Saturday, September 28, 2019

September 28th 2019: Lunch and Dessert in Arlington

Today, while in Arlington, we decided to have lunch at Noodle Market, which we have eaten at before.

This time around, we got the Chicken Satay (grilled chicken in a coconut based marinade served with cucumber salad and Thai peanut sauce),
the Crispy Chicken Pad Thai (rice noodle stir fried with egg, scallions, bean sprout and ground peanuts topped with crispy fried chicken served with sweet chilli sauce),

which came with POT STICKERS (steamed dumpling filled with ground chicken & vegetables, served with sweet black soy sauce),

and the Tom Kah Noodle Soup (Rice noodles with chicken and shrimp in coconut milk soup flavored with galangal, lime juice, lemongrass, fresh mushrooms, tomatoes, scallions and cilantro).
Although the main dishes were not bad, they were a little on the sweet side, and the side dishes were just so-so. Not sure we want to come back for the third time after this experience.

For dessert, we decided to cross the street to Abilyn's Frozen Bakery, which the new name of the Chilly Cow, which I visited a long time ago.
We got the Raspberry flavored ice cream,
which was a little gooey, and actually not as sweet as the food we just had, which is a good thing.

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

September 25th 2019: C'Mondz Restaurant, Worcester

Today after work, we decided to go check out C'Mondz Restaurant in Worcester, the restaurant which I visited some time back when it was still in Framingham before moving to take the old location of Meze, which in turn has moved next door to take the spot where The Chameleon used to be, which I also visited once before it closed down. They have improved the decor somewhat.

For food, we decided to get the Greek Salad (Lettuce, feta, olives, tomato, cucumber, red onion Chickpeas tuna and Tofu creama dressing)
and the Lasagna (Ground beef mixed with Italian sausage, lasagna pasta, onion, basil, salt pepper, fresh Romano tomatoes diced, marinara sauce, ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese).
The salad was just alright I guess, but the lasagna was actually really good, not being too sour and actually a little smokey. Definitely a much better experience here than in Framingham.

Monday, September 23, 2019

September 23rd 2019: Lakeside Bar and Grille, Shrewsbury

Today after work, I got takeout from Lakeside Bar and Grille, a popular bar restaurant in Shrewsbury, which I have not been to since before I started this blog.
I got the Mushroom Swiss Burger (Sauteed mushrooms and melted swiss cheese)
and the Eggplant Parmesan Dinner (Fresh breaded eggplant topped with melted provolone cheese and our homemade marinara sauce. Served over penne).
Nothing special, the burger was bland, and the fries soggy. Not coming back again.

Sunday, September 22, 2019

September 22nd 2019: Stowe Farm and Orchard, Millbury

This morning, we headed to Stowe Farm and Orchard in Millbury for some apple picking.
Very disorganized place, with all the apples falling off the trees,

 with none to pick from the front rows,

and us not knowing what trees had apples we liked. Somehow we managed to get a bag full though.
Definitely not coming back again.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

September 21st 2019: Zoo in Forest Park, Springfield

I had to get museum passes for the Zoo in Forest Park this morning, so I went to the town of Monson, getting them from the Monson Free Library.
We decided to stop in town for lunch nearby at Beth's Family Dining. Nice old building on the outside,

diner on the inside.
For food, we got the Swiss Patty Melt (Swiss cheese, sauteed onions on grilled rye bread).
Did the job of filling our stomachs, but nothing special really.

We also got charged for the milk we ordered for the little one.
With that, it was on to Forest Park in Springfield,

where I had to pay 3 bucks to gain entry into the park in order to get to the zoo.

which had a Art and Soles statue inside.
A pretty small and disappointing zoo though. Not coming back again.

For dinner, we went to Sturbridge Porterhouse in Sturbridge.

As it was still during lunch hour, the STEAK FRITES (GRILLED BISTRO SIRLOIN, HAND CUT FRIES, CHIMICHURRI SAUCE)
we got was relatively cheap compared to their dinner prices, and really good too with the accompanying sauces. A great end to an otherwise long drive to a mediocre zoo.

Recommended Places to Visit: Springfield

Recreation
Golf
Veterans Memorial Golf Course
1059 South Branch Parkway


Casinos
MGM Springfield
One MGM Way


Water Bodies
Mona Lake
63 Geneva Street

Mill Pond
1321 Parker Street


Beaches
Loon Pond
379 Pasco Road

Five Mile Pond
1020 Boston Road

Bass Pond (private)
1257 South Branch Parkway


Movies
Cinemark Eastfield 16
1655 Boston Road

Entertainment Cinemas
1250 St. James Avenue


Parks
Hubbard Park
~180 Parker Street

Goodwin Park
1445 Berkshire Avenue

Van Horn Park
494 Armory Street

Lake Lorraine State Park
44 Lake Drive

Camp Wilder Park
1478 Parker Street

Forest Park
200 Trafton Road


Museums
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
1000 Hall of Fame Avenue

