November 28th 2024: Chinatown on a Rainy Day

 Today, we decided to go to Boston for some dimsum at Dynasty Restaurant, a new Chinese place in Chinatown.

We got the Red Bean Minion Buns,

the Preserved Egg with Pork Congee

the Beef Noodle Rolls with Cilantro,

the Beef Tripe with Tofu Puff,

the Shrimp and Chive Dumplings,

the Crispy Fried Shrimp Rolls

and the Fried Dough.

Overall, it was not too bad, but nothing outstanding.

Next, we headed across the road to Uncle Tetsu's Japanese Bakery,

getting the Rusk (madeleine)

and the Cheesecake (original).

A decent end to a rainy day in Boston's Chinatown.

November 25th 2024: Boylston House of Pizza, Boylston

 Today, we decided to get a Cheese Pizza from Boylston House of Pizza in Boylston.

Not bad for relatively cheap these days.

November 16th 2024: Hungry Pot, Natick

 Today, after passing through Framingham,

Butterworth Park

we decided to have lunch at Hungry Pot, a new Korean BBQ and hot pot place in Natick that has taken over from Trend, which we visited once a long time back. Pretty nice decor inside.

Nice concept to be able to do both hot pot and BBQ. The food overall was not bad, but nothing amazing.

November 11th 2024: Afternoon Hike at The Desert Natural Area, Marlborough

 Today, after passing through Hudson, 

Intel Field

WestRidge Condominiums

We went on a hike at The Desert Natural Area in Marlborough, where the path we took from 1126 Concord Road through the forest is shown below in pink.

Nothing much to see here though, and the water body here was dry as well.

Oh well, better hike next time.

Recommmended Places to Visit: Hudson

Recreation

Biking
Assabet River Rail Trail
14 Wilkins Street


Water Bodies
Bruces Pond
~164 Apsley Road


Schools
Mary O'Malley CHAPS Academy
127 Forest Avenue

Parks

Wood Park
Park Street and Rutland Street

Tripp Pond/Lamson Park
65 Green Street

Intel Field

92 Technology Drive

Roller-Skating
Roller Kingdom
5 Highland Park Avenue


Museums

Hudson Historical Society

43 Broad Street

Shopping Malls

Highland Commons Shopping Mall
Coolidge Street and Highland Common Road East

Cabela's (chain)
44 Highland Common

Hiking

Recommended:

Danforth Falls Conservation Area
Lincoln Street near Bradford Road

Waterfalls
Assabet River
Washington Street near South Street

Beaches
Centennial Beach
Sebago Road


Architecture

Monuments

Liberty Park
~5 Washington Street

Memorial
Central Street and Lincoln Street

Places of Worship

First United Methodist Church
34 Felton Street

St. Michael's Parish
21 Manning Street

Carmel Mar Thoma Church
467 River Street

Grace Baptist Church
363 River Street

First Federated Church
200 Central Street

St. Luke's Episcopal Church
5 Washington Street

Unitarian Church of Hudson and Marlborough
80 Main Street

Historical Buildings
Old LaRosee & Sons Factory (demolished)
15 Broad Street

Hudson Portuguese Club
13 Port Street

Landing at Hudson Mills

43 Broad Street

Commercial Buildings
Tighe Hamilton Funeral Home
50 Central Street

WestRidge Condominiums

End of WestRidge Road

Schools

Hubert School

119 Broad Street

Mulready Elementary School

306 Cox Street

Town Facilities

Town Hall
78 Main Street

Fire Department
296 Cox Street

Fire Department #2
1 Washington Street

Massachusetts Army National Guard
35 Washington Street

Hudson Public Library

3 Washington Street

Hudson Public Schools

155 Apsley Street

Police Department

911 Municipal Drive

Restaurants

Highly Recommended:
Latin American

Taco Gato
111 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Varlet

Maduros

Carnitas al Oregano

Corn Salad

Beef Empanada

Steak Fries

Burger Aplastado

Tostada Pork Belly

Western
Amaia Martini Bar
176 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Moroccan Lamb Tips
Bacalhau Cakes
Apple Cider French Onion Soup
Pumpkin Tiramisu

Less Than Greater Than
28 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Duck Cassoulet
Summer Vegetable Salmoriglio

Wild Hare

43 Broad Street

Recommended Dishes:

Matcha Latte

Mushroom Toast

Wagyu Sloppy Joe

Savory Popcorn

Strawberry Parfait

Benedict in a Hole

Pork Belly Sammie

Wild Hair of the Dog

Caffe Latte

Rail Trail Flatbread Company
33 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Spiced Pear 
Cubano
Gorg and Squash 
BLT
Steak and Cheese

