October 30th 2021: Bird and Wolf, North Andover

 Today, after getting some Apple Cider Donuts from Boston Hill Farm in North Andover,

we decided to have lunch at Bird and Wolf, a new restaurant in town with a cafe on the side. As we were a little early, only the cafe side was open, 

so we decided to get some pastries, namely the Plain Croissant, Fig, Lavender and Honey Danish, Almond and Orange Croissant and Glazed Donut.

and a Matcha Latte.

Of those I got to try, the orange croissant was really good, being extremely fluffy and flaky, although the donut was just alright by me.

We were the first to sit inside the high end restaurant once the section opened,

getting The Buck Starts Here (Plantation Dark Rum, Lemon sherbet, ginger beer),

the Superfood Salad (Kale, carrot, red onion, cranberry, pistachio, poppy seed, aged balsamic),

the CAVATELLI (LAMB RAGU, MASCARPONE, Brabander GOUDA),

and the Roasted Butternut Squash Soup (sage, chilli, housemade toasted foccacia).

The drink was pretty good, and the salad was tasty with the granola and perfectly cooked salmon. The pasta had the texture of gnocchi, chewy and good with the pieces of lamb meat. The soup was excellent as well, not being too sweet, with a bit of tanginess. Overall, a really good experience at this place. Worth a second try, for dinner next time.

 

October 24th 2021: Vina's Pizza, Northborough

 Today, while in Marlborough

St. Stephen Lutheran Church

and Northborough,

Rice Memorial Baptist Church

Cornerstone Academy

I decided to get takeout from Vina's Pizzeria in Northborough, getting the Mediterannean Mista (Tomato pizza sauce topped with sliced tomato, black olives, feta and mozzarella cheese)

and the God Father (Olive oil, garlic topped with sliced tomato, artichoke, grilled chicken, oregano, romano and mozzarella cheese).

Nothing special, really.

October 23rd 2021: Fattoush Grill and Bakery, Northborough

 While in Northborough today, 

Casey Field

we decided check out the new Mediterranean eatery in town, Fattoush Grill and Bakery. Pretty nice decor inside.

We got the Lentil Soup,

the Beef Shawarma (beef shawarma plate with side of fries, tahini, kibbeh),

the Lamb Kabseh (lamb shanks braised to tender. cooked with rice and served with salad)

and the Kunafa for dessert.

The soup was interesting with tangy curry flavors, while the wrap was crispy and excellent with the blend of pickled vegetables and spices in the meat. The lamb was delicious as well with the cucumber salad with a hint of mint, and finally the dessert, though a little sweet was delicious with the gooey cheese below. Overall, a really good meal at this place.

October 22nd 2021: Brunch in Sudbury before Apple Picking in Stow

 Today, we decided to go apple picking at Honey Pot Hill Orchards in Stow, but before that, we decided to have brunch at the Farmer's Daughter located within the Meadow Walk area in Sudbury,

which we visited very recently. This time around, we got the The TFD Infused Mimosa Cocktail (prosecco combined with our house infused vodka of the week. fresh squeezed oj and finished with fresh fruit),

the Chicken and Waffle Benedict (chive. cheddar + corn waffle. bacon jam. slab cut bacon. buttermilk brined crispy chicken. pea greens. local maple. poached farm eggs. chive hollandaise),

the Tad's Chicken Salad (roasted feather brook farms chicken. greek yogurt + lemon mayo. dill. celery. pickled cranberries. apple. candied pepitas. lettuce. multigrain)

and the Apple Fritters (apple cider caramel. maple mascarpone. kale granola).

The chicken and waffle dish was pretty good with the bacon jam, but the other two dishes were total surprises. We weren't expecting a sandwich from the salad description, and definitely not pancakes from the fritters description. 

Unfortunately. the weird taste of the pancakes was not to my liking, and the salad was pretty bland. Not that great a meal this time around. 

October 19th 2021: Second Time at IKEA in a Month

 Today, we went to IKEA in Stoughton for the second time within a month, this time getting the Pulled Pork Sandwich (pulled pork in a lingonberry sauce with macaroni and cheese)

and the Plant Balls (pea protein plant balls with mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, cream sauce and lingonberries)

among other things. Pretty good as always for cheap.