Springfield Armory
1 Armory Square

Titanic Historical Society
208 Main Street

Springfield Science Museum
21 Edwards Street

George Vincent Walter Smith Art Museum
21 Edwards Street

Museum of Springfield History
21 Edwards Street

Michele and Donald D'Amour Museum of Fine Art
21 Edwards Street

Forest Park Zoo
293 Sumner Avenue


Arts Performances
Symphony Hall
34 Court Street


Architecture
Monuments
Court Square
Elm Street and Main Street

One Financial Plaza
1350 Main Street

Hampden Superior Court
50 State Street

Art and Soles

Deacon Samuel Chapin
State Street and Chestnut Street

Cannon
Pearl Street and Chestnut Street

Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden
21 Edwards Street

National Guard
1505 Roosevelt Avenue

Mason Square
765 State Street

Memorials
State Street and Eastern Avenue

Armory Commons
Pearl Street and Spring Street

Memorial Square
Plainfield Street and Main Street

Stearns Square
Stearns Square and Bridge Street

Gate of Heaven Cemetery
421 Tinkham Road


Places of Worship
St. Jude Parish
221 Main Street

Chua Huyen Quang
321 Berkshire Street

Holy Name Church
323 Dickinson Street

Trinity United Methodist Church
361 Sumner Avenue

Calvary's Love Church
19 Oakland Street

St. Barnabas Church
41 Oakland Street

First Park Memorial Baptist Church
4 Garfield Street

Immaculate Conception Church
25 Parker Street

St. Catherine of Siena Church
1023 Parker Street

Foster Memorial Church
1791 Wilbraham Road

Church in the Acres
1383 Wilbraham Road

First Church of Christ, Congregational
50 Elm Street

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
123 William Street

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
376 Maple Street

South Congregational Church
45 Maple Street

Christ Church Cathedral
35 Chestnut Street

St. Michael's Cathedral
254 State Street

Holy Cross Church
221 Plumtree Road

Heritage Baptist Church
640 Plumtree Road

Evangelical Covenant Church
915 Plumtree Road

Hispanic Baptist Church
22 Salem Street

Orchard Covenant Church
95 Berkshire Street

Mary, Mother of Hope Church
840 Page Boulevard

St. Gregory Armenian Church
135 Goodwin Street

Our Lady of Sacred Heart Church
417 Boston Road

Imam Buhari Mosque
50 Pinevale Road

Our Lady of the Rosary Church
334 Franklin Street

Gethsemane Church of Jesus Christ
47 Harvey Street

Shiloh Community Church of God in Christ
91 Jasper Street

Sovereign Grace Church
60 Bowles Park

St. Luke's Episcopal Church
961 St. James Avenue

Solid Rock Community Baptist Church
821 Liberty Street

Sacred Heart Church
395 Chestnut Street

St. Peter and St. Paul Orthodox Church
118 Carew Street

Gardner Memorial AME Zion Church
90 Carew Street

Bethel AME Church
27 Pendleton Avenue

Third Baptist Church
149 Walnut Street

St. John's Congregational Church
643 Union Street

Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist Church
797 State Street

Alden Baptist Church
649 State Street

Wesley United Methodist Church
741 State Street

Shaolin Meditation Temple
684 State Street

Our Lady of Hope Church
557 Carew Street

St. Rachel's Church
171 Eastern Avenue

Holy Family Church
235 Eastern Avenue

Grace Church of Christ
336 Springfield Street

Pentecostal Church of God El Sinai
74 Oak Street

Holy Trinity Church of God in Christ
57 Bay Street

Holy Temple Church of God in Christ
145 Bay Street

Progressive Community Baptist Church
599 State Street

St. Peter's Episcopal Church
45 Buckingham Street

Mission Church Ministries
20 Bowdoin Terrace

Iglesia Koinonia
25 Terrence Street

Basilica of the Holy Apostles
339 State Street

331 Wilbraham Road

321 Wilbraham Road

400 Wilbraham Road

455 Island Pond Road

375 Island Pond Road

1140 Roosevelt Avenue

761 Sumner Avenue

8 Norfolk Street

17 John Street

22 St. George Road

449 Plainfield Street

52 Sumner Avenue

2427 Wilbraham Road
Bridges
Memorial Bridge
1502 West Columbus Avenue

North End Bridge
West Street and Riverside Road


Town Facilities
Sixteen Acres Library
1187 Parker Street

Housing Court
37 Elm Street

City Hall
36 Court Street

United States District Court
300 State Street

Springfield City Library
220 State Street

Indian Orchard Library
44 Oak Street

Raymond J Sullivan Public Safety Complex
1212 Carew Street

Fire Station 3
382 White Street

Sixteen Acres Fire Station 12
1265 Parker Street


Schools
Springfield Technical Community College
1 Armory Square

Pioneer Valley Christian Academy
965 Plumtree Road

High School of Commerce
415 State Street

Springfield College
263 Alden Street

Brightwood Elementary School
471 Plainfield Street


Historical Buildings
Old South End Community Center
29 Howard Street