Frozen Watermelon Cooler

Nuggets

Short Rib Benedict

Honey Beet

Lamb Jam

Harvest Cafe

40 Washington Street
Recommended Dishes:
Shrimp Quesadillas
Hot Chocolate
Pumpkin Risotto Benedict
Bacon, Cheddar and Tomato Quiche
Butternut Squash and Apple Soup
Orange Soy Braised Pork Ribs
Kahlua Brownie Sundae

Chloe Bistro
23 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Apple Walnut Dumpling
Meatloaf
Crispy Pork Shank

 
Dessert
Hudson Sweet Boutique
25 South Street

Recommended Dishes:

Key Lime Pie

Silva's Bakery
140 Main Street

Recommended Dishes:

Pasteis de Nata

Cafe 641

45 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Tropic Nut Latte
Orchard Crepe

New City Microcreamery (chain)
28 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Vegan Chocolate Avocado
Vegan Strawberry
Lime Avocado

Portuguese
Old School House Pub and Restaurant
17 School Street

Recommended Dishes:
Grilled Limpets
Salmon on Portuguese Clay
Molotof

Fig Cheesecake

Octopus Vinaigrette Salad

Iscas de Figado

Small Steak w/ Egg, Fries & Rice

Littlenecks Bulhão Pato 

Japanese

Feng Sushi and Grill
191 Washington Street
Recommended Dishes:
Dragon Bomb Roll
Shrimp Mango Roll


Tried:
Breakfast

Main Street Bagel Factory

51 Main Street

Recommended Dishes:

Beef and Cheese Bagel Sandwich

Food Truck
VeeBop's
33 Gates Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Despicable Me Minion
Frozen Birthday Cake Dessert Bar


Portuguese
Riverview Restaurant
13 Port Street
Recommended Dishes:
Bife a Micaelense
Mandioca
Portuguese Fries

Dessert
Vintage Cafe
246 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Raspberry Strudel

Crumbl Cookies (chain)
3 Highland Commons W

Recommended Dishes:

Milk Chocolate Chip

Good Earth Holistic Kitchen

43 Broad Street

Recommended Dishes:

The Hidden Bunny Smoothie

Italian
Sofia Ristorante
158 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Beef Fagottini

Brazilian

Gauchao Burgers

111 Apsley Street

Recommended Dishes:

X-Tudo Burger

Western

Kith and Kin

40 Washington Street

Recommended Dishes:

Kith Royale

Chicken and Corn Chowder

Fried Cauliflower

Kid's Fish and Chips

Mixed Berry Sorbet

Strawberry Shortcake

Finnegan's Pub
25 South Street
Recommended Dishes:
Finnegan's Wings

FreshWing
246 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
X-Large Wings
Zesty Orange
Sesame Ginger
Mild Buffalo

Checkerboards Restaurant and Bar
10 Technology Drive
Recommended Dishes:
Pastrami and Cheese

Welly's Restaurant (chain)

23 Main Street

Recommended Dishes:

Kid's Fish and Chips

Santa Fe Salad

Strawberry Pomegranate Mimosa

Crispy Chicken Eggs Benedict

Chocolate Lava Cake

KFC/Taco Bell (chain)
282 Washington Street

Recommended Dishes:

KFC Tenders

Cantina Chicken Quesadilla Meal

Horseshoe Pub
29 South Street
Recommended Dishes:
Pub Chicken Wings
Zesty Shrimp Scampi
The Gardner

November 9th 2024: Churrascaria Tropeiro's Grill, Worcester

Today for dinner, I decided to check out the new Brazilian restaurant in Worcester that has taken the place of Terra Brasilis, Churrascaria Tropeiro's Grill. 

This place has another location in Dartmouth. Really nice inside.

The buffet was excellent with interesting stuff like grilled cheese with honey.

Definitely will be back again someday.

November 2nd 2024: Randomness in Boxborough, Littleton and Worcester

 After spending some time at the Nashoba Valley ISI Skating School in Boxborough,

we decided to grab a bite from Oscar's Burritos Mexican Restaurant nearby,

getting the Hot Dog Quesadilla (a crispy 10" flour tortilla, with melted cheddar cheese, sliced hot dog, rice and beans)

and the Chicken Tortilla Soup.

Nothing special unfortunately.

From here, we decided to go for a hike at Newtown Hill in Littleton, this time going to look for the marsh pond here, by taking the path shown below in pink.

The map above is slightly off in terms of where the trails are, with our path actually being on the yellow and blue trails to get to the marsh pond. Decent views here though.

Of course, while here you just have to go up to the water tower for the view from there.

From here, we headed to dinner at Mint Kitchen and Bar in Worcester, getting the Hanoi Sticky Rice (chinese sausage, egg, dried shrimp, BBQ pork, served with sticky rice),

the Pho Tai, Bo Vien (beef noodle soup with rare eye round beef, meatballs)

and the Bun Bo Hue (spicy beef broth, thick noodles, sliced beef, cha lua, spare rib served with chili sate).

The food was not bad, although the noodles for the Bun Bo Hue were soggy. Oh well.