June 22nd 2026: Legal Seafoods at Logan Airport, Boston

 While waiting for our flight today, we decided to get a bite from the Legal Seafoods at Gate E13 of the Logan Airport in Boston,

getting the Salmon (Helgeland Coast, Norway)

and the Boston Cream Pie (Sponge Cake, custard, Chocolate Sauce, Almonds, Toffee Bits).

Not too bad to start the business trip.

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

Rocky Pond Community Forest

Green Street, 42.35815745608228, -71.68310073554615

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 (closed)
59 Shrewsbury Street
Recommended Dishes:
Meatloaf and Eggs

Bread and Butter Diner
59 Shrewsbury Street
Recommended Dishes:
California Benedict

English Breakfast

Milk

Italian

Boylston House of Pizza
81 Shrewsbury Street

Recommended Dishes:

Cheese Pizza

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

June 21st 2026: Hiking in Boylston and Dessert in Worcester

 Today, we started out with a hike at the Rocky Pond Community Forest in Boylston, where the path we took to get to Rocky Pond from the Green Street parking lot is shown below in pink.

Really long walk to get to the nice view of the pond, 

and it might have been better to come form the end of Boulder Way instead, granted there doesn't seem to be parking there.

As a result of the terrible hike to the pond, we decided to find the shortest way out of the woods, which led us to Boulder Way, and a long walk back to the car along the road. Even better views of the pond along the walk back.

Definitely not coming back.

Later on, while in Worcester, we decided to check out the new rolled ice cream place in town, Hao Ngot, which has taken the place of Tastea Rolls. Nicer decor than before.

We got the Campfire (Base: Vanilla, Mix In: Cracker, Topping: Toasted Marshmallow, Chocolate Chips, Cracker, Drizzle: Chocolate),

which was a good way to end a day of terrible hiking in Boylston.

June 20th 2026: Hiking in Southborough and Westborough

 Today, we started out with a hike at Chestnut Hill Farm in Southborough, where the path we took to get to the viewpoint is shown below in pink.

Pretty nice views of the farm area.

Next, we headed to Bigelow Wildlife Refuge nearby, where the path we took from 42 Bigelow Road is shown below in pink. 

Short walk to the viewing platform here, and decent views of the wetlands here.

Our final hike for the day was at Indian Pond in Westborough, where the path we took to get to the pond is shown below in pink.

Really overgrown here though, and no real views of the pond either. 

Disappointing end to an otherwise good day of hiking in Southborough and Westborough, although the Hazelnut S'mores smoothie we got from Fresh Monkee in Westborough did make it better a little.

Recommended Places to Visit: Southborough

Recreation

Museums

Southborough History and Arts Center

42 Central Street

Parks

Fayville Park
Central Street and Winter Street

Hiking
Recommended:
Crystal Pond
~9 Crystal Pond Road

Breakneck Hill Conservation Area
~74 Breakneck Hill Road

Beals Preserve
End of Red Gate Lane

Bay Circuit Trail

Clemmon Street and Nichols Street

Bigelow Wildlife Refuge

42 Bigelow Road

Chestnut Hill Farm

5 Chestnut Hill Road

Tried:
Turenne Wildlife Habitat
11 Walnut Drive

Water Bodies

Sudbury Reservoir
Maple Street and Framingham Road

Architecture

Monuments

Town Common
Common Street and Main Street

Town Facilities
Police Department
19 Main Street

Southborough Library

25 Main Street

Schools
St. Mark's School
25 Marlboro Road


Historical Buildings
Old Firehouse Plaza
5 Main Street


Places of Worship

St. Mark's Episcopal Church
27 Main Street

First Community Church of Southborough
137 Southville Road

St. Matthews Church
105 Southville Road

Pilgrim Congregational Church
15 Common Street

St. Anne Church
20 Boston Road

Restaurants

Tried:
Dessert
Cold Stone Creamery (chain)
154 Turnpike Road
Recommended Dishes:
Strawberry Ice Cream

Diner
Mauro's Village Cafe (chain)
2 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Strawberry Shortcake Pancakes

Deli
The Vin Bin (chain)
154 Turnpike Road
Recommended Dishes:
Pulled Pork Sandwich

Subway (chain)
21 Turnpike Road
Recommended Dishes:
Rotisserie Style Chicken

Nan's Rustic Market and Kitchen (chain)

359 Turnpike Road

Recommended Dishes:

Chai Cider and Fig

Hot Honey Chicken Sammie

Italian

Tomasso Trattoria
154 Turnpike Road
Recommended Dishes:
Tanglinieri Pasta with Beef Ragu
Meatballs

Southborough House of Pizza
5 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Five Alarm Fire!
Hawaiian
Meat Special


