverhill Street and Berkeley Street

Spanish Assembly of God,

14 Vine Street

Holy Cross Armenian Church,

54 East Haverhill Street

Amesbury Gardens,

206 Amesbury Street

St. Anthony Maronite Church

before heading into Boston for a meetup brunch event at Lulu's Allston.

Pretty interesting menu, from which I got the White Trash Hash (Braised short rib hash, tater tots, two poached eggs, hollandaise).

 Delicious, especially the tater tots.

After brunch, I went to pick my friend up, taking her to have some Indian food at Zaika Taste of India in Medford. Just like Kakkoii Sushi and Ramen yesterday, I did not know this place was located within a food court inside the Meadow Glen Mall. Nonetheless, we got the Lychee Juice,

Fish Makhani (tilapia cooked in tomato cream sauce) and Goat Curry (goat meat cooked in a light curry sauce).

Not bad, but we couldn't finish much of it before becoming too full.

After lunch, we headed into Boston, where I was lucky enough to find a nearby parking spot before heading to the City Hall Plaza, where the Big Apple Circus tent was located.

It was the first time my friend had ever seen a circus, so I was glad she could have this opportunity.

I did not take pictures of the performances, which included a pretty good balancing act, flying trapeze with some near impossible catches, and animals tricks to boot. Overall though, I still think Cirque du Soleil is better. But then again, it was interesting to note that the circus is actually non-profit.

After the show, it had become really cold, and I realized I was a little underdressed. We hurried to the North End, where we had dinner at La Galleria 33, a somewhat upscale Italian restaurant.

 We weren't that hungry, so we just got half portions of the Baked Gnocchi (Smoked mozzarella)

 and the Tortellini Galleria (Peas, prosciutto, fresh mushrooms, cream).

 I really liked the tortellini, although the tomato sauce for the gnocchi wasn't to my liking as always.

We also got the Tiramisu for dessert.

Not a bad end to a day at the circus. Next time, Cirque du Soleil.









 

March 28th 2015: Meals Before and After Badminton

I started out this morning in Watertown, getting a Corned Beef Bulkie from Joe's Variety Deli and Sub Shop, a small place that looks more like a grocery store.

Nothing special, of course.

My real breakfast for the day was in the town of Belmont,

Belmont Woman's Club

at the Bellmont Caffe.

A pretty small place with little seating, but okay overall. A pretty interesting panini selection as well, of which I got the Bellmont Smoke Stack (Apple-wood smoked bacon, lettuce, smoked turkey, gouda, tomatoes, Chipotle mayo, served on sour dough bread).

Not bad actually, and definitely better than the one I had in Watertown earlier.

After badminton, I met up with my friend for lunch at Kakkoii Sushi and Ramen in Malden, thinking that it was a restaurant.

In actual fact, it is located inside the new 99 Asian Supermarket food court at 60 Broadway. As we were at a food court we also decided to order other food from the Vietnamese store there, Tan Mai Pho and Bakery, getting the Nem Cuon

and a Thai Iced Tea.

Both were pretty good, actually, especially the crispy rolls.

From the place itself, we got the 5 piece Takoyaki (Grilled octopus balls with takoyaki sauce)

and the Hell Ramen Soup (Spicy version of heaven ramen, topped roast pork, marinated soft boiled egg and more).

Not bad either, although my friend felt Hakata Ramen in Quincy was better.