January 31st 2016: Brazilian Buffet at Braza Bar and Grill, Everett

We decided to check out a Brazilian rodizio place in Everett, the Braza Bar and Grill, for lunch today.

We have been wanting to come here for a while now,  but never got the chance till today.

Nice decor to say the least, and a good variety of meat as well.

Definitely one of the better Brazilian places I have been to in a while.

January 30th 2016: Hanging Out at the Burlington Mall

While at the Burlington Mall today, we decided to have lunch at the Besito Mexican here, a pretty upscale restaurant.

They make the guacamole fresh literally, right beside the table for you.

We got the Ensalada Jaiba (Crispy jumbo lump crab cake, mesculine greens, roasted corn, tomatoes, jicama, queso fresco, avocado green chile dressing),

the Calabaza (Squash blossoms, roasted green chile, queso Chihuahua, crimini and button mushrooms, salsa verde cruda, pico de gallo, crema) quesadilla,

and the Elotes de la Calle (Roasted Mexican street corn, queso fresco, chile molido).

The corn was absolutely delicious and a little spicy, as was the salad with the crabmeat. The quesadilla was excellent as well, although it had onions.

As we were leaving, we were given churros for parting desserts,

which were a little hard unfortunately. The Guatemalan worry dolls that came along too were pretty cute though.

Overall, the best Mexican meal I have had to date, with a nice ambience to boot.

While wandering around, I decided to get the Shark Attack mini cupcakes from Shotcakes, located at the food court, which are topped with ice cream instead of cream, a pretty interesting concept.

 Not bad too.

Later in the afternoon, we spent some time at Revere Beach

in Revere,

State Police

Wonderland T Station

and then headed to Deer Island for a bit

before calling a day when the sun finally set.

January 29th 2016: Watching Kung Fu Panda 3 in Millbury

Today, I had to go to Millbury to get advance movie tickets for Kung Fu Panda 3 at the Blackstone Valley 14: Cinema De Lux theater. Along the way, I decided to stop by Mrs. Mack's Bakery and Restaurant in Worcester, getting a Pecan Diamond.

Not bad, although it got too sweet after a while.

On the way to the cinema, I happened to pass by the  Clearview Country Club in Millbury, where there are beautiful views of the surroundings

and of the Shoppes at Blackstone Valley.

After work, we headed back to the theater, where we decided to eat at Chatters Bar and Grill, located inside. We weren't that hungry, so we just got the Thai Chicken Bites (Sweet and spicy fried chicken with sweet Thai chili glaze. Served with ranch dressing).

Not bad, although the meat was pretty fatty.

January 28th 2016: Breakfast at Frank and Nancy's, Auburn

While waiting for the bank to open today, I decided to grab breakfast at Frank and Nancy's, a small diner in Auburn.

Really simple menu, from which I got 1 Egg with Kielbasa.

Not bad actually, but nothing special.

January 27th 2016: Breakfast in Northborough

I stopped by Northborough this morning, getting the Cream Filled and French Cruller Donuts from Honey Dip Donuts at 308 Main Street.

Okay stuff, nothing special.

Next, I headed nearby to Chet's Diner, a small town diner, for some hot food, getting the Homemade Corned Beef Hash with 2 Eggs (served with toast).

Once again, nothing special, and I didn't like the peppers in the hash.

January 26th 2016: Lunch at 2ovens, Shrewsbury

We went out today for lunch at 2ovens in Shrewsbury, where I have been to a few times in the past.

This time, we got the Skillet Cornbread (with cheddar, cherry peppers and maple butter)

and the Pesto Shrimp Pizza (basil pesto, shredded mozzarella, goat cheese, roasted red peppers).

The cornbread was an interesting concept, and tasty as well, but the ingredients on the pizza did not go well together at all for me, even being bland at times. Oh well, wrong choice of pizza I guess.

January 25th 2016: A Quick Bite from Gourmet Donuts, West Boylston

I decided to grab a donut from Gourmet Donuts in West Boylston, getting the Peanut Butter Cup Donut.

