thePULSEBy Paul Giorgio
Happy 35th. The Jenkins Inn & Restaurant in Barre recently celebrated 35 years in business. It is owned by David Ward and Joe Perrin. You should try out this hidden gem; it has great food and a great atmosphere. After all, you don’t stay in business for 35 years by not doing it right…and they sure do it right.
Taste of Marlboro. The Taste of Marlboro will be held on Tuesday, June 11th from 5:30 to 9:30 pm in Downtown Marlboro. There are over 30 restaurants and 30 breweries participating. Admission is just $25 if you buy a button before May 20th, $30 from May 20th to June 10th, and $35 the day of the event. For details, check out www.oldemarlboro.org.
New Italian eatery gets name. Volturno will be the name of the new upscale Italian pizza restaurant going into the space that once housed Edward Buick. The large Italian eatery will be directly across Shrewsbury Street from VIA, another mega restaurant. Volturno, for those who want to know, is the name of a town in Italy. The restaurant will be owned by Greg Califano, Jr. and is expected to open by the end of the summer.
Closings:
Overtime Tap closes. Overtime Tap is the third bar/restaurant that has occupied the space at the corner of Front and Commercial Streets in Worcester to close in the past few years. The first was Macfadden’s, which had about an 18 month run, the City Park Grille, which lasted 60 days, and now Overtime, which was open for about a year.
Another closing further north. We hear that Joseph’s Bistro in Westminster has closed its doors. And while we’re talking about North County, we hear that The Border Griile in Leominster has also closed its doors, shortly after Worcester-based Niche Hospitality opened a Mezcal in downtown Leominster. Guess there’s not enough room for two Mexican restaurants in Northern Worcester County.
Bangkok House closed. It looks like the Bangkok House at 1394 Main Street in Worcester ~ the site of the former Bamboo Hut ~ is closed and for sale. The restaurant could not have been open for more than 3 months.
Changes:
Elsa sold. Elsa’s Eatery, right across the Lake Quinsigamond Bridge in Shrewsbury, was recently sold. Elsa’s was owned by the Oliveri family, who owns a host of local eateries including Peppercorn’s in Worcester, Oli’s in West Boylston, and Prezzo in Milford. The new owner is Jeff Paquette of Northboro. Paquette will be keeping the current menu in the short run, but adding Saturday & Sunday Brunch. Long range plans include expanding the current bar area to enhance the dining experience and putting his own touches on the menu. Paquette has owned several Pizzerias, but this will be his first full service restaurant.
Speaking of the Oliveri’s. We hear that Wormtown Brewery, also owned by the Oliveri family and under the leadership of Tom Oliveri, Jr., may be expanding and moving into Worcester’s Union Station. We will keep you posted.
