Sunday, October 11, 2020

October 11th 2020: Korean at Sapporo, Westborough

 Craving some Korean food today, we decided to go to Sapporo in the town of Westborough. Sitting outside, we got the JAP CHAE (Thin brown noodles wok-fired with chicken and vegetables. Served with white rice),


 the SPICY PORK BELLY  (Pork belly wok-fired with gochujang, zucchini, and onion)


and the YUK GAE JANG (Spicy beef bone broth with shredded briskets, clear noodles, scallions and mushrooms),
which came with side dishes
and MISO SOUP (Japanese soybean paste soup with tofu, scallions).
The soup was just alright, although the food was pretty good, the pork belly juicy with the fat, the noodles sweet with sauce, and the stew salty with a little spice.



Sunday, October 4, 2020

October 4th 2020: Tuscan Kitchen Il Giardino, Boston

 While out in the Seaport area of Boston today, we decided to try out a fully outdoor restaurant, Tuscan Kitchen Il Giardino, which actually has an indoor location nearby, and another location in Burlington. Pretty high end place, though outside.

Pretty expensive menu too. We decided to just get appetizers, getting the Caprese (house made mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, basil oil, aged balsamic) 


and the Calamari Fritti (crispy cherry peppers, lemon-basil aioli).

Really good, very fresh ingredients, and good blending of flavors, especially the sauce for the calamari. Might want to see what the indoor restaurant looks like some day.


Saturday, October 3, 2020

October 3rd 2020: Free Burger at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Millbury

 With an award for a free burger, we decided to have lunch at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers in Millbury. For that we got the Pig Out Tavern Double (Two tavern-sized patties topped with brown-sugar-glazed patties topped with hardwood-smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, bacon crumbles, American cheese and mayo.)

along with the Red's Bold Boneless Wings (Tender and crunchy—all-white chicken breast covered in Island Heat (with grilled pineapple and fresh jalapeƱo) on a bed of Yukon Kettle Chips).

The chicken was really delicious, especially with the sauce and the chips, and the burger was good as always. Good day to eat out.


Friday, October 2, 2020

October 2nd 2020: Another Day Trip to Manhattan NY

 Today, we had to head into NYC for some administrative business, passing through the Bronx NY,

University Heights Bridge
and heading to Manhattan NY
Golden Swan Garden

Judson Memorial Church

Washington Square Park

New York University

One University Place

37 Washington Square West

29 Washington Square West

Holly Chambers Apartments,
33 Washington Square West








 for breakfast at Amano Cafe,

getting the Avocado Toast (avocado, cherry tomatoes, mozarella).


From here, we continued our exploration of Manhattan NY,

St. Joseph's Church in Greenwich Village

Jefferson Market Library

One Christopher Street
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower

The Waverly,
136 Waverly Place

Union Square Park

One Union Square South

W New York-Union Square

7 Bryant Park

One Vanderbilt

461 Fifth Avenue

Lefcourt Colonial Building

Farmers' Loan and Trust Building,
475 5th Avenue

Mercantile Building

International Plaza,
750 Lexington Avenue


Scientific American Building,
24 West 40th Street
Heading into Queens NY
Rego Center
and ending the day with lunch at Taste Good, a Malaysian restaurant at 8218 45th Avenue in town, getting complimentary cups of Hot Malaysian Tea,


Singapore Kari Laksa
and Mee Siam (wok fried vermicelli with tofu, shrimp, chives, ground peanuts in chef's special spicy sauce).

Great way to end the day trip to NYC.




Sunday, September 27, 2020

September 27th 2020: Checking Out Some Buildings in Weston, Waltham and Medford

 Today, I checked out some buildings in Weston, 

Weston Community Center
Waltham 

Old Church, 15 Fiske Avenue

and Medford.
Brooks Elementary School
Finally got these buildings off my list.


Recommended Places to Visit: Medford

Recreation
Cemeteries
Oak Grove Cemetery
230 Playstead Road


Gyms
Boston Sports Club (chain)
70 Station Landing


Parks
Mystic River Reservation
Mystic Valley Parkway near Locust Street

Mystic Lakes Park
Mystic Valley Parkway and Pine Ridge Road

Park at River's Edge
200 River's Edge Drive


Shopping Malls
Meadow Glen Mall
Mystic Valley Parkway and Locust Street

Station Landing
Fellsway and Mystic Valley Parkway


Arts Performances
Condon Shell
Mystic Valley Parkway near Winthrop Street


Hiking
Recommended:
Middlesex Fells Reservation: Skyline Trail
~90 South Border Road


Museums
Medford Historical Society
10 Governors Avenue


Beaches
Wright's Pond
Elm Street near Sturges Street


Architecture
Bridges
Wellington Bridge
~240 Fellsway

Revere Beach Parkway Bridge
110 Revere Beach Parkway


Monuments
Hastings Heights
Allston Street and Laurel Street

Whole Foods Planet Globe
300 Middlesex Avenue


Royall Park
George Street and Main Street

War Memorial
~85 George P Hassett Drive

Memorial
~52 Forest Street

Honor Roll Park
Winthrop Street near Brook Street


Places of Worship

Community Baptist Church
470 Fulton Street

St. Francis of Assisi Church
441 Fellsway West

Assembleia de Deus
15 Marion Street

First Community United Methodist Church
55 Otis Street


Schools
Tufts University
419 Boston Avenue


Historical Buildings
Marcus Fonzi Condominium
92 High Street

Old Gleason School
160 Playstead Road

East Cambridge Savings Bank
9 Playstead Road


Town Facilities
City Hall
85 George P Hassett Drive

Fire Station 3
280 Salem Street


Restaurants
Highly Recommended:
Indian
Zam Zam Restaurant
42 Riverside Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Chicken Achari


