Saturday, December 30, 2017

December 30th 2017: Dinner with Family at Cafe Piazza Dolce, Winchester

Tonight, we had dinner with family at Cafe Piazza Dolce, a somewhat small but nice Italian restaurant in the town of Winchester.
We had five people and we had made a reservation earlier, but they only gave us 2 tables to sit at, right in the corner by the fireplace, where it was too hot for comfort. We wanted to switch tables, but they would not let us, citing that the tables we wanted to switch to were already reserved. Note, those tables were empty the entire time we were there. Moreover, another group of five people came later, and they were given 3 tables to sit at.

Also, with the deal we got, we had to order 4 entrees, all of which were pretty expensive, of which we got the Enzo's Margherita (Fresh diced seasoned tomatoes, fresh mozzarella slices, snipped basil with grated parmesan and pecorino cheese),
the Shrimp (6/8 side jumbo naturally raised shrimp grilled, and tossed lightly in lemon and garlic butter) with Grilled Asparagus and Grilled Eggplant,
the Lamb (Top round tip cut, 8 ounces, lava rock fire kissed and lightly seasoned, served with vinegar peppers, fresh rosemary, and grilled bread), with Broccoli Rabe and Truffle Polenta,
and the Clam Shrimp and Lobster Habanero (Habanero peppers, Littlenecks, pulled Lobster, and Shrimp in a very light vine ripe tomato, chardonnay and basil broth served over home made linguini pasta).
The pizza was not bad actually, and was the cheapest of all the dishes we got. Everything else, I could not say the same though. The lamb and shrimp were way too expensive for the few pieces of meat we got, and they even gave us lobster legs with little meat in the pasta.

For dessert, we got the Home Made Sfogliatella,
which unfortunately was not fresh and hence a little hard to eat.

Overall, a very disappointing experience, and my tip pretty much said what I needed to say. The food was actually alright in flavor, but definitely not worth the treatment we got.

Thursday, December 28, 2017

December 28th 2017: Checking Out the Renovated Public Library in Shrewsbury

I have not been to the Public Library in Shrewsbury since it was renovated, so I decided to go check it out today. Before that, I went to the Ski Ward area, where people were skiing on this frigidly cold day,
to check out the Slopeside Bar and Grill,
where I got a Hot Dog from the uninspiring menu, as can be expected from these places at ski slopes.
From here, I went to explore the library, which now a totally different place from when I last visited it, way before I started my travels.
Definitely a terrific improvement from the old.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

December 27th 2017: A Quick Bite at Vegan Nest Cafe, Worcester

Today, I decided to go get a quick bite at the Vegan Nest Cafe in Worcester, which used to be Viriditas, which I visited before. Not much change to the decor, still simplistic. I got the Spinach and Artichoke Panini,
which was just so-so. Nothing special here. Not coming back again.

Sunday, December 24, 2017

December 24th 2017: Dinner at Pabu, Boston

Today, we decided to have dinner at Pabu, a new upscale restaurant located at the newly constructed Millenium Tower in Boston.

 Really nice decor, to say the least.
We were initially here for the ramen, with a coupon in hand, but because of the holiday, they did not have the ramen today, and could not honor our coupon. Thankfully, they decided to give us a few dishes on the house, namely the Edamame, the seaweed salad
and the MAITAKE MUSHROOM TEMPURA (dashi-soy dipping sauce, matcha salt).
I have to say, the mushrooms are pretty good in tempura, while the seaweed salad was much less artificial than the usual bright green ones we are used to.

For food, we got the Spider Roll (soft shell crab, kaiware, tobiko, spicy mayo),
and the TASTING OF ROBATA (CHICKEN MEATBALLS | TSUKUNE (egg yolk, togarashi), SKIRT STEAK | HARAMI (PORK BELLY | BUTABARA (sansho salt), CHICKEN HEARTS | KOKORO (konnichiha sake-cured), PEARL ONION | TAMANEGI (tare glaze), TRUMPET MUSHROOM | ERINGI (spicy miso), CHICKEN SKIN | KAWA (togarashi, spicy miso)).
The maki was not bad, while for the robata, pretty much only the meatballs, skirt steak and the chicken hearts were not bad in terms of flavor. Everything else was just so-so, some being a tad salty, like the chicken skin.

For dessert, we got the MILK CHOCOLATE-SESAME CUSTARD (black sesame sponge, candied cocoa nibs, red bean ice cream).
Definitely a well thought out dessert, with loads of different textures and flavors, all coming together perfectly. A perfect ending to a not so perfect dinner. Hopefully our choices next time when we come back for the ramen will be better.


Wednesday, December 20, 2017

December 20th 2017: Lunch at Railers Sports Tavern, Worcester

Today, We decided to get lunch at Railers Sports Tavern, a new bar restaurant in downtown Worcester.
We got the SMOKED SEAFOOD CHOWDER (with shrimp, scallops, clams,
haddock and croutons),
the RAILER BURGER (6oz. grass-fed patty, American cheese, sliced onion, Regal Crown pickles, smoky tavern sauce, potato roll)
and the SLAP SHOT (whipped feta, sundried tomato, Broccoli Raab & Cheese Link, mushrooms, roasted garlic aioli).
The soup was pretty flavorful, just not having much seafood, and too pricey for 8 bucks. The burger was excellent though, even though it was well done, while the toppings on the "hot dog" made the dish, although the sausage itself was just alright.

Overall, not a bad meal, despite the costly soup.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

December 19th 2017: To Providence and Back

I made my way towards Providence RI today, passing through Smithfield RI,
Smithfield Union Meetinghouse, 60 Branch Pike
Living Waters Foursquare Church
Ocean State Baptist Church
St. Michael's Church
Georgiaville Baptist Church
Town Hall
Fire Station #2, 66 Farnum Pike
Benny's Inc


checking out Bryant University,

Where I got breakfast at the Classic Cafe, a diner in town,

Where I got the 1 Egg Ham and Cheese Omelet (served with hash browns and toast).

Pretty good and filling for a cheap meal.

From here, I headed into the town of North Providence RI,
Greystone Methodist Church
Greystone Lofts
Mary, Mother of Mankind Church
Town Hall, 2000 Smith Street
Embajada de Cristo
Albert Darnbrough Square,
Woonasquatucket Avenue and Smith Street
Grace Community Baptist Church
4 George Street
St. James Church
War Memorial,
Fruit Hill Avenue and Olney Avenue
Franciscan Missionaries of Mary
before finally reaching Providence.
St. Augustine Catholic Church
Mount Pleasant High School

La Salle Academy
St. Pius V Church
West River Center, 146 West River Street
Providence Picture Frame
St. Raymond's Church
I explored Rhode Island College
and Providence College.
At this point, it was time to head back home, passing by Pawtucket RI along the way.
Covenant Congregational Church
Bethany Baptist Church
St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church
Lorraine Mills, 560 Mineral Springs Avenue
With that, my trip to Providence and back was done. Perhaps I will be back next week.