October 15th 2016: More of Thompson CT

We started today with some breakfast at Brew on the Grid, a new cafe in Worcester,

getting a Caprese Sandwich (beefsteak tomato, buffalo mozzarella and balsamic reduction on focaccia)

and a Blueberry Scone.

The food was just alright I guess, although I do like the ambience in this place. I might just come back here again some day.

From here, it was on to Thompson CT, passing through Dudley

French River Reservoir,
Cemetery Drive near North Main Street

along the way. After visiting a few places in town,

Acts II Ministries

Knights of Columbus Council 2087

North Grosvenordale Mill,
50 River Street

Thompson Public Schools Administration Building

Town Hall, 815 Riverside Drive

Sportsman Pond, End of Valley Road

Old Belding-Corticelli Mill,
Blain Road and Riverside Drive

French River,
Blain Road and Riverside Drive 

Thompson Public Library

Emmanuel Lutheran Church

St. Joseph's Church

including 2 parks with nice nature views that were not on my list,

Heritage Way Park,
1019 Riverside Drive

Riverside Park,
Main Street and Riverside Drive

before it was time for my hike at the West Thompson Lake area, where the path I took to explore the east side of the lake is shown below in pink.

The pictures I took here of the lake follow.

After getting back to my car, I was in for a meal, so I headed to the Shire Cafe, a Lord of the Rings themed diner in Putnam CT.

I got the Gollum's Mess (three eggs, bacon, sausage, kielbasa, ham, onions, peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes all scrambled up on top of a bed of crispy hash browns smothered in cheese),

which was sinfully delicious because of everything in it.

From here, it was back to Worcester, where I got a Mini Eclair, a Plain Bon Bon and a Chocolate Bon Bon from Culpeppers Bakery and Cafe.

Not too bad, and for cheap.

My other half also got some dessert from European Bakery and Pastry,

 

which were way better than Culpeppers, to say the least.

For dinner we were in Brookline for ramen with a friend at Ganko Ittetsu Ramen, a small Japanese place located within the Coolidge Corner Arcade.

We got pretty much everything on the small menu, getting the Cucumber (shio-koji cured cucumber, soy sesame oil dressing) appetizer,

the Shoyu Ramen (soy sauce, simmered pulled pork, onion, corn, seasoned scallions, 5 minute egg, iwa nori, sesame seeds),

 the Miso Ramen (miso, sliced simmered pork, sauteed nappa cabbage, onion and beansprouts, scallions, wakame,  corn, ginger, 5 minute egg, sesame seeds)

and the Tan Tan Ramen (spicy sesame sauce, sauteed pickled vegetables, seasoned diced pork, pickled vegetable, scallions, spicy sesame oil, wakame, sesame seeds).

The cucumbers were way too bland and cut too big to be enjoyable, although the ramen was not bad.

Overall though, there are much better places around, with more stuff on the menu than here.

It was good to be able to catch up with an old friend I had not seen in a while though.

October 14th 2016: Dessert at Yoway Cafe, Worcester

We had dessert at Yoway Cafe in Worcester tonight,

getting the Banana Berry Japanese Crepe (bananas, whipped cream, strawberries) with Green Tea Ice Cream and Caramel.

not bad, but somehow not as good as the first time.

October 13th 2016: A Donut from Dunkin' Donuts, Worcester

We grabbed a donut from Dunkin' Donuts in Worcester this morning, getting their new Caramel Apple Croissant Donut.

Pretty good donut actually, maybe even better than their French Cruller.

October 12th 2016: Dinner at Bull Mansion, Worcester

We had dinner tonight at Bull Mansion, a new restaurant that has opened up in a historic building in Worcester.

We got the Raw Oysters (served with house cocktail sauce, Tabasco ice, watermelon ice),

the Moroccan Lamb Tagine (tomato, Yukon Gold Potato, carrot, couscous, spices)

and the Ginger Panna Cotta for dessert.

The sauces for the oysters were frozen, which was an interesting touch, although overall nothing special. The stew was delicious, although the lamb was a little on the dry side. The dessert was the best of all though, not having too much ginger, yet smooth and delicate all the same.

Overall, not a bad meal, with pretty good ambience.

October 11th 2016: A Burger at Red Robin, Millbury

We went for a burger at the Red Robin in Millbury, getting The Bee's Knees (all-natural, crispy, tempura-fried chicken breast glazed in Angry Orchard® honey, spicy jalapeño relish, citrus-marinated tomatoes and onions with shredded romaine on a Belgian waffle bun).

the sweet honey sauce and the crispy chicken definitely made this burger one of the best I have had here.

October 10th 2016: Japanese Dinner at Osaka, Shrewsbury

We decided to have dinner tonight at Osaka, a Japanese place in Shrewsbury, which I visited a long time ago.

This place pretty much focuses on hibachi, with nothing much else on the menu. We got the Teriyaki Steak dinner,

which came with a House Salad

and Onion Soup,

and the Avocado Cradle (avocado, radish topped with assorted raw fish and spicy mayo).

The beef and soup were not bad, but the salad and sushi were just so-so. Not coming back again.