June 29th 2021: Dinner at Romaine's, Northborough

 Today, we decided to have dinner at Romaine's, a pretty upscale restaurant in Northborough which I visited once a long time ago. This time, we got the Pasta with Marinara Sauce,

 

the Clam and Crab Cakes (charred lemon),

the Burrata Ravioli (heriloom tomato, pesto, balsamic),

and the Lemon-Almond Cake (fresh berries, whipped cream) for dessert.

The pasta was just alright, although the crab cakes had pretty good flavor, as well as the ravioli, although the portions were pretty small. Dessert was delicious too, and the little one agreed too.

June 27th 2021: A Side Hike of Mount Pisgah, Berlin

 Today, we decided to go explore a water body in the Mount Pisgah area in Berlin, with my having explored the Northborough side a long time ago. This time, round, the path we took to try to get views of the water body here is shown below in pink.

unfortunately, there were only partial views of the pond at best, although the water lilies were blooming.

For lunch, we went to the Burger King in Northborough, this time getting the Spicy Ch'King Sandwich.

Pretty good sandwich. Unfortunately the little one got hurt during the hike.

June 26th 2021: Breakfast in Northborough, Lunch in Worcester

 Today, after picking cherries at Tougas Farm, we got some strawberry themed food, getting a Strawberry Smoothie (made with strawberries, strawberry ice cream, water and ice)

and a Strawberry Donut Sundae (strawberry ice cream topped with a homemade donut, whipped cream, and a chocolate drizzle).

Pretty good for a breakfast meal, to say the least. 

For lunch, we headed to Worcester, checking out Torito Mexican Restaurant, a new place which has taken over from Ruby Tuesday. Very nice decor inside.

The starters of tortilla chips came with salsa and refried beans. 

Really good stuff even before our food came, of which we got the SALMON ZARANDEADO (Zesty Salmon filled coated and grilled in tangy adobo red sauce. Served with garden salad white rice and avocado slice)

and the TACOS DE BIRRIA (Birria tacos are traditionally an addictive sweet and sour. slightly spicy. savory mexican beef stew. The slow-cooked beef is fall-apart tender and loaded with juicy rich flavor. Stuffed with jack cheese and beefy goodness into a taco shell. dipped into the stew and fried up. Served with console de birria, lime, grilled onions and cilantro).

Although the salmon was a little on the dry side, the bean stew that came with it was really good. The stew flavored tacos were delicious though, especially with the sauce provided and the beef inside. Excellent meal overall, despite the dry fish. A recommend from me.

 

June 23rd 2021: Takeout from Penang, Boston

 We decided to get takeout from Penang in Boston today, getting the Prawn Mee (Rice And Egg Noodles, Sliced Pork, Shrimp, Veg, Bean Sprouts In A Spicy Shrimp Broth), the Nasi Lemak (Coconut Rice Flavored With Doves Served With Chill Anchovy Curry Chicken And Hard Boiled Eggs)

 and the Wonton Mee (Special Egg Noodles Served With Wonton (Minced Pork & Shrimp) In Homemade Sauce Or Chicken Broth).

The rice was actually pretty tasty, although the noodles werea little on the bland side. Overall, an okay meal this time around.

June 21st 2021: Spaghetti from Village Pizza, Shrewsbury

 Today, while in Shrewsbury,

Southgate at Shrewsbury

 we decided to get pizza from Village Pizza in Shrewsbury, getting the Meatball Spaghetti as well.

Nothing special really.

June 20th 2021: Takeout from McDonald's, Worcester

 Today, we decided to get fast food from the McDonald's on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, getting the Big Mac (two 100% pure beef patties and Big Mac® sauce sandwiched between a sesame seed bun. It’s topped off with pickles, crisp shredded lettuce, finely chopped onion and American cheese), Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich (new Spicy Pepper Sauce topping the new southern style fried chicken fillet on a new toasted potato roll),

and the 6 Piece Chicken McNuggets® Happy Meal (Chicken McNuggets (made with 100% white meat chicken and no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives), World Famous Fries (made with premium potatoes such as the Russet Burbank and the Shepody), Reduced Sugar Low Fat Chocolate Milk Jug, Apple Slices). 

The chicken sandwich was tasty, thougha tad spicy, but overall pretty good meal for cheap.

June 19th 2021: Acai from Salgabom Snacks, Worcester

 Today, we decided to get dessert from Salgabom Snacks in Worcester, which I visited some time ago.