Latin American
Hola! Restaurante and Tequila Bar
154 Turnpike Road
Recommended Dishes:
Guacamole
Tacos de Asada
Chiles en Nogada

Western
Owen O'Leary's
50 Turnpike Road
Recommended Dishes:
Baked Stuffed Shrimp
Pot Roast
PU PU 4 U

June 19th 2026: Jinjee, Boston

 Today, while in Boston,

YMCA of Greater Boston

we started out with breakfast at the Northeastern University

location of Pavement Coffeehouse, 

getting the Blueberry Muffin, Brownie,

Watermelon Limeade,

and the Turkey Avo (sliced turkey, swiss, avocado, lettuce, red onion, garlic aioli) on Rosemary Salt bagel with Swiss Cheese.

 Nothing special in my opinion.

Later for lunch, we decided to check out the new high end Korean BBQ place in town at 161 Brighton Avenue in Allston, Jinjee. Really nice inside to begin with.

We got the Wagyu Jeon (egg battered wagyu slices, pan-seared until golden),

the Mul Makguksu (chilled buckwheat noodles in refreshing beef broth),

the Bibim Makguksu (spicy gochujang-dressed buckwheat noodles),

the Bansang (American Heritage Duroc (Prok Jowl, Mainated Pork shoulder, pork belly, Pork shoulder),

which came with side dishes

and dessert,

along with an attentive waiter to boot who cooked our meat to perfection for us.

Best Korean BBQ experience ever, even better than Hyun in NYC, which we checked out three years ago. Expensive of course, and the little one didn't take to the cold noodles much.

Recommended Places to Visit: Natick

Recreation

Cooking
Sur la Table (chain)
1245 Worcester Street


Pickleball

Bosse
310 Speen Street

Golf

Puttshack (chain)
1245 Worcester Street

Arcades

Level99
1235 Worcester Street

Dave and Buster's (chain)
1235 Worcester Street

Fruit Picking
Lookout Farm
89 Pleasant Street South

Water Bodies

Fisk Pond
~126 West Central Street

Lake Cochituate
43 Commonwealth Road

Jennings Pond
Oak Street near Jennings Pond Road

Arts Performances
The Center for the Arts in Natick
14 Summer Street


Mini Golf
Golf on the Village Green
315 Worcester Street

Shopping Malls
Natick Mall
1245 Worcester Street

Christmas Tree Shops (chain)
1298 Worcester Street

Jordan's Furniture (chain)
1 Underprice Way

Dick's Sporting Goods (chain)

1366 Worcester Street

Parks

Loker Park
75 Walnut Street

Navy Yard Field

41 Washington Avenue

Museums
Natick Historical Society
58 Eliot Street


Beaches
Dug Pond
Windsor Avenue and West Street


Hiking
Recommended:
Pickerel Pond North
6 Huron Drive/End of Bradford Road

Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary
280 Eliot Street

Coolidge Hill
Jefferson Street and Lincoln Street Extension

Pegan Hill
End of Pegan Lane


Tried:

Cochituate Rail Trail

43 Mechanic Street

Pegan Cove Park
Washington Avenue between Bellevue Road and Hunters Hill Court

Hunnewell Town Forest
Oak Street near Jennings Pond Road

Coolidge Woods
End of Sheridan Street

Winter Woods
37 Winter Street

Pine Hill
4 Tech Circle

Architecture

Monuments

Town Common
South Main Street and East Central Street

War Memorials
South Avenue and North Main Street

Places of Worship

Hartford Street Presbyterian Church
99 Hartford Street

Fisk Memorial United Methodist Church
106 Walnut Street

Albanian Orthodox Church of the Anunciation
37 Washington Street

First Congregational Church
2 East Central Street

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
39 East Central Street

First Baptist Church
13 Common Street

St. Patrick's Church
44 East Central Street

Eliot Church
45 Eliot Street

Christ Lutheran Church
113 Union Street

St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church
145 Oak Street

True Jesus Church

20 Mill Street

Schools
The Tobin School
73 Cottage Street

Wilson Middle School
22 Rutledge Road

Riverbend School
6 Auburn Street

Primrose School

296 North Main Street

Natick High School

15 West Street

Town Facilities
T-Station
1 Walnut Street

Town Hall
13 East Central Street

Morse Institute Library
14 East Central Street

Fire Department
22 East Central Street

Bacon Free Library
58 Eliot Street

Post Office

15 Common Street

William L. Chase Arena

35 Windsor Avenue

Dams
South Natick Dam
Mill Lane and Eliot Street


Commercial Buildings
The Verve Hotel
1360 Worcester Street

4 Mechanic Street

4 Mechanic Street

Historical Buildings
Old Sacred Heart Parish
19 Eliot Street

Restaurants

Highly Recommended:
Thai

Maxwell's 148 (closed)
148 East Central Street
Recommended Dishes:
Crab Curry
Kafir Lime Seared Scallops and Curry Eggplant with Basil

