December 8th 2015: Lunch at Bars in Worcester

I stopped by the Banner Bar and Grille, a sports bar in Worcester, getting the Buffalo Pastrami Wrap (thinly sliced Grilled Pastrami tossed in house Buffalo dative with Tomatoes,  jalapeños,  Crispy bacon and cheddar cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla).

Pretty tasty stuff.

Next, I went to Weintraub's Jewish Delicatessen nearby at 126 Water Street, a Jewish deli where I got a Tongue Sandwich.

Not bad, but nothing special.

Finally, it was lunch with my other half at Peppercorn's Grille and Tavern, which I have been to a couple of times in the past.

This time, we got the Zang Zang Shrimp (lightly breaded shrimp, sweet thai chili glaze, lettuce cups, scallion garnish)

and the Seafood Sake (salmon, shrimp and calamari, bell peppers, water chestnuts, shiitake mushrooms, broccoli, carrots, scallions, rice noodles).

Very Asian stuff, but still pretty good.

December 5th 2015: Hiking to Exhaustion in Amherst

I started out this morning with breakfast at E.B. Flatts, a restaurant in East Brookfield which was definitely more cosy than Rise N Shine Diner close by.

I got a Hot Chocolate

and the Biscuit n Gravy n Eggs (one biscuit with our sausage gravy and 2 poached eggs).

Nothing special, really.

From here, I went on my first hike at the Holyoke Range State Park, going up Harris Hill in Belchertown by taking the route below in pink from ~739 Bay Road.

The very first part involved climbing up an extremely steep hill which even had ropes to assist hikers up. At the top, I was already feeling a little tired, but at least there were views here from behind the houses,

There were no views to be had at the top of the hill itself, but at least the views from the power lines were pretty good.

Thankfully, I found my way back to my car via the Robert Frost Trail.

I went immediately on to my next hike at the park in Amherst, the path I took from Bay Road near Chapel Road being shown below in pink.

I first reached the water tower,

then found my way to the top of Rattlesnake Knob, where the views were amazing.

Next, I made my way to the Long Mountain range, where there was one partial view at best.

I got lost a few times, but somehow made it all the way to Harris Mountain Road. Strangely, it was the walk back to the car that really tired me out, the weight of my backpack heavy on my shoulders. I had to stop a few times before finally getting back to my car. Sadly the damage was already done. My hands were shaking constantly as I made my way to the White Hut, a small place in the town center with hot dogs, burgers and shakes, of which I got a Hot Dog

and a Strawberry Shake.

Okay stuff, but not good enough to replenish my strength.

I succeeded in checking out the Amherst History Museum

before finally deciding to call it a day in my current state. I somehow made it all the way back to Worcester, driving really slowly and even stopping when my legs started cramping up. Thankfully, I was able to reach my other half safely, who drove me all the way home, and even got me Healthy Fried Rice (peas, corn, carrots, onions, ginger, bean sprouts, soy protein, cabbage)

from Loving Hut. Truly appreciate her for that.

December 4th 2015: Dinner at J's Restaurant, Bolton

We started off this morning with a quick bite (Honey Dipped Donut) and a coffee from Boston Donuts in Worcester.

Next, a beef Pastel from Panaderia Y Pasteleria las Americas Bakery, a Latin American place on Chandler Street.

Lastly, a cup of Hot Chocolate from Acoustic Java, a small cafe in the Clark University vicinity.

Nothing special, really.

Lunch was at Chickpea Vegan Cafe in town. This small vegan place is a little hard to find as its entrance is at the back of Spiritual Haze, a hookah shop. A really hippie place to say the least.

We got the Chickpea sandwich (chickpea salad made with chickpeas, celery, pickles, green onion, and vegan mayonnaise on crisp lettuce)

and the Buffalo Tempeh Tenders (Seasoned, breaded, and baked tempeh served with a creamy dressing for dipping).

Both were not to my liking though, tasting really weird.

Not being satisfied at all, I stopped by El Delicioso next, getting some Liver with Rice from the Latin American cafeteria style place,

which was just alright.

After work, we had reservations at J's Restaurant in Bolton, a nice restaurant in Bolton I have been wanting to go to for a long time now, which is associated with the Nashoba Valley Winery next door, that I have visited a few times before,

We got a glass of Azule wine (intense berry flavors and is extracted to the extreme. It has a full bodied texture and grainy tannins), which was a tasty dessert wine,

and settled for the Prix fixe 3 course meal, consisting of the Antique Orchard Apple Salad (Autumn baby greens, antique orchard apple, candied walnuts, golden raisins, Great Hill blue cheese-celery vinaigrette) as an appetizer,

the House Smoked Statler Chicken Breast (Bacon-Brussels sprout hash, toasted native cauliflower, orchard apple-garden sage vinaigrette) as the main course

and the Sticky Toffee Pudding (Smoked almond brittle, Stimulus whiskey caramel, vanilla bean whipped cream) for dessert.

along with the Pork Belly (Warm soba noodle salad, kimchi, soy-mirin glaze) on the side.

We also got a complimentary dish, which was just alright in my opinion, although everything was well presented.

The apple salad had too much of the blue cheese taste to the dressing, while the chicken was a little on the dry side, although it tasted pretty good. The pork belly tasted weird with the Asian flavors that did not seem to come together very well, and the dessert was a little burnt, not to mention the almond was way too sticky.

Overall, a big disappointment for a place I had been wanting to go to for a while.

December 3rd 2015: Lunch at Volturno, Worcester

We had a farewell lunch for my colleague today at Volturno in Worcester. This time, I got the Orecchiette (chickpeas, broccoli, melted anchovy, calabrian chili,  pangrattato),

and also got to try my friend's Marinara (tomato, roasted garlic, oregano (without cheese)),

Crispy Fingerlings (with pecorino and sage)

and Calabrese Pizza (panna, mozzarella, sausage, tomatoes, scallion ).

Amazing stuff as always.

December 2nd 2015: Lunch at La Cucina Italiana, Worcester

I had a quick bite at La Cucina Italiana, a small Italian restaurant in Worcester during lunch today, getting a bowl of Tripe, as nothing else on the small menu was of any interest to me.

The tripe itself was pretty tasty though. 

December 1st 2015: Hot Dogs, Subs and Wraps in Worcester, and Dinner in Marlborough

Lunch today started at the Dogfather, a food truck serving hot dogs and such at 84 Holden Street in Worcester, with me getting the Whitey (Potato Sticks, and Mama Corleone’s Sweet Wedding Sauce), which was pretty good, but nothing special.

Next, it was a Beef Shawarma Wrap at Golden Pita Grill, a Mediterranean fast food outlet looking place nearby.

Pretty flavorful.

Finally, the Sicilian Sizzler (Meatball, pepperoni, provolone cheese, italian sauce, hot peppers, heated on a italian bread) from Bushel and Peck, a deli nearby.

Much bigger in portion than I thought, but a little bland overall.

Finally, on the way back to work, I passed by Shore Park in town.

After work, we went for dinner at Dino's Trattoria, an Italian bar restaurant in Marlborough.

We got the Dino’s Homemade Italian Wedding Soup (prepared with fresh spinach, noodles, meatballs, cannelini beans and fresh made stock),

the Baked Stuffed Jumbo Clam  (a tasty blend of clams, onions, peppers, spices and bread crumbs.),

and the Roast Black Angus English Cut Prime Rib au Jus.

The soup was tasty, though a little on the salty side, although the bits of clam were dry. Thankfully, the prime rib was tender and juicy, along with the sauce to boot.

Overall, an okay meal, I've had better.