December 15th 2024: Hot Pot in Waltham, Sushi in West Boylston

 Today we started out with hot pot in Waltham, checking out the new Japanese place Shiki Shabu Shabu, which has replaced a sports bar.

Pretty nice inside. We got the Tom Yum and House Pork Bone Broth,

the Lamb Set,

the Prime Short Ribs (Marinated, Pan Fried)

and the USDA Prime Sirloin.

Not too bad for a start to the day.

Later, for dinner, we stopped by Miku Asian Bistro and Sushi Bar in West Boylston, which I visited once a long time ago. 

This time around, we got the Honey Walnut Shrimp (Crispy shrimp with crunch candied walnut, creamy honey sauce),

the Eel Avocado Roll and Shrimp Tempura Roll (Tempura, shrimp, cucumber, lettuce and eel sauce).

Not too bad, but was a tad sweet for my dining counterparts. Just alright Americanized Chinese food.

August 30th 2024: Banh Mi Oi, Waltham

 Today, while in Waltham, we decided to check out the Banh Mi Oi location in town. Much nicer than in West Roxbury.

We got the Cafe Sua Da (Viet Latte)

and the BBQ Pork Banh Mi (Vietnamese baguette sandwich, spread of house made egg yolk aioli, pickled medley, sliced cucumber, cilantro, jalapeno and our BBQ Pork.).

I have to say, the meat for the sandwich was really good. Good choice for a quick bite on the way home.

June 17th 2024: Work Food in the Waltham Area

 Today, I had to go to Waltham for work, so I started out with a quick bite from the Craft Food Halls location at 200 Smith Street in town.

I got the Pesto Roni Pizza (vine ripened tomato sauce, double pepperoni, provolone, fresh mozzarella, basil pesto, cotija, basil),

which was pretty good for cheap.

At work, we got a catered lunch from Via Lago in Lexington, with me choosing the Roast Beef (with Boursin Cheese, lettuce and tomato).

a whole load of fresh roast beef I must say. 

Recommended Places to Visit: Waltham

Recreation

Badminton/Table Tennis
Massachusetts Table Tennis and Badminton Club
104 Clematis Avenue

