September 30th 2016: Lunch in Worcester, Dinner in Framingham

I had Chinese takeout from China Sea in Worcester for lunch today, getting the General Tso's Chicken, Pork Fried Rice and Egg Roll.

The chicken itself was not bad, although the rice and egg roll were just so-so.

Dinner was at a vegetarian place in Framingham, Green Leaf Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurant.

We went with the Cashew Sesame Tofu (Organic tofu encrusted with fresh herbs, cashews, and sesame seeds. Served with coconut-cilantro chutney),

the Zucchini Noodle with Sun dried Tomato Pesto (Zucchini Thin Noodle, Corn, Spinach, Cannellini Beans, Sun dried Tomato Pesto, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Topped with Roasted Pine Nuts)

and the Butternut Kale Lasagna (Butternut squash, kale, zucchini, portabello mushrooms, onion, garlic, organic tofu, and fresh herbs, topped with melted Daiya cheese.)

The first 2 dishes were not bad, although the noodles felt like there was something missing to it, but the dish of the night was the lasagna, the sauce being pretty amazing, while the cheese had a weird and gooey texture, but not bad all the same.

Unfortunately, the Orange Chocolate Hazelnut Tarte

we got tasted grainy and weird.

Overall though, a pretty good meal for 3 people, with huge portions that we could not finish.

September 29th 2016: Dinner at Bootleggers Prohibition Pub, Worcester

We had dinner tonight at the Bootleggers Prohibition Pub, a new bar restaurant that has taken the place of EVO, which I had visited once in the past.

The decor looks pretty much the same, given that they are the same owners, and the menu was pretty interesting as well. We got The Cohiba (Slow roasted tomatillo seasoned pork shoulder over shredded lettuce, sweet plantain, roasted sweet corn, and drizzled with smoked sour cream),

the MoonTown Clam Strips (Old bay & Cajun seasoned clam strips served over New England clam chowder and grilled corn bread, garnished with fresh chive)

and the Diver Scallop and Short Rib Grilled (Diver sea scallop set atop Korean BBQ glazed beef short rib served over sautéed baby spinach, sweet onion, fresh heirloom tomatoes and topped with fresh made béarnaise sauce).

Really delicious stuff, although the scallop portion was a little small being the most expensive dish, and the tacos would have been pretty bland without the plantains. The clam soup dish was amazing though.

For dessert, we got the Flipping Your Lid (warm pineapple upside down cake served with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce).

Once again, simply decadent. Definitely coming back again to try the other stuff.

September 28th 2016: Dinner with Friends at Machu Picchu, Somerville

I was to meet up with friends for a late dinner at Machu Picchu, a Peruvian restaurant in Somerville today, but as I was hungry, I decided to stop at Royal Punjab, an Indian restaurant in Cambridge,

getting the Lamb Madras (Cubes of lamb sauteed with curry leaves, mustard seeds, coconut, and red chilli. Includes basmati rice),

which was actually pretty good, the lamb being tender as well.

When I arrived in the Union Square area, I still had some time, so I decided to check out Machu Chicken, another Peruvian restaurant in the area which I had mistaken for Machu Picchu at first glance.

I was tempted to try the chicken here, but as I had more to eat later, I decided to settle for the Anticucho Peruano (beef heart marinated in aji panca, a slice of boiled potatoes and Peruvian corn)

and the Alfajores (Peruvian pastry filled with Manjar Blanco (caramel).

Really flavorful, and perfectly cooked for beef heart. The cookies were exceptional as well, and I wasn't expected such a big portion.

At the final restaurant itself, I realized that my friend had also made the same mistake of going to the other Machu restaurant instead.

Apparently that happens all the time, according to the owner of Machu Picchu.

When everyone arrived, we got Roasted Peruvian corn for starters,

the Ceviche la Pescado (raw fish marinated in lime juice and served with sweet potato, toasted corn, boiled corn kernels and rocoto pepper),

the Cau Cau (Stew of the Incas, serving of beef tripe with side of rice)

and the Choros a la Chalaca (Peruvian style mussels topped with spicy lime sauce).

The fish itself wasn't too fresh and a little on the sour side, while the tripe was a little strong in smell too. The mussels were not bad though.

Overall, comparing the 2 Peruvian places, I actually prefer Machu Chicken, even though I never knew of its existence until today.

September 27th 2016: More of Jimmy's Tavern, Shrewsbury

We decided to eat at Jimmy's Tavern in Shrewsbury again tonight, this time getting the Conundrum White Blend 2014 (fragrant and juicy, mix of honeysuckle, peach, apple and lemon set on light and effortless frame. Blend of Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Vingnier, Semillion, Muscat canelli),

the Double Play Taco Platter (chicken with Chipotle peppers and Crispy fish)

and the Stuffed Mushrooms (Seafood stuffing with mornay sauce).

The tacos were exceptional, especially the chicken which we did not try before, and I liked the mushroom sauce for the mushrooms as well. Still not disappointed here.

September 26th 2016: More Burgers at Jimmy's Tavern

We had Burger Nite at Jimmy's Tavern tonight. This time, we got the Abita Purple Haze Raspberry Wheat

and the Texas Burger (BBQ sauce, pepper jack cheese, smoked bacon, onion rings).

