Friday, July 30, 2021

July 31st 2021: Eating Out in Waltham

 Today, after checking out a few places in Weston,

Weston High School

Weston Memorial Pool,
6 Alphabet Lane

Country Elementary School

Field Elementary School

Lamson Park,
30 Town House Road


We decided to head for lunch in Waltham, where our first stop was Shanghai Cuisine, an authentic Chinese restaurant in town. Somewhat hole in the wall feel to it.
We got the Pan Fried Ho Fun (beef)
and the Braised Dongpo Pork.

Really good food here, especially the melt in your mouth pork. Definitely worth a second try.

Next, after checking out the Waltham Farmers' Market going on nearby,

We decided to go to Indulgenza, a new dessert place nearby,

getting the Coppa Catala Creme Brulee.
Not bad, though a tad sweet.

From here, we decided to check out Royaltea, a bubble tea place across the road with a few locations in Massachusetts.

We ordered the Cheese Avocado drink from the automated machine here.
Just alright I guess, the avocado not being very fresh.





30th July 2021: Beijing Chinese Dining, Lexington

 Today, after checking out the Bowman Elementary School in Lexington,

we decided to have dinner at Beijing Chinese Dining, a Chinese restaurant in the downtown area which has replaced Khushboo, an Indian restaurant I visited in the past. Pretty nice decor inside.


We got the Mimosa (Prosecco mixed with Orange juice),

the Pot–Roast Pork with Scallion Pancake Platter
and the Beijing Pan–Seared Noodles (Shrimp, scallop, beef, chicken and vegetables).
The drink was just alright, although the food itself was not bad. Will definitely be back for the dimsum some day.


Thursday, July 29, 2021

Recommended Places to Visit: Arlington

Recreation
Hiking
Tried:
Mount Gilboa
End of Park Place


Shopping
Maruichi Japanese Food and Deli (chain)
1398 Massachusetts Avenue


Events
Japanese New Year Celebration


Arts and Crafts
Mosaic Oasis Studio and Supply
1189 Massachusetts Avenue


Cinemas
Capitol Theater
204 Massachusetts Avenue


Parks
Alewife Brook Greenway
Henderson Street near Alewife Brook Parkway

Robbins Farm Park
61 Eastern Avenue

Menotomy Rocks Park
150 Jason Street

Robbins Memorial Garden
~700 Massachusetts Avenue

Cooke's Hollow
~112 Mystic Street

Spy Pond Park
End of Linwood Avenue


Museums
Cyrus E Dallin Museum
611 Massachusetts Avenue

Old Schwamb Mill
17 Mill Lane

Arlington Historical Society
7 Jason Street


Ice Skating
Ed Burns Arena
422 Summer Street


Beaches
Arlington Reservoir
250 Lowell Street


Architecture
Places of Worship
1175 Concord Turnpike

First Baptist Church
819 Massachusetts Avenue

Highrock Church
735 Massachusetts Avenue

First Parish Unitarian Universalist
630 Massachusetts Avenue

St. John's Episcopal Church
74 Pleasant Street

Pleasant Street Congregational Church
75 Pleasant Street

St. Agnes Church
51 Medford Street

Calvary Church
300 Massachusetts Avenue

Church of Our Saviour
21 Marathon Street


Schools
Covenant School
9 Westminster Avenue

Pierce Elementary School
85 Park Avenue Extension

Brackett Elementary School
66 Eastern Avenue

Arlington High School
869 Massachusetts Avenue


Monuments
War Memorials
Broadway and Massachusetts Avenue

Memorial
Massachusetts Avenue and Mystic Street


Historical Buildings
Park Circle Water Tower
Park Circle

Arlington Community Media
85 Park Avenue


Town Facilities
Town Hall
730 Massachusetts Avenue

Post Office
10 Court Street

Highland Hose House
1007 Massachusetts Avenue

Robbins Library
700 Massachusetts Avenue

Central Fire Station
292 Broadway

Edith Fox Library
175 Massachusetts Avenue


Restaurants
Highly Recommended:
Western
Scutra

92 Summer Street
Recommended Dishes:
Mini Taco Board
Prosciutto Wrapped Cod


Korean
Woori
9 Medford Street
Recommended Dishes:
Crispy Rice Cake
Spicy Squid
Bulgogi Kimchi Slider
Radish Roll


Chinese
Szechuan's Dumpling
1360 Massachusetts Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Ginger Tea
Eggplant with Basil
Shrimp and Vegetable Dumplings
Fried Daikon Cake

Vegetarian
Zhu Pan Asian Vegan Restaurant
116 Massachusetts Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Egyptian Mint Tea
Malaysian Curry Stew
Miso Soup
Cold Noodles



Deli
Kickstand Cafe
594 Massachusetts Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Roasted Portobello Sandwich
Thai Chicken with Red Curry Soup


Mediterranean
Pasha
669 Massachusetts Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Stuffed Eggplant
Sekepare
Kunefe
Baklava


