September 10th 2023: Brunch and Dessert in Worcester, Dinner in Westborough

 For brunch today, we decided to check out The Mercantile in Worcester, which I visited once in the recent past for a company function. This time around, we sat on the rooftop area.

 

We got the Fried Rice Bowl (fried jasmine rice, avocado, sunny egg, honey-sriracha, fried kale),

the Tempura Cauliflower (tahini hot sauce, lemon, cucumber)

and the Chinese Egg Tart (sweet egg custard, lemon curd, berries).

The egg tart was terrible, but thankfully, the fried rice sort of made up for it.

For dessert, we stopped by Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream nearby, which apparently has a few locations all over America. 

Interesting way of making ice cream,

of which we got the Pineapple flavor.

Interesting texture too.

For dinner, we went to Tavolino in Westborough, which I have been to once a long time ago. This time around, we got the Melanzana (fried eggplant, spinach, garlic, feta, mozzarella and marinara) and Mediterranean Pasta (with artichokes, tomatoes, spinach, pepperoncini, kalamata olives and feta, served over penne with a white wine, lemon and herb sauce).

I have to say the pizza was pretty good, especially the crispy eggplant pieces.

Recommended Places to Visit: Norwood

Recreation

Arts and Crafts
Luke Adams Glass
416 Lenox Street

Arts Performances
Norwood Theatre
109 Central Street


Parks

Father MacAleer Playground and Park

Hawthorne Street & Vernon Street

Water Bodies

Ellis Pond
Walpole Street and Endicott Street

Guild Pond
~550 Nichols Street

Hawes Brook Walkway
~1315 Washington Street

Architecture

Commercial Buildings

Hampton Inn Boston-Norwood
434 Providence Highway

Four Points by Sheraton Norwood

1125 BOSTON PROVIDENCE TURNPIKE

Monuments

Town Common
Cottage Street East and Central Street

Aaron Guild Park
Central Street and Guild Street

Places of Worship

Grace Episcopal Church
150 Chapel Street

Emmanuel Lutheran Church
24 Berwick Street

First Congregational Church
100 Winter Street

First Baptist Church
71 Bond Street

United Church of Norwood
595 Washington Street

St. Catherine of Siena Church
547 Washington Street

First Church of Christ, Scientist
751 Washington Street

St. George Orthodox Church
6 Atwood Avenue

Schools
Norwood High School
245 Nichols Street

Town Facilities
Morrill Memorial Library
33 Walpole Street

Historical Society
93 Day Street

Town Hall
566 Washington Street

Post Office
1 Central Street

Norwood Memorial Airport
125 Access Road

Skating Club of Boston

750 University Avenue


Bridges
Colonel George T Lee Bridge
Nahatan Street near Broadway


Historical Buildings
Norwood Masonic Building: Orient Lodge
76 Day Street

The Exploration Center
932 Washington Street

Old Northrop Grumman Building
934 Washington Street


Restaurants
Highly Recommended:
Western

Mick Morgan's (chain)
434 Providence Highway

Recommended Dishes:

Clam Chowder

Fish and Chips

One Bistro

1125 BOSTON PROVIDENCE TURNPIKE

Recommended Dishes:

One Bistro Gin and Tonic

Portabella Mushroom

Kid's Fish and Chips

Caribbean

La Baguette North (chain)
485 Washington Street
Recommended Dishes:
Baguette

Almond Croissant

Acassan

Mediterranean
Byblos Restaurant
678 Washington Street
Recommended Dishes:
Loubye with Lamb
Kafta Kabob
Ma'mul

Thai
Thai Boo Cuisine

712 Washington Street

Recommended Dishes:

Larb
Duck Love Boo
Thai Donuts

Italian
Boncaldo Italian Restaurant

1381 Providence Highway

Recommended Dishes:

Gamberi
Pappardelle
Crostata
Budino

Sky Restaurant

1369 Providence Highway

Recommended Dishes:

Shellfish Platter
Wild Mushroom Sweet Potato Ravioli
No Guilt Minis


Dessert

Fresh Froyo

642 Washington Street

Recommended Dishes:

Original Yogurt
Peach Mango Smoothie

Perks Coffeehouse

685 Washington Street

Recommended Dishes:

Raspberry Mousse

Tried:
Mediterranean
The Feisty Greek
38 Vanderbilt Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Pastitsio

Victoria's Cafe
655 Washington Street
Recommended Dishes:
House Salad
Hummus
Mixed Kabob
Cobb Salad
Cauliflower

Dessert
Guarino Pastry Shop
865 Washington Street
Recommended Dishes:
Chocolate Chip Cannoli
Cream Puff