Water Bodies
Hardy Pond
Hiawatha Avenue and Princeton Avenue

Cambridge Reservoir
741 Winter Street

YMCA Pond
725 Lexington Street

Cram's Cove

88 Woerd Avenue

Purgatory Cove

2 Forest Grove Road

Events
Watch City Steampunk Festival

Sheep Shearing Festival

Waltham Farmers Market

Beautiful Scenery
Astra Zeneca

35 Gatehouse Drive

Alkermes Inc

852 Winter Street

Parks

Town Common
~610 Main Street next to Town Hall

Beaver Brook Reservation
Waverley Oaks Road at junction with Shirley Road

Logan Park

120 Woerd Avenue

Shopping
Brothers Marketplace
1 Moody Street

Waterfalls
River Street/Bleachery Dam
130 River Street

Movies
Landmark Theatres Embassy Cinema
16 Pine Street

Museums

The Waltham Museum
25 Lexington Street

Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation
154 Moody Street


Gore Place
52 Gore Street

National Archives at Boston
380 Trapelo Road

Hiking
Recommended:
Prospect Hill Park
314 Totten Pond Road

Falzone Park
901 Trapelo Road

Mackerel Hill
380 Trapelo Road

Cedar Hill Outdoor Program Center
265 Beaver Street

Tried:
Shady's Pond Conservation Area
Brookway Court

Architecture

Monuments
Dassault Systemes
1755 Wyman Street


Places of Worship

First Evangelical Lutheran Church
6 Eddy Street

Beth Eden Baptist Church
84 Maple Street

Immanuel United Methodist Church
545 Moody Street

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
311 River Street

St. Jude Parish
147 Main Street

First Parish Unitarian Universalist
50 Church Street

St. Mary's Church
133 School Street

Trinity Church
730 Main Street

Christ Church Episcopal
750 Main Street

Covenant Congregational Church
375 Lexington Street

First Baptist Church
400 Lexington Street

Lakeview Congregational Church
285 Lake Street

Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Parish
920 Trapelo Road

St. Charles Borromeo Church
51 Hall Street

Community Church of the Nazarene
1450 Trapelo Road

Bridges
Moody Street Bridge/Dam
Moody Street near Crescent Street


Schools
William F. Stanley Elementary School
250 South Street

Brandeis University
415 South Street

Ezra C. Fitch Elementary School
14 Ash Street

Thomas R Plympton School
20 Farnsworth Street

Bentley University
175 Forest Street

Gann Academy
333 Forest Street

John F. Kennedy Middle School

655 Lexington Street

Town Facilities
City Hall
610 Main Street

Fire Department
533 Moody Street

District Court
38 Linden Street

City Hall
610 Main Street

Public Library
735 Main Street

Salvation Army

33 Myrtle Street

Boston Children's Hospital at Waltham

9 Hope Avenue

Commercial Buildings
Westin Waltham Boston
70 Third Avenue

Embassy Suites Waltham Boston
550 Winter Street

Brookline Bank
456 Main Street

Best Western Hotel
380 Winter Street

Historical Buildings
Old Waltham Music Hall
16 Elm Street

Old Christian Science Church

15 Fiske Avenue

The Watch Factory
183-241 Crescent Street

Old South Middle School
510 Moody Street

Old Francis Cabot Lowell Mill
190 Moody Street

Lord's Castle
211 Hammond Street

Lyman Estate
185 Lyman Street

Stonehurst
100 Robert Treat Paine Drive

Old Metropolitan State Hospital
Metropolitan Parkway North

Howard Clock Building

260 Charles Street

Restaurants

Highly Recommended:

Chinese

Shanghai Cuisine

11 Pine Street

Recommended Dishes:

Braised Dongpo Pork

Pan Fried Ho Fun

Mulan
835 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
House Duck
Cuttlefish Dumplings
Spiced Beef
Stir Fried Rice Cakes with Pork
Salted Crispy Chicken
Chinese Squash with Mountain Naigamo and Bamboo
Sauteed Bean Curd Sheet with Bamboo Shoot and Black Mushroom
Shredded Pork with Baby Bamboo
Sliced Lamb with Scallion
Homemade Sausage
Stir Fried Peapod Stem with Minced Garlic
Beef with Leek Wrapped in Pancake
Chicken Casserole
Fish Filet with Chili Pepper
Grilled Taiwanese Sausage
3 Color Platter
Eggplant with Basil
Ma Bo Beancurd
Shredded Pork with Dry Beancurd
Sauteed Shrimp with Chinese Squash
Braised Pork Shin in Brown Sauce
Lo Mein
Honey Spare Ribs
Pork Belly and Salted Vegetables
Shredded Beef Peking Style
Milkfish Maw with Black Bean Sauce
Pork Blood Tofu and Intestines
Shredded Pork with Peking Sauce
Minced Pork With Preserved Long Beans
Seafood and Vegetable Soup
Sauteed Chinese Squash

Noodle Hut 
922 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:

Sichuan Wonton in Chili Sauce
Spicy Eight Jewel


Seafood
Naked Fish
455 Totten Pond Road
Recommended Dishes:
Coconut Haddock
Cold Seafood Plate

Caribbean 
Gustazo Cuban Restaurant and Cafe
663 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Avocado Panna Cotta
Swordfish Ceviche
Maduros con Tocino
Costillas a la Guayaba
Camarones al Ajillo

Latin American

The Painted Burro (chain)
99 3rd Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Quesadilla

Pork Charro Beans

Kale and Plantains

Creamy Poblano Rice

Jugo Tropical

Crispy "Baja Style" Fish

GULF SHRIMP 'DIABLO ROJO' TACO

Western
Craft Food Halls (chain)

200 Smith Street

Recommended Dishes:

Pesto Roni Pizza

Bistro 781
336 Moody Street
Recommended Dishes:
Cauliflower Tacos
1/2 Dozen Oysters

Watch City Brewing Company
256 Moody Street
Recommended Dishes:
Curry Soup (if available)
Lobster Ravioli and Pan Seared Cajun Salmon (if available)

