thePULSEBy Paul Giorgio
Ping’s to close. Ping Garden, a mainstay on the Worcester dining scene, has closed its Madison Street location for renovations. The restaurant shut its doors August 20th but is expected to reopen in the fall under new management. We will miss their great all-you-can-eat buffet and will keep you posted on thes reopening.
Binh Du’o’ng opens. Binh Du’o’ng, a new Vietnamese restaurant, has opened its doors on Stafford Street in Worcester opposite the Webster Square Shopping Plaza.
Texas Roadhouse BBQ recently opened its doors in the Lincoln Plaza Shopping Center in Worcester. Look for the large Texas flag flying above the building. This is the sixth eating establishment to open up in the revamped plaza over the past year; it joins Kyoto Japanese Restaurant, Ruby Tuesdays, the 5 and Diner, Bickfords and Papa Gino’s.
Destare Café in Fitchburg. Destare Café, has opened its doors on Main Street in Fitchburg. According to our Northern Worcester County source, the place is very stylish and offers great martinis, desserts, coffees, light meals (including Panini sandwiches) and cabaret entertainment.
Speaking of Fitchburg. The Tamarind Bistro, serving Asian & Thai cuisine, also recently opened in Fitchburg. Tamarind, by the way is a southeast Asian spice, also found frequently in Indian cooking, and is a prime ingredient in Worcestershire sauce.
A new sun. Chef Sun, a Chinese and Thai restaurant, recently opened in the Julio’s Plaza in Westboro. The eatery is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.
Albrizio’s makeover. It appears that a new restaurant will be going into the space that was occupied for about 20 years by Albrizio’s Deli on Main Street in Worcester. Word has it that they have been under construction for about six weeks now and expect to open in the early fall.
Cooking at the Zia. Paula McCarthy and Diane Bercovitz have teamed up once again to offer cooking classes at Zia Grill, 354 Shrewsbury Street in Worcester The classes will begin in September and run through March. The classes, priced at $50 per session, book up fast. We are told that the first class will focus on “Italian specialties made easy,” and the best part is that ~ besides learning new things ~ you get to eat what you cook.
