April 14th 2024: Lunch in Marlborough, Drinks in Auburn

 Today for lunch we decided to check out Mosaka, a Japanese hibachi restaurant in Marlborough which has taken the place of Okami, which we visited once a long time ago. 

We got the Stir Fried Yakisoba,

the Dragon Roll (eel, cucumber inside, topped with avocado, tobiko, eel sauce) and Signature Roll (shrimp tempura, cucumber inside, spicy crabmeat, eel and spicy mayo on top).

The signature roll was not too bad, crunch on the outside, but the other one was just so-so, as were the noodles with its onions. Overall, still nothing special here.

Later on, while at the Auburn Mall in Auburn, 

we decided to get drinks, getting a Frozen Hot Chocolate from Cafe Amore,

An Iced Coffee with Boba from Tutti Fruiti

and a Tamarindo from Tacos Mexico.

The tamarind drink was just not to my taste, but the cold drink was not too bad, giving me my sweet dose for the day.

April 13th 2024: Lunch in Westborough, Dinner in Shrewsbury

 Today, at the Panera Bread in Westborough, we decided to get the new stuff on the menu, getting the Mediterranean Greens with Grains,

the Chicken Bacon Rancher,

the Mexican Street Corn Chowder

and the Ciabatta Cheesesteak.

Pretty good, especially the soup and sandwiches.

For dinner, we were at Pho Sure in Shrewsbury,

this time getting the Avocado Premium Smoothie,

the Beef Pho T-Rex Friend (kid size soups with rice noodles, garnished with cilantro, scallion, onion),

the Spicy Hue Bowl (large round rice boodles with beef shank flank and pork ham in spicy lemongrass chicken broth),

and the Grilled Pork Chop (served with fried egg, pickled carrot and daikon, scallion oil and a side of fish sauce dressing) 

I have to say, the food has definitely improved a lot, especially the pork chops.

April 5th 2024: Lunch and Dinner in Worcester

 Today, we first had lunch at B.T.'s Smokehouse, a BBQ place in Worcester, this time getting the 1 Meat Dinner Plate (Beef Brisket, Collard Greens, BBQ Beans, Cornbread)

and the Crispy Chicken Ranch Wrap (fried chicken, dill ranch, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion all rolled up in a flour tortilla and lightly pressed).

Pretty good as always from this place.

Next, dinner was all you can eat hotpot at Chuan Shabu in town, getting the Super Mala, Tomyum and Basic Broth flavors. Pretty good soup, and not too spicy, especially the tomyum broth.

March 31st 2024: Second Time at Mint Kitchen and Bar, Worcester

 Today, we decided have dinner with family at Mint Kitchen and Bar, a Vietnamese bar restaurant in Worcester which we visited a while back. This time around, we got the Cha Ca Thang Long (“Thang Long” style sizzling fish flavored with fresh dill, scallion and galangal. *Served with rice noodles and fresh herbs*)

and the Bo Luc Lac (Cubed ribeye sauteed with sweet soy sauce *Served with salad and jasmine rice*)

Really excellent, and unique too. Definitely glad we brought our family here.

March 30th 2024: 'Olo Pizza, Worcester

 Today, after getting a Oleato Golden Foam™ Cold Brew

and the Potato, Cheddar and Chive Bites

from the Starbucks at 41 Park Avenue in Worcester,

We decided to check out 'Olo Pizza, a wood-fired oven pizza bar restaurant nearby, getting the Oven Wings (lemon pepper rub and served with garlic parmesan dip)

and the Mushroom (Thyme, shredded mozzarella, fontina, and truffle oil).

Not bad actually, although I did see some other plates with burnt pizza.

March 26th 2024: Amato's, Worcester

 Today, while in Worcester, I decided to grab a quick bite from Amato's, an Italian store located within a gas station, which apparently has locations all over New England. I got the Little Stuffers Pepperoni and Ham,

which was just alright in my opinion. Filling though, for cheap.

March 23rd 2024: Eating in the Rain in Worcester and Amherst

 Today, we started off with a quick bite at Yume Dumplings, a new Chinese hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Worcester,

getting the BBQ Pork Bao,

the Wontons in Spicy Szechuan Chili Oil,

the Seafood Wontons Noodle Soup,

and the Beef Soup Dumplings.

The beef dumplings were a pretty interesting concept and well done in terms of flavor, although everything else was just alright. Not a restaurant I would come back to.

From here, we headed to Amherst in the rain, getting dinner at Formosa Chinese Restaurant, a pretty nice restaurant in town.

we got the Jumbo Shrimp with Pea Pods,

the Mala Dry Hot Pot (beef, fish fillet, squid, enoki mushroom, bean Curd, Lotus roots and potato),

and the Lion Head in Sizzling Hot Pot (shrimp, tofu, black mushroom, bamboo shoots, ham and vermicelle).

the shrimp was just alright, and the meatball soup was a tad salty. The spicy dish was decent though. Overall, I think Oriental Flavor nearby, which we visit once in the past, is much better. After an unsatisfactory dinner, we decided to get some bubble tea from LimeRed Teahouse nearby, 

getting the Jasmine Milk Tea.

Not too bad an end to a rainy day of eating in Worcester and Amherst.