Indian
Punjab
485 Massachusetts Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Dahi Bala
Fried Shrimp Poori
Punjab Lamb Steak
Seafood Masala
Lamb Korma
Chicken Saagwala
Plain Naan
Garlic Naan


Mexican
Zocalo Mexican Bistro
203 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
Cilapitas
Fish Tacos
Tres Leches
Chuleta de Puerco 


Japanese
Mr. Sushi
693 Massachusetts Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Kiwi-Scallop Maki


Dessert
Bubble Nation
456 Massachusetts Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Barista's Feast
Match Red Bean Pudding


Thai
Thai Moon
663 Massachusetts Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Steamed Shrimp Bags
Siam Garden
Garlic Squid



Thai E-Sarn
1377 Massachusetts Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Hot Green Tea
Thai Iced Tea
Vegetable Rolls
Suki Yaki Soup with Seafood
Green Papaya Salad with Salted Black Crab
Kaeng Aom Beef
Sweet Sticky Rice with Mango

Thana Thai
882 Massachusetts Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Thai Iced Lemon Tea
Ba Mee Pu Moo Dang
Grilled Chicken Curry


Tried:
Thai
Noodle Market
470 Massachusetts Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Pot Stickers
Chicken Satay
Crispy Rolls
Crispy Chicken Pad Thai
Tom Kah Noodle Soup
Curry Noodles

Kho To Tilapia


Mediterranean
Yassou
1323 Massachusetts Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Gyro Pork

Sabzi
352 Massachusetts Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Mast-o Khiar
Doogh
Persepolis


Japanese
Sono Asian Cuisine
471 Summer Street
Recommended Dishes:
Shrimp Kung Pao Style
Basil Beef

Breakfast
Gail Ann's Coffee Shop
10 Medford Street
Recommended Dishes:
Bacon, Egg and Cheese Croissant
Boston Kreme Donut


Chinese
Great Wok of Arlington
1181 Massachusetts Avenue

Recommended Dishes:
Szechuan Pickled Noodles Soup with Pork 


Mexican
La Posada
1312 Massachusetts Avenue

Recommended Dishes:
Callitos


Deli
Anthony's East Side Deli
159 Massachusetts Avenue

Recommended Dishes:
Spicy Italian
Honey of a Sandwich 


Western
Blue Ribbon BBQ
908 Massachusetts Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Trio Platter


Korean
Manna House (closed)
9 Medford Street
Recommended Dishes:
Rice Cake Soup
Fish Jigae


Japanese
Fusion Taste
303 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
Mango Duck with Eggplant
Peppery, Crispy Soft Shell Crab
Boston Uncommon Roll


Dessert
The Chilly Cow/Abilyn's Frozen Bakery
451 Massachusetts Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Honey Granola Ice Cream
Raspberry


Italian
Villa House of Pizza
1367 Massachusetts Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Garlic Bread
Zucchini Sticks
Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Ristorante Olivio
201 Massachusetts Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Roasted Polenta
Pig Platter
Artichoke Ravioli
Peanut Butter Cannoli

Twyrl Pasta Bistro
315 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
Hot Sandwich with Chicken and Avocado
Small Side Salad
Shrimp Scampi

Scugnizzi
450 Massachusetts Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Minestrone
Soft Polenta
Seasonal Ravioli
Nutella Bread Pudding

July 29th 2021: Maruichi, Arlington, and MA France, Lexington

 Today, while in the area, we decided to go check out Maruichi Japanese Food and Deli, a Japanese grocery store located in Arlington.


Small, but interesting stuff. Gotta go try Brooklyn Ramen and Hachiroku at the Brookline location. From here, we went to get some pastries from MA France in Lexington close by, getting the Vegan Chocolate Cake


and the Chocolate Almond Croissant.


Pretty good, at least I got to try them this time around.

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

July 28th 2021: Frank Cooke Forest, Leicester

 Today, I decided to go on a hike at Frank Cooke Forest in the town of Leicester. The rough path I took to get to the beaver wetland here is shown below in pink.

 

Really overgrown right from the start,

and half the time I had no idea where I was, guided only by my GPS and the streams crossing the area, which allowed me to locate the gate to go through to get to the power lines, although the path here was really muddy here as well. At least there were nice views here, but definitely not worth the thrashing and semi-wading I had to do.
The wetlands were nothing to look at either, and the paths to them non-existent, at least to my knowledge. With that in mind, I decided to use the path along the power lines, however muddy, to make my way to Paxton Street, then walk along the roads back to my car. There were cars stopped along the road on my way back, but everyone drove off as I approached. So much for a hitchhike back to my car. At the junction with Manville Street, I checked out Kettle Brook Reservoir #2 along the way.




With that, I got back to my car somehow. Definitely not hiking here ever again.


