thePULSEBy Paul Giorgio
Mark your calendars Foxwoods Food and Wine Festival will be held on the weekend of September 26, 27 and 28. The event kicks off with a Welcome Cocktail Party and Gala Dinner on Friday night. Saturday begins with the Grand Tasting at 1 p.m., followed by wine seminars, cooking demonstrations and chef dinners. Sunday features a Jazz Brunch, then wine tasting and seminars. Among the chefs participating are Jacques Pépin, Guy Fieri, Top Chef’s Tom Colicchio and Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Conducting the wine seminars will be Joe Bastianich, Anthony Giglio and Vintner Janet Trefethen. It wouldn’t be a casino without a little poker. Catch the third annual Celebrity Chef Poker Tournament on Sunday. Proceeds go to charity. Platinum Sponsors include 10 Cane Rum, Anheuser-Busch and Moët & Chandon Champagne. For more details, log on to www.foxwoodsfoodandwine.com/events/.
TJ’s opens in Auburn TJ’s Seafood Bar & Grille recently opened at 452 Southbridge Street in Auburn. This space was formerly occupied by Bickford’s, right near the Auburn Mall. TJ’s is owned by Auburn resident Thomas J. Revane, who cut his teeth at Chuck’s Steak House. The restaurant has 200 seats including a large bar area and a private function room.
Rovezzi’s closes Worcester restaurant Rovezzi’s Ristorante, which once had three locations, is now down to one ~ its original Sturbridge home. This is a big loss for Worcester since Chris Rovezzi, chef and owner, was one of the most creative Italian chefs in the area. This is also the third restaurant in the Grove Street space.
“TV Diner” travels Shrewsbury Street “TV Diner,” hosted by Billy Costa, recently reviewed two Shrewsbury Street restaurants ~ Mezcal Tequila Cantina and Zipango Sushi Bar and Grille. Thankfully, for the owners and local foodies, both places received a gold plate. Mezcal, which specializes in upscale Mexican food, is owned by the Niche Hospitality Group. Zipango is owned by Frank Carrier.
Sonoma launches wine series Princeton’s Sonoma Restaurant, operated by chef/owner Bill Brady, has once again kicked off its Tuesday Night Wine Dinner Series. The event runs through September 30. You get a four course meal matched with some of the world’s best wines. The price is $40 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 978-464-5775.
City Lights for sale? It seems like JJ’s City Lights Pub on Grafton Street in Worcester is looking to be sold ~ that is if you believe the very large sign hanging on the building from George & Company, which specializes in restaurant sales.
New Indian market to open Patel Brothers of New York, an Indian grocery chain, is planning to open an 8,200 square foot store at 545 Boston Turnpike (Route 9) in Shrewsbury. The store, which will specialize in both Indian and Asian products, has an expected opening date of December 1.
Dr. Gonzo to open store Dr. Gonzo’s Uncommon Condiments will be opening a store on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street very shortly. We hear that he will be opening in the space that housed Bottom’s Up ~ across the street from The Flying Rhino. For those who don’t know, Dr. Gonzo makes hot pepper condiments. The Worcester based Dr. Gonzo (J. Stuart Esty) has been making the fiery products for a few years now and they’re featured in several local restaurants. If you can handle it, try the Habeneromash. Dr. Gonzo features a line of all natural condiments with a kick. They won the Golden Chile Award at the 2007 Fiery Foods Show in Fort Worth, Texas.
