Paul Giorgio

ON BROADWAY.
A Boston-based hospitality group has announced it will open a 500-seat restaurant at the Mercantile Center in downtown Worcester. Broadway Hospitality Group, or BHG, plans to open a “significant” retail space in the first quarter of 2021, officials said Friday. The group plans to create a 500-seat restaurant with combined indoor and outdoor space in about 13,000 square feet. “I live in Boston and everybody in Boston is talking about Worcester. It’s the new exciting city,” Joey Arcari, the President of Restaurants and Development for BHG, said during an announcement at Worcester City Hall.

OXFORD GETS NEW EATERY.
The OX bar & Grille recently opened in Oxford at 111 Sutton Ave. The casual dining restaurant features a craft beer selection and upscale pub grub. According to their website, they are open Monday to Thursday for lunch and Friday, Saturday & Sunday for lunch and dinner. SIMJANG TO MOVE. The owners of Worcester’s Simjang restaurant are finding a new home for the American-Korean concept and converting its current Shrewsbury Street space into a Mexican restaurant. Luci’s Taco Shop and Margarita Bar will open at 72 Shrewsbury St. after the New Year. Co-owner Jared Forman, who also owns Worcester’s deadhorse hill, said the undisclosed new location will be a better fit for Simjang and will allow the team to take advantage of its current space in a new way.

NOW WE’RE COOKING.
Peppers Artful Events in Northboro has planned a series of cooking classes in January and February that offer a unique culinary experience for all skill levels. The classes will take place at Peppers, 43 Hudson St., Northboro. The Winter Warmer Cooking Series kicks off Jan. 9 and 16, according to Sarah Barrett, Marketing Manager at Peppers.

BRADY’S OPENS IN LEