This Is Framingham

On my way to work this morning I noticed that the broken windows at the game corner (at Davis and Grant st.)were finally boarded up.  As I posted before, I wonder who owned this place and why a bunch of arcade games are just sitting in there collecting dust.  I think it was in November I noticed someone smashed the glass in the window and door. ???? ??????? ?? ?????????   It was left like that all winter so I began to wonder if anyone even owned this part of the building anymore. ??????? ???? 2023    I just hope the owner doesn’t consider this a long-term fix and at least replaces the windows – if not clean the place up and open the arcade : ) I know it’s highly unlikely but I’d love for this place to be re-opened.

I forget when this bridge was closed but it’s been a while, like 10 years maybe or maybe it just seems like 10 years I’m trying to think when I last drove over this bridge if it was when I was at Framingham State or after I graduated- either way it’s been a long time.

I like this bridge and that Main St. is a nice way to get from Edgell Rd. the Ski Market plaza or just to get to Rt. 9.
They are working on it now, I’m assuming they will open it up to vehicle traffic when they’re done but even if they decide not to (stranger things have happened), it is nice to just walk on the bridge and look at the Sudbury River.   Sometimes I’ll walk to Trader Joes or Whole Foods and stop at the bridge and hang out for a few minutes.  There are so many trees and birds you can forget you are a stones throw from route 9. 

This construction extends to route 9, which I forgot even goes over the river, until the cones and medians went up last winter and the lanes have been altered/reduced in this area.

I don’t know how long this will take but I think it will be worth it.  I’m really looking forward to getting this bridge and street open again.

Ethan’s family came down from NH and took us to Samba (1138 Worcester Rd.) for a joint-birthday dinner.
I was kind of iffy about this place since I’ve heard mixed reviews but decided to try it anyway.
Inside looks much different than the outside, very modern.
When you walk in you can either go downstairs to the hibachi tables or up to the bar/lounge area.

We all got something from the hibachi menu (although you can order sushi to eat at those tables too) Ethan’s brother started off with a sashimi appetizer.  I tried some of it and it was great, had a great texture and was very fresh. does ivermectin kill adult fleas

Soon after that we were served our salads that come with the meal.

It’s is mainly iceberg with a dressing that most Japanese places serve that I can’t really tell what it’s made out of but I think it has ginger in it.  Our energetic chef arrived and after going around the table to make sure he had everyone’s orders right (clucking after he said “chicken”) he started the show. ivermectina serve para piolhos e lêndeas
He started off with a little fire across the cooking surface and then started making the fried rice flipping things in the air and cutting the egg and vegetables with rhythmic chops. 
 

 
As with most hibachi places the chef would explain ingredients like soy sauce as “Japanese Coca-Cola!”  He had a good mix of silliness and skill, he told Ethan’s sister she looked hungry so he scooped up one pea and put it on her plate.
The last thing he cooked was the bean sprouts and since it was a birthday dinner he cut a lemon and half and stuck a match in it.
One he was done he said “enjoy”, took a minute to clean up and rolled his cart away.
The food was really good, I got salmon and Ethan got steak.  They aren’t the best pictures and I took them before the bean sprouts were put on there but this is basically what you get. Both the salmon and the steak were cooked perfectly and the rest of Ethan’s family said their meals were wonderful.

Also, the chef cooks 3 shrimp per person and gives them as an appetizer. kaufen ivergot   We really enjoyed ourselves here and I was glad everyone had a good time because I wasn’t sure what to expect.

I don’t know why but the words “yes no stop go” always come into my head when I go through the rotary downtown.  It doesn’t make much sense but sometimes neither does the way people drive at this intersection.
It’s the law that drivers in the rotary have the right of way but so many times I will be in the rotary and someone will just sail though coming from Union or Concord St. and I’ll have to stop for them OR I will be waiting to enter the rotary (with smoothly flowing traffic, not gridlock) and someone already in it will stop and motion for me to go which stops traffic behind them.  While I appreciate the gesture (I really do), I hate to condone stopping the flow of the rotary traffic when it’s not necessary.
Then there is the driver who I call “the plug”, they get into the rotary just enough to block the flow of traffic even though they see two exits in is backed up.  People who would be exiting one opening to their right now get to watch them talking on their phone or just ignoring the fact they’re stopping people from getting out.  I know there are those who really didn’t know they were going to that but there are others who just want to secure their spot and pull up when they shouldn’t.

BUT, I kind of like how the rotary looks.  It’s lightly landscaped, compliments the greenery outside the Memorial building and in theory, I think it’s a nice alternative to traffic lights which, as seen at Concord and Lincoln, can be just as frustrating.

