January 31st 2023: Tribos Peri Peri Chicken, Westborough

 Today, we decided to get a quick bite from the new fast food Portuguese restaurant in Westborough, Tribos Peri Peri Chicken, which apparently has other locations in other states.

We got the Wings (Lemon and Herb),

the Quarter Chicken (Dark, Leg and Thigh, Medium),

and the Yucca Fries.

Not bad flavors I must say, though the portions felt small. Oh inflation.

Recommended Places to Visit: Boylston

Recreation

Events
Winter Reimagined

11 French Drive

Museums

Tower Hill Botanic Gardens
11 French Drive

Historical Society
7 Central Street

Parks

Hillside Park
215 Main Street

Manor Park

Orient Street and Midland Road

Hiking
Recommended:

Pout Pond

65 Nicholas Avenue

Elmer's Seat
31 Maple Way

Sewall Pond

324 South Sewall Street

Tried:
Hillside Trail Network
Elmwood Place near Main Street

Water Bodies

Wachusett Reservoir
West Boylston Street and West Temple Street

Rocky Pond
Boulder Way and Rocky Pond Road

Spruce Pond

1 Elmwood Place

Architecture

Monuments

Town Common
Main Street and Central Street

RKMC Firefighter Memorial
599 Main Street

Schools

Boylston Elementary School
200 Sewall Street

Historical Buildings
Old Apostolic Lutheran Church
84 Main Street


Places of Worship
St. Mary of the Hills Church
630 Cross Street

First Congregational Church
10 Church Street

Town Facilities
Boylston Public Library
695 Main Street

Restaurants
Highly Recommended:
Western

Cyprian's Restaurant
284 East Temple Street
Recommended Dishes:
Cedar Planked Salmon
Bruschetta

Tried:
Deli
Boylston Deli
700 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Reuben

Breakfast
Claudette's 1921 Diner (closed)
59 Shrewsbury Street
Recommended Dishes:
Meat Special Omelette

Chefee's 1921 Diner
59 Shrewsbury Street
Recommended Dishes:
Meatloaf and Eggs

Western
The Other Place Pub
71 Shrewsbury Street

Farmer and the Fork
11 French Drive
Recommended Dishes:
Raspberry Almond Bar


Chinese

Dragon 88
260 Shrewsbury Street
Recommended Dishes:
Beef and Mushroom Chow Yoke

January 30th 2023: Short Hikes in Boylston and Shrewsbury

 Today, I decided to take advantage of the low snow depth to go hiking, first to look for Sewall Pond in Boylston, which I managed to get to from a somewhat wild area with an unofficial parking lot at 324 South Sewall Street.

The next place I went to was Camp Wunnegan in Shrewsbury, where the path I took from 645 Grafton Street is shown below in pink.

There were only okay views of the brook here, but nothing much else.

January 27th 2023: Ruth's Chris Steak House, Worcester

 Today, after watching an ice hockey game at the DCU Center in Worcester,

getting some Chicken Fingers and French Fries,

We decided to head nearby to the Ruth's Chris Steakhouse location nearby for a real dinner. I have visited the Boston location once in the past.

We got the Benvolio (brut, prosecco, veneto, italy, nv),

the Sizzling Crab Cakes (two jumbo lump crab cakes, lemon butter) 

and the 4 Oz Filet (French Fries, Ice Cream)

Surprisingly good this time around, especially the crab cakes which were full of crabmeat, and the ice cream.

January 25th 2023: Ziggy Bombs, Worcester

 Today, after getting a Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit (warm, buttermilk biscuit brushed with real butter, thick cut Applewood smoked bacon, a fluffy folded egg, and a slice of melty American cheese)

from the McDonald's location in Westborough for breakfast,

I decided to get lunch from Ziggy Bombs, a sandwich place in Worcester which has taken the place of Stix Noodle Bar, which I visited once a long time ago.

I got the Poutine (shaved steak, sauteed onions and roasted red peppers, American cheese, French Fries, Fried Chesse Curds Topped with Brown Gravy).

