What’s hot and what’s happening now in Central Massachusetts’ restaurant scene

Paul Giorgio

Dive into this. Mamma Roux, the French-inspired food truck will be rebranded this winter. It will be called The Silly Goose. Chef Jonathan Demoga will serve his French-inspired food from his food truck, parked outside the Dive Bar on the Canal District’s Green Street. The Silly Goose will be there Friday and Saturday nights until 1 a.m.

Citizen seeks new digs. Niche Hospitality’s Citizen Wine Bar, which is currently on Worcester’s Commercial Street, will close and seek a new location, according to Mike Covino, of Niche Hospitality Group. Sources say Niche will look outside of downtown Worcester, along the Grove Street corridor.

Speaking of Grove Street. It appears that several new restaurants will open in the Trolley Yard Plaza. This was formerly home to the Worcester Regional Transit Authority. Slated to open are a Chipotle, a Starbucks and a Hot Table – a panini restaurant.

Who blew out the lantern? The Red Lantern Chinese restaurant on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street closed its doors the second week of December. Food Works, another Chinese restaurant, is rumored to be opening in the space.

Shrewsbury Street musical chairs. So, we have a giant game of musical chairs on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street. Recently, both The British Beer Co. and Red Lantern have changed owners and concepts. As previously reported, BBC will become a Mexicali Mexican restaurant. It’s abutting neighbor, Red Lantern, will become a Food Works if rumors are to be believed. Just up the street, Meze, a Greek tapas restaurant, will be moving a few doors down and reopening in the home of the former Fix Burger Bar and Chameleon. This leaves the Meze space open for a new restaurant.

Park Ave. gets new Asian restaurant. Kisoro will soon open at 482 Park Ave. in Worcester. It will serve both Japanese and Chinese food. Look for a late January opening.

Rock star. The Rock Bar will open soon at 81 Water St. in Worcester’s Canal District. This was the former home of The Blackstone Tap. The Rock Bar will be owned by George Yantsides and his wife, Nicole. In case you haven’t guessed it, the theme is rock music. They will have a bar menu featuring sliders and other bar food. You may know George from the Kenmore Diner, which his dad and mom have owned for almost three decades.

Hoping for Redemption. Redemption Rock Brewery, at 333 Shrewsbury St. in Worcester, will open shortly, according to owner Dani Babineau. The brewery received its approvals from the city in December.

What’s its legacy? The Legacy on Worcester’s Mill Street announced it was closing recently. Howard Sobel, the owner, said he was tired of work and ready to retire. It’s a shame because this was a great eatery and leaves a void on Worcester’s West Side.