May 13th 2021: Shaw Pond, Leicester

Today, I decided to go for a hike at Shaw Pond in Leicester, where the path I took to get to the water body is shown below in pink.

Relatively easy hike, although the pond itself is actually off limits because it is a public water supply.

May 11th 2021: More Takeout from Thai Time, Worcester

 Working late today, we decided to get takeout from Thai Time, a Thai restaurant in Worcester. This time, I got the Boston Volcano (Crispy duck coated with tamarind sauce, cashew nuts, mushrooms, carrots and peas.)

and got a complementary Thai Iced Tea for all the food I got for my colleagues.

The duck was delicious, and the drink rounded it off. Pretty good free meal on the company.

May 9th 2021: Mother's Day at Jimmy's Tavern, Shrewsbury

Today, while in Shrewsbury,

American Legion Post 238

we took the whole family to Jimmy's Tavern, this time getting the Strawberry Mango Mimosa (mango and strawberry puree, and a champagne split),

The Tavern Salad (Crisp greens, tomatoes, onions, peppers, cheddar cheese & tavern dressing),

the North Atlantic Salmon (honey glazed, served with our special rice pilaf),

the Boneless Rib Eye Steak (15 oz, All natural beef served with grilled portobello mushroom and au poivre sauce),

the Chicken Santorini (Sautéed chicken breast with mushrooms, asparagus, sun dried tomato, garlic, white wine & cream. Served with linguini & finished with fresh basil & feta cheese),

the BBQ Baby Back Ribs (Bone sucking good, served with cole slaw, seasoned french fries & corn bread),

the Broiled Haddock (Always fresh, local day boat only, served with french fries),

the Baked Stuffed Haddock (Our original stuffing, served with seasoned french fries)

the New York Cheesecake (served with a raspberry coulis and whipped cream) and Tiramisu (ladyfingers dipped in coffee, layered with mascarpone, flavored with cocoa) for dessert.

The steak was not too bad for being medium well, as was the pasta and the ribs. The fish was fresh, and the dessert pretty good as well. Glad everyone liked their meal today.                                

May 7th 2021: Saigon Restaurant, Worcester

 We decided to get takeout from Saigon Restaurant, a Vietnamese restaurant in Worcester which I have been to a few times in the past. This time, we got the WONTONS MEE DUMPLING SOUP (MÌ HOÀNH THÁNH - Pork dumpling, egg noodle & 2 slices of pork meat on top)

and the CRISPY CHICKEN NOODLE (MÌ GÀ QUAY HONGKONG - Broth-less egg noodle version mixed with house sauce topped with marinate crispy chicken leg).

Not bad, but I think there was a lot of MSG in there.

May 6th 2021: Takeout from Worcester Public Market, Worcester

This morning, I got a quick breakfast from Route 12 Cafe, a pretty nice breakfast place in a crappy part of Worcester,

getting a Grilled Cheese, as there was nothing really special on the menu.

Not bad, but nothing special.

For lunch, we decided to get takeout for lunch from Worcester Public Market in town, getting Teriyaki Chicken from Teriyaki Japan,

and Jhol Momo (Soupy) (Steamed momos covered in soupy curry)

and Thukpa Noodles from Momo Palace.

Interesting stuff from the Nepalese place, but flavor wise nothing really special. The teriyaki chicken was bland as well. Oh well, at least it was filling.

May 2nd 2021: Second Time at Danforth Falls Conservation Area, Hudson

 Today, we decided to go on a hike at Danforth Falls Conservation Area in Hudson. I have visited this place once a long time ago, but did not get to the top of Phillips Hill, and got loast as well along the way. This time around, I was determined not to get lost again, especially with our little one in tow, and thankfully we did not. The path we took to get to Danforth Falls, then the top of Phillips Hill, is shown below in pink.

the falls this time around were nicer looking due to the rains recently, although some parts of the path were pretty muddy. 

From there, we backtracked a little and managed to find the trail uphill, which was a little steep at times, to get to the overlook at the top of Phillips Hill, which had a nice view westward.

The way back down was easier, though a little steep at times as well. Being careful not to head off in the wrong direction on side trails, we managed to get back without getting lost. From here, we decided to head to Crazy Stone, a relatively new Japanese restaurant in the town of Marlborough. Pretty nice decor inside, and on the shores of Hager Pond.

We got the Kirin Ichiban Beer,

the SHRIMP TEMPURA APPETIZER (2 pieces of shrimp tempura with mixed tempura vegetables),

the ANY 2 ROLL COMBO (Spicy Salmon and Shrimp Tempura),

which came with Miso Soup (seaweed, tofu, green scallions),

the SINGAPORE NOODLES (Thin Rice Noodles Sauteed with A Combination of Chicken, Shrimp, Beef, Egg Mixed Vegetables and Light Curry Sauce),

and the Cherry Blossom Cake for dessert.

With the exception of the soup, everything else was actually pretty good, with interesting presentation on the tempura dish. The cake was actually a Red Velvet cake by another name, but otherwise not bad. Pretty good dining experience here.

May 1st 2021: Spencer Country Inn, Spencer

 Today, we decided to have lunch at Spencer Country Inn, a hotel in the town of Spencer which does weddings as well. 

Pretty nice, outside and inside.

For food, we got the Chicken Noodle Soup,

the Steak Au Poivre (8oz, served with rice pilaf and vegetable medley)

and the Chicken and Shrimp Cajun Alfredo.

The soup was creamy, tasting more like clam chowder than expected, while the steak was perfectly cooked, although the rice pilaf was a tad salty. The pasta was delicious as well, the chicken and shrimp fresh. Overall, a really good meal here, and not that expensive either. On the way back, we got some dessert from European Bakery and Pastry, which I visited once before at 29 Millbury Street in the past, this time getting a Raspberry and a Prune Donut,

and a Challah Bread.

Pretty good day out for food. Pity it was too windy to do any hiking.