October 30th 2016: Haunted Happenings in Salem

We started out today with some breakfast at Cafe Avellino, a small cafe in the town of Swampscott.

We got the Spicy Turkey and Avocado Panini (shaved turkey, sliced avocado, muenster cheese, cranberry mayo),

the Spicy Spinach Omelette (egg, spinach, tomato and garlic, parmigiano),

and the Raspberry Bowtie and Raspberry Square.

The food itself was not too bad, although the desserts tasted weird at times.

Overall, nothing special.

After breakfast, we headed into the town of Salem, where the Halloween event of Haunted Happenings was ongoing.

Not really into Halloween, so to me it was just another regular fair, nothing special.

We stopped by Kushco Bistro, which we initially thought was more of a restaurant than the cafe it was.

We got the Portabella Mushroom Panini (portabella mushroom, swiss, caramelized onion, spring mix and dijon mustard),

the Baked Eggplant Panini (baked eggplant, fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers, tomatoes, spring mix, sundried tomato paste),

the Brownie Sundae (vanilla froyo with walnuts, strawberries, chocolate sprinkles and fudge)

and a Smoothie (apple juice, strawberries, pineapple).

The sandwiches tasted really weird because there were too many spices in them, but thankfully the drink and the dessert were not bad. Not recommending this place again though.

We also stopped by a Japanese restaurant nearby, Koto Grill & Sushi, which was decorated for the festivities, and very dark inside.

Being very full from everything we had had, we just decided to go with the Yaki Soba (stir fried noodles with shrimp),

which was just so-so. Overall, nothing interesting on the menu, and not coming back again.

With that, we called it a day for checking out the Halloween festivities in Salem.

March 7th 2015: Sightseeing Amid Piles of Snow

I started out early this morning in the town of Beverly, heading to Omelette Headquarters, a small diner at 342 Rantoul Street.

Despite its name, the list of omelettes failed to perk my interest at all, although I still went with the Meat Lovers (tips, ham, bacon, sausage and mozzarella cheese)

And a Hot Chocolate, as always.

The omelette itself wasn't too bad, although I really expected much more, because of the restaurant name. Oh well.

From here, it was time to start my sightseeing for the day in town,

Second Congregational Church

Cornerstone Church

Then Wenham,

Old Wenham Church, 8 Dodges Row

Buker School

And finally Topsfield.

Steward School

Topsfield Town Library

St. Rose of Lima Church

Institution for Savings, 5 Main Street

Post Office

Trinity Episcopal Church

From here, I headed into Swampscott for my next meal at the Ocean House Cafe, which is actually more a surf shop than a cafe, looking out on King's Beach.

With my deal, I got a Ocean House Breakfast Bar (raw Cashew, coconut flakes, vegan Chocolate chips, oatmeal, local Maple syrup, cinnamon), a Peanut Butter Monster Cookie,

An Iggy's Croissant

And The Green Room Juice (Kale, celery, cucumber, lemon, parsley, green apple).

Every was way too healthy for my liking, tasting Weird at best. At least I got more than my day's serving of vegetables, or so I think.

More eating was to come after at Zoe's in Cambridge, where I had a meetup brunch event. With all the food that Was already in my Stomach, I went with something small, getting the Crunchy French Toast (Classic French Toast dipped in a special blend of cereal and nuts. Served with 100% pure maple syrup).

My friends got the Smoked Salmon Benedict (Two dropped eggs with Smoked salmon, grilled tomatoes topped with hollandaise sauce on and English muffin served with homefries),

The Potato Scramble (3 eggs scrambled with homefries, onions, peppers, gardenburger sausage)

And the Breakfast Burrito (3 eggs scrambled with jalapeños, onions, Sausage wrapped in a flour tortilla and topped with melted Cheddar and Jack cheese, served with homefries and salsa),

All of which looked better than my toast, and probably tasted better. My toast wasn't even Crunchy, but it was alright I guess. Overall, even though this place was crowded with people, I still think there are better brunch places around.

After brunch, it was on to yet another meal with friends at Brother's Restaurant in Brookline, which has taken the place of Khayyam Restaurant, which I have been to in the past.

Here, I decided to go with the Lamb Kabob  (Marinated with Spices Herbs Lamb or Chicken. Served with Rice, Salad, and Pita Bread),

while my friends got the Plain Waffle with Fresh Fruit and Whipped Cream,

the Challah French Toast with Fresh Fruit and Whipped Cream and the Corned Pepper Beef Hash.

The food wasn't too bad, especially the lamb and the hash, but overall, nothing amazing.

From here, it was on to Boston to watch the Hong Kong movie "12 Golden Ducks" at the Regal Fenway Stadium 13 and RPX with my other friends.

We were a little early, so we walked around Landmark Center for a bit before heading to the theater.

I have to say, although the movie had its funny bits and all the famous movie stars, it was a little too outrageous at times, and overall I did not really like the experience. My feeling exhausted from the events of the day did not help the situation either.

A few of us headed to dinner at Hancock's, an upscale hotel restaurant located within the Boston Marriott Quincy hotel.

By the time we arrived, my other friends had already almost finished their Crispy Salt and Pepper Fried Point Judith Calamari (Bell Peppers, Jalapeños, Garlic Butter, Marinara) appetizer, although I still managed to get a bite of whatever was left over. Not bad.

This place has all you can eat Prime Rib, which is what everyone at the table got.