Charcoal Guido's
482 Moody Street
Recommended Dishes:
Fava Agnolotti
Arrosticini
Octopus and Pork Belly

Atrium Lounge

550 Winter Street
Recommended Dishes:
Poached Pear Salad
Caramel Apple Blossom

Grille at Hobbs Brook

550 Winter Street
Recommended Dishes:
Fried Green Tomatoes
Pan Seared Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes

Jake and Joe's (chain)

1265 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Mac Attack Burger

Dessert
The Tea Leaf
487 Moody Street
Recommended Dishes:
3 Course Afternoon Tea

Caffe Ollo

241 Moody Street

Recommended Dishes:

Caramel Latte Puffs

Pain Aux Raisin

Korean
Bonchon (chain)
329 Moody Street
Recommended Dishes:
Kirin Ichiban
Goose Island
Bull Dak
Sweet Crunch
Bulgogi Korean Tacos

Spicy Chicken Korean Tacos

Sesame Ginger Salad
Soy Garlic
Spicy
Coleslaw
Takoyaki
Pickled Radish
Udon Noodle Soup

Cambodian
The Elephant Walk (chain, closed)
663 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Cambodian Dessert Trio
B’Baw Mouan
Saumon Roti Aux Petits Legumes

Italian
Ristorante Marcellino
11 Cooper Street
Recommended Dishes:
Costoletta D'Agnello
Pasta e Fagioli
Sorbetto del Limone

La Campania
504 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Pan Seared Foie Gras
Beef Short Rib Ravioli
Gnocchi


Mexican

Paisano Restaurant and Bar
223 High Street
Recommended Dishes:
Parrillada Chapina
Paisano Chimi

Mi Tierra Restaurant
585 Moody Street
Recommended Dishes:
Papaya con Leche
Mondongo

Habanero's Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Bar
484 Moody Street
Recommended Dishes:
Higaditos Mexicano
Don Juan Chihuahua Style Burrito
Carnitas de Uruapan

Taqueria Mexico
24 Charles Street
Recommended Dishes:
Fiesta Plate

Taqueria El Amigo
196 Willow Street
Recommended Dishes:
Lengua Taco
Cabeza Taco
Al Pastor Taco


Spanish

Solea Restaurant and Tapas Bar

388 Moody Street
Recommended Dishes:
Ceviche
Higadillos de Pollo
Albondigas de Cordero


Thai

Green Papaya

475 Winter Street

Recommended Dishes:

Half Moon Pancake

Singapore Fried Noodles

Tom Can Cook

374 Moody Street
Recommended Dishes:
Tom's Pad Thai
Tom's Platter
Mango Sticky Rice

Baan Thai
659 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Villager's Pad Thai
Beef Rendang
Tom Kha Gai Soup


Vietnamese

Banh Mi Oi (chain)
1097 Lexington Street
Recommended Dishes:
Cafe Sua Da

Banh Mi-BBQ Pork

African
Karibu Restaurant
10 Crescent Street
Recommended Dishes:
Nyama
Matooke
Nakati
Binyeebwa
Ngege Samaki
Karibu Chai Tea
Nkoko Kuku


Breakfast
In a Pickle
265 Moody Street
Recommended Dishes:
Eggs in a Basket
Hot Chocolate

Joseph's Two Restaurant
805 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Northern Style Benedict
Hot Chocolate

Leo's Place Diner
655 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Hot Chocolate
Gondola Omelet
Viola de Amore

Tried:

Malaysian

Penang (chain)

569 Moody Street

Recommended Dishes:

Pulut Hitam

ABC

Shrimp with String Bean Malaysian Style

Spicy Thai Chicken

King Pork Buff

Penang Poh Piah

Clay Pot Noodles

Breakfast
Wilson's Diner
507 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Hot Chocolate
Special Omelette with Greek Locanico and Feta Cheese

Heidi's Restaurant
723 Moody Street
Recommended Dishes:
Egg and Bacon Sandwich

Arcadia Restaurant
837 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Hot Chocolate
Benny Bologna

