May 24th 2019: Lunch and Dinner in Shrewsbury

I had a company lunch today at Tavern in the Square, Shrewsbury. I had a good experience the last time i was here, so i was hopeful it would be the same today. We got the Fried Pickle Chips (secret sauce)

and the Truffle Tots (rosemary, truffle oil, shaved parmesan) for appetizers,

while I got the Cornflake Chicken + Waffles (boneless fried chicken, sweet potato fries, toasty Belgian waffle, maple syrup and buffalo sauce) for my main dish.

The appetizers were not bad, although the chicken and waffles were really bland. Definitely don't recommend that dish.

For dinner, we decided to check out the newest restaurant in Shrewsbury, Thai and I, which has taken the place of Macey's Cafe, which I visited once before. Similar decor as before.

We got the Khao Soi (northern noodles in delicious mix of light yellow curry, chicken, scallions, and fried shallots)

and the Roasted Duck Noodle Soup (rice noodles with sliced roasted duck and bean sprouts in duck broth, topped with chopped scallion and garlic),

both of which were not bad, just a tad sweet. What a pity.

May 22nd 2019: Hot Table Panini, Worcester

Today for lunch, we decided to check out the new Hot Table Panini location in Worcester. Pretty similar decor to the one in Marlborough.

For food, we got the Mediterranean Salad (romaine base, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, olives, red onions, tomatoes with balsamic vinaigrette dressing)

and the Southwest Chicken Panini (roasted chicken, chiptole mayo, salami, american cheese, roasted onion, pickles, tomatoes),

which came with a side of MAC and CHEESE (Macaroni pasta in a rich, creamy blend of extra sharp cheddar and monterey jack cheeses with pepper, cayenne and a touch of nutmeg).

Pretty good portion for the salad, and the panini was tasty too, although the macaroni was just so-so. Overall, not bad as always from this place.

May 19th 2019: Buddha's Birthday in Saugus

Today is apparently the birthday of Buddha, so we went to Thiền Viện Vạn Hạnh at 370 Essex Street in Saugus to participate in the activities at the temple.

After leaving the temple, we decided to grab some custard puffs for a party

from Arthur's Pastry Shop in Medford at the High Street location.

Pretty good stuff from this place as always.

Recommended Places to Visit: Saugus

Recreation

Hiking
Recommended:
Rumney Marsh Reservation
1372 Salem Turnpike

Prankers Pond
End of Cliff Road

Breakheart Reservation
177 Forest Street


Museums
Saugus Iron Works
244 Central Street


Water Bodies

Hawke's Pond
Gianna Drive and Walnut Street

Walden Pond
Walden Pond Avenue and Walden Terrace

Birch Pond
315 Walnut Street

Griswold Pond
117 Sweetwater Street

Spring Pond
59 Lake Dam Road

2nd Lake
10 Lake Dam Road

Shopping Malls
Square One Mall
1201 Broadway

Architecture

Monuments

House Christmas Lights
401 Lynn Fells Parkway

WWII Memorial
Winter Street and Central Street

War Memorial
Main Street and Central Street

Kelly's Roast Beef
595 Broadway

Giant Cactus
855 Broadway

Orange Dinosaur
1575 Broadway

Leaning Tower of Pizza
517 Broadway

Vitale Park
140 Ballard Street

Places of Worship

Family United Methodist Church
493 Lincoln Avenue

St. Margaret's Church

431 Lincoln Avenue

Cliftondale Congregational Church
50 Essex Street

First Congregational Church
300 Central Street

St. John's Episcopal Church
8 Prospect Street

Pilgrims Church of Boston
31 Main Street

Blessed Sacrament Church
14 Summer Street

Grace Ministries North Shore
101 Main Street

First Baptist Church
105 Main Street

Thiền Viện Vạn Hạnh
370 Essex Street

Schools
Veterans Memorial Elementary School
39 Hurd Avenue

Town Facilities
Town Hall
298 Central Street

Historical Buildings
Marleah E Graves Building
54-58 Essex Street

Restaurants

Highly Recommended:
Italian
Victor's Italian Cuisine
1539 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
Shrimp Grand Marnier
Mussels Fra Diavolo
Papa's Homemade Meatballs