Rice Noodle Thai Eatery

179 West Central Street

Recommended Dishes:

Shoyu Ramen

Som Tum

Prik King Shrimp

Mango with Sticky Rice

Chinese

P.F. Chang's (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Jicama Street Tacos - Kung Pao Chicken
Stir Fried Eggplant
Vietnamese Chocolate Lava Cake
Berry Ginger Shortcake
Long Life Noodles and Prawns
Walnut Shrimp with Melon

Trend Pure Asian Cuisine
1400 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Pickle Vegetable Noodle Soup with Pork
Lamb Dry Pot Style
Mango Maki

Ten-ichi Dynamic Kitchen (closed)
1400 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Xiao Long Bao
East Coast Grilled Maki
Tropical Maki
Dynamite Maki
All-You-Can Eat Hot Pot
Kushiyaki Lamb Chops
Kushiyaki Beef Skewers
Surf and Turf
Mandarin Crispy Duck

Shaanxi Gourmet
259 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Chinese Burger Qishan Style
Small Size Qishan Style Handmade Noodles
Lamb Soup with Chinese Bread on Side
Plum Hawthorn Juice
Braised Beef Brisket
Sweet and Sour Pork Filet

Western
Bazille at Nordstrom (chain)
290 Speen Street
Recommended Dishes:
Wild Salmon Nicoise
Handmade Gnocchi with Lamb Ragu

Buttercup
13 West Central Street
Recommended Dishes:
Joyberry Farms Mushroom Toast
Crystal Valley Chicken

The Burger Bar by Wegman's (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Maple Onion Burger
Zucchini Fries

Kid Sized Burger

Haddock Fish Fry Dinner

Sel de la Terre (closed)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Creamy Radish and Potato Soup
Duck Liver Terrine
Duck Confit Ravioli with Spinach

Met Bar and Grill (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Tokyo Burger

Skybokx 109 (chain)
319 Speen Street
Recommended Dishes:
Nacho Average Burger

Neiman Marcus Cafe
310 Speen Street
Recommended Dishes:
Chicken Paillard Milanese
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Meat Ball Kitchen (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
MBK Sampler
Spaghetti Gelato
Stuffed Whole Artichoke

Kelly's Roast Beef (chain)
2 Underprice Way
Recommended Dishes:
Roast Beef Sandwich

Cheesecake Factory (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Vanilla Ice Cream
Mango Key Lime Cheesecake
Peach Smoothie
Fresh Strawberry Cheesecake
Steak Diane
Chris' Outrageous Cheesecake

Oreo Dream Extreme Cheesecake

Loaded Mashed Potato Omelette

Pasta Carbonara

Miso Salmon

Vegan Cobb Salad

Mediterranean

The Grillin' Greek
3 Union Street
Recommended Dishes:
Lamb Gyro

Dessert
Melt Gelato and Crepe Cafe
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Shrimp and Avocado Crepe
Strawberry Royale Crepe
Andalusian Crepe
Forbidden Fruit Smoothie
Pineapple Paradise
Pulled Pork Panini

Tous Les Jours (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Whole Milk Loaf
Muddy Bun
Coffee Kaya Bun
Strawberry Match Latte
Original Roll Cake

Vanilla Cream Donut

Green Tea Cloud Cake

Strawberry Croissant

Croque Monsieur

Honey Lavender Macchiatto

Chocolate Gateau

Park Street Ice Cream and Cafe

14 Park Street

Recommended Dishes:

Ginger

Strawberry

The Dapper Doughnut (chain, closed)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Strawberry Bella
Fluffer Nutter
Blueberry Lemon

Paul Bakery (chain, closed)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Canele
Noix de Coco Croissant
Beignet Fruits Rouges
Hot Chocolate
Mini Gourmandise
Toscan
Apricot Tart

Laderach (chain)
1245 Worcester Street

Recommended Dishes:

Piemonteser

Lolli and Pops (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Strawberry Love Bug Truffle 
Pink Champagne Heart Truffle
Hot Lips Truffle 
Strawberry Balsamic 
Ivory Toffee Mouse 
Blackberry
Milk Chocolate Bunny 
PB and J
Milk Chocolate Lab


Latin American
Blue Dalia Restaurant and Tequila Bar (closed)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Sopes de Hongos
Pescado Yucatan
Taco de Costilla
Ice Cream and Sorbet Sampling
Mexican Guava
Mexican Vanilla
Pina