  
Indian

Bombay Mahal Restaurant

458 Moody Street
Recommended Dishes:
Mango Lassi
Tomato Coconut Soup
Vegetarian Platter
Non-Vegetarian Dinner for 1

Little India

475 Moody Street
Recommended Dishes:
Buffet

Japanese
Hakata Ramen and Sushi (chain)
895 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen
Spicy Miso Ramen
Pyramid Roll


Shiki Shabu Shabu
342 Moody Street
Recommended Dishes:
USDA Prime Sirloin

Lamb

Tom Yum Broth

House Pork Bone Broth

Prime Short Ribs

Sushi Box
617 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Ahi Tower Special Maki
Spicy Seafood Udon
Oshitashi Salad

Umi Fine Japanese and Asian Cuisine
475 Winter Street
Recommended Dishes:
Miso Soup
House Salad
Shumai
California Roll
Caterpillar Roll
Beef Teriyaki Bento Box

Ponzu
286 Moody Street
Recommended Dishes:
Roti Prata
Banana Leaf Dried Curry Beef
Chow Foon
Indonesian Gado Gado
Hurricane Maki
Butterfly Maki
Pink Lady Maki
Celtic Maki


Dessert
Lizzy's
367 Moody Street
Recommended Dishes:
Trois Chocolate
Apple Crisp
Red Velvet

Starbucks (chain)
12 Market Place Drive
Recommended Dishes:
Steak and Egg Wrap
Steak, Egg and Tomatillo Wrap
Double Chocolat Banana Nut Bread
Caramel Apple Spice

Indulgenza

346 Moody Street

Recommended Dishes:

Coppa Catala Creme Brulee

Royaltea (chain)

331 Moody Street

Recommended Dishes:

Cheese Avocado

Chinese
Asia Wok
573 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Yaka Mein Soup
Cheese Egg Roll

Sichuan's Garden
411 Waverly Oaks Road
Recommended Dishes:
Fried Rice
Egg Roll
Egg Drop Soup
Shredded Beef in Sichuan's Style

3 Fortunes
179 Willow Street
Recommended Dishes:
Chicken Fingers
Double Cooked Pork
Pork Fried Rice

Deli
The Prime Deli
580 South Street
Recommended Dishes:
Coleslaw
Scott Green

Western
The Gaff
467 Moody Street
Recommended Dishes:
Gaff Dog

Seventy @ Third
70 Third Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Chocolate Molten Lava Cake
Flame Grilled Bacon Burger
Pan Seared Rainbow Trout
Mini Caramel Ginger Apple Crisp

Joco's Bar
450 Moody Street
Recommended Dishes:
Chicken Wings
Prosciutto and Mozzarella Sandwich
Beef Croquettes

The Mad Raven (chain)
380 Trapelo Road
Recommended Dishes:
Steak Tips and Eggs
Chicken Curry

City Streets Restaurant
249 Lexington Street
Recommended Dishes:
Chicken and Prosciutto Sautee
French Onion Soup

Copper House Tavern
380 Winter Street
Recommended Dishes:
Asian Beef Noodle Salad with Sesame Vinaigrette
Souvlaki Lamb Burger
Smashed Blueberry French Toast

Bison County (closed)
275 Moody Street
Recommended Dishes:
The Wagon Train
Baked Beans with Pork and Brisket
Garlic Jalapeno Rice


Playmakers Sports Bar and Grill (closed)
342 Moody Street
Recommended Dishes:
Shrimp Quesadilla
Cajun Shrimp
Steak Tips

June 15th 2024: Spending the Day in Waltham

 Today, we were in Waltham, 

John F Kennedy Middle School

starting out with a quick bite from Caffe Ollo, a small cafe in town,

getting the Caramel Latte Puffs

and the Pain aux Raisin.

Pretty good, despite the stickiness of the puffs.

Lunch was at Bonchon in town, this time getting the Sesame Ginger Salad (Spring mix, onions, sesame seeds, red bell peppers and cucumbers topped with sesame ginger dressing),

the Spicy Chicken Korean Tacos (spicy chicken over three flour tortillas. Topped with lettuce, coleslaw, buttermilk ranch, spicy mayo and red onions)

and the Udon Noodle Soup (Thick wheat noodles served in a savory broth with mushrooms. topped with nori and scallions).

Pretty good as always, especially the chicken wings as always.

