By Paul Giorgio

A new monument for Monument. The Monument Grill has been recognized as a 2008 Editors’ Choice in Yankee Magazine’s Travel Guide to New England. The Editors’ Choice designates Yankee’s favorite restaurants. “Yankee editors and our trusted legion of travel writers select our Editors’ Choice winners,” said Yankee editor Mel Allen. Yankee Magazine has been handing out the awards for 30 years. The Monument Grill is located in downtown Leominster.

Tatnuck gets new pizzeria. The Tatnuck Square section of Worcester gets a new pizzeria this month as Muncheez Pizzeria opens at 1102 Pleasant Street. The restaurant is owned by Brahms Young and Colonel Boothe. There is another Muncheez on Route 9 in Shrewsbury. Dominos better watch out.

PJ’s sold. It looks like PJ’s New England Bar and Grille on Route 12 in West Boylston has been sold. The new owners are Anthony and Jennifer Picarello. The Town of West Boylston is slated to have a hearing on the license transfer July 2. Jennifer Picarello will be the manager. P.J. McQuaid had owned the place for several years.

More Millbrook rumors. The newest rumor making the rounds is that the Millbrook Restaurant on Worcester’s Gold Star Boulevard was sold to Gallo Motors whose dealership borders their property. Other rumors have Barbers Crossing purchasing the place. We will keep you posted.

Above average. Not Your Average Joe’s recently opened its doors on Route 9 in Westborough. This is the 19th location for the Massachusetts-based company. The restaurant, which opened at the site that once housed Applebee’s at 291 Turnpike Road in Westborough, will be managed by Worcester native Seth Caplan. The restaurant serves creative casual comfort food, where everything is made from scratch. They are open seven days a week, serving lunch and dinner.

Beechwood to get steakhouse. Mike Covino of the Niche Hospitality Group owners of Block 5, Bocado & Mezcal in Worcester has signed on as a consultant to Worcester’s Beechwood Hotel. It will be opening a new restaurant in May 2009 and reliable sources tell us it will be a top of the line steakhouse.

Maxwell to Union Station. Word on the street has it that Maxwell Silverman’s Toolhouse will be taking over space in Union Station that once housed Union Station the Restaurant. Don’t know yet if this will be an additional restaurant for Gus Giordano or if he plans to move the successful Maxwell’s from its Lincoln Square location.

Round the clock. 24 Bar & Grille, a new restaurant and bar located on Parker Street in Gardner, recently opened its doors. 24 is open for business daily at 4 p.m.