Shakers still open. Shaker’s on Hamilton Street in Worcester is still open. We erroneously reported that it had shut down after two people reported it was closed. Shaker’s has always served a great breakfast, so please go there. We are sorry for the error.

Traditional Italian. La Cucina Italiana opened its doors at 294 Hamilton St. the first week of June. The owners are Anthony and Carolyn Panarelli . The Panarelli family has been involved in a number of eateries in the Worcester area over the years. The family owned The Italian Kitchen on Shrewsbury Street and Carmela’s in East Brookfield, and a cousin owns the Lakeside in Shrewsbury. Now that is true roots.

Hoot hoot hooray. It appears that Hooters, the chain restaurant, will open soon in Shrewsbury. The local dining spot will be located on Route 9 in the old Fairlawn Plaza in the spot that was once home to Chili’s. Seems kind of suburban for a place that may be more at home in a city setting. Watch for an opening this fall.

Changes at The Urban. Some changes are happening at Shrewsbury Street’s Urban Kitchen. The restaurant has a new sign , which was installed in the middle of June. There is also a new summer menu, and we hear the oyster bar is worth the trip.

Ritual change. Ritual on Main Street in Worcester has a new chef at the range. Mathew Rock, has changed up Ritual’s menu and added a few new items. Rick  formerly chefed at Zorba’s on Worcester’s Stafford Street.

Basil N Spice opens. Basil N Spice, a Thai restaurant, opened in mid-June on Shrewsbury Street. The restaurant is tucked away behind Funky Murphy’s. For almost a decade, the spot housed Surya, an Indian restaurant. The place has been completely done over and has a warm inviting feel to it.

Bully for them. In more Shrewsbury Street news, we could not miss the outside tables and blue umbrella’s at Worcester’s Boulevard Diner. Great idea, and our chapeaus go off to Jimmy George and staff.

What’s Brewin’?Brew City, also on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street, rolled out its new summer menu the first week of June. The restaurant is using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Among the new offerings are a Grilled Chicken & Avocado sandwich, a Strawberry Salad and a Salmon with Cucumber Dill Sauce. The full menu can be seen at  brew-city.com.

Music & Food. The annual Walk & Rock on Shrewsbury Street will take place Thursdays, July 16, 23 and 30. Free live music will be featured at select Shrewsbury Street restaurants. Check with shrewsburystreetwalkandrock.com.

Living in a castle. The Castle Restaurant on Route 9 in Leicester has announced its summer jazz series. There will be live jazz on the patio on Sundays in July and August. The music is from 3-7 p.m. Call (508) 892-9090 for detail.

Take the Back Roads for fun. Back Roads Inns of Central Massachusetts will hold a wine tasting on Sunday, July 12. For $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event, you can taste local wines at the Jenkins Inn in Barre and the Chamber Hill Inn & Restaurant and Winterwood, both in Petersham. You can call the individual inns for details.

By Paul Giorgio