Showing posts with label West Boylston. Show all posts
Showing posts with label West Boylston. Show all posts

Thursday, June 4, 2026

June 4th 2026: Hiking in Bolton and Food in Berlin and West Boylston

 Today, I started out with a hike at the Ballville Trails in Bolton, where I path I took from ~53 Sawyer Road to find the pond here is shown below in pink.


Some open meadows here,



but the water body itself wasn't much to speak of.


From here, we headed to the Berlin side of the Highland Commons shopping area, first checking out the new Ramen Haven,


getting the Signature Tonkotsu Ramen (A rich tonkotsu broth with smooth, hearty flavor. Served with corn, black fungus, bamboo shoots, half soft-soiled egg, scallions, nori, chashu belly, and red chili strips)

which was not bad, especially the pork belly.

Next, we went to the Playa Bowls location here, this time getting the Purple Mermaid Smoothie (Playa Pitaya® Base, banana, pineapple, vanilla protein, blue spirulina, coconut milk & coco whip), although the only picture I was able to take of it was after it was almost finished.

The last place we went to today wase Froze Zone in West Boylston,



getting the Fruity Pebbles flavor.
Wish the little one hadn't chosen this weird flavor, with soggy cereal in it to boot.




Thursday, May 28, 2026

May 28th 2026: Hiking in Lincoln and Horses in Lexington

 Today, we started out in the town of Lincoln, getting a bite from Twisted Tree Cafe,



getting the Golden Turmeric Latte (Oat milk blended with turmeric, spices and a light touch of honey), the Matcha Tea Latte (Locally sourced MEM Tea matcha with your choice of steamed milk, lightly sweetened),

and the Curry Chicken Salad Sandwich (fresh chicken salad with celery, cashews, green onion, cilantro, dried cranberries, and a yellow curry aioli, topped with arugula on a braided seeded roll).

Good combination of flavors in the sandwich.

From here, I went to Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in town to check out the viewpoints I missed the last time I was here. The path I took this time around is shown below in pink.

Nice views from the various viewpoints, although a little disorienting in the fields.





From here, I headed into Lexington,
Lexington Arts and Crafts Society


stumbling onto the horses from Riding Through History.
Lexie the Artful Equine

Inn at Hastings Park

Peace, Love and Music

Landmarks

Illumi-neigh-ted

Ed-Broidery

Call to Arms
Later in the day, dinner was at Brown Rice Thai Cuisine in West Boylston,
this time getting the Coconut Curry Mussels (mussels simmered in light red curry coconut milk sauce, fresh basil, French toast),
the See You in Kale (a healthy combination of pad see-u and the super green vegetable kale stir fried and seasoned with light sauce, egg and tofu),

and the Sweet Thai Dessert Sampler (Thong Yip (pinched egg yolk), Thong Yod (golden egg yolk drops), Foy Thong (golden egg yolk threads) and Coconut Custard).

The dessert tasted a little off because of the strong rose flavor, but otherwise not a bad meal at all. With that, an end to an eventful day of hiking in Lincoln and Horses in Lexington.


Saturday, January 31, 2026

Recommended Places to Visit: West Boylston

Recreation
Biking
Mass Central Rail Trail
151 Thomas Street


Gymnasiums
Little Gym (chain)
342 West Boylston Street

184 West Boylston Street

121 Shrine Avenue


Museums
Historical Society
65 Worcester Street


Weaving
The Weaving Shed
555 Prospect Street


Hiking
Recommended:
Sterling Street and Lancaster Street

Lily Ponds
Sterling Street and Lancaster Street

79 Prescott Street


Parks
Town Common
Church Street and Worcester Street

70 Crescent Street


Architecture
Places of Worship
First Congregational Church
26 Central Street

Our Lady of Good Counsel
111 Worcester Street

Christ Lutheran Church
112 Crescent Street

Oakdale United Methodist Church
15 North Main Street


Schools


Town Facilities
Historical Buildings
Old Stone Church
Beaman Street and Sterling Street

Boylston Lodge
12 Church Street

Mont Vernon Cemetery
Church Street and Newton Street

9 Crescent Street



Restaurants
Highly Recommended:
Latin American
Mamacitas West Boylston
184 West Boylston Street
Recommended dishes:
Cali-Mama Burrito
Mar and Tierra Tacos
Tamarindo
Crispy Chicken Burrito


Breakfast
Country Kettle
27 Sterling Street
Recommended dishes:
Steakhouse Benedict
Blueberry Cobbler French Toast


Creole
NOLA Cajun Kitchen
340 West Boylston Street
Recommended dishes:
Seafood Boil
Crawfish Etoufee
Gator Bites
Garlic Noodles
Crawfish Boulettes
NOLA Gumbo
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
Cajun Wings
Turkey Necks
Fried Louisiana Oyster Po' Boy
Kids Fried Catfish
Gator Sausage Po Boy
Natchitoches Meat Pie


Japanese
Maken Zi Ramen and Rice Bowls
26 West Boylston Street
Recommended Dishes:
Crispy Chive Dumplings
Spicy Vegan Miso Ramen
Kid's Ramen
Squid Karaage
Shoyu Ramen
Boat Noodle Soup


Western

The Manor/Draught House Bar and Grill
42 West Boylston Street
Recommended dishes:
French Onion Soup
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Lobster Ravioli

Table Twelve Kitchen and Bar
175 West Boylston Street
Recommended Dishes:
Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf


