thePULSEBy Paul Giorgio
Bickford’s closes. The Bickford’s restaurant at Lincoln Plaza closed its door in late September. Aztec Mexican Restaurant is slated to take its place and should be opening shortly. This gives the Lincoln Plaza Shopping Center about half a dozen decent restaurants, including the Texas Roadhouse, The 5 and Diner, and Kyoto.
Gentleman from Verona. The up again, down again sign at the old Sophie’s has changed again. Verona, an Italian Restaurant, opened in the space on Route 70 on the Worcester/Shrewsbury line.
Thanksgiving for wine. KJBaaron’s will host a tasting of wines that go with Thanksgiving dinner. The free event will be held on Saturday, November 14th from 6-9pm at the store on Summer Street in Worcester.
Women in Wine. The seventh annual Women in Wine benefit for Abby’s House will take place on Thursday, November 19th at the Hogan Center at the College of the Holy Cross. Tickets are $50 per person or $75 for 2 people.
Rhino Flying. The Flying Rhino on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street has hired a new chef according to owner Paul barber. Barber has lured Mark Halley away from Via, also on Shrewsbury Street. Hawley formerly worked at the 111 Chop House before shifting over to its sister restaurant.
No thin mints. ”Fork it Over” is a culinary event based on tasting dishes made with Girl Scout Cookies. Chefs from local restaurants have been asked to create an appetizer or dessert made with one or more of the Girl Scout cookie flavors. The tasting will be held on November 12th from 5:30 to 8pm at the Publick House in Sturbridge. Tickets are $25 in advance. Proceeds benefit the Girl Scouts.
Pizza with that DRINK? Westboro’s Arturo’s Ristorante will be open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and they will also be serving their late night Pizza menu ‘til closing.
Two bars close. Our sources tell us that two clubs have recently closed their doors. Hooligan’s in Marlboro has closed as has Brickyard Billiards and Beyond in Baldwinville. We hear that the bank has taken over Brickyard Billiards and is looking for someone to reopen it.
David Vadnais gets new gig. David Vadnais, formerly the owner of David’s in Acton and the Cedar Street Grille in Sturbridge, recently took over as Executive Chef at the Worcester Club. David had taken a sabbatical from cooking for a few years but just couldn’t resist the kitchen any longer. Given his ability, watch for the Worcester Club’s food to improve.
Big Joe’s gets facelift. Big Joe’s deli and restaurant on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street recently underwent some improvements. They have painted the outside and fixed up the interior, all in anticipation of opening nights in the not to distant future.
More Smoke. BT Smokehouse, which has been serving out of a trailer on the Sturbridge/Brimfield line, recently bought the Sturbridge Creamery location on Route 20 in Sturbridge. BT’s, which is owned by Brian Treitman, has won numerous awards for its BBQ and sauces.
More Italian. It looks like the Canal district is getting a new pizza place. Pepe’s Trattoria is opening up at 274 Franklin Street, adjacent to the new fire station. It will be owned by John and Gregory Travaglio and will have a full liquor license.
More Canal news. It seems that the spot once occupied by Roma’s on Harding Street has a new owner. It looks like the owners of Westboro’s Ziti will be opening an eatery in December, after some minor renovations.