Nothing special really.

January 24th 2016: Trying Out Places at the Northshore Mall

We were in the Northshore Mall in Peabody for a bit this morning, so we took the opportunity to check out a few places there. First, we went to have a meal at Cafe Bistro, located within the Nordstrom section.

Pretty similar in decor to Blue Stove in the Burlington Mall.

Here, we have to order at the counter before seating, where we got the Chocolate Pate (dark chocolate pate with raspberry sauce)

and the Grilled Shrimp and Asparagus Risotto (wild shrimp, creamy lemon scented carnaroli rice, parmesan cheese).

Both were actually pretty good, though not as good as Blue Stove.

Wandering around the mall a bit more, I got some froyo from Tutti Frutti

and the Mango Goji Blast (mango and pineapple combination) from Nature's Nectar.

Not bad, with fresh fruit being used in the drink.


Later on, we were in the Boston area and needed to take a break from the cold, so we stopped by Caffe Bella Vita in the Beacon Hill area. which I have been to in the past. This time, we got the Creme Brulee Cheesecake and a Chai Latte.

The cheesecake was delicious, but the latte was not to my liking because of the cinnamon in it.

Dinner was at Haru, a pretty upscale Japanese place located in the Prudential Center.

Tea was served in pretty interesting cups as well.

For food, we got the Strawberry Fin (Crunchy spicy yellowtail, jalapeño and mango, topped with scallops, wasabi tobiko and fresh strawberries) Maki

and the Hot Chili-Garlic Shrimp (Harusame noodles, carrot, squash, bonito flakes).

The sushi tasted weird, while the shrimp were just alright.

Overall, way overpriced for just average food.

January 22nd 2016: Dinner at Fenmore Grill, Boston

We had dinner tonight at the Fenmore Grill, which is located within the Hotel Buckminster, where we went to dodge the frigid weather a few weeks ago.

We got the New England Clam Chowda (smooth and creamy New England style chowder with redbliss potatoes and hickory smoked bacon) and Traditional Shrimp Cocktail (served with horseradish sauce) for appetizers,

the Grilled Salmon (salmon steak grilled, served with shiitake risotto and sweet pepper vinaigrette) for the main course

and the Red Velvet Cake for dessert.

The soup and shrimp were not bad, although the fish was a little dry, with the risotto having a tad too much garlic. The cake was okay, though the excess of cream cheese was a little hard to swallow after a bit.

Overall, not a place worth coming back to.

January 21st 2016: Tapas Dinner at 10 Rocks Tapas Bar, Pawtucket RI

Tonight's dinner was at 10 Rocks Tapas Bar, a small bar restaurant with a modern feel in Pawtucket RI.

Once again, cute teapots for water.

Service was a little lacking today, made worse by us being hungry. We got the Pastel de Cabo Verde (Crisp and golden pastels served with stuffing: Tuna with fresh green peppers, served with specialty house sauces),

the Pastel de Bacalhau/Cod Cakes (Traditional Portuguese cod cakes served with a side of housemade Sriracha aioli),

the Camarao de Alho (Shrimp sauteed with olive oil, garlic, white wine, and a touch of chili flakes),

the Arroz de Kocu/Coconut Rice (Fried rice sauteed in garlic, roasted coconuts and fresh coconut milk)

and the Maria Helena Batatas Bravas (Seasoned potatoes and chorizo sauteed with olive oil, garlic and shallots, topped with a fried egg and a chef Creole sauce).

The croquettes were both surprisingly good, especially the cod with potato filling. The sauce for the shrimp was delicious, although the coconut rice was probably not worth ordering, but still good. The chorizo had a hollandaise like sauce, which made eating the potatoes a pleasure.

For dessert, we got the Mango Mousse Cake (A light, creamy mango mousse topped with fresh raspberries and roasted coconut flakes).

Well presented, and tastes just like mango pudding.

Overall, a surprisingly good meal. With that, we decided to call an end to our exploration of Rhode Island restaurants for the time being.