Thursday, February 28, 2013

February 28th 2013: Two Dinners in Waltham

Today after work, I had a meetup dinner at La Campania, an upscale restaurant in Waltham. I arrived a little early, so I decided to use the time to try out another restaurant in the area while waiting for the time to arrive, heading to a nearby Chinese takeout place, Asia Wok Restaurant, for a quick bite as I was really hungry.

I decided to get the Cheese Egg Roll and the Yaka Mein Soup, which were okay at best, with the soup not having much flavor.
Yaka Mein Soup
Cheese Egg Roll










After my quick and cheap meal, I headed back to La Campania a little late, and everybody was already seated at the table in this nice looking restaurant that did not look like much from the outside when I arrived.

I hurriedly looked at the menu, and finally decided to go with a small portion of the Beef Short Rib Ravioli (Veal Demi-Glaze, Shaved Pecorino) and the Pan Seared Foie Gras (Fresh Fig, Duck Leg Confit, Port Wine and Orange Reduction, Gorgonzola Crema) appetizer, while my friend got the Roasted Oysters (Wood Oven Roasted with Parmigiana crema and Speck) among other dishes.
Pan Seared Foie Gras
Roasted Oysters












Beef Short Rib Ravioli

In my honest opinion, although everything tasted excellent, the service was really slow, and we waited over 2 hours for our food to come. The portions were really small as well, so I was forced to get an appetizer and try my friends' food as well, like the Gnocchi which were full of mushrooms and tasted great as well. I even tried the bone marrow from the Veal Osso Bucco special as well.

My appetizer was the White Chocolate Creme Brulee, which was excellent and filling as well, although the caramelized layer was a little bitter.

Overall, the food was excellent, though in small portions, and the service was terribly slow, but hopefully it was only tonight.






Sunday, February 24, 2013

February 24th 2013: Driving Around in the Snow

I got out late today because of the snow, but I felt I had little choice as I had meetup events to attend in the Boston area today, so I proceeded anyway, on my flat tire which I got yesterday.

Once again, no issues driving as I headed to Somerville for a brunch event at The Burren. There was a live band here, as well as a Learning InSync Bid n' Brunch auction featuring trinkets, paintings and other works of art from the African region.

After meeting my friends, we sat down right in front of the live band, which was actually pretty good.
After looking at the menu, I decided to get the Irish Breakfast out of lack of anything else that looked interesting, which looked pretty similar to the one I got at Mickey Cassidy's in Medway over a year ago, while my friends got the Eggs Benedict, which came with a bowl of fruit as well. I would say that the Irish Breakfast was actually pretty good, if not better than that in Medway.
Eggs Benedict
Irish Breakfast










After brunch, finding nothing worth buying from the auction, I decided to bid my friends farewell and visit a few places in Somerville in the falling snow before heading to Medford.
Brazilian Presbyterian Church,
212 School Street
St. Benedict's Church











In Medford, I passed by a few places before heading into the city of Malden to start my sightseeing there.
Assembleia de Deus, 15 Marion Street
Medford Fire Station 3, 280 Salem Street










First Community United Methodist Church
Malden has several nice buildings, and a beautiful WWII memorial park at Bell Rock Park.
Immaculate Conception Parish
Congregation Beth Israel










Beebe School
First Parish Unitarian Universalist










7 Elm Street
St. Paul's Episcopal Church











First Baptist Church
Club 24

Davenport Memorial Home

48 Washington Street















Malden Public Library
Malden City Seal, 77 Salem Street


Philadelphia Seventh Day Adventist Church
Spanish American War Memorial,
Pleasant Street and Highland Avenue


Malden Fire Department
Sacred Hearts Church
Bell Rock Memorial Park



First Congregational Church
Forestdale Community Church
Temple Tifereth Israel
First Church of the Nazarene,
529 Eastern Avenue
Old Charles Daniels School
City Hall Plaza, 200 Pleasant Street
Imani Temple Ministries,
264 Salem Street
Congregation Agudas Achim-Ezrath Israel
Good Shepherd United Methodist Church
Old Maplewood Fire Station,
4 Laurel Street
First Lutheran Church
St. Joseph's Church
Old Wilcox Hall,
80 Mountain Avenue
Maplewood Baptist Church
At this point, I was pretty much done with Malden, and decided it was time to head toward Boston, where I had plans to use my Groupon at Sibling Rivalry, an upscale restaurant with 2 chefs and competing dishes. While heading there, I passed through the town of Everett.
Shute Memorial Library
Old St. Therese Church,
801 Broadway
First United Parish
Immaculate Conception Church
Glendale Christian Lighthouse Church,
701 Broadway


























Town Clock,
Broadway and Norwood Street
Time Dial,
School Street and Broadway
Heading into Boston, I was lucky to find a non-valet parking spot near the restaurant.

This place is definitely pretty upscale, as you can see from the pictures.








I was spoilt for choice when looking at the menu, but finally decided to go with the Roasted Pear and Endive Salad (radiccio, Bacon, Great Hill Blue Cheese) and the Roasted Rack of Baby Pork (White Beans, Wild Mushroom Strudels, honey mustard glaze).
Roasted Pear and Endive Salad

Roasted Rack of Baby Pork













I have to say the portions were pretty small, though in really good presentation, but still pretty good, especially the pork, which I rarely order as it is usually overcooked and dry, but this was done just right, and I enjoyed my meal thoroughly.

I could not resist trying out a dessert as well after my enjoyable experience, getting the Orange Pistachio Wine Cake (pistachio mousse and kahlua anglaise).

The clementines were a little sour, but overall the dessert was pretty delicious as well.

My dinner was definitely a great ending to a good day of sightseeing, though a little marred by the constant snow.