By Paul Giorgio

Finding your way. Via, Rob and Madeleine Ahlquist’s new Italian restaurant, will open in March at 89 Shrewsbury Street in Worcester. This is the Ahlquist’s third endeavor, joining the Sole Proprietor and the 111 Chop House. The 7,500 square foot restaurant will seat 200 and have private function spaces for 35 and 15. The backside of the restaurant will feature patio dining, open 3 seasons of the year. Most entrees will be priced under $20. The inspiration for Via, which means “way” in Italian, came from the Alhquists’ many trips to Tuscany; the restaurant will feature many products that they will import directly from the Italian countryside.

New owner at the Mediterranean Café. The Mediterranean Café, located at 35 Blackstone River Road (the old Millbury St.) in Worcester, was recently purchased by Klodiana Haxha. The café will feature Greek and Italian specialties and is open Mondays from 6:30am until 1pm, Tuesdays through Saturdays from 6:30am -10pm, and on Sundays from 6:30am-1pm.

Speaking of the Blackstone Valley. The Blackstone Harvest Farm Stand and Deli will be opening shortly on Harding Street at the corner of Harrison in a spot that was once used as a bottle redemption center. Now that’s an improvement.

More Canal news. The Cellar, a wine bar & bistro operating in the same building as Castellana’s, opened in the middle of February. The Cellar features, in addition to food, loads of fine wine by the glass. It is being managed by Steven Sullivan, a longtime manager at Barbers Crossing.

And still more news in the Valley. It appears that Squire Whites will soon have a new owner. Joey Cancelmo, local bon vivant, travel agent and man about town, will soon take over. Cancelmo will rename the eatery Squires and will feature homemade Italian food like his Nona used to make.

Speaking of Italian. A new but yet unnamed Italian restaurant is set to open on High Street in Clinton in the center of town next to Ciccone Family Fitness. The massive undertaking will feature chefs and a baker recently arrived from Italy to work at the restaurant.

Eddy’s Closes. Eddy’s Pub on West Boylston Street in Worcester’s Greendale section temporarily closed the first week of February. This neighborhood institution was always packed with folks seeking a good deal. John Starfas, the original owner, is going to reopen the establishment shortly.

Beechwood Inn hires new chef. George Willette, the chef at the Belfry Inn in Sandwich, MA, was recently hired as the new chef at the Beechwood Inn in Worcester. He will be joined by Jonathan Powers as sous chef. Watch for menu changes in the future.