Tuesday, July 27, 2021

July 27th 2021: Bedford Farms Ice Cream, Bedford

 Today, while in the town of Bedford, we decided to stop by Bedford Farms Ice Cream, an ice cream stand in town, for some dessert,


getting a Sundae with Peanut Butter Cup flavored ice cream.


Pretty big portion, and good too. A refreshing treat for a hot day.

Sunday, July 25, 2021

Recommended Places to Visit: Winchester

Recreation
Farms
78 Ridge Street


Museums
Sanborn House Historical and Cultural Center
15 High Street


Shopping
Mahoney's Garden Center (chain)
242 Cambridge Street


Hiking
Recommended:


Tried:
Long Pond
South Border Road near Mystic Valley Parkway

Davidson Park
End of Brookside Place

Mount Pisgah
Andrews Road near Agawam Road

Smith Pond Conservation Area
Ridge Street near Tania Circle


Water Bodies
Judkins Pond
Skillings Road and Shore Road

Winter Pond
Woodside Road and Chesterford Road

Wedge Pond
Main Street and Lake Street

500 Main Street


Parks
Chefalo Park
Washington Street and Mount Vernon Street

Bellino Park
Main Street and Swanton Street

Elliot Park
Main Street and Lake Street

456 Washington Street


Beaches
Boorggaard Beach
4 Palmer Street

1 Mystic Valley Parkway


Architecture
Monuments
World War I Memorial
Mystic Valley Parkway and Main Street

Town Common
Church Street and Waterfield Road

The Clancy Group
2 Lowell Avenue


Places of Worship

First Baptist Church
90 Mount Vernon Street

St. Mary's Church
158 Washington Street

Second Congregational Church of Winchester
485 Washington Street

St. Eulalia Parish
50 Ridge Street

First Church of Christ, Scientist
114 Church Street


Schools
McCall Middle School
458 Main Street

Lincoln Elementary School
161 Mystic Valley Parkway


Town Facilities
Public Library
80 Washington Street

Public Safety Building
32 Mount Vernon Street

Town Hall
71 Mount Vernon Street


Historical Buildings


Commercial Buildings
Northmark Bank
26 Mount Vernon Street


Restaurants
Highly Recommended:
Indian
831 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Gundruk Soup
Chicken Mushroom Tarkari
Lamb Tass


Western
TWK Kitchen
14 Thompson Street
Recommended Dishes:
Spicy Maki
Curried Lamb Leg
Crispy Boneless Fried Chicken Legs and Waffle
Creamsicle Creme Brulee


Italian
Lucia Ristorante (chain)
13 Mount Vernon Street
Recommended Dishes:
Ammazzafame
Pizza del Buongustaio


Tried:
Italian
Cafe Piazza Dolce (closed)
831 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Enzo's Margherita
Shrimp
Lamb
Clam Shrimp and Lobster Habanero
Home Made Sfogliatella


Deli
Cafe Zen
2 Lowell Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
The Miso Master


Western
Swanton Street Diner
72 Swanton Street
Recommended Dishes:
Goat Cheese Lamb Chops


Japanese
Sakura
910 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Una Coco Maki

July 25th 2021: Hiking in Sudbury, Concord, Lincoln and Winchester

 This drizzly morning, I started out early with a shor hike at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge in Sudbury, where the path I took from the end of Moore Road to get to the water body here is shown below in pink.


Not bad for a short hike.



Next, it was on to Miller Farm in Concord, where the path I took to try to find the water body here is shown below in pink.


Couldn't get any views of the water body here at all, and I spent a few rounds trying to look for it.
From here, it was on to the town of Lincoln to hike at the Fiske Hill area of the Minuteman National Historical Park. The path I took here to check out the water bodies here is shown below in pink.


The first water body was nothing special,
then it was on past the visitor center, which was closed this early in the morning,

the Jacob Whittemore house, 


the Bluff,

the Hayward Well,

and Fiske Hill, where there were no views to be had.
Overall, still nothing special from this hike, though very historical.

Next, heading into Lexington, I visited MA France, the French grocery in town, 

getting the Almond Croissant




and the Apple Tart.

Unfortunately, I did not get to try either. I have had good stuff from this place in the past though.

From here, it was on to my final hike of the day at Locke Farm Conservation Area in Winchester, which is right next to Whipple Hill in Lexington, which I visited a while back. This time, the path I took to get to Locke Pond and Wright-Locke Farm is shown below in pink.


Locke Pond itself was not bad a look, although pretty swampy.
The other pond right next to the farm was even worse.


At this point as the farm was right there in front of me, I decided to venture out into it instead of back into the woods. Pretty decent farm.


An okay day for hiking in the rain, overall.

For dinner, we decided to get takeout from Shrewsbury Pizzaria, getting the Chicken Broccoli Alfredo pizza 

and the Shrewsbury Special Pizza (Pepperoni, sausage, hamburger, meatballs, green peppers, onions & mushrooms).

Pretty good pizza, although the chicken alfredo was a little on the salty side.