Chinese
Cheoy Lees II (chain)
45 Sterling Street
Recommended dishes:
Spicy Chicken Wings
Crispy Spicy Beef


Italian 
Oli's Italian Eatery (chain)
339 West Boylston Street
Recommended dishes:
Chicken Pizzaiola
Risotto Balls

Mill Restaurant and Lounge
185 West Boylston Street
Recommended dishes:
Brunswick Stew
Smokehouse Lasagna


Dessert
Gerardo's Italian Bakery (chain)
307 West Boylston Street
Recommended dishes:
Gerardo's Specialty strawberry and ricotta cake
Tiramisu
Lemon Mascarpone Cake 


Tried:
Food Trucks
Recommended Dishes:
Agua Fresca 

Recommended Dishes:
Lobster Roll 

Japanese
Miku Asian Bistro and Sushi Bar
184 West Boylston Street
Recommended Dishes:
Alaska Roll
Salmon Skin Roll
Eel Avocado Roll
Shrimp Tempura Roll
Honey Walnut Shrimp
Miso Soup
Side Salad


Breakfast
Jake's Cafe
235 West Boylston Street
Recommended Dishes:
Irish Eggs with Homefries


Seafood
West Boylston Seafood
321 West Boylston Street
Recommended Dishes:
Lamb and Beef Gyro


Mediterranean
Vivian's Market Style Cafe
184 West Boylston Street
Recommended Dishes:
Lamb and Beef Gyro


Thai
Brown Rice Thai Cuisine
26 West Boylston Street
Recommended Dishes:
Rama Duck
See You in Kale
Coconut Curry Mussels
Sweet Thai Dessert Sampler


Western
Finders Pub (closed)
171 West Boylston Street
Recommended Dishes:
Fried Frog Legs
Fried Oyster Sliders
Tips Carbonara



Italian
Il Forno (chain)
65 West Boylston Street
Recommended Dishes:
Tortellini Alapana
Berry Creme Brulee


Chinese
China Express
184 West Boylston Street
Recommended Dishes:
General Tso's Chicken
Egg Roll
Pork Fried Rice


Brazilian
Taty's Specialty Restaurant
26 West Boylston Street
Recommended dishes:
Ali Pork
Fassoulia


Dessert
Meola's Wayside Ice Cream (chain)
165 West Boylston Street
Recommended Dishes:
Monster Mash

Darby's Bakery
76 Central Street
Recommended Dishes:
Lemon Marshmallow Cupcake

Gourmet Donuts (chain)
231 West Boylston Street
Recommended Dishes:
Peanut Butter Cup Donut

Pinecroft Dairy and Restaurant
539 Prospect Street

181 West Boylston Street
Recommended Dishes:
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie

Froze Zone (chain)
184 West Boylston Street
Recommended Dishes:
Pineapple
Raspberry
Cappuccino
Fruity Pebbles

Fretzels
235 West Boylston Street

Dairy Queen (chain)
328 West Boylston Street
Recommended Dishes:
Salted Caramel Truffle Blizzard

January 31st 2026: Great Vietnamese Food at Phoever Whatever, Worcester

 Today, after checking out Ultimate Obstacles in West Boylston,



and getting a delicious Crispy Chicken Burrito (chicken tenders, Mexican rice, lettuce, corn, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, tortilla strips, bacon, avocado slices and honey mustard dressing) from Mamacita's nearby,


we decided to have dinner at Phoever Whatever, a Vietnamese restaurant in Worcester we have been to in the past.
This time, we got the Phoever Stone Pot (Pho noodle, beef soup beef short rib, rare eyeround, brisket, flank, beef meatballs, tripe, tendon)
and the Bun Bo Hue.
Everyone is in agreement that this is the best Vietnamese place around town. Really flavorful and authentic.







Sunday, June 15, 2025

June 15th 2025: Second Time at Mamacitas, West Boylston

Today, while we had time, after passing through Milford,

Craddock Crewes Pond,
end of Wale Street

Littlefield Pond/Silver Hill Pond,
43 Fiske Mill Road


 we went on a short hike at the Snow Family Conservation Area in Upton, where the path we took is shown below in pink.


Nothing special here, with many potential side trails to get lost on, although my little one got to learn about vernal pools.



 after my little one's Minion dance performance, we decided to go to Mamacitas, a Mexican restaurant in West Boylston for dinner, this time getting the Mar and Tierra Tacos (steak and shrimp on corn tortilla with guacamole, cilantro sauce and cotija cheese),


the Tamarindo,

the Seafood Tacos (3 tacos with your choice of seafood, topped with mango or regular pico de gallo, cilantro, Cotija cheese and cilantro salsa.),
the Chicken Tenders (Three chicken tenders with fries on the side)
and the Bacon Avocado Ranch Burrito. (Chicken or steak with bacon, avocado slices, chihuahua cheese, lettuce and ranch dressing).
Pretty good from this place, although a little salty this time around.




Thursday, June 12, 2025

June 12th 2025: Smoothies in West Boylston and Worcester

 Today, I started out with a Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie (Strawberries, Dates, cocoa powder, oat milk)

from Shake Up, a new wellness cafe in West Boylston. 


Absolutely horrendous taste, not going back again.

Dinner was at the new location of Pho Sure, now in Worcester. Much bigger place now.

We got the Avocado Premium Smoothie,

the Shaky Beef (sirloin cubes stir fried with onion, garlic and black pepper), Spicy Sate Bowl (rare eye round steak and spicy chili sate).
Not too bad, but not very authentic.