Find out what’s hot and what’s new in Central Massachusetts’ restaurant scene.

This is perfect. The Erlich brothers, owners of The Perfect Game on Worcester’s Water Street, will open a second spot just a few feet away. The Whiskey Bar will open in the space that once was home to Jose Murphy’s. No word yet on the concept, other than whiskey. There is a good-size kitchen area in the place.

More than perfect. There is a new restaurant opening up on Water Street. Lock 50, so named because of the Blackstone Canal, will open its doors in a few months. Tim Russo, formerly of Volturno’s and Worcester’s 2015 Best Chef winner, will man the range. This is a family business, with his brother running the front of the house. It will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

This is Friendly. Worcester’s Park Avenue is home to a new Vietnamese restaurant, The Pho Bowl. I am guessing by the name that the owners will serve the national dish of Viet Nam, Pho soup. The restaurant is located at the site of the former Friendly’s near Webster Square.

If pigs could fly. Figs & Pigs Kitchen is the name of the new mini eatery located in the DCU Center at the corner of Foster and Commercial streets. The 1,200-square-foot restaurant will be managed by Candace Murphy, who had orginally planned to open The Salted Pig on Franklin Street. We will have to find out what her fascination is with pigs, besides bacon, of course.

Too late for the gondola ride. The Gondola Restaurant in Leominster has closed its doors after 58 years in operation. The fourth generation of the Lelli family decided that it was time to move on. We wish them well. Fifty-eight years is a very long time in the restaurant business and is a testament to the quality of their food.

Habitat has found its Niche. Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester recently announced a partnership with Niche Hospitality Group for a series of events, including custom dinners at the Mezcal Test Kitchen, wine tastings, hosted wine pairing dinners and more, the proceeds of which will support Habitat’s critical home builds for low-income families. In addition, Fab Lab, Niche’s new company that outfits restaurants, will build custom furniture for Habitat houses. The first event will feature a “Tour of Niche” experience at Niche’s Mezcal Test Kitchen. Contact Mezcal for details.

Best Diners. Thrillist has picked the Miss Worcester Diner as the best in the state. The website picked 14 diners in Massachusetts as noteworthy for their food and charm. The Miss Woo made the list for its pancakes. Worcester’s Boulevard Diner on Shrewsbury Street also made the list, as did Dinky’s Blue Belle Diner in Shrewsbury and Charlie’s Diner in Spencer. We do love our diners in these parts.

Thanks. Don’t forget to make your Thanksgiving reservations early. Plenty of restaurants are open that day to serve all those who don’t want to cook or just can’t.

By Paul Giorgio