Chinese
Chilli Garden
41 Riverside Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Rabbit on Bone with Black Bean Sauce
Beef Tongue with Peppercorn Oil
Sliced Beef, Omasum and Tendon
Sweet Sesame Dumplings

Korean
Chung Ki Wa (closed)
27 Riverside Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Seasoned Tofu
Korean Beef Tarta
Jok Bal
Daegu Maeun-Tang



Italian
Salvatore's (chain)
55 High Street
Recommended Dishes:
Polenta Fries
Steak Tips
Short Rib Ravioli

Regina Pizzeria (chain)
44 Station Landing
Recommended Dishes:
Napoletana Pizza
Giambotta
Calamari Siciliana

Lantana Cafe
417 Salem Street
Recommended Dishes:
Ornesto Chicken
Lemoncello Mascarpone Cake

Bistro 5
5 Playstead Road
Recommended Dishes:
Strawberry Tiramisu
Seared Pork Belly
Gnocchi
Duck Duo

Real Gusto
24 High Street
Recommended Dishes:
Crochette
Pasta al Pesto
Profiterol


Tried:
Western
38 Riverside Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Market Feast for 3


Breakfast
Medford Square Diner
38 Riverside Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Mushroom Asparagus Swiss Omelette
Mango, Banana Pancakes

The Magnificent Muffin and Bagel Shoppe
491 High Street
Recommended Dishes:
Orange Burst Muffin



Italian
Wellington's Pizzeria
22 Riverside Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
X-Tudo Pizza
House Crab Cakes

Eddy's Place
301 Salem Street
Recommended Dishes:
Steak Tips
Florentine Pizza

Dino's Pizzeria
62 Lambert Street
Recommended Dishes:
Nutella Pizza
Potato Bacon Green Onion Ranch Pizza

Annie's Pizzeria
213 Middlesex Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Hawaiian Mess
Ricotta's Mess

Pizza Days
364 Boston Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Hawaiian
Cheese Bacon Burger
Pizza Carne Amorasso

Raso's Bar and Grille
209 Mystic Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Papa's Tripe
Crispy Fried Calamari

Pastalina's Restaurant
454 Salem Street
Recommended Dishes:
Veal Cutlet Special
Braciolettine Alia Marsala


Dessert
CB Scoops
453 High Street
Recommended Dishes:
White Chocolate Oreo Delight
Chocolate Truffle Mini Bomb
Toffee Caramel Pretzel
Maine Black Bear Ice Cream



Arthur's Pastry Shop (chain)

509 High Street
Recommended Dishes:
Custard Puffs

Arthur's Pastry Shop (chain)
382 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
The Tower
Cream Puffs
Anise Biscotti

Starbucks (chain)
471 Salem Street
Recommended Dishes:

Matcha Green Tea Lemonade
Matcha Green Tea Latte


Danish Pastry House (chain)
330 Boston Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Bear Claw

Demet's Donuts
199 Mystic Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Cream Filled Maple Bar

Caffe del Mare
219 Middlesex Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Mixed Berry Gelato


Brazilian
Oasis Brazilian Restaurant
373 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Brazuka Specialty
House Sampler

Gula's Bakery
295 Salem Street
Recommended Dishes:
Coconut Rocambole
Sugarcane Juice
Goiabada Special Pancakes


Indian
Zaika Taste of India
3850 Mystic Valley Parkway

Recommended Dishes:
Fish Makhani
Goat Curry


Deli
Tasty Gourmet
321 Boston Avenue

Recommended Dishes:
Love Me Tender Sandwich
New York Combo Sandwich

Simple Fare Delicatessen
460 High Street
Recommended Dishes:
Frutti di Mare
Eggplant Parmigiana


Chinese
Dim Sum Cafe
679 Fellsway West
Recommended Dishes:
Japanese Dumplings


Korean
Sura BBQ (chain)
27 Riverside Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Steamed Egg
Bean Paste Stew
Scallion Pancake
LA Short Rib
Pork Short Rib
Peach Ripieno
Prime Brisket

Japanese
Asia Palace (closed)
442 Salem Street
Recommended Dishes:
Mango Tango Roll
Seafood Salad
Avocado Salad
Fat Boy Salad
Spring Rolls
Pad Thai
Rainbow Roll
Dragon Roll
Spider Roll
Sushi and Sashimi Combo
Scallop Hokkaiyaki

Shanghai Moon
442 Salem Street
Recommended Dishes:
Vegetarian Special
Baked Salmon Maki
Scallop Hokkaiyaki
Soft Shell Crab

Nagoya
38 Riverside Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Scallion Pancake
Nagoya Gekikara Ramen

Nijiya
442 Salem Street
Recommended Dishes:
Miso Soup
Takoyaki
Chicken Yakitori
Shrimp Shumai
Mackerel Nigiri
Back Draft Maki
Seaweed Salad
Agedashi Tofu
Spicy Crab Hand Roll

Friday, September 25, 2020

September 25th 2020: Two Takeout Dinners from Shrewsbury

 Today, I had dinner from two places in Shrewsbury. Firstly, we got the Artipeggio (Roasted eggplant, marinated artichokes, roasted peppers & mozzarella cheese)

and the Marsala (Cutlets sautĆ©ed with mushrooms and spinach in a sweet marsala wine demi-glace).
from Amici Trattoria,

and the Stuffed Chicken Messina (Oven roasted chicken breast stuffed with Italian cheeses, baby spinach & sundried tomatoes, topped with a mushroom marsala sauce and served with mashed potatoes.) 

from Jimmy's Tavern and Grill.

I wasn't too much of a fan of the peppers in the pizza, although the pasta was pretty good, and the chicken got a little dry after a while, even with the marsala sauce.