Polcari's (chain)
92 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
Rotisserie Chicken and Dill Havarti Flatbread
Italian Spumoni

Korean

K-Town BBQ

910 Broadway

Recommended Dishes:

Salad Bar

Garlic Noodles

Toppoki

Prime Rib

Beef Bulgogi

Beef Short Rib

Shrimp Tempura

Shrimp

Spicy Tofu Soup

Wings

Garlic Salted Pork Belly

Dessert
Kane's Donuts (chain)
1575 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
Creme Brulee

Frollz

1201 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
Lemonade
Strawberry and Mango Ice Cream

Japanese
Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse (chain)
1201 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
Shabu-Shabu
Agedashi Tofu
Tuna Amazing Roll

Thai Tomyum

Crunchy Roll

America MAki

Meat Combo

Seafood Supreme

Tried:
Chinese
Kowloon Restaurant
948 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
Lobster in Spicy Garlic Sauce
Giant Kowloon Fortune Cookie
Kang Liang


Dessert
Orange Leaf (chain)
124 Broadway

Starbucks (chain)
366 Broadway

Starbucks (chain)
400 Lynn Fells Parkway

Zinga! (chain)
621 Broadway

Dunkin' Donuts (chain)
1201 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
French Cruller
Hash Browns
Honey Dipped Donut

YoPassion
1201 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
Kumquat Lemon Honey with Aloe Drink

Sky Bar
1201 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
Mango Pina Colada


Deli
Lendy's Deli
653 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
Knockwurst Sandwich

Giovanni's Roast Beef and Pizza (chain)
194 Broadway Street
Recommended Dishes:
Junior Roast Beef Sandwich

Muscle Maker Grill (chain)
358 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
Santa Fe
Western Potatoes

Italian
Angela's Coal Fired Pizza (chain)
880 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
Sicilian Pizza
Signature Oven Roasted Wings

Roman Delight Pizza (chain)
1201 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
Chicken Bacon and Ranch


Japanese
Shoyu Restaurant
124 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
Grand Marnier Walnut Shrimp
Castle Maki

Sake Japanese Restaurant
670 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
Spicy Scallop Maki
Hama Shiru
Ahiru

Western
Fuddruckers (chain)
900 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
The Works
All Beef Chilli Cheese Dog

Boston Market (chain)
168 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:

Rotisserie Chicken
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Mixed Vegetables
Sweet Corn

Hooters (chain)
1143 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
New England Style Clam Chowder
Buffalo Platter

Sully C's Bar and Grill
168 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
House Favorite BBQ Combo
Fried Pickles

Charleys Philly Steaks (chain)
1201 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
Original Lemonade
Original Fries
Philly Cheese Steak

The Continental
266 Broadway
Recommended Dishes:
Continental's Famous London Broil

May 18th 2019: Back to Rhode Island

My sightseeing in Rhode Island today started in Glocester RI,

Steeres Pond, 96 John Steere Road

Chepachet Free Will Baptist Church

St. Eugene Catholic Church

New Pond, 126 Vernon Drive

going on a hike at the Steere Hill Conservation Area, where the path I took is shown below in pink.

The stone dam on Stone Dam Trail was alright I guess,

while the view from the top of Steere Hill was semi-good.

Shepard's Hut on the Inner Trail was nothing special either. Overall, just an alright place to hike at. At the end of my hike, an old lady walking her dog happened to be getting into her car, and she offered to give me a ride back to my car, which I happily obliged. Definitely a long distance I would have had to walk otherwise.

Next, I did 2 more hikes in the town of Smithfield, revisiting the Ken Weber Conservation Area to try to catch the waterfall on Cascade Brook, which was totally dry the last time I was here. Thankfully, due to the rain yesterday, the waterfall was beautiful.