Once again, a really good meal, and for cheap. Starting to run out of burgers. I wonder which place is next on the list.

September 24th 2016: Lunch in Saugus, Dessert in Somerville

We had lunch at Victor's Italian Cuisine, a small Italian cafe in Saugus, today. We got the Papa's Homemade Meatballs (baked in oven and simmered in tomato sauce),

the Mussels Fra Diavolo

and the Shrimp Grand Marnier (shrimp dredged in egg batter served in an orange liquor sauce).

Everything was surprisingly delicious, especially the sauce for the mussels, and I really like how the egg batter on the shrimp soaked up the sweet sauce, which made it amazing. Thinking more about it now, I might actually recommend this place.

For dessert, we headed into Somerville to check out 7ate9 Bakery, which apparently has the best cheesecakes in town. There was no place to sit here, although we could stand at the counter. We got the Ginger Turmeric Tea,

which was not to my liking,

while the Classic Cheesecake Popsicle (with graham cracker crust)

was good but nothing special.

The Orange Cranberry Mini-cupcake was pretty tasty and flavorful though.

Overall though, not a fan of this place.

September 23rd 2016: Dessert at Paris Baguette, Cambridge

We decided to head into Cambridge for some dessert tonight, getting a Choux Tart (tart shell (almonds, eggs, butter, wheat flour), cream puff, Legere Cream (fresh cream, custard cream), Strawberries, Plum liqueur)

and a Black Sesame Latte.

Both were exceptionally good, even though the tart crust was a little on the hard side.

September 22nd 2016: Oatmeal at NU Cafe, Worcester

We went to NU Cafe in Worcester today before work, getting the Eggs and Oats Bowl (oats, spinach, sunny side up egg, drizzled with sriracha and soy sauce).

In our opinion, the ingredients really didn't go well together in this dish this time around. Not one of the better meals here, though healthy.

September 21st 2016: Dinner at Janet's Hilltop, Grafton

I messed up dinner tonight, so we ended up going to Janet's Hilltop, a dive bar in the town of Grafton, instead.

We got the Lemon Pepper Baked Haddock,

which came with a New England Clam Chowder.

The soup was really bland, while the fish was sour and dry. Definitely not coming back again, especially with the poker game going on around us as we ate.

September 19th 2016: Upscale Dinner at 111 Chop House, Worcester

Tonight, we had dinner at 111 Chop House, one of the best restaurants in Worcester, which I have been to once or twice a long time ago.

This time, we got the Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail (served with housemade cocktail sauce),

the Firecracker Sushi Roll (Lobster, Avocado, Fried Sweet Potato and Spicy Mayonnaise, Served Inside-Out with Sesame Seeds)

and the Trio of Prime Filet Medallions (Oscar – King Crab, Asparagus, Hollandaise, Au Poivre – Black Pepper Encrusted, Shallot Cream, Chop House Garlic Butter),

which came with a Mixed Green Salad.

The shrimp cocktail was not bad, while the salad was just alright. The sushi was tasty, but the rice felt a little hard and undercooked. Thankfully, the steaks were just amazing, as can be expected from this place.

For dessert, we got the Molten Chocolate Cake (Rich Chocolate Cake, Warm Melted Center, Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream),

which was done just right with the ice cream and strawberry on the side.

Pretty good meal, although I might not get sushi here again.

September 18th 2016: Breakfast at Juliet, Somerville

We decided to check out Juliet, a nice and popular brunch place in Somerville, for breakfast today.

By the time we got to the cafe, it looked like there would be no space for us, but thankfully, as we decided to order from the Price Fixe menu which guaranteed us a spot at the bar, we just had to line up to have our orders taken before being ushered to our seats.

For drinks, we got Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice and House Tea Blend (with saffron and cardomom). As we were not previously informed that the price fixe meal came with orange juice as well, we had another for an additional 4 dollars as a result.

Both were pretty good though, the tea not being too strong in flavor.

For food, we had complimentary Apple and Cinnamon Bread Starters,

the Avocado and Grapefruit Toast with Half Boiled Egg

and the Grand Breakfast (roast beef hash, two fried eggs, buttered toast, sliced tomato, pickled mussels).

I have to say that even though the food was pretty tasty, the portions were extremely small, and it was a wonder that we even felt full at the end of it all. Not worth it in my opinion, but somehow the people keep coming.

September 17th 2016: A Quick Meal at Taqueria Mexico Lindo, Lynn

We were hungry, but as dinner was not ready yet, we decided to grab a quick bite at Taqueria Mexico Lindo, a Mexican place in Lynn. We got the Horchata (rice, cinnamon and milk drink)

and the Tripa Taco (fresh corn tortilla served with tripe, topped with onions and cilantro).

The drink was pretty good, although the taco was just alright, It did the trick though of filling up our tummies a little before a delicious dinner at home.

September 13th 2016: Another Lunch from My Wife

I had to work late tonight, so my other half got me a Buffalo Kale Chicken Wrap (roasted chicken, kale and romaine lettuce, crispy chickpeas, shredded parmesan and a drizzle of buffalo sauce tossed in our garlic-ginger sauce on a wheat wrap) from NU Cafe in Worcester.

Excellent meal to fill me up on a night of working late. Thanks dear!.