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Seafood Combo Basil Pad Thai from Basil n’ Spice

Seafood Combo Basil Pad Thai from Basil n' Spice

Seafood Combo Basil Pad Thai from Basil n' Spice

Going into this Foodies event blind, I really didn’t know what to expect. I hadn’t browsed the menu before arriving, but I trusted my fellow Foodie’s choice.

I was pleasantly surprised to find Basil n’ Spice is located behind Funky Murphy’s on Shrewsbury Street. A small front door led into a quaint dining area with a tucked-away, corner bar.

After reviewing the extensive menu of Thai staples, I decided to order a familiar dish so I could compare it to others I had tried. I went with the Seafood Combo Basil Pad Thai, which includes mussels, squid, shrimp, and scallops. The perfectly cooked noodles come with egg, scallion, bean sprouts and basil doused in a spicy sauce. I chose a red chili sauce to kick up the heat to my preferred spice level.

The calamari and shrimp were bright and fresh. The mussels were served in half of their shell. There was plenty of seafood to go with every bite, however, I could have used a few more scallops. I only found two on my plate.

At the end of the night, I realized I did not have anything to bring home. To my surprise, I ate my entire dish! I didn’t have low expectations, but I haven’t had much Thai food. Overall, the Seafood Combo Basil Pad Thai was comforting, hearty, and enjoyable.

The waiters managed a nice balance of attentiveness without being too overbearing. This is the exact type of service I love to have at a restaurant. It’s nice when waiters understand the need to check in periodically for refills and questions.

This casual spot is the perfect place to grab lunch, come for a date night, or bring a group of friends. If you’re looking for a delicious alternative to the norms that Shrewsbury Street provides, I would highly recommend Basil n’ Spice for a taste of Thailand in the heart of Worcester.

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Seafood Marinara from Boynton

Seafood Marinara from The Boynton on Highland Street in Worcester, MA

Seafood Marinara from The Boynton on Highland Street in Worcester, MA

The Boynton, located on Highland Street in Worcester, was a very nice surprise for me. I had been to the Boynton prior to this outing and have always had good service and good food but nothing that I recall was anything extra special. My visit this past week however was quite a nice surprise from what I had been expecting. The place was very busy with a wait to be seated—this on a Tuesday night around 6:30pm.

I had a “Tuna Sashimi” appetizer to start my evening. I shared it with my husband and it was delicious. Finely sliced tuna came on a bed of slaw with soy sauce dip, slices of ginger and wasabi mustard.

I also tried the deep fried Brussel sprouts as an appetizer. One of our other dining partners had ordered it and I sampled some. This was fantastic. I liked the little nibble I had so much that I ended up ordering a side order for myself to go with my meal. If you are a fan of Brussel sprouts, you must try these.

For my entrée, I ordered the “Seafood Marinara” which was delightful as well. The seafood came on a bed of wilted greens and over garlic toast. A good quantity of shrimp, calamari and mussels all tossed in a marinara sauce. I would return and order this meal again. Overall, my impression of the Boynton has been upgraded from “Good” to “Great.” Try this neighborhood gem, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.