The other hike in town was at the Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, where the path I took is shown below in pink.

The view of the pond here was pretty non-existent though.

From here, it was on to Johnston RI,

Brown Avenue Elementary School

Oak Swamp Reservoir

Trinity Assembly of God

Municipal Court

Town Hall, 1385 Hartford Avenue

St. Rocco's Church

St. Brigid's Catholic Church,
1231 Plainfield Street

where I went on a hike at Snake Den State Park. The rough path I took here from 142 Brown Avenue is shown below in pink.

The view from the top of the hill I went to was pretty amazing, but really hard to find because of all the side trails.

Thankfully I had the stream to guide me as to whether I was on the wrong side of it or not.

Next, I went on another hike at Snake Den Farm, which is also the location of Wicked Tulips Flower Farm, which unfortunately just closed for the season. Walking to the back of the area, I was able to see what was a few days ago the tulip fields.

Pretty, but a little too spaced out in my opinion to be true field of tulips even at its best for pictures. And to have to pay for entry? I might not consider coming to visit next year.

As for the hike it, the water body itself was nothing much to look at.

Next, the Johnston War Memorial Park area,

going for a hike at the Johnston Town Forest right across the road at 20 Memorial Avenue, where the rough path I took is shown below in pink.

The ponds here were just alright though,

Definitely nothing compared to the park next door.

From here, it was on to Providence,

Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church

Achievement First Providence Mayoral Academy

Merino Park

Riverside Park

Old St. Theresa's Church,
269 Manton Avenue

The King's Cathedral

Church of the Master

St. Mary's Catholic Church

West Broadway Middle School

Saint Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church

Dexter Training Ground

Providence Hmong Church

Cranston Street Armory

St. Charle's Catholic Church

Ebenezer Baptist Church

Wat Thormikaram of Rhode Island

Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island

Jacqueline Clements Park,
333 Dudley Street

Beacon Avenue Church of God

244 Weybosset Street

Robert E Freeman Memorial Park,
311 Westminster Street

Old Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church,
12 Spruce Street

Garibaldi Square, 99 Atwells Avenue

where I went on my last hike for the day at Neutacokanut Hill Park. The path I took here is shown below in pink.

The park itself was just alright,

and King Pond was nothing to look at.

Fearing that this hike was going to be another waste of time, I ventured to the first vista, which wasn't that great either.

Passing along the Pinnacle Boardwalk,

the disintegrating Cadillacs

and the King Monument,

I finally reached my first decent view at the Meadow area

although the view from the top of the old ski slope of downtown Providence was even better.

Definitely the best hike of the day after all.

While in town, I grabbed bites from various restaurants in town, getting from Mi Porcion Restaurant (Latin American)

a delicious container of soup,

a pretty good Beef Pastel

from Merengue Restaurant,

and finally a bland Egg Sandwich (toasted bread, egg white omelet with mushrooms, spinach, yogurt sauce and smoked paprika)

from Yoleni's, a Greek retaurant with a grocery section as well. Given the good reviews and the nice ambience,

I will probably be back here some day for their dinner fare.

With that, I called it a day for sightseeing in Rhode Island, heading to Framingham for dinner with my other half at Bawarchi Biryanis, an Indian restaurant which specializes in biryani.

Naturally, we got the Boneless Goat Biryani (Hyderabadi offering of meat/vegetables marinated in herbs and spices is layered with long grain basmati rice and steamed to perfection in a tightly sealed, heavy-bottomed dish. Served with Raitha (yogurt dip) and Mirchi ka Salan),

which was very big in portion for the price, tasty and went really well with the accompanying sauces as well. Definitely the best biryani I have had to date. No wonder they have another location in Chelmsford.

This place is also attached to a grocery store, Spices Hut Indian Groceries, which we decided to check out as well.

Smaller than Patel Brothers in Shrewsbury.