October 16th 2021: Free Burger at Red Robin, Millbury

 Today,we decided to go to Red Robin in Millbury,  as I had a free burger to redeem. We got the Sand in Your Shorts (Midori, vodka, peach schnapps, triple sec, orange juice, raspberry syrup, cranberry juice and all natural sweet and sour),

the Cluck-A-Doodles (3 breaded chicken tenders),

which came with a Kid's Sundae (Two layers of Hershey’s® chocolate syrup, soft serve, whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles and a cherry on top.)

the Wedgie Burger (Hardwood-smoked bacon, house-made guac, tomatoes and red onions in a lettuce bun),

Served with a Bottomless Side Salad,

the Cheesy Bacon Fondue Burger (Fire-grilled beef burger topped with American cheese, hardwood-smoked bacon and mayo on a toasted brioche bun. Served with a side of cheesy bacon fondue for dipping),

the drink did not taste alcoholic at all, and the chicken was good too. The fondue burger was not bad, especially the fondue sauce, while I did not try the other burger and salad. Overall, not too bad a meal here as always.

October 11th 2021: Manor Park, Boylston

 Today, after getting an Apple Crisp Macchiato (Layered flavors of apple and brown sugar meld like the filling of a gooey apple pie in harmony with espresso, steamed milk and a caramelized-spiced apple drizzle) from the Starbucks located within the Price Chopper in Hopkinton,

which was a tad sweet in my opinion,

we decided to check out Manor Park, a baseball field in Boylston

with a small playground in the back.

Nothing much to speak of though.

Recommended Places to Visit: Randolph

Recreation

Water Bodies

Great Pond Upper Reservoir
Oak Street and Pine Avenue

Great Pond Reservoir
~375 Pond Street

Cinemas
Showcase Cinemas De Lux
73 Mazzeo Drive

Parks
Imagination Station
Pleasant Street and North Street

Powers Farm Park
North Main Street near Jones Avenue

Architecture

Monuments

Crawford Square
North Main Street and North Street

Places of Worship

Trinity Episcopal Church
120 North Main Street

St. Mary's Church
211 North Main Street

First Congregational Church
1 South Main Street

First Baptist Church
518 North Main Street

Temple Beth Am
871 North Main Street

St. Bernadette Church
1031 North Main Street

Chua Lien Hoa

240 South Main Street

Town Facilities

Town Hall
41 South Main Street

North Randolph Fire Station
952 North Main Street

Historical Buildings
Stetson Hall
6 South Main Street



Commercial Buildings
Randolph Savings Bank
129 North Main Street

Restaurants

Highly Recommended:
Italian

La Scala Ristorante
1070 North Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Shrimp and Clam Napolitano

Veal Verdicchio

Dessert
Bambu (chain)
1138 North Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Bambu Combo
Pandan Waffle

Vietnamese

N and H Saigon Sub
1185 North Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Banh Mi Sandwich (Pork)
Durian Smoothie

Tried:
Italian
Zorba's of Randolph

39 North Main Street

Recommended Dishes:

Santorini

Vietnamese
Pho 98
92 North Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Mi Xao Don Do Bien
Rau Muong Xao Chao

Pho 89
937 North Main Street

Recommended Dishes:

Pho Dac Biet

Hu Tieu Mi Phuc Kien

Kem Flan

Breakfast
The Breakfast Connection
573 South Main Street
Recommended Dishes:

Steak Tips

Cranberry Nut Pancakes

 

Western

City Limits Saloon
326 North Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Pork Belly Mac and Cheese
Steak Quesadilla
Angry Calamari

October 9th 2021: Pho 89, Randolph

Today, after checking out a few places in Boylston, 

Boylston Elementary School

Hillside Park

we headed into Randolph,

North Randolph Fire Station,
952 North Main Street

getting lunch at Pho 89, a pretty nice Vietnamese restaurant in town.

We got the Hu Tieu Mi Phuc Kien (Phuc Kien style noodle soup),

the Pho Dac Biet (special combination noodle soup with eye round steak, flank, brisket, tendon and tripe)

and the Kem Flan (Vietnames creme flan) for dessert.

Not too bad, although with lots of MSG.