I have to say, although the fries were soggy, the beef with its peppers and onions ground into it, was actually pretty good in flavor. 

January 22nd 2023: QDOBA, Northborough

 Today, I decided to get a bite from the QDOBA in Northborough, 

getting their new QuesaBirria Quesadilla (Brisket Birria, shredded beef slow-cooked in chiles and garlic, with 3-Cheese Queso, shredded cheese and pico de gallo, in a flour tortilla. Served with a side of hand-crafted guacamole and sour cream.).

Pretty good flavor, though not as crispy as other quesadillas.

January 18th 2023: Water Bodies in Shrewsbury and Boylston

 Today, I decided to check out a few water bodies I have not visited before in Shrewsbury

Shirley Street Pond,
63 Main Street

Mud Pond,
153 Holden Street

and Boylston,

Spruce Pond,
1 Elmwood Place

going on a hike at the powerlines from 65 Nicholas Avenue to get to Pout Pond. Not too bad views, especially from the top.

January 15th 2023: Norwood Spice, Norwood

 Today, while in Norwood, we decided to grab a bite from Norwood Spice, an Indian restaurant in town.

We got the Veg Samosa (Turnover filled with potato and peas stuffing),

the Naan/Bread (Soft and delicious bread made in our tandoor clay oven) and Chicken Makhani (Chicken tandoori pieces cooked in delicate cream containing ground cashews, raisins, and almonds, with tomato sauce.).

Everything was not bad in my opinion, although my other half felt it was on the stale side. Oh well, at least our little one was happy.

January 14th 2023: Brunch at IHOP, Northborough

 Today, we decided get brunch from the IHOP in Northborough, this time getting the Chicken and Pancakes (4 buttermilk crispy chicken strips made with all natural chicken breast and 3 buttermilk pancakes)

and the Swedish Crepes (4 delicate crepes topped with sweet tart lingonberries, butter and powdered sugar).

Not bad, actually, the chicken being moist. Glad we came in before the crowd.

January 11th 2023: Half Baked and Fully Roasted, Oxford

 Today, I decided to get breakfast from Half Baked and Fully Roasted, a diner in Oxford which has taken the place of Big I's which I visited a while ago. Much nicer decor now, but I did not get a picture. I got THE CRABBY BENEDICT (2 Poached Eggs on an English Muffin with a Crab Cake & Dill Hollandaise),

Pretty good actually, the crab patties being very crispy. I might consider coming back some day.

January 8th 2023: La Baguette North, Norwood

 Today, while in the town of Norwood, we decided to check out La Baguette North, a Haitian bakery with branches in Brockton and Boston. We had thought it was French initially. We got the Almond Croissant,

the Baguette,

and the Acassan (Corn Milk Shake).

Extremely underwhelming, the drink full of cinnamon, the croissant really undercooked as well. Not sure why they have so many branches, even in New York.

January 7th 2023: Junk Food in Westborough and Marlborough

 Today, we started out with French Toast Sticks (Sweet, golden brown, and piping hot)

from the Burger King in Westborough.

Crispy, but not my thing due to the cinnamon.

For lunch, I had a Bacon McDouble (made with two 100% pure beef patties seasoned with a pinch of salt and pepper and topped with melty American cheese, thick cut Applewood smoked bacon, minced onions, tangy pickles, ketchup and mustard on a toasted bun)

from the McDonald's at 155 Boston Post Road West in Marlborough. Pretty good for cheap.

January 1st 2023: Soho Express, Worcester

 Today, we decided to have a Japanese lunch at Soho Express, which has taken the place of Pho Bowl, which we have been to many times in the past. Less disorganized in my opinion.

We got the Tako Yaki (crispy fried octopus ball with bonito flakes, mayonnaise and katsu sauce),

the Mexican Roll (shrimp tempura, crab, cucumber topped with avocado, spicy sauce),

the Pork Belly Ramen

and the Dancing Eel Roll (eel, cucumber inside topped with eel, avocado and masago).

The ramen was just so-so, although the sushi and tako yaki were not bad. Overall, not too bad a meal from a takeout place.