March 15th 2022: Welly's Restaurant, Hudson

 Today, we decided to have lunch at Welly's Restaurant in Hudson, the Framingham location of which I have been to once a long time ago. Definitely better decor here. We got the Strawberry Pomegranate Mimosa,

the Santa Fe Salad (Spring mix, grilled corn, black beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, scallions, jack cheese, and tortilla chips) with fresh salmon,

the Crispy Chicken Eggs Benedict (Crispy Chicken, Waffle Poached Eggs Finished with our House Made Hollandaise Sauce. Served with Salad Greens.),

the Kid's Fish and Chips (Fried Haddock served with French fries.)

and the Chocolate Lava Cake for dessert.

Unfortunately, all the food was a little on the underwhelming side, not being anything much special. And it rained while we were eating outside. Oh well.

May 14th 2022: Second Time at Old School House Pub, Hudson

 Today, we decided to have lunch at the Old School House Pub and Restaurant in Hudson, which we visited once in the past.

This time around, we got the Octopus Vinaigrette Salad (Salada de Polvo, Cold Octopus with a Tomato, Pepper & Onion Vinaigrette),

the  Iscas de Figado (Liver Bites),

the Littlenecks Bulhão Pato (Amêijoas á Bulhão Pato, Littlenecks Served in a Cilantro Garlic Sauce),

the Small Steak w/ Egg, Fries & Rice (Bitoque com Ovo, Arroz e Batata Frita, Traditional Pan-Seared Portuguese Style Steak),

 and the Fig Cheesecake for dessert.

the Liver was flavored just right, while the sauces for the clams and the rice were excellent as well. The cheesecake had jsut the right texture as well. Needless to say, another excellent meal at this nondescript Portuguese restaurant.

 

May 13th 2022: Bonchon, Lowell

 Today, we decided to check out the Bonchon location in Lowell. A little nicer than the Waltham location in my opinion.

We got the Korean Soju (Lychee),

the Tteokbokki (rice cakes simmered in spicy sauce with fish cakes, scallions and onions topped with mozzarella cheese and kimari),

the Wings (half and half),

the Seasoned French Fries (french fries tossed with herb seasoning, parmesan cheese and parsley flakes),

the Kimchi (national Korean dish consisting of fermented chili peppers mixed with cabbage),

and the Strips (soy garlic).

The wings were good as always, but the rest of the food was just subpar. The fries were a tad salty, while the rice cakes were too spicy with too much onions, and the strips had much more meat than crunch. Overall, I would not come back to this particular location.

May 8th 2022: Second Time at Sorellina, Boston

 Today, we decided to have dinner with the family at Sorellina, one of the best restaurants in Boston, which I visited once in the past.

This time around, we got the OYSTERS (Powder Point, Duxbury, rhubarb-cucumber mignonette, lemon, colatura),

the ARUGULA (pine nuts, truffled Pecorino Moliterno, lemon vinaigrette),

the MAFALDINE (oyster and shiitake mushrooms, black truffle butter, Parmigiano)

the Mushroom Soup,

the BRANZINO (spigarello kale, roasted La Ratte potatoes, ramp salsa verde),

the LAMB CHOPS (charred eggplant, fava beans, ramps, minted yogurt, roasted garlic vin cotto),

the SOFT POLENTA (mascarpone, Parmigiano),

the TIRAMISU (espresso savoiardi, coffee caramel, mascarpone mousse)

and a different version of the LIMONE (Meyer lemon curd, black mission fig, pomegranate, meringue).

Once again, really excellent food here, especially the unique flavors of the lamb, and the extremely smooth texture of the polenta. Glad my family enjoyed their meal here, especially the little one.

May 7th 2022: More Hiking in Harvard

 Today, we headed to Harvard again,

Hildreth Elementary School

going for a hike at Pin Hill to explore Pin Hill itself, as I did not do so the last time I was here. The path we took is shown below in blue.

Unfortunately, the supposed views at the top of the hill were not to be had due to tree growth over time.

The way back down was way too steep for the little one, so I decided to go the long way around back to the car. From here, it was on to lunch at Sorrento's Brick Oven Pizzeria in town,

getting the French Fries, 

the Carnevale (Caribbean spiced pizza with chicken, crisp bacon, pepperoni, pineapple, tomato sauce & cheese)

and the Chicken Domenico (Chicken, ham, mushrooms & green peas sautéed and finished in an Alfredo sauce).

Pretty good flavors I must say, probably why they have two other locations in Massachusetts.

With that, an end to a day of more hiking in Harvard.

May 6th 2022: Mint Kitchen and Bar, Worcester

 Today, we decided to go check out the new Vietnamese restaurant in Worcester, Mint Kitchen and Bar, which has taken over the Blarney Stone in a somewhat sketchy part of town. Pretty nice decor inside for a former dive bar.

We got the Miss Lychee (Soju, lychee nectar, lime juice, fresh mint & basil),

the Banh Khot (Mini rice fritters with shrimp. Served with fresh herbs)

the Bun Cha Ha Noi (Grilled pork patty, pork belly, rice noodles and fresh herbs),

the Butter Beef Spring Rolls (Grilled garlic butter beef rolls),

the Saigon Breakfast Banh Mi (Chinese sausage and fried egg),

the Pho Dac Biet (Beef noodle soup with rare eye round beef, flank steak, brisket, tripe, tendon, meatballs),

and the Ube Ice Cream (Served with cornflake crunchies) for dessert.

The banh khot were extremely crispy, while the flavors were excellent and rich for the rest of the dishes, especially the pho and the ice cream. Hands down the best Vietnamese restaurant in town.

May 1st 2022: Silk Global Cuisine, Framingham

Today, we decided to check out the new quasi-Indian restaurant, Silk Global Cuisine, in Framingham. Pretty nice decor inside.

We got the FRIED CRISPY SILK CHICKEN WINGS (Buckwheat Coated, Sesame, Nori and Chilli Oil), 

the MARRAKESH BOUILLABAISSE (Local Seafood with saffron Tomato Sauce, Garlic Bread),

the CRAZY NOODLES (Hon Shimeji, Chicken Thai Chilis, Black Pepper)

and the BAKED APPLE AND CARAMEL CRISP WITH CRÈME DE FRESH for dessert.

We really liked the wings and the dessert, but the soup was a tad salty, and the noodles underwhelming. I think we just ordered the wrong dishes this time around. Next time then. 

We finished off the day with more dessert from the Tous Les Jours in Natick, getting the Chocolate Gateau

and the Honey Latte Macchiatto.

Unfortunately, the coffee did not have much lavender flavor, and the cake was a little on the stale side. Oh well.