December 31st 2016: Shopping at the Cambridgeside Galleria, Cambridge

We started out early today,  avoiding the usual crowds at Life Alive, a vegan restaurant in downtown Cambridge,

getting the Dandi-Blend Coffee Substitute (mix of dandelion, chicory root and Beet)

And the Goddess (Ginger Nama Shoyu Sauce nurturing carrots, Beets, broccoli, Kale,  Tofu and sprouted legumes,  Gracing short grain brown rice).

The "coffee" was surprisingly good, having the smoky flavor,  but no bitter aftertaste. The food was really tasty as well because of the sauce.  Which probably explains why this place is so popular.

After spending some time shopping at the Cambridgeside Galleria,

We decided to grab a bite at World of Beer, a new bar restaurant inside the mall,

Getting a Beer Batter Pancake (Served with Maple Bourbon syrup)

And the Florentine Benedict (Sautéed mushrooms and Onions,  Garden tomatoes and wild arugula, on a house Baked Buttermilk biscuit with Poached eggs and velvety Pesto hollandaise sauce. Served with fries).

The Pancake was really good with the slight beer flavor, while the Eggs were pretty tasty with the Pesto flavor as well,  despite the onions. Definitely want to come back to try their dinner fare some time.

Dinner was with family at Pho Le, a Vietnamese restaurant in the Dorchester area of Boston, where I have been to a few times before in the past.

We got the Goi Vit (Duck tossed with Shredded cabbage in ginger and Fish vinaigrette),

The Ca Nuong Da Gion (whole oven roasted Catfish,  topped with Scallion,  Fried shallots and Roasted Peanuts. Served with Vegetable platter,  vermicelli, Rice paper for wrapping and pineapple anchovy sauce),

The Com Hen (Spicy Rice bowl with Baby Clams, Crushed Black Sesame Rice crackers, Shredded lettuce,  Mango, Green apple,  taro stem and Banana Blossom, topped with Whole roasted Peanuts. Served with Clam broth on the side and Mam ruoc sauce to taste)

And the Kem Flan (Caramel custard) for dessert.

The salad was a little disappointing,  although the sauce did help to save the dish,  and the fish was not bad.  The Clam Rice was really flavorful with all its ingredients,  while the Flan was really interesting with a topping of frozen Vietnamese coffee. Overall,  a pretty good meal to celebrate my Grandma's birthday.