September 11th 2016: Buffet Lunch at Dharani, Westborough

We had an Indian buffet lunch today at Dharani in Westborough, which we have been to for dinner in the past.

The place was pretty packed today, and it was because of the big variety of food they have for the buffet, including Pav Bhaji, Jalebi, Goat dum Biryani, Boondi Laddu, Mysore bonda, Chili Gobi, Gongora Mutton, Mini Samosas, Spring Rolls, Idly, Rasam, Sambar, Naan, Kala Jamun, Goat Sukka, Crab Curry, Butter Chicken and more. Pretty good meal to say the least, for less than 20 dollars a person.

September 10th 2016: Woodstock CT

We started out today with brunch at Lock 50 in Worcester. This time, we got the Nitro Coffee,

a Cinnamon Roll,

and a Crepe (Roasted Mushroom | Goat Cheese | Fresh Herbs).

I did not take to the coffee or the roll, but the crepe was actually better than the crabmeat one.

After breakfast, we stopped by the Canal District Farmers Market nearby for a bit,

and then it was off to Southbridge for another quick bite at Happy Dog Cafe, a small town diner frequented by elderly folk. Here, I got a Happy Dog,

which was nothing special, really.

From here, it was on to the town of Woodstock in CT,

Woodstock Town Beach

Beaver Pond, 75 Leavitt Road

North Woodstock Congregational Church

East Woodstock Congregational Church

Evangelical Covenant Church

First Congregational Church of Woodstock

Town Hall, 415 Norwich Worcester Turnpike

Woodstock Elementary School

South Woodstock Baptist Church

Roseland Cottage

Wappaquasset Pond

Palmer Arboretum

Some highlights here included Roseland Park

and Woodstock Academy.

Next, it was on to the town of Putnam CT

Living Faith United Methodist Church

St. Philip's Episcopal Church

St. Mary's Church,
218 Providence Street

War Memorial,
Grove Street and Seward Street

for lunch at 85 Main, a pretty chic looking place in the downtown area.

I got the Grilled Salmon and Peach Panzanella (with citrus honey olive oil, grilled warm spiced salmon, native organic mixed greens peaches, heirloom tomatoes, sliced red onion and warm ciabatta croutons)

and the Spicy Sake Crunch Roll (salmon, avocado, tobiko, peach and tempura crunch with sweet mayo and sriracha outside),

both of which were delicious, especially because of the peach in both dishes. Will definitely come back again some day.

Later in the day, we were shopping at IKEA in Stoughton back in Massachusetts, and decided to try the Swedish Meatballs and Pear Cider.

Tasty, especially the sauce, and for cheap too. No wonder this furniture mall is so popular compared to the Jordan's Furniture nearby in Avon.

Dinner was at Pho 98, a Vietnamese restaurant in Randolph. We got the Rau Muong Xao Chao (Water Spinach Stir fried with fermented bean curd)

and the Mi Xao Don Do Bien (Crispy Yellow Noodles stir fried with seafood and vegetable medley).

Both dishes were just alright though and nothing amazing. Not sure if I will come back given that there are a lot of other Vietnamese restaurants in the area.

                             

September 6th 2016: Buffet Dinner with Family at Ibasaw, Malden

Today after work, we were notified about a family dinner taking place at Ibasaw in Malden, so we headed there. We have been here in the past for the buffet, but not with hot pot, so we did it this time around, getting the plain and Tom Yum broth.

Pretty interesting range of stuff to select from, including things like duck leg and pork uteruses, the latter of which was actually pretty tasty.

September 2nd 2016: A Day in Vermont

We headed into Vermont today, starting with a chocolate factory tour at Lake Champlain Chocolate Factory in Burlington.

Pretty interesting and free tour, with complimentary Chocolate tasting as well.

We also got a box of truffles to go, consisting of the Raspberry Truffle, Dipped Apricot Truffle, Apple Cider Caramel, Grande Valencia Truffle and Dipped Cherry Truffle.

Pretty good truffles.

Next, we headed to the downtown area,

Champ the Lake Monster Statue,
1 King Street

University of Vermont

Courtyard Marriott Burlington Harbor

Main Street Landing,
1 Main Street

ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain

Horse Sculpture, 101 Main Street

City Hall Park

City Hall, 149 Church Street

Burlington City Arts Center

First Congregational Church

Unitarian Church

Phoenix Books Burlington

Edward Costello Courthouse

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Cathedral Church of St. Paul

Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center

Pomerleau Real Estate

First Baptist Church

Checking out the Church Street Marketplace,

which also has the Burlington Town Center Mall.

We stopped by Leunig's Bistro, a nice looking French place in the area,

For lunch, getting the Foie Gras (Pan Seared La Bell Farm Foie Gras, Grilled White Truffle Toast Point Served with Carrot & Parmesan Farro Risotto, Sauteed baby Spinach and Port Demi Glace),

The Duck Tacos (Mint & Lime Braised Duck Tenders, Black Beans, Tomatoes, Corn, Peppers, Baby Arugula, Avocado Hummus & Cabot Cheddar in Crispy Blue Corn Shells Served with Mixed Greens)

And the Beef Bourguignon (Beef Tips Braised in Red Wine with Bacon, Pearl Onions, Carrots, Celery & Button Mushrooms, with Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Haricot Verts).

I really liked the Foie Gras because of the corn and risotto, while the Beef was pretty good as well with the Bacon and Chips.  The Tacos were just so so though.

On the way back, we passed by Battery Park,

Where one can see the Burlington Breakwater North Light,

and the Lake Champlain Navy Memorial,

Where one can see the Burlington Breakwater South Light.

We headed next into Williston VT to check out the Hubbell's Falls at the Green Mountain Power Overlook Park at 118 Essex Road,

although it took some treacherous climbing on sandy and steep ground under the bridge to get to the view of the falls.

After a stroll at the University Mall in South Burlington VT,

We passed by the Whale Tails sculpture in town

on the way to Essex VT for a Vietnamese dinner at Pho Dang, getting the Stir Fried Eggplant with Rice

and the Pho Tai Chin Nam (with rare beef and well done beef flank).

Not bad, but nothing special.

When night came, our friends decided to take us out for a stroll at Oakledge Park in Burlington,

then to the Breakwater Cafe and Grill in town for some drinks, food and live music, where we got the Citizen Cider United Press

and the Truffle Fries (truffle oil, asiago, lemon zest, parsley).

Not a bad way to end a day spent in the state of Vermont.