Recommended Places to Visit: Wayland

Recreation

Beaches

Wayland Town Beach

25 Parkland Drive

Parks

Alpine Field

16 Alpine Road

Museums
Wayland Historical Society

12 Cochituate Road

Hiking
Recommended:
Castle Hill Conservation Area

Alpine Road

Pod Meadow Conservation Area

421 Old Connecticut Path

Hamlen Woods

83 Rice Road

Tried:
Hazel Brook Conservation Area
Hazelbrook Lane, 42.388552, -71.344421

Heard Farm Conservation Area

End of Heard Road

Upper Mill Brook Conservation Area

Peartree Lane and Glezen Lane

Sedge Meadow Conservation Area

Loblolly Lane and Moore Road

Loker Conservation Area

410 Commonwealth Road

Greenways Conservation Land
End of Green Way

Cow Common
64 Old Sudbury Road

Golf
Sandy Burr Country Club
103 Cochituate Road

Water Bodies

Mill Pond
21 Plain Road

Heard Pond
243 Pelham Island Road

Dudley Pond
14 Priscilla Path

Architecture

Historical Buildings
Wayland Depot
1 Cochituate Road


Monuments

War Memorial
41 Cochituate Road

Hannah Williams Park
69 Main Street

Bridges
Covered Bridge

229 Rice Road

Places of Worship

Trinity Congregational Church
53 Cochituate Road

Islamic Center of Boston
126 Boston Post Road

First Parish in Wayland
50 Cochituate Road

St. Ann Church
124 Cochituate Road

St. Zepherin Church
99 Main Street

Church of the Holy Spirit
169 Rice Road

Community United Methodist Church
5 Damon Street

Celebration International Church
6 Loker Street

Town Facilities

Public Library
5 Concord Road

Post Office
148 Commonwealth Road

Restaurants

Highly Recommended:
Italian

Giacomo's Ristorante (chain)

14 Elissa Avenue

Recommended Dishes:

Roasted Pineapple Mojito

House Salad

Prince Edward Island Mussels

Scampi

Firenze

Western
The Local (chain)
400 Boston Post Road
Recommended Dishes:
Grilled Prime Meatloaf Sandwich
Street Tacos

Prime 131 Grill
131 Boston Post Road
Recommended Dishes:
Roasted Mushroom Soup
Chicken Santorini


Breakfast
Mel's Commonwealth Cafe
310 Commonwealth Road
Recommended Dishes:
Belgian Waffle with Strawberries and Whipped Cream
Crabcake Benedict
Hot Chocolate


Mexican

Viva Mexican Restaurant and Tequileria (closed)
15 East Plain Street
Recommended Dishes:
Mixiote de Borrego
Viva Burrito Supremo


Tried:
Chinese
China Rose
15 East Plain Street
Recommended Dishes:
Scallops with Garlic Sauce
Crispy and Spicy Aromatic Shrimp

Dessert
Frozen Yogurt Innovations
131 Main Street


Western
J.J. McKay's
171 Commonwealth Road
Recommended Dishes:
Eggplant Stuffies
Sauteed Baby Beef Liver
Blueberry Pie

The Villa Restaurant
124 East Plain Street
Recommended Dishes:
Prime Rib
Garden Salad
Passionfruit Cheesecake

Coach Grill

55 Boston Post Road
Recommended Dishes:
Pan Seared Atlantic Halibut

October 2nd 2021: Spending the Day in Wayland

 After getting a simple but delicious Rodeo Burger (A flame-grilled beef patty topped with a simple layer of melted cheese, crispy golden onion rings, and smoky, smoky BBQ sauce. All on a toasted sesame seed bun.) from the Burger King in Northborough today,

We decided to spend the day in Wayland today, 

Wayland Town Beach

Alpine Field, 16 Alpine Road

getting lunch at Giacomo's Ristorante, a branch of the one in the North End. Much nicer and larger here.

We sat outside, getting the Roasted Pineapple Mojito (Bacardi Rum, roasted pineapple chunks, muddled limes and mint leaves),

the House Salad (mesclun salad greens, plum tomatoes, shaved red onion and english cucumbers with balsamic vinaigrette),

the Prince Edward Island Mussels (fra diavolo),

the Scampi (Garlic, butter, white wine, olive oil, anchovy paste, served over linguine, scallops)

and the Firenze Flatbread (Seasoned diced tomatoes, prosciutto, oregano, fresh mozzarella,romano and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil).

The drink was too strong for me, having no pineapple chunks at all. The salad was not bad, but the rest of the food dishes were really good, the mussels being really fresh, the scampi sauce making the pasta delicious, and the saltiness of the prosciutto going well with the texture of the mozzarella. Really good meal here. Makes up for the okay one I had in Boston after waiting several hours outside the restaurant.