We got the Acai Cup (bananas, honey, granola, vanilla ice cream),

Pretty good with the vanilla ice cream.

June 18th 2021: Burger for Lunch, Thai for Dinner

 Today for lunch, we got takeout from the Burger King in Shrewsbury, getting the Bacon King (two ¼ lb* savory flame-grilled beef patties, topped a with hearty portion of thick-cut smoked bacon, melted American cheese and topped with ketchup and creamy mayonnaise all on a soft sesame seed bun.),

the Classic Fries and 10 pc Nuggets (Made with white meat, our bite-sized Chicken Nuggets are tender and juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Coated in a homestyle seasoned breading)

and the Chicken Garden Salad (mix of crisp green romaine, green leaf and radicchio lettuce, juicy-ripened tomatoes, buttery garlic croutons, and shredded cheddar cheese.).

Pretty good meal from this place for cheap. For dinner, we had Thai from Yoong Tong Thai in Northborough, which I visited once a long time ago. This time around, we got the Pineapple Fried Rice (Fried Rice w. Egg, Pineapple Chunks, Snow Peas, Onions, tomatoes, Green Peas, Raisins, Carrots & Curry Powder),

the Pad Thai (A Popular Thai Noodle dish, Rice Noodles Stir-Fried w. Egg, Scallions, Bean Sprouts & Ground Peanuts),

the Yellow Curry (Mild yellow Curry, annd coconut milk with Onions, tomatoes, summer squash, Pineapple chunks. carrots. mushrooms. and bell peppers)

and the Beef Noodle Soup (Bean sprouts, Scallions and cilantro served Over Thai noodle in seasoned broth).

The fried rice was good with smokey flavor, and the noodle soup herbally tasty. Very good meal that the family enjoyed.

June 16th 2021: KFC, Auburn

 Today, we got takeout from KFC in Auburn, getting the Naked Chicken Chalupa Meal (Naked Chicken Chalupa (seasoned, Chalupa shell made of crispy, marinated all–white meat chicken and filled it with crisp lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese and creamy avocado ranch sauce), Crunchy Taco, Beef Burrito).

Pretty crispy chicken, and overall good meal for cheap. Haven't had Taco Bell for a long time.

June 15th 2021: Muddy Pond, Sterling

 Today, as I had some time, I decided to go for hikes in the area around Muddy Pond in Sterling. First, I looked for views of the pond from 68 Muddy Pond Road, where the paths I took is shown below in pink.

Nice views of the pond here.

Next, I revisited the Stillwater Basin area, this time from the Griffin Road side in Sterling. The rough path I took here is shown below in pink.

The initial part of the trail is actually closed off due to resident privacy concerns. Got lost here trying to look for the view of Muddy Pond. The supposed place (I think) had too many tall trees for any view to be had, and the only view I got was of the Muddy Pond Field.

At least the mountain laurel were in bloom, otherwise it would have beena waste of a hike.

June 13th 2021: Lunch at Harry's, Westborough

 Today, after going to several restaurants in Westborough that were either closed or did not have dine-in options, we finally settled for Harry's Restaurant, a seafood place which I visited a long time ago. 

This time around, we got the Clam Chowder,

the Calamari,

the Key West Salmon Salad (Spinach, Romaine, carrots, tomato and cucumbers, red onions),

the Pasta Primavera,

the Steak and Cheese Sub

and the Hot Fudge Sundae.

Except for the pasta, which was pretty bland, everything else was actually pretty tasty. Glad everyone else was unavailable today.

 

June 12th 2021: Friendly's, Marlborough

Today, we decided to have dinner at the Friendly's in Marlborough. I have been to the one in Worcester in the past, which is now closed.

We got the Lobster Roll (fresh and creamy lobster salad with celery and crisp lettuce on a classic grilled roll. Served with golden fries and coleslaw),

2 Double Sliders,

which came with a Kids Original Fribble® Milk Shake and a Banana Split Sundae,

and the Lemon Pepper Fish (seasoned grilled white fish dinner) with Garlic Red Skin Mashed Potatoes and Broccoli.

The fish was just alright, although the sliders were pretty good, as was the ice cream and drink. However, they charged us extra for the kid's meal, saying that the shake and the sundae were two of the same thing, when they were clearly options on the kid's menu. We decided not to tip them as a result. Overall, not too bad a meal though.