By Paul Giorgio

New Player at Playa. Holden’s Playa del Carmen ~ which has had its ups and downs ~ is under new ownership. The new owners are doing extensive renovations before re-opening this Holden eatery.

Joey’s reopens. Joey’s Bar & Grill opened the last week in Novemeber in their new location on Chandler Street in Worcester. We hear they have been packed since day one. Joey’s, owned by Erika & Joe Rovezzi, was formerly located on Mill Street in Worcester. Judging by the crowds, this may have been a great move.

Biaggio’s sold? Word on Park Avenue is that Biaggio’s has been sold. Tim Friend , the long-time owner, has been trying to sell the place for quite a while. We are glad it sold, because on a recent visit the restaurant was out of virtually everything at the bar. There is no word on who the new owners are or what they have planned for the place.

Beechwood Brunch. The Beechwood Hotel on Worcester’s Plantation Street will once again be offering its Santa’s Brunch on December 4, 11, and 18th. The Brunch, which runs from 10:30am to 2pm, is $27 for adults and $11.50 for kids age 6- 11; kids under 6 eat free. Santa will be giving out gifts and the Brunch will once again feature the Shrewsbury HS Choir, singing seasonal favorites.

Sushi Rocks fall. It looks like new restaurant Sushi Rocks ~ slated to open at 55 Pearl Street in Worcester ~ is not going to happen. Our sources tell us that the deal has fallen though. No explanation as to why…

7 Nana opening. Seems as though 7 Nana, the much anticipated Japanese restaurant on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street, won’t be opening until the first of the year due to construction delays.

Shangri La-opening. Shangri-La, a new Asian restaurant, will be opening in the middle of December in the space that was once occupied by Ping’s Garden in the Seven Hills Plaza on Worcester’s Madison Street. The opening of Shangri-La will give theatre-goers at Hanover Theatre another option for pre- and post- theatre meals.

Silver Ladle Award. Feng Asia Bistro in Millbury and Pepper’s Fine Foods of Northboro recently tied for best food at the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Business Expo. This was the first tie in the competition’s history and the first win by Feng, located at the Shoppes at Blackstone Valley in Millbury. Kudos go to Enrique Gutierrez and his staff.

Say cheese. Pecorino Country Cheese Shop recently celebrated its one year anniversary. Located in North Grafton and owned by Simone Linsin, the shop not only offers a wide variety of cheeses but also has numerous gourmet food selections. Check out the selection at 135 Westboro Road.

There’s Gold in these hills. Worcester’s Wormtown Brewery won a Gold Medal at the Great International Beer & Cider festival held in November in Providence, RI. The Brewery’s Hills Pale Ale was the first place finisher in the Golden Ale category. Almost 325 beers from around the country and the world competed. Wormtown also picked up two Silver medals for their Porter Oktoberfest and Birthday Brew. Congratulations to Tom Oliveri and owner and Brewmaster Ben Roesch. Wormtown is located next to Peppercorns, the Oliveris’ restaurant on Park Ave. in Worcester.