Paul Giorgio

Goodness Gracious Great Walls of Fire. It appears that the downtown restaurant, The Great Wall will be reopening by the Fall. According to reports the restaurant has undergone extensive rehab after a back wall began to collapse.

Other Downtown News. Ruth Chris Steak House has signed a lease for Mercantile Center. The upscale chain has 150 locations across the country.

And Even More Downtown News. Stix, a ramen noodle place on Worcester’s Franklin Street shut down at the end of August. The restaurant is run by Grid Hospitality. Not to worry they will be changing the concept and reopening a new restaurant soon. Also, if you are a ramen junkie, a new ramen place is opening just a few doors down the street. 

Get Your Fix. Worcester based Niche Hospitality has announced that it will open a second Fix Burger bar.  This one will be in Marlborough in the space formerly occupied by Allora on Route 20.

Vive la France. C’Mondz a French inspired restaurant opened in the beginning of August on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street. The restaurant will be owned by Chef Christ Mondzali and his wife Analyn. It will serve fusion cuisine, with an emphasis on French, Italian, Asian, American and even some Vegan options.

If You Knew Sushi. Baba Sushi on Worcester’s Park Ave reopened in the middle of August after a fire several months ago closed them down. Owner Wilson Wang welcomed his returning customers with a party that featured a traditional Lion Dance.

No More Stuffing the Ballot Box. Kelly Square’s Ballot Box owned by Guy Glodis shut its doors in the middle of August. The building has been sold. No word on what will replace the bar. Rumor has it that the Dewolfe brothers who own Valentino’s on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street are the buyers.

A Sign of the Times. After a century in business, Worcester’s iconic Coney Island Hot Dogs has decided to take credit cards. 

Booze as an Economic Development Tool. Hudson has created five new liquor licenses for the town in order to attract new business to its downtown. Hudson has experienced a restaurant renaissance in the past few years.

CHOPPED! ChoppedWorcester 2019 will be held at Maironis Park (52 Quinsigamond Ave., Shrewsbury)

Doors open at 6 p.m. there will be live music by Beilt and a silent auction to browse. Each chef creates two courses to wow the judges. Chefs Chris Bairos of Broth, Rick Araujo of Civic Kitchen and Drink, Chef Lauren Flores and the Boynton Grill & Spirits’ own Bill Bourbeau, recent winner of WBC, will have 30 short minutes to create dishes using mystery ingredients you might find in a food pantry. Judges are Chef Chris O’Harra, Ken O’Keefe from Publick House, Tony Bristol of 96.1 WSRS, and Barbara Houle from Worcester T&G will pick the winner of the “Golden Cleaver”. Tickets are $35 on Eventbrite, Facebook, or Instagram .  Proceeds benefit Jerimiah’s Inn.

Canal News. It looks like another restaurant will be locating on Worcester’s Water Street. This one in the building the formerly housed Widdoff’s Bakery. The new eatery, which has yet to be named will feature healthy meals. It will be owned by the people who own Boston’s upscale Stella’s.