March 31st 2019: Lunch at Pit Stop Tavern, Marlborough

Today, we decided to have lunch at the Pit Stop Tavern, located within the Apex Entertainment Center in Marlborough.

We got the HAWAIIAN BURGER (Smashed angus beef topped with maple ham, pineapple, and pepper jack cheese. Served on a pretzel bun with sweet chili sauce) and HOUSE-MADE POTATO CHIPS.

The chips were a little hard, while the burger meat was on the dry side. Overall, just average food.

March 30th 2019: Pastries and Tea in Medford

While in Medford today, we decided to check out Arthur's Pastry Shop, an Italian bakery in Medford on Main Street, the other location being on High Street. We got the Tower, Cream Puffs

and Anise Biscotti.

The cakes were really good, although the spice in the bread was way too much for our liking.

Might come back again for the cream puffs, but definitely not anything anise related.

We also got the Matcha Green Tea Lemonade from the new Starbucks located within the Target on Salem Street.

Really dilute, and nowhere as good as Bar Pa Tea in New York.

March 29th 2019: Lunch and Dinner at the Same Restaurant in West Boylston

For lunch today, I decided to check out NOLA Cajun Kitchen, a new Cajun/Creole place in West Boylston. Kind of a hole in the wall place with few seats.

Pretty popular place though.

For food, I got the Crawfish Etoufee (crawfish tails simmered in a rich and flavorful dark roux, served over a bed of rice) and Gator Bites (tender pieces of fried alligator served with Cajun Mustard),

both of which were very flavorful and fresh, the stew being full of crawfish.

Because the food was so good, I had to bring my other half there for dinner as well, this time getting the NOLA Gumbo (The cajun tinity of onions, bell peppers and celery in a roux based soup cooked with shrimp, chicken, sausage and okra, topped with a spoon of rice),

the Live Clams Seafood Boil (tossed in NOLA secret sauce, comes with corn and potato),

and the Cajun Wings (lightly dusted, fried and tossed in pepper and Cajun Seasoning).

The seafood and sauces were simply excellent, while the wings were another type of perfection, crispy yet moist, without need for much flour.

Amazing for a hole in the wall place.

Next, we headed across the road to Gerardo's Italian Bakery, the original location which I have not been to for a long time now.

This time, we got the Lemon Mascarpone Cake

and the Tiramisu.

Delicious as always from this place. Glad we decided to try the same restaurant twice on the same day.

March 27th 2019: Meals at High End Restaurants in Hopkinton and Worcester

Today, passing through Ashland,

Waterview Lodge

I stopped by in Hopkinton,

Weston Nurseries

getting lunch at Central Public House, a pretty upscale restaurant in town.

I got the Veggie Burger (Black bean, garbanzo beans, sticky rice and veggie blend. Buttered roll, bibb lettuce and tomato, served with chipotle mayo),

which was quite tasty, especially the crispy fries served on the side. Probably will come back for dinner some day.

For dinner, I went to try out the City Bar and Grille in Worcester, a new upscale place replacing Caffe Trattoria Espresso. Really nice ambience here.

 

For food, I got the Crispy Chicken Drum Sticks (Cholula lime honey, spicy pineapple, cabbage slaw) for appetizers

and the Beer Braised Short Rib (potato dumplings, carrots, horseradish, natural gravy)

for the main course. The chicken was delicious and crispy, even when cold, while the short rib came out looking like a piece of steak and going really well with all the components of the dish. A definite recommend from me.

March 26th 2019: Holy Poke, Worcester

Today for lunch, I decided to check out Holy Poke, a new poke place in Worcester, located in a pretty non-descript area close to Clark University.

I got the Poke Bowl, which is extremely flexible in choosing combinations of meat, sauces and toppings, which I did to the max,

and the end result still tasted delicious. Definitely much better than Atlantic Poke in Shrewsbury, and cheaper too.

March 24th 2019: Jersey Mike's Subs, Marlborough

Today, we decided to get lunch from Jersey Mike's Subs, a fast food place in Marlborough with other locations in other states.