Recommended Places to Visit: Auburn

Recreation

Bowling
AMF Auburn Lanes
101 Southbridge Street

Ice Skating

Horgan Memorial Rink

403 Oxford Street North

Parks

Goddard Park/Auburn Pond
Auburn Street and Southbridge Street

Shopping Malls
Auburn Mall
385 Southbridge Street


Kids
Crystal Caves Family Entertainment Center
790 Southbridge Street

Museums
Auburn Historical Society
41 South Street

Water Bodies
Dark Brook Reservoir
Leicester Street and Bryn Mawr Avenue

Eddy Pond
Central Street near Sharon Avenue

Tinker Hill Reservoir

42 Tinker Hill Road

Stoneville Pond
~140 Oxford Street North

Pondville Pond
~375 Washington Street

Stoneville Reservoir
~168 Rochdale Street

Architecture

Monuments

Town Common
104 Central Street

War Memorial
Auburn Street near Southbridge Street

Water Street Memorial Park
Southbridge Street and Water Street

Kusy Park
Southbridge Street and Church Street

Prospect Street Memorial Park
Southbridge Street and Prospect Street

Veteran's Memorial Corridor
Southbridge Street and Washington Street

Town Facilities
Auburn VNA Health Network

191 Pakachoag Street

Auburn Sportsman's Club
50 Elm Street

Town Hall
104 Central Street

Public Library
369 Southbridge Street

Places of Worship

St. Joseph's Church
194 Oxford Street

First Congregational Church
128 Central Street

Faith Baptist Church
22 Faith Avenue

Bethel Lutheran Church
90 Bryn Mawr Avenue

North American Martyrs Church
8 Wyoma Drive

Pakachoag Church
203 Pakachoag Street

Hampton Street Baptist Church
81 Hampton Street


Restaurants

Highly Recommended:

Chinese
Yong Shing
90 Auburn Street
Recommended Dishes:
Monster Maki
Ma La Lamb

Western

Chuck's Steakhouse
10 Prospect Street
Recommended Dishes:
Chateau of Beef
Spinach, Tomato and Mushroom Quesadilla

Bentley Pub (chain)
602 Southbridge Street
Recommended Dishes:
Coconut Shrimp
Fish Tacos

Tried:
Breakfast
Frank and Nancy's
500 Washington Street
Recommended Dishes:
1 Egg and Kielbasa

Heritage Coffee Shop
567 Southbridge Street
Recommended Dishes:
Meat Lovers Omelette

The Coffee Mug
286 Southbridge Street
Recommended Dishes:
Hot Chocolate
2 Eggs, Hash, Toast, Home Fries

Uncle Mark's Diner
17 Washington Street
Recommended Dishes:
Hash and Cheese Omelette

Seafood
Cap't Loui (chain)
385 Southbridge Street
Recommended Dishes:
Louisiana Clams
Garlic Noodles

Ronnie's Seafood and Ice Cream
871 Southbridge Street
Recommended Dishes:
Lobster Roll
Clam Roll


Japanese

Jasmine Restaurant
711 Southbridge Street

Western

Kentucky Fried Chicken/Taco Bell (chain)

820 Southbridge Street

Recommended Dishes:

Naked Chicken Chalupa

Crunchy Taco

Beef Burrito

Major League Roast Beef and Wings

503 Washington Street
Recommended Dishes:
Ace of Staff Wings
Route 20 Sub

Laneside Grill
101 Southbridge Street
Recommended Dishes:
Coney Island Hot Dog
Loaded Fries

McDonald's (chain)

72 Auburn Street

Recommended Dishes:

Smoky BLT Double Quarter Pounder* with Cheese
4 pcs. McNuggets

Latin American
Tacos Mexico
385 Southbridge Street
Recommended Dishes:
Fried Pork Gordita

Tamarindo


Italian
Brother's Pizza
850 Southbridge Street
Recommended Dishes:
Maui Pizza
Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo

Auburn Town Pizza
69 Auburn Street
Recommended Dishes:
BBQ Chicken Pizza

Dessert

Cafe Amore
385 Southbridge Street
Recommended Dishes:
Frozen Hot Chocolate

Coco's Tropical Ice
1 Swanson Road

Hershey's Ice Cream (chain, closed)
385 Southbridge Street
Recommended Dishes:
Strawberry Fields

Edible Arrangements (chain)
385 Southbridge Street
Recommended Dishes:
Fruit Smoothie

Tutti Frutti (chain)
385 Southbridge Street
Recommended Dishes:
Caramel Iced Coffee

Iced Coffee
Original
Pineapple Sorbet
Taro

March 22nd 2024: 185 Bistro, Worcester

 Today, after checking out the Daniel Horgan Skating Rink in Auburn,

and getting a Butternut donut from the Honey Dew Donuts at 99 Gold Star Boulevard in Worcester,

I decided to have brunch at 185 Bistro in Worcester, a new brunch place that has opened up in the place of Mac's Diner, which I visited once in the past. Much nicer inside now. 

I got the Fried Buttermilk Chicken Benedict (with spicy chipotle sauce on our homemade bulky),

which was really tasty. A good shout out to my friend whose parents own this place now.

March 16th 2024: Sichuan Gourmet House, Newton

 Today, we decided to go on a hike at Rosemary Brook in Wellesley, where the path we took from 204 Oakland Street is shown below in pink.

pretty nice views of the wetlands from the path.

From here, we headed to lunch at Sichuan Gourmet House, a decent Chinese restaurant in Newton.

We got the Shrimp in Spicy Salt and Pepper,

the Stir Fried Spinach with Garlic,

the Cumin Lamb on Skewers,

the Chengdu Style Ma Po Tofu,

and the Steamed Pork Soup Dumplings.

Really delicious, especially the lamb skewers, which were full of meat for once and not dry.