July 31st 2015: Dinner at Raagini Indian Bistro, Andover

Today after work, I went with my friend to go check out the Mall at Rockingham Park in Salem NH,

before heading back to Andover for dinner at Raagini Indian Bistro.

We got the Strawberry Lassi,

the Goat Curry (Hunks of young goat meat with bone in a delicious curry sauce)

and the Butter Chicken (Pieces of boneless tandoori chicken cooked in a creamy tomato sauce enriched with cashews and raisins).

Pretty good stuff, especially the drink which tasted just like strawberry yogurt, although my friend thought Rang Indian Bistro in Stoneham was better.

July 30th 2015: Dinner at Olivia's, Haverhill

Today after work, I decided to use a deal at Olivia's in Haverhill for dinner. Before that, I visited a few places in Methuen,

Forest Lake Beach

Methuen Waterworks

including Greycourt State Park

chancing upon the Presentation of Mary Academy, which has a lot of nice old architecture.

I also visited Chua Lam Ty Ni, a Vietnamese temple in Lawrence

before finally heading to Haverhill for dinner.

This place has a bit of a casual feel,

and with my deal I got the Sirloin Steak Tips (Teriyaki)

and the Pollo Toscano (Chicken breast stuffed with baby spinach, prosciutto ham & smoked mozzarella, rolled in Italian breading & quickly deep-fried, then oven-baked and topped with a mushroom marsala wine sauce. Served with penne alfredo).

The steak tips were pretty good, and the stuffed chicken was interesting, but overall the meal was just alright.

Recommended Places to Visit: Methuen

Recreation

Beaches
Forest Lake Beach
End of Ridgewood Lane

Parks
Greycourt State Park
41 Pleasant Street


Water Bodies
Mill Pond
485 Lowell Street

Mystic Pond
22 Lindberg Avenue

Hills Pond
129 Milk Street


Arts Performances
Memorial Music Hall
192 Broadway

Architecture

Monuments

Wardwell Square
Pleasant Street and Charles Street

Clock Tower
Hampshire Street and Broadway

Fountain
90 Hampshire Street

Riverwalk Park
48 Osgood Street

Schools
Presentation of Mary Academy
209 Lawrence Street


Places of Worship

St. Lucy's Church
254 Merrimack Street

New Hope Methodist Church
10 Phillips Street

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
90 Broadway

First Baptist Church
253 Lawrence Street

St. Monica Church
212 Lawrence Street

First Church Congregational
26 Pleasant Street

Fellowship Bible Church
1 Fellowship Way

Forest Street Union Church
15 Forest Street

St. Theresa Church
22 Plymouth Street

St. Xenia Church
170 North Lowell Street

Riverside Assembly of God
15 Lowell Boulevard

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
39 Hill Street

Town Facilities
City Hall
41 Pleasant Street

Historical Society
41 Pleasant Street

Fire Department
24 Lowell Street

Nevin's Memorial Library
305 Broadway

Waterworks
120 Cross Street


Dams
Spicket River Dam
190 Broadway

Spicket Falls
51 Osgood Street

Historical Buildings
Nevin's Manor
110 Broadway

Old Central School
250 Lawrence Street

Mill Falls Apartments
51 Osgood Street

July 29th 2015: Dinners in Saugus and Natick

Today after work, I went with my friend to the Square One Mall in Saugus,

Then to Sake Japanese Restaurant nearby at 670 Broadway for dinner. This place has pretty interesting decor, with sunken tables to mimic the low tables in Japan.

For food, we got the Spicy Scallop Maki (cooked scallops with spicy mayo),

The Hama Shiru (cherrystone clams in light broth) And the Ahiru (Slices of roasted Duck lightly sautéed Topped with Scallions).

The sushi was pretty simplistic, though still good, as was the soup. I liked the duck the best, the only complaint being that it was mostly fatty skin.

Overall, just an average meal though with nothing much interesting on the menu.

On the way back home, I was feeling so hungry that I had to stop by Smashburger, a fast food joint in Natick which thankfully was still open when I arrived. I got the Truffle Mushroom Swiss (Truffle mayo, sautéed crimini mushrooms, aged Swiss on an egg bun)

And a portion of Smashfries (Tossed in Italian olive oil, rosemary & garlic).

Not bad, but nothing special.

July 27th 2015: Meals in Northborough

My initial plan after work today was to just grab Chinese takeout from Mandarin Pan Restaurant in Northborough, getting the General Gau's Chicken

which came with Crab Rangoons.

They were not even crispy though.

I happened to see Beezers and Trombetta's Farm across the road though, and decided to go check them out.

I got a Pizza Dog (pizza sauce, parmesan, pepperoni, mozzarella) from the former

and a Rainbow Sherbet Sherbet Freeze from the latter.

The hot dog wasn't much to speak of, but at least the drink was refreshing.

July 26th 2015: Checking Out Places in Quincy and Braintree

My friend and I started out this morning in Quincy, checking out the Best Western Adams Inn,

the Furnace Brook Golf Club,

the Neighborhood Club of Quincy,

the Tirrell Room,

the Granite Links Golf Club

and the Boston Marriott Quincy.

In Braintree, we visited the Chua Bo De,

before heading to Montillio's Baking Company nearby,

where we got an Eclair, a Boston Cream mini-cupcake,

a Mintillio's Iced Coffee

and a Chicken Parm (Italian style Breaded Chicken Breast, baked with San Marzano Tomato sauce and melted provolone cheese) sandwich.

The cakes were excellent, as was the coffee, although the sandwich was just so-so. Overall, the place is a little messy though.

We visited another bakery in town next, the famous Konditor Meister. This place is much nicer looking than Montillio's,

and the White Almond Chapeaux I got was nice looking and tasty as well.

From here, we headed to dinner in the Dorchester area of Boston, checking out Chau Chow City, a branch of the Chinatown one at 699 Morrissey Boulevard.

We got the Steamed Oyster in Black Bean Sauce, Steamed Scallops in Shell with Black Bean Sauce,

Sea Conch with Yellow Chives, Salted Fish, Diced Chicken Fried Rice and Chinese Watercress with Garlic.

Not bad, as was the complimentary dessert at the end of the meal,

though nothing out of the ordinary either.