The cut that we all got was really huge, but somehow I managed to get through mine, it tasting really excellent and tender, with my friends even getting seconds to take home.

The night was not at an end yet though, with dessert being at Yocha in town.
This time, I got the Red Raider (RED BEAN and SESAME SOUP W/ PEANUT MOCHI BALLS & TOFU PUDDING),

while my friends got the Frozen Yogurt

and the Strawberry Madness (STRAWBERRY PUREE, DICED STRAWBERRIES, SLICED BANANAS W/ TAPIOCA and TOFU PUDDING).

I especially liked the mochi balls, with the peanut filling being so creamy. A pity that there were only 2 in my bowl.

With that, we called it a day, and somehow I made it home despite feeling extremely exhausted. Not too sure if I want to go out tomorrow.

December 31st 2014: Exploring Marblehead

I started out early this morning in Marblehead, visiting a few beaches

Gas House Beach,

End of Gas House Lane

Redd's Pond,

Pond Street and Russell Street

Stramski's Beach, End of Stramski Way

Grace Oliver Beach,

Beacon Street and Crowninshield Road

before going on a hike at the Steer Swamp. The paths I took here to explore all the viewpoints here are shown below in pink.

Only Black Joe's Pond was worth looking at, and thankfully I was able to find my way after getting a little disoriented in the top half of the area.

I next visited Fountain Park at 51 Orne Street, which had awesome scenery.

I could not get onto Crowninshield Island, as it was still high tide at this point.

Thankfully, I was getting hungry by now, so I headed into the downtown area to try to find something to eat.  I first went to The Muffin Shop, where I decided to just get a Peach Muffin, which was actually pretty tasty and Crispy.

Not satisfied, I went next to Haley's Wines and Market Cafe close by, where I settled for a Breakfast Burrito (black beans, egg, pepperjack, housemade salsa, bacon)

and a Hot Chocolate.

The food was just okay though.

I resumed my sightseeing afterward,

St. Michael's Episcopal Church

Grace Community Church

Old North Church

Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead

Tedesco Country Club

Marblehead High School

Fort Beach,

Franklin Street and Front Street

checking out the views at Crocker Park

and at Fort Sewall.

I then went on a hike at the Hawthorn Pond area, where the path I took is shown below in pink.

The pond itself was nothing to look at though.

At this point, I decided to head into Lynn to check out the GAR Museum, which happened to be open at this time. A pretty cool place, where they put up pictures of Civil War veterans who have passed on the walls of the main hall, and no confederates are allowed in. Pictures I took here follow.

It also has one of the few remaining confederate flags left in the world.

After leaving the museum, I headed to lunch at the Flying Saucer Pizza Company in Salem. This cafe like place is Sci-Fi themed,

all the way down to the place mats

and even the takeout boxes.

I decided to go with a Creamsicle Float,

the Ender Pizza (evoo and chopped garlic, Saucer cheese blend, Cajun chicken, bacon, broccoli, scallion, sweet habanero sauce)

and the Silurian Pizza (evoo and chopped garlic, Teese cheddar, mac n' Teese casserole, kale, sundried tomato).

The Ender was pretty good, although the Silurian tasted downright weird.

Overall, this pizza place is worth checking out because of its quirkiness. Just don't get mac and cheese on your pizza.

I headed back to Marblehead at this point, hoping to be able to get onto Crowninshield Island while the tide was still low, and thankfully it was. Pictures I took here while on the island follow.

It was interesting to find a decorated christmas tree along the way.

Thankfully, I left just as my path back was about to get submerged by the tide.

From here it was on to Chandler Hovey Park,

where the Marblehead Light Tower is located as well.

After climbing the rocks at Castle Rock Park,

I headed for a hike at the Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, where the path I took is shown below in pink.

Unfortunately, there was nothing much to see here.

As the sun set, I decided to go for one more hike at Ware Pond, where the path I took is shown below in pink.

Once again, nothing too impressive, but at least better than Hawthorn Pond.

Finally, I decided to call it a day for sightseeing, heading into Swampscott for dinner at Nguyen's Vietnamese Cuisine and Sushi Bar. This place has to be the nicest Vietnamese place I have been to to date.

For food, I got the Swampscott Roll (Shrimp tempura, cream cheese, asparagus topped with baked kanikama salad, tempura crunch, mozzarella cheese, masago, and scallions dressed with white sauce and kabayaki glaze)

and the Clay Pot (Salmon simmered in a sweet and savory caramel sauce on top of a Vietnamese traditional clay pot, served with a side of white rice).

The sushi was actually really tasty, while the salmon was good too, although the saltiness of the broth got to me after a while and I had to stop eating it.

Overall, not a bad place to eat at in Swampscott.

At this point, I decided to head into Boston to join my friends at the New Year's Eve fireworks on the Boston Common.

Unfortunately, by the time I parked my car, the fireworks had already started, so I had to take pictures from where I was in South Boston.

By the time I got to the park, the fireworks were already over, but I decided to walk around anyway and take pictures of the ice sculptures and other stuff set up for the New Year.

I finally headed to Hei La Moon, where all my friends were waiting for food to come, but as it never did, we decided to give up after an hour or so of waiting, and headed to New Golden Gate instead, where we got our food much faster this time around.

After dinner, a group of us went to my friend's place, where we waited for the fireworks at midnight.

Not a bad way to end the year. Hope next year is better though.