Common Cafe and Patisserie
637 Washington Street
Recommended Dishes:
Smoked Turkey Delight Sandwich
Greek Koulourakia
Linzer Cookie
Sugar Leaves
Walnut Butter Cookie
Apricot Cookie

Latin American

Crazy Tacos Bar and Grill

716 Washington Street

Recommended Dishes:

Chimichanga

Traditional Taco Combo

Yucca Fries

Chinese
Peony Chinese Restaurant

654 Washington Street

Recommended Dishes:

Ginger and Basil Chicken Chops with Bone Casserole
Cold Noodle With Peanut Sauce
Boiled Wonton With Spicy Sauce

Bamboo Cafe
663 Washington Street
Recommended Dishes:
Crispy Sesame Chicken
Christmas Tree Roll

Western

McDonald's (chain)

31 Providence Highway

Recommended Dishes:

4 pc. Chicken McNuggets

McRib

Burger King (chain)

41 Providence Highway

Recommended Dishes:

4 pc. Chicken Nuggets

BBQ Bacon and Cheese BK Royal Crispy Chicken

1240 Cafe

750 University Avenue

Recommended Dishes:

French Fries

Chicken Fingers

Cream of Chicken and Mushroom

Pizza

Mediterranean Vegetables and White Bean Soup

Chilli

Pasta Salad

Sausage Bomb

Lewis' Bar and Grill

92 Central Street

Recommended Dishes:

House Marinated Lamb Kabob
Cup and Quahog
Chicken Wings

September 9th 2023: One Bistro, Norwood

 Today, while in Norwood, 

Four Points by Sheraton Norwood

we decided to have lunch at One Bistro, located within the hotel.

We got the One Bistro Gin and Tonic (Bombay Dry Gin, Fever Tree Tonic, peaches and Thyme),

the Portabella Mushroom (Roasted Red Peppers, Goat Cheese, Baby Arugula, Balsamic Glaze, Brioche Bun, served with coleslaw)

and the Kid's Fish and Chips (with lemon caper sauce).

Not bad, although the drink was not to my liking at all.

September 8th 2023: Maken Zi Ramen and Rice Bowls, West Boylston

 Today, we decided to have dinner at Maken Zi Ramen and Rice Bowls, a small ramen place in West Boylston.

We got the Crispy Chive Dumplings (fried chive dumplings served with ginger sauce),

the Spicy Vegan Miso Ramen (ramen noodle in spicy vegan vegetable miso broth with bok choy, earwood mushroom, carrot and sweet corn, garnished with finely shredded red chili pepper)

and the Kid's Ramen (ramen noodle in chicken broth with chicken tender).

Pretty good, comparable to Doragon in Ashland I must say.

September 4th 2023: Eating and Walking Along Newbury Street, Boston

 Today, passing through Brookline,

Brookline Avenue Playground

We ended up in the Newbury Street area of Boston,

Rick Walker's

first getting brunch at Trident Booksellers and Cafe, which we have visited in the past but only checked out the books and not the food. This time around, we were able to get a table after a short wait.

we got the Morning Monte Cristo (Two fried eggs, Canadian bacon, raspberry preserves,

and cheddar cheese sandwiched between two slices of Challah bread French toast)

and the Eggs Benny, Your Way! (with two poached eggs on an English muffin, select your favorite add-ins, and we'll top it off with hollandaise and chives. Served with a side of home fries).

Not bad, if not for the cinnamon in the bread.

For dessert, we decided to check out Emack and Bolio's, an ice cream place nearby,

getting the Strawberry

and the Almond Coconut Bar.

Pretty good to end a day in Boston.

September 3rd 2023: Hog Hill Trail, Sterling

 Today, we decided to go on a hike at the Hog Hill Trail in Sterling, which apparently is part of the Wachusett Reservoir watershed. The path we took here from the end of Merrill Road is shown below in pink.

Some nice views, 

but somewhat overgrown, though still passable. Not coming back again due to the overgrown nature of the area.

September 2nd 2023: Checking Out Some Places in Millbury, Sutton and Grafton

 Today, we started out in Millbury, 

Howe Reservoir,
19 Linda Avenue

Woolshop Pond,
14 Bellville Lane

going on a hike along the power lines at 102 South Main Street to try to view Slaughterhouse Pond and Hathaway Pond. Unfortunately no views of Slaughterhouse Pond were to be had,

although the views of Hathaway Pond further down the path were pretty decent.

Next, it was on to Sutton,

Girard Pond,
26 Galaxy Pass

Wilkinsonville Unity Park,
7 Boston Road

Holy Spirit Episcopal Church

then finally Grafton

Nelson Memorial Library

Nelson Memorial Park

to end the day. Pretty productive I must say.