March 1st 2023: The Painted Burro, Waltham

 Today, while in Waltham, we decided to check out the Painted Burro location in town, the Somerville location of which we have visited in the past. Much nicer decor here I must say.

We got the Quesadilla (pork, flour tortilla with cheese and side of sour cream, served with fruit, corn on the cob and pork charro beans) for my little one,

the JUGO TROPICAL (Mango + Pineapple + Sprite),

the CRISPY 'BAJA STYLE' FISH (savoy cabbage + jalapeño slaw, baja mayo, cilantro) and GULF SHRIMP 'DIABLO ROJO' TACO (guacamole, mango + habanero salsa, pickled red onion) tacos,

which came with Pork Charro Beans and Creamy Poblano Rice,

and the Kale and Plantains.

Really delicious, especially, the smoky pork in the quesadilla, the unique flavor of the kale with plantains, and the spicy tanginess of the shrimp in the taco. Excellent meal overall.

August 17th 2022: Takeout from Penang, Waltham

 Today, while in Waltham,

Boston Children's Hospital at Waltham

We decided to get takeout from Penang, this time getting the Shrimp with String Bean Malaysian Style (Sauteed Shrimp. String Beans With Spicy Malaysian Shrimp Paste Sauce),

the King Pork Buff (Deep Fried Chop In An Authentic B.B.Q. Sauce),

the Penang Poh Piah (Steamed Malawian Spring Roll Stuffed With Jicama Bean Sprouts And Shrimp (Vegetarian Also Available))

the Spicy Thai Chicken (half, Chicken (With Bone & Skin On) Served Over Chef's Special sauce)

and the Clay Pot Noodles (Home Style Noodles With Vegs, Pork, Shrimp & Egg Gravy, Served In A Clay Pot).

The string beans and chicken were not too bad, but the pork, poh piah and noodles were really terrible, with the poh piah being flavorless, the pork being so small in portion with lots of bones, and the soup just so-so. Never coming back again. Should have gotten Bonchon instead.

June 1st 2022: Checking Out Water Bodies in Waltham and Newton

 Today, we started out in Waltham,

Howard Clock Building,
260 Charles Street

Logan Park, 120 Woerd Avenue

Purgatory Cove,
2 Forest Grove Road

then went to Newton,

Blue Heron Bridge,
End of Albemarle Road

going on a short hike at Dolan Pond Conservation Area, where the path we took to try to find the water body I missed out on the last time I was here is shown below in pink.

The last water body was too swampy to get to though.

Finally, we called it a day, going to get my other half's purse, then getting some takeout from What Da Chick, a sorta hole-in-the-wall Thai restaurant in Watertown specializing in Thai style chicken rice.

We got the Roasted Chick Rice ( Ginger Rice - Grilled Chicken - Daikon Soup - Tamarind Sauce)

and the Spicy Chick Rice (Ginger Rice - Fried Chicken Mixed With Spicy Lime Seasoning - Daikon Soup - Sweet Chili Sauce).

I have to say the flavors for both dishes were so good that I will actually recommend this place, especially the lime flavored crispy chicken. With that, an end of a day of looking for water bodies in Waltham and Newton.

July 31st 2021: Eating Out in Waltham

 Today, after checking out a few places in Weston,

Weston High School

Weston Memorial Pool,
6 Alphabet Lane

Country Elementary School

Field Elementary School

Lamson Park,
30 Town House Road

We decided to head for lunch in Waltham, where our first stop was Shanghai Cuisine, an authentic Chinese restaurant in town. Somewhat hole in the wall feel to it.

We got the Pan Fried Ho Fun (beef)

and the Braised Dongpo Pork.

Really good food here, especially the melt in your mouth pork. Definitely worth a second try.

Next, after checking out the Waltham Farmers' Market going on nearby,

We decided to go to Indulgenza, a new dessert place nearby,

getting the Coppa Catala Creme Brulee.

Not bad, though a tad sweet.

From here, we decided to check out Royaltea, a bubble tea place across the road with a few locations in Massachusetts.

We ordered the Cheese Avocado drink from the automated machine here.

Just alright I guess, the avocado not being very fresh.