What’s Hot & Now on the local restaurant scene.

Loved those lemon squares. Those who have a sweet tooth in Central Massachusetts will have to find a new place for baked goods, as Mrs. Mack’s Bakery in Worcester shut down after 89 years in business. The bakery and lunch spot on Grafton Street opened in 1929 and only sold pies. Now, three generations after Gertrude McAvey started selling the pies, the McAvey family says it’s time to close up shop. The bakery closed permanently on July 1.

Sole gets a redo. Worcester seafood restaurant The Sole Proprietor will add a new kitchen as part of an overall remodel of the Highland Street eatery. The 38-yearold restaurant has been due for a makeover, according to Robb Ahlquist, the owner. The construction is expected to take six months and be completed before the winter holidays. The dining room will not be affected by the work, and The Sole will remain open.

There may be joy in mudville. Joy’s Kitchen is set to replace Dianna’s Neighborhood Bistro, located at 120 June St. on Worcester’s west side. Don’t Poke me. Poke, a sushi in a bowl concept restaurant, has opened in Shrewsbury Commons near Whole Foods. It is owned by Shrewsbury resident Michael Tomaiolo. It will feature fresh-caught, sustainable fish and claims to be socially responsible.

Northborough gets new restaurants. Our suburban spies tell us that in Northborough, Casta Diva Restaurant Bar & Lounge will serve dinner, while Café Norma, located in the same space, will serve both breakfast and lunch. The restaurants are located in the space that once housed Giuseppe’s and are owed by the same people who own Worcester’s Cafe Espresso on Chandler Street.

Noodle, noodle everywhere. Rumor has it that a new ramen noodle eatery will soon open at 38 Franklin St. in Worcester, only yards from Stixx, another ramen place.

Climbing the hill. Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston has a new restaurant, The Farmer & The Fork, which is operated by John & Susan Lawrence of Peppers Catering.

Changing icons. Two Worcester restaurant landmarks are undergoing changes. A changing neighborhood has led Worcester’s last Jewish delicatessen to seek a new owner – only the third in 98 years in business. Weintraub’s Jewish Delicatessen has been located on Water Street in the city’s Canal District since 1920. Current owner Dariush “David” Mizrahi bought the business from the Weintraub family in 1989. Nancy Chang’s Chinese Restaurant, located on Worcester’s Chandler Street, was recently sold by owner Ignatius Chang. The new owners take over at the beginning of September. No changes are planned at Chang’s.

Moe of the north. A new Moe’s recently opened in Leominster at 865 Merriam Ave. in the middle of July. The new owner is Wally Vurich

Paul Giorgio