May 31st 2022: Buttermilk and Bourbon, Watertown

Today, while at the new Arsenal Yards shopping area in Watertown,

we were originally deciding to check out Kura Sushi, but due to the long wait time, we decided to go to the Watertown location of Buttermilk and Bourbon right next door instead. Really nice decor inside.

We got the Soft Serve Mimosa (blueberry pomegranate sorbet, prosecco),

the PORK BELLY CRACKLINGS (cheddar salt, honey-mustard),

the HOUSE SPECIAL BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN (Chicken wings, white BBQ sauce)

the GOLDEN BEET SALAD (preserved kumquats, smoked yogurt, pistachio & pumpkin seed granola, Banyuls vinaigrette),

the Crawfish and Dumplings (celery root, sassafras, black pepper, white wine),

and the Soft Serve of the Day (Mango) for dessert.

Of all the dishes, only the dumplings, which was more of a casserole with bits of crawfish in it, was a little underwhelming in terms of flavor. Other than that, the beet salad had an interesting combination of sweet and tangy, while the chicken was crispy without too much breading, and the pork fat was oozing in a delicious way. The drink was an interesting concept too, although the ice cream would have been enough, as was the mango flavor, creamy yet not too sweet. Overall, a pretty good meal here. Unfortunately, my other half left her purse here, so I have to come back tomorrow.

May 30th 2022: Third Time at Kinzen, Marlborough

After a day at Memorial Beach in Marlborough, we decided to get lunch at Kinzen, a ramen place in town we have been to twice in the past.

This time around, we got the TAKOYAKI   (Fried octopus ball with cabbage and green onion topped with bonito flake, scallion and katsu Mayo and hoisin sauce),

the SUPER HOT LAVA RAMEN   (Spicy pork broth, chili pepper, chili hot oil, new zealand mussels, scallop, shrimp, menma (Japanese bamboo), wood ear mushroom and scallion.),

and the Grilled Salmon Miso Ramen (pork broth, wood ear mushroom, beansprout, scallion and black garlic oil).

All the dishes were delicious as always, and the seafood fresh, and even the lava ramen wasn't that spicy in the end. Overall, another satisfying meal here.

May 29th 2022: Walking Along Newbury Street, Boston

 Today, we decided to walk around the Newbury Street area of Boston, 

Trident Booksellers and Cafe

Anime Zakka

360 Newbury Street

Muji

Trader Joe's

getting brunch at Krasi, a nice Greek restaurant on Gloucester Street.

We got the KRASI MIMOSA (Greek bubbles, mango juice, dill),

the BAKLAVA MUFFIN (walnuts, Greek honey, cinnamon, clove), 

the STRATA (loukaniko, spinach, olives, feta, mixed greens),

the LALAGITES (lemon-mizithra filled fried pancakes, carob honey syrup, lemon zest).

The drink was just alright, while the muffin was just that, thought it would ahve more a baklava texture. The quiche was pretty good though, and the fried stuffed pancakes were an interesting concept. Overall, pretty good place for brunch.

We also got chocolates from Royce' Chocolate, a Japanese chocolate company with really good Nama chocolate. 

I managed to try the Pure Chocolate White,

the Nama Chocolate Matcha,

the Nama Chocolate White and the Nama Chocolate Sakura Fromage.

All the chocolates were really good, especially the chewy Nama chocolate, which has to be stored cold, although I did not take to the cherry flavor of the Sakura one.

Next, we visited April 23 Cafe, one of the many bubble tea places along Newbury Street. It is actually more of a flower shop, with flower arranging classes as well.

we got the Piggy Peach Mousse

and the Osmanthus Pineapple Oolong Fruit Tea.

The drink was pretty good, but the mousse just tasted like gelatinous cream. A little on the disgusting side. Overall, will probably try one of the other bubble tea places rather than come back. 

Our final eating destination was Eva, a new restaurant that has taken over from Cafeteria Boston, which I visited a few times in the past. It is the same owner though, and the decor looked the same as before, so I am not sure if I consider this to still be the same restaurant as before.

We got the Cobb Salad (Romaine and mesclun greens, bacon, chicken, avocado, egg, blue cheese, and tomatoes with buttermilk ranch dressing)

and the Steak Tips and Eggs (served with homefries and sourdough bread).

Really good combination of flavors for the salad, and the steak was cooked perfectly, with crispy homefries and runny eggs. Really good meal from this place, comparable to before I guess. 

With that, we ended the day in Boston, heading home to eat a MEDITERRANEAN (Grilled marinated chicken, spinach, feta, tomatoes & olives) pizza. 

Pretty good to end a day of walking along Newbury Street in Boston.

27th May 2022: Spending Time with the Little One

 This morning, we headed back to Harvard for another hike, this time at Prospect Hill, which I visited once before in the past, this time to try to look for Dean's Hill. The path we took while here after walking through Ryan Land Park

is shown below in blue.

Unfortunately, the views of the orchards were just alright.

After our hike, we decided to head into Westborough for a quick bite from Swanski's Bakeshop, which has taken over from Yummy Mummy Bakery, which I visited once in the past. We got the Lavender Honey Roll,

which unfortunately was nothing special, especially due to the cinnamon in it.

For dinner, we decided to head to Leicester at Castle Cantina Tapas Bar and Restaurant, located within a castle which used to be the Castle Restaurant, which I visited once in the past. Much nicer inside now.

    

We got the Muy Baya Sangria (blueberry, blackberry, strawberry, brandy, red wine, apple juice and lemon lime soda),

the Tostones Rellenos (fried plantain baskets topped with Garlic wine sauce shrimp),

the Aguacate Rellenos (freshly cut avocados topped with chimichurri steak),

the Del Mar Paella (saffron rice, shrimp, scallops, mussels, calamari, clams, red and green peppers, peas and basil),

and the Papajotes for dessert.

Unfortunately, the food tasted overly simplistic, definitely not worth what we paid for. What a pity.