We got the Chipotle Cheese Steak (grilled onions, peppers, white American cheese and chipotle mayo),

which was not bad, though a little on the salty side.

I'll give this one a pass over Subway.

March 23rd 2019: A Day of Eating in Quincy

In the town of Quincy today,

Hancock Adams Common

we first stopped at Jenny's House, a Chinese restaurant in town, for our first meal. Nice modern looking decor.

We got the Spicy Beef Noodles Soup

and the Shrimp and Pork Dumplings.

The noodles were pretty tasty, although the dumplings were just so-so. Might be worth coming back again to try some of their other stuff.

Next, we headed nearby to TBaar, a bubble tea place with branches all over the USA,

getting the Honey Green Tea, which was somewhat refreshing.

Later, we decided to get more food from Lee Han Sandwich, a Vietnamese place which specializes in Banh Mi,

of which we got the Bánh Mì Bò Nướng (Vietnamese Grilled Beef Sandwich)

and the Che #13 (Ðậu Ðô, Thạch, Hạt Lựu, Ðậu Xanh, Dừa (Red Beans, Jelly, Pomegranate Seeds, Mung Beans, Coconut)).

Cheap, yet really good.

Not a bad day at all for eating out in Quincy.

March 22nd 2019: Lunch at Isador's Organics, Oxford

For lunch today, I decided to head to Oxford to check out Isador's Organics, a simple looking cafe in town.

I got the Demon BBQ Chicken (Roasted chicken, bacon, Cheddar, baby spinach, Morita aioli, ranch, and BBQ, served on a wrap and pressed on the grill.),

which was actually pretty tasty because of the sauce combination. Not sure I want to drive all the way here again due to the lack of ambience.

March 21st 2019: Checking Out MGM Springfield, Springfield

On the way back from New York today, we decided to check out the new casino in Springfield, MGM Springfield. Pretty small and nothing fancy I would say.

We got brunch here, getting the New England Clam Chowder, Onion Rings and Hot Lobster Roll

From Jack's Lobster Shack.

Surprisingly good seafood, actually, and fresh too.

Later on, for dinner, we decided to stop by the Villa Restaurant, a casual but popular eatery in Wayland.

For food, we got the Prime Rib,

which came with a Garden Salad (Crisp iceberg and romaine lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, shredded carrots, cucumbers and croutons)

Mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables.

The prime rib was perfectly cooked and tasty, although the rest of the dishes were just so-so. I liked the Passionfruit Cheesecake we got for dessert,

although my other half thought it was way too sweet. Not a bad meal overall though.

March 20th 2019: Last Day of Conference in Manhattan NY

 Breakfast this morning was at POST, a brunch place in Manhattan NY,

getting the Granola (seasonal homemade granola with fresh fruit and steamed almond milk)

and the Adobo Biscuit (pork adobo, scallion, fried egg).

Lunch was at Hanoi House, a Vietnamese restaurant, getting the Grilled Squid Salad (Goi Muc, Rhode Island squid, dried longan fruit, green apple, pickled mustard greens, peanuts)

the Hanoi Style Beef Pho (Pho Bac, Classic 16-hr broth with heritage Black Angus filet mignon, brisket & rice noodles),

and the Che Sundae for dessert.

Excellent North Vietnamese cuisine.\

After the conference, it was time again to do some sightseeing,

70 Pine Street

St. Nicholas of Myra Russian Orthodox Church

St. Brigid St. Emeric Church

Tompkins Square Park

St. John's University

Consolidated Edison Building

One Fifth Avenue

Dinner was at Cha-an Teahouse, a fancy Japanese restaurant,

getting the Sakura Drop (Japanese vegan jelly with edible sakura flower and brown sugar syrup)

and the Hojicha Anmitsu (hoji tea jelly with sweet brown sugar syrup, shiratama mochi, and hoji tea ice cream).

A perfect ending to my business trip to NYC.