October 30th 2016: Haunted Happenings in Salem

We started out today with some breakfast at Cafe Avellino, a small cafe in the town of Swampscott.

We got the Spicy Turkey and Avocado Panini (shaved turkey, sliced avocado, muenster cheese, cranberry mayo),

the Spicy Spinach Omelette (egg, spinach, tomato and garlic, parmigiano),

and the Raspberry Bowtie and Raspberry Square.

The food itself was not too bad, although the desserts tasted weird at times.

Overall, nothing special.

After breakfast, we headed into the town of Salem, where the Halloween event of Haunted Happenings was ongoing.

Not really into Halloween, so to me it was just another regular fair, nothing special.

We stopped by Kushco Bistro, which we initially thought was more of a restaurant than the cafe it was.

We got the Portabella Mushroom Panini (portabella mushroom, swiss, caramelized onion, spring mix and dijon mustard),

the Baked Eggplant Panini (baked eggplant, fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers, tomatoes, spring mix, sundried tomato paste),

the Brownie Sundae (vanilla froyo with walnuts, strawberries, chocolate sprinkles and fudge)

and a Smoothie (apple juice, strawberries, pineapple).

The sandwiches tasted really weird because there were too many spices in them, but thankfully the drink and the dessert were not bad. Not recommending this place again though.

We also stopped by a Japanese restaurant nearby, Koto Grill & Sushi, which was decorated for the festivities, and very dark inside.

Being very full from everything we had had, we just decided to go with the Yaki Soba (stir fried noodles with shrimp),

which was just so-so. Overall, nothing interesting on the menu, and not coming back again.

With that, we called it a day for checking out the Halloween festivities in Salem.

October 29th 2016: Checking Out the New Location of Smokestack Urban Barbecue, Worcester

We decided to have lunch today at Smokestack Urban Barbecue, a barbecue place in Worcester which I have been to in the past, but at its old location in town. This new place seems a little smaller though, being separated from the bar area by a wall.

We got the Pork Tacos (pulled pork, corn salsa, pickled onions and Kansas Kick),

Still serving great food here, I guess.

October 28th 2016: Another Crepe from Yoway Cafe, Worcester

Dessert tonight was at Yoway Cafe in Worcester, with the Tropical Whipped Japanese Crepe (mango, pineapple, whipped cream, sauce).

Still good, but is it just me or is the quality of the crepes going down these days, even though this place was pretty full of people while we were there?

October 23rd 2016: Hiking at the Erving State Forest, Erving

We started out this windy day heading to the Erving State Forest in Erving,

going for a hike using the path highlighted below in pink.

The hike up was a little intense at times,

but the views from the 2 viewpoints were pretty decent.

From here, we headed to the French King Restaurant and Motel for lunch, a pretty nice and cosy place.

We got the Seafood Chowder,

the Colossal Shrimp Cocktail (5 jumbo shrimp served with hot horseradish infused cocktail sauce)

and the Beef Stroganoff,

which came with a side salad as well.

We also got the Strawberry Shortcake for dessert.

The pasta, soup and dessert were not bad, although the shrimp were just so-so. Overall, nothing special here though.

From here, it was on to the French King Bridge nearby,

where there were excellent views of the fall foliage and the Connecticut River below.

We also went to Dorsey Road below the bridge to take pictures of it.

From here, we decided it was time to head back, going for dinner at Yen Yen, a Chinese restaurant in the town of Gardner.

We got the Salt and Pepper Spare Ribs and Szechuan Style Bean Curd (with Pork).

The bean curd was alright I guess, but the ribs were on the salty side. Not coming back again.

With that, a nice day of foliage peeping in Erving was finally at an end. Back to work tomorrow.

October 21st 2016: Lunch at Makao Restaurant, Worcester

We had lunch today at Makao Restaurant, a Latin American bar restaurant in Worcester, with somewhat decent decor in a crappy part of town.

We got the Sapodilla Fruit Shake for a drink,

which was thick and creamily delicious.

For food, we got the Mofongo, Fried Cassava and Shrimp with Garlic, which was pretty good as well.

 I would consider coming back here again, if not for the simple menu and sketchy environment, as well as staff that don't know any English.