March 29th 2015: Watching the Big Apple Circus in Boston

I started out this morning with my first hike in a long while at the Reading Town Forest in Reading. The path I took here to try to get views of the Ipswich River is shown below in pink.

There were a few decent views of the river, which was still partly frozen today. Not worth the effort though, in my opinion. Pictures follow.

Unfortunately, most of the paths were still covered in snow, making me decide not to hike for the rest of the day, choosing to head to North Andover

The Loft Restaurant

for breakfast instead at Baked and O So Good.

This place is more of a bakery than a deli,

but in order to use my deal here, I had to get 2 sandwiches, both of which sounded interesting enough as well, namely the Turkey Dinner Sandwich (Turkey, Stuffing, Butternut Squash Puree, Cranberry Mayonnaise, and Gravy, on Cranberry Walnut bread)

And the Tuna Wasabi Sandwich (Tuna with Celery & Carrot, Wasabi Mayonnaise, Napa Cabbage, Asian Pickles on Multigrain Fociccini),

along with a Boston Cream mini-cupcake just for kicks.

Surprisingly good, especially the cupcake and the filling. I should have gotten more dessert.

From here, I headed into Lawrence to do a little sightseeing there

John R Rollins School

Lawrence Engine 6

Redeemer Lutheran Church

Ministerio Apostolico,

96 East Haverhill Street

Durant Square,

East Haverhill Street and Berkeley Street

Spanish Assembly of God,

14 Vine Street

Holy Cross Armenian Church,

54 East Haverhill Street

Amesbury Gardens,

206 Amesbury Street

St. Anthony Maronite Church

before heading into Boston for a meetup brunch event at Lulu's Allston.

Pretty interesting menu, from which I got the White Trash Hash (Braised short rib hash, tater tots, two poached eggs, hollandaise).

 Delicious, especially the tater tots.

After brunch, I went to pick my friend up, taking her to have some Indian food at Zaika Taste of India in Medford. Just like Kakkoii Sushi and Ramen yesterday, I did not know this place was located within a food court inside the Meadow Glen Mall. Nonetheless, we got the Lychee Juice,

Fish Makhani (tilapia cooked in tomato cream sauce) and Goat Curry (goat meat cooked in a light curry sauce).

Not bad, but we couldn't finish much of it before becoming too full.

After lunch, we headed into Boston, where I was lucky enough to find a nearby parking spot before heading to the City Hall Plaza, where the Big Apple Circus tent was located.

It was the first time my friend had ever seen a circus, so I was glad she could have this opportunity.

I did not take pictures of the performances, which included a pretty good balancing act, flying trapeze with some near impossible catches, and animals tricks to boot. Overall though, I still think Cirque du Soleil is better. But then again, it was interesting to note that the circus is actually non-profit.

After the show, it had become really cold, and I realized I was a little underdressed. We hurried to the North End, where we had dinner at La Galleria 33, a somewhat upscale Italian restaurant.

 We weren't that hungry, so we just got half portions of the Baked Gnocchi (Smoked mozzarella)

 and the Tortellini Galleria (Peas, prosciutto, fresh mushrooms, cream).

 I really liked the tortellini, although the tomato sauce for the gnocchi wasn't to my liking as always.

We also got the Tiramisu for dessert.

Not a bad end to a day at the circus. Next time, Cirque du Soleil.









 

January 17th 2015: Badminton and Dodgeball

I started out this morning in Watertown, going for breakfast at Tresca's Eating Place at 25 Church Street, as it was the only place open this freezing morning at 6 am.

With nothing interesting on the menu,  I went with a Hot Chocolate

and a Steak and Cheese Omelette.

The home fries weren't very tasty, And the omelet was just so - so.

The next place on my list was Crown Cafe at 106 Main Street nearby. Again, another uninspiring menu, even for a small Greek place, and with my earlier meal, I decided to just get a Single Pancake.

Pretty big for a pancake, and nothing out of the ordinary.  Good thing I did not order more.

Finally, a small cup of White Hot Chocolate which tasted really artificial from Kefi's Kitchen and Coffee, a tiny place that only have 2 tall tables to sit at.

A disappointing morning for breakfast.

After badminton in Waltham, I had a meetup lunch to go to in Quincy at Pho Linh, a pretty nice looking Vietnamese restaurant.

When everyone arrived,  we got the Cha Gio (Fried Imperial Rolls, hot Crispy Roll consisting of ground pork,  Shrimp,  taro, shitake mushrooms and thin vermicelli,  served with Sweet fish sauce)

and the Goi Cuon Tom (shrimp spring rolls, served cool to the touch and are light and refreshing, with Shrimp,  mint,  lettuce and vermicelli wrapped in soft Rice paper,  served with Peanut sauce) for appetisers.

Not too bad.

For food, I got the Hu Tieu Hay Mi Kho (dry rice noodle soup, with shrimp,  Sliced steamed Pork,  ground Pork and Fish meatball tossed with homemade soy sauce, served with small bowl of soup),

While my friends got a bowl of Pho

And the Bun Bo Hue Dac Biet (with sliced Shank,  Shrimp meatball,  Tendon and Pork knuckle in beef broth with Minced lemongrass, served with thick vermicelli Noodles).

I wish I had more sauce for my Noodles,  although overall the meat wasn't too bad.

After lunch,  I went to Sharon to visit the Sharon Historical Society.

Pictures I took of the few exhibits here follow.

From here, I headed to Abington for a hike at the Ames Nowell State Park, the path I took being shown below in pink.

The pond here was beautiful, though frozen and covered with a layer of snow. Pictures I took here follow.

By this time,  I decided it was time for my next meal, at the American Legion Post 137 Bar and Grill, a bar restaurant with interesting military decor in Holbrook.

With my deal, I got the Devil Wings

Steak Tips and Fries (kobe Marinated steak tips,  peppers and Onions served with fries).

The steak tips were pretty tasty,  although the wings were a little soggy.

Overall, nothing special about the menu though.

After dinner,  I went to check out the new Beanstalk attraction which has taken the place of the trapaze school which I tried doing trapeze at a while back at the Jordan's Furniture in Reading, which turned out to be a miniature kiddy version of the ziplining park I went to a few months back,  so I decided not to try it out in end.

I left for Danvers from here, going to watch "American Sniper" at the AMC Loews Liberty Tree Mall 20. I did not know this was a true story until the end of the movie. Pretty good. No wonder it got nominated for an Oscar.