Baha Mexican Restaurant (chain)
2 Mill Street
Recommended Dishes:

Al Pastor Quesadilla

Deli

Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea (chain)
19 South Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Spinach and Ricotta Croissant

French Vietnamese Au Lait

Japanese
Minado (chain)
1282 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Sushi Buffet

Tonkotsu Ramen

Udon Noodle Soup

Oga's Japanese Cuisine
915 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Oga's Clam Chowder
Foil-Yaki
Black Sesame Sorbet
Sake Ishiyaki Don
Enoki Beef Maki


Tried:
Latin American

Sol de Mexico (chain)

215 West Central Street

Recommended Dishes:

Pina Colada Smoothie

Fried Shrimp Chimichangas

Mediterranean
Falafel House
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Beef Shawarma Plate

Cafe Yafa
6 Wethersfield Road

Recommended Dishes:

Shawermah Chicken

Expresso Macchiato

Japanese
Wasabi (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Japanese Snack
Crawfish Salad
Scorpion Roll
Sweet Potato Tempura

Sarku Japan (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Chicken Teriyaki

Breakfast
Casey's Diner
36 South Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Breakfast Grilled Cheese

Zaftig's Delicatessen (chain)

1298 Worcester Street

Recommended Dishes:

Empire Eggs

Chopped Liver

Egg Cream

World Famous Homemade Chicken Matzo Ball Soup

Western
McDonald's (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Buttermilk Crispy Tenders

Filet O'Fish Meal

4 Piece Chicken McNuggets Happy Meal

Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Spalla's Chicago Italian Beef (closed)
229 North Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
The Overload
Chicago Dog
BBQ Zang Dog
Beantown Dog

Culinary Delights
229 North Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Beantown Dog

The Pantry Restaurant
1360 Worcester Road
Recommended Dishes:
Short Rib Arancini
Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta
Pork Chop
Scallops

Smashburger (chain)
1298 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Truffle Mushroom Swiss
Smashfries

American Girl Bistro (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Blue Moon Milkshake


Italian
Sbarro (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Sausage, Pepperoni and Bacon Stromboli

Natalie's Italian Kitchen
319 North Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Mozzarella sticks
Fried chicken wings
Linguini Carbonara

California Pizza Kitchen (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Dakota Smash Pea and Barley
Kung Pao Spaghetti
Classic Caesar
Strawberry Shortcake
Avocado Club Egg Rolls


Korean

Dah Mee

25 Washington Street

Recommended Dishes:

Momokawa Silver

Thai Noodle Soup

Dok Bok Ki

Bul Go Ki

Duk Man Du Guk

 

Thai
Rice Theory
381 Worcester Street
Recommedned Dishes:
Hot Fish Cake
Thai Iced Tea

Dessert
David's Tea (chain, closed)
1245 Worcester Street

Red Mango (chain, closed)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Original
Coconut Greek

EBar at Nordstrom (chain)

1245 Worcester Street

Recommended Dishes:

Up Beet and Berry

Milkshake Lovers (chain)
1245 Worcester Street

Recommended Dishes:

Kit Kat Shake

Woops! (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Lemon Tart
Passion Fruit
Lychee Rose

Gong Cha (chain)

1245 Worcester Street

Recommended Dishes:

Taro

Earl Grey Milk Tea

Kung Fu Tea (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Yogurt Green Tea
Signature Coffee

Muffin House Cafe (chain)

325 North Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Blueberry Muffin

The Buzz Coffee Shop (chain)
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Hot Chocolate    

Chinese

Master Wok (chain)
1245 Worcester Street

Recommended Dishes:

Crab Rangoons

General's Chicken

Fresh Mixed Vegetables Fried Rice

Asia Bistro
195 West Central Street
Recommedned Dishes:
Asia Bistro Maki
Sizzling Sliced Beef in Sa-Cha Sauce

Cajun Cafe Grill
1245 Worcester Street
Recommended Dishes:
Cajun Fries

Brazilian

Terra Nossa Brazilian Grill (chain)
1245 Worcester Street

Recommended Dishes:

Picanha

Sweet Plantains

Indian

Gourmet India (Chain)
1245 Worcester Street

Minerva Indian Cuisine
1318 Worcester Street

June 13th 2026: Cochituate Rail Trail, Natick

 Today, while in Natick,

Navy Yard Field

4 Mechanic Street

we decided to go cycling on the Cochituate Rail Trail, where the path we took from 43 Mechanic Street is shown below in pink.

Surprisingly, no good views of Lake Cochituate, even from the side detour on General Greene Avenue.

Glad the little one is finally getting the hang of cycling, except needing a little push every time to get going. Gonna need my scooter to keep up next time.