People may be interested to know that last week at town meeting repair for the steps in front of the Memorial building was approved.  I can’t remember exactly when I noticed the cones appearing but I think it’s been at least a year, maybe more.  They are one of those things I always meant to inquire about but ended up forgetting so when it was brought up at town meeting, it was great to find out what the deal was. entropay

People at my work who have gone through downtown have asked me “What’s up with all those cones on the stairs?” so it’ll be nice to have something so visible and a landmark downtown that isn’t crumbling and has caution cones all over the place.  Maybe I’ll even put on my converse all stars and run to the top! ??? ?????

It was Ethan’s birthday so we decided to go somewhere for a nice steak and figured we’d try Metro 9 (30 Worcester Rd.)
I had made reservations and we were seated within a minute or two after checking in at the host stand.
The inside is pretty nice, the lighting is kind of dim but not so much you can’t read the menu.  The bar area looked fun, there were lots of people there and it had a nice layout that wasn’t too crowded looking even though it was full.

The dining room is visually relaxing although the acoustics somehow make it very chatty and it was a little loud at some points but in general it’s a very pleasant dining room.
Our server was professional and friendly.  She explained the menu thoroughly and told us the specials of the night. Everything sounded delicious but we were set on steak so that’s what we got.
We got a couple of martinis, I got an espresso and Ethan pomegranate.

We started off with the chopped salad which was just the right size to split since we knew we were going to indulge at dinner.

For dinner we both got filets, Ethan got a lobster tail and we split some side dishes (which are all a la carte) like broccoli and their lobster macaroni and cheese.  I know this isn’t the best picture but after the first few, I was kind of eager to not take flash pictures of the table.

The broccoli was good, no surprises or disappointments there, although the lobster mac & cheese was oddly off somehow.  It could have been the combination of cheeses or maybe lobster with cheese isn’t so great, I don’t know but it was just ok. I got a side of sauteed spinach that was a little too peppery but that was made up for by the incredible steaks.  They were fantastic and definitely worth the $23.50, which almost doesn’t seem like that much for a such a steak.  Our server brought out different sea salts to try with the steak and it was interesting to try them out.
There was a black salt that was smokey flavored, a red Hawaiian salt and a French white salt that we were told was the most expensive salt in the world (?).  They all added something different to the steak but I did like the French salt the best.

We got a couple of glasses of wine and I have to say I’m just plain confused when the wine list has more than 5 or 6 brands of wine.  I recognized some but I really don’t know that many names so I randomly picked one of the 10 cabernets they offer by the glass.  I’m sure a wine connoisseur would enjoy their list and peeking at their wine room though.

I’d say Metro 9 is great for a nice dinner out (in Framingham).  It was relaxing, we didn’t feel rushed at all and the steak was excellent. I wonder if Ken’s minds this place being right down the street but they are both great in their own ways so I think route 9 has room for two steakhouses.

Oil changes are just one of those things I keep putting off.  I always think about my sister’s friend who put it off for over a year and then her engine finally seized.  I know I’d never let it get that far but that’s what motivates me to get it done.
I was up early Saturday and determined I’d just go and get it done so I decided to try the Clean Machine’s “Kwik Change” on route 9 (1181 Worcester Rd.).
They have parking spots just for people getting their oil changed so I parked there and went in to speak to the guy at the desk in the waiting area.  I thought he was particularly pleasant, only because I sometimes find garages/mechanics/oil change places to be a little gruff so when they’re nice it’s like a bonus.
I paid for my oil change and he gave me a token for a free car wash (which all oil changes come with) and I took a seat.

When my car was done they pulled it up front by the waiting area and beeped the horn.  The guy who pulled my car up told me to have a good day and when I got in my car I saw this piece of paper hanging from the rearview mirror:

Aw, now I’m part of the Clean Machine family!  Probably not important but for some reason I liked that everyone that worked there wore a “Clean Machine” shirt.  Nice sense of teamwork, second only to Oil Can Henry’s.  I happened to be on the west coast and needed an oil change one time and was impressed/baffled by the Edwardian get up these guys wear every day to change oil.  A must try if you ever need an oil change out west.

It was such a smooth transaction that when I got home I told Ethan about how easy it was and and he took his car down there too.  Although Kwik change is not the cheapest oil change you can get at $29.65 (especially compared to “ladies day” at Monroe), I really like that they’re pleasant, no one tries to talk you into getting something you don’t need done and you get a hershey kiss and a free car wash.  Nice to see a local business that appreciates their customers do well.