Old First Spiritualist Church
33 Bliss Street

Court Square Building
13-31 Elm Street

Sampson Chapel of the Acres
21 Tinkham Road

New England Funeral and Cremation Center
25 Mill Street

Old House
313 Maple Street

Old Building
Berkshire Street and Oak Street

Old Handy Chocolate Company Building
616 Berkshire Avenue

Massachusetts Career Development Institute
140 Wilbraham Road

Mainline Industries
1 Allen Street

Old Horace Mann New Leadership Charter School
37 Alderman Street

Old Jefferson Avenue School
67 Jefferson Avenue


Commercial Buildings
Monarch Place
1414 Main Street

115 State Street
115 State Street

Northwestern Mutual Life Building
1351 Main Street

MassMutual Life Insurance Company
1295 State Street


Restaurants
Highly Recommended:
Western
Blackjack's Steakhouse
912 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Beef Marsala


Japanese
Tokyo Asian Fusion
415 Cooley Street
Recommended Dishes:
Crispy Duck Salad
Tuna Amazing Roll
Edamame Soup
Lobster Spring Roll
Chicken Cheese Maki


Tried:
Caribbean

882 Sumner Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Whiting Fish Sandwich


Seafood
Jack's Lobster Shack
One MGM Way
Recommended Dishes:
Hot Lobster Roll
Onion Rings
New England Clam Chowder


Vietnamese
Soc Trang Vietnamese Restaurant
113 Vermont Street
Recommended Dishes:
Mee Ka Thang
Bun Bo Hue 

Western
Mike's East Side Pub
535 Page Boulevard
Recommended Dishes:
Clam Chowder 
Fish and Chips

Moriarty's Pub and Grill
655 Liberty Street
Recommended Dishes:
Fire Bread
Drunken Shrimp 

Shakago Martini and Piano Bar
23 Hampden Street
Recommended Dishes:
Asian Salmon Salad
Shakago Alfredo
Pineapple Stuffed Sorbet


Japanese
Hana Saki
1404 Boston Road
Recommended Dishes:
Spiderman Roll
OMG Roll
Sunomono
Creamy Seafood Ramen


Portuguese
Solmar Restaurant and Pub
132 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Caldo Verde
Ameijoas A Portuguesa
Arroz de Tamboril
Rice Pudding


Italian
Frankie and Johnnie Pizzeria
35 Island Pond Road
Recommended Dishes:
Steak and Cheese Grinder
Meat Lovers Pizza

Siano's Pizzeria and Restaurant
965 Boston Road
Recommended Dishes:
Fried Clams
BBQ Chicken, Bacon and Ranch Pizza


Deli
Six Corners Sandwich Shop
130 Walnut Street
Recommended Dishes:
Vanilla Milkshake
Balboa


Jamaican
Yaad Jamaican Food
87 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Oxtail


Mexican
Casa de Nana
995 Boston Road
Recommended Dishes:
Black Bean Soup
Buffalo Chicken Wings
Seafood Diablo Dinner
Fruit Empanadas

Friday, September 20, 2019

September 20th 2019: Parlour, Brookline

Today after work, we decided to have dinner at Parlour, a new restaurant in the city of Brookline that has taken the place of the Regal Beagle, which I visited a while back. Similar decor though.

For food, we got the Scallops (heirloom tomato, summer squash, curried mango),
the Berkshire St. Louis Ribs (pear glaze, mizuna salad)
                                                               

and the Olive Oil Cake (lemon curd, blueberry) for dessert.    
The food was not bad, but a little on the expensive side for what we got. Not sure if we will come back again.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

September 19th 2019: Attending a Conference in Cambridge

I had to attend a conference at the Courtyard Boston Cambridge hotel in Cambridge today, but before that, I decided to stop for a quick breakfast at Vinal Bakery, a small cafe in Somerville.

I decided to get the G.O.A.T (over medium egg*, goat cheese butter, spicy pesto, arugula),
which was a pretty good start to the day.

The hotel itself is nice inside as well,
The lunch provided during the conference was pretty bad, so I had to resort to heading out to Alive and Kicking Lobsters, a small seafood market nearby, where the sitting was ramshackle,
and their famous Lobster Sandwich did not look like much,
but it was delicious all the same.

After the conference, I headed into the Central Square area of town, getting the Central Bao (Braised kurrabotto pork belly, roasted sesame, baby cilantro, pickled onions, house special chili, coconut powder, crushed peanuts and green apple)
 from Bao Nation, a store right next to Dosa Factory, which I visited in the past, which seemed like it owned Bao Nation as well, because they came over to execute my order. Pretty good actually I must say, though I would not come back again as it is situated in an Indian grocery store.

I also got a Green Tea Blueberry Cake from Paris Baguette nearby for my other half's birthday.

Really good cake from this place. Definitely so much better than the last one we had from Honey Honey Dessert Cafe in Malden.