August 25th 2021: Lunch in Revere, Dessert in Cambridge

 Today, while in the Greater Boston area, we decided to get lunch at Dryft in Revere, which we visited a few months back. This time, we sat in a different area of the restaurant.

This time, we got the SAILOR’S DELIGHT (St. George Citrus Vodka, orgeat, lemon juice, basil simple syrup, strawberry puree, soda water)

the SEAFOOD PLATTER (oysters, clams, lobster, shrimp),

the GRILLED OCTOPUS (mashed potatoes, spinach, chorizo vinaigrette),

the EARTH BOWL (quinoa, kale, peppers, sugar snap peas, corn, brussels sprouts, goat cheese crumble, avocado, lemon vinaigrette),

the CHICKEN “UNDER A BRICK” (mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, chicken jus)

and the Coconut Panna Cotta with Pineapple Jam for dessert.

The drink was alright, although I did not like the cherry flavor to it. Everything else was excellent, the octopus not being too tough, going extremely well with the chorizo sauce, the lemon vinaigrette in the salad blending well with the flavor of the brussels sprouts and quinoa, the chicken being crispy yet moist, and the panna cotta not being too sweet to allow for the pineapple to shine.

After another delicious meal at this place, we decided to check out an ice cream place in Cambridge, the Honeycomb Creamery.

We got the Jasmine and Sea Salt Ganache, Pistachio Rose, Horchata, Honey Lavender flavors with Honeycomb Candy.

Nice presentation, but the flavors tasted really weird. Not going back again.

Recommended Places to Visit: Sherborn

Recreation

Museums
Historical Society
19 Washington Street


Parks

Ward Park
End of Cemetery Lane

Beaches
Farm Pond
197 Lake Street

Hiking

Recommended:
Rocky Narrows
100 Forest Street

Bailey Trails
Old Orchard Road and Washington Street

Little Farm Pond
105 Farm Road

Leland Reservation
~150 Mill Street near Hollis Street

Tried:
Boggastow Trail
50 Boggastow Brook Road

Mount Misery
Lake Street and East Goulding Street

Architecture

Monuments

The Peace Abbey
2 North Main Street

Giant Toy Soldier
33 North Main Street

Schools

Pine Hill Elementary School
10 Pine Hill Lane

Places of Worship

Unitarian Universalist Church
11 Washington Street

St. Theresa of Lisieux Church
35 South Main Street

Pilgrim Church of Sherborn
25 South Main Street

Town Facilities
Town Hall
19 Washington Street

Community Center
3 Sanger Street

Restaurants

Tried:

Western

Heritage of Sherborn

33 North Main Street

Recommended Dishes:

Eggs Florentine

French Toast

August 21st 2021: Spending Time in Sherborn

 Today, while in Sherborn,

Ward Park

Pine Hill Elementary School

we decided to have lunch at Heritage of Sherborn, a pretty nice restaurant popular for weddings.

We got the EGGS FLORENTINE (Poached eggs, local greens, hollandaise, tomato confit, Stone & Skillet english muffin)

and the French Toast (served with bacon).

The eggs were a little rubbery, the bread stale, and while the toast was not bad, it was burnt at times and the bacon definitely was cooked using old oil. Very small portion for an expensive price too. Nice place, terrible dining experience, not coming back again.

Still feeling hungry, we decided to have a second lunch, this time at Stone's Public House, a rustic pub in Ashland.

Sitting outside, we got the Pasta with Butter (with orange wedges and a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert)

and the Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie (Mushrooms/Carrots/Parsnips/Peas/Corn/Mashed Potatoes).

The pasta was surprisingly good though simple, as was the shepherd's pie which was flavorful though vegetarian. Definitely much better than at the Heritage, and much more filling for the same price too! So much for Sherborn, the 6th richest town in Massachusetts.

August 19th 2021: Eating Before and After the Boston Children's Museum

 Today, we went to the Boston Children's Museum in Boston. Before that, we grabbed a bite at the Flour Bakery and Cafe nearby, which I have visited once in the past.

This time around, we got the Cucumber Mint Cooler (refreshing mixture of fresh cucumbers, mint, and lime juice purees and served over soda water) and Jam 'N Butter Biscuit with Strawberry Rhubarb Jam (vanilla biscuit cut in half and filled with a whipped salted butter and a sweet rhubarb and strawberry jam).

The biscuit was not bad, while the drink was really refreshing. Good start to the day. My little one enjoyed his time at the museum, then more fun at Martin's Park nearby.

For lunch, we went to Ocean Prime, a really upscale seafood restaurant in the Seaport area, which has locations all over the country.

We got the CREAMY CLAM CHOWDER (Fresh Littleneck Clams, Oyster Crackers),

the CHILLED WHOLE MAINE LOBSTER,

the OCEAN PRIME HOUSE SALAD (Romaine, Field Greens, Granny Smith Apples, Goat Cheese, Walnuts, Sherry Mustard Vinaigrette)

the OYSTERS ON THE HALF SHELL (East Coast)

and the MARYLAND CRAB MELT  (Tillamook Cheddar Cheese, Jalapeño Corn Tartar), served with fries.

The soup was nothing special, though a big portion, while the cold seafood was really fresh and tasty with the sauces provided. The sandwich was excellent as well, the different flavors going really well together, and the patty being very crispy. Excellent meal overall, although a tad expensive.

With that, a great day of hanging out in the Seaport area.

August 15th 2021: Eastside Grille, Marlborough

 While in Marlborough today,

Artemas Ward Park

Marlborough Council on Aging

Marlborough Country Club

we decided to have lunch at Eastside Grille, a restaurant located within the Marlborough Country Club with nice views of the turf.

We got the Mediterranean Salad (mixed greens, English cucumbers, grape tomatoes, pepperoncini, imported feta, kalamata olives, Bermuda red onions, tossed in our lemon honey vinaigrette),

the Cape Codder Sandwich (fresh Atlantic cod filet, topped with Vermont aged cheddar, applewood smoked bacon, remoulade sauce on a brioch bun)

and the Chicken Inferno (pan-seared chicken medallions layered with parma prosciutto, then simmered in a broth of white wine and banana pepper rings creating a spicy sauce, topped with fire-roasted, sundried tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella. Served over capellini).

I only got to try the pasta, which was actually very tasty, and the other two dishes looked really good as well. The Ice Cream Sundae we got for dessert was pretty big in portion as well.

Overall, a pretty good meal here, although the wait was a little long.

Recommended Places to Visit: Carlisle

Recreation

Water Bodies
Buttrick Pond
801 Concord Street

Hiking

Recommended:
Great Brook Farm State Park
984 Lowell Street

The Cranberry Bog
~850 Curve Street

Benfield Conservation Area
561 South Street

Greenough Land

Maple Street close to Milne Cove Road

Tried:
Conant Land
66 Westford Street

Towle Land
123 Westford Street

Greystone Crossing
Greystone Lane

Skiing
Great Brook Ski Area
1018 Lowell Street

Architecture

Monuments

Civil War Memorial
Westford Street and Bedford Road

Schools

Carlisle Public School

83 School Street 

Places of Worship

St. Irene Roman Catholic Church
181 East Street

First Religious Society
27 School Street

Carlisle Congregational Church
147 School Street

Historical Buildings
Wayside Mortgage Company
50 School Street


Town Facilities
Gleason Public Library
22 Bedford Road

Restaurants

Tried:

Dessert

Kimball Farm (chain)

343 Bedford Road 

Recommended Dishes:

Strawberry Ice Cream

August 14th 2021: Breakfast in Northborough, Dessert in Carlisle, Lunch in Groton

 Today, while on the way to Carlisle, we happened to pass by AggroDolce Coffee Shop in Northborough and decided to go check it out. Small but nice cafe.

We got a Butter Croissant

and the Pink Bottom (whipped coffee sitting on top of strawberries and 2% milk).

The croissant was a little on the burnt side, and while the drink initially did not taste like much, after mixing it thoroughly, the drink was a pretty interesting twist on Dalgona coffee. Overall, not bad an experience here.

Passing through Stow,

Gleasondale Industrial Park,
501 Gleasondale Road

We checked out Carlisle for a bit,

Carlisle Public School

21 Bedford Road

getting some Strawberry Ice Cream from the Kimball Farm location in town.

Just alright, with no strawberry bits to be found. 

From here, we decided to head to lunch in Groton, checking out the Groton Publick House, a new bar restaurant which has replaced the Tavern at the Groton Country Club, which I visited once in the past. Decent decor inside.

We got the Crispy Chicken Tenders (with BBQ sauce, cucumbers, French fries, grapes),

the Classic Chopped Cobb Salad (chopped romaine, bacon, chicken, avocado, cheddar, hard boiled egg, cucumebr, tomato, red wine vinaigrette)

and the House Smoked and Pulled Pork Sandwich (griddled bun, coleslaw, pulled pork, jalapeno jam).

The tenders were crispy for once, and the burger was deliciously sweet and spicy with the jalapeno jam. The salad was alright with the wine vinaigrette. Overall, a really good meal here in Groton. With that, an end to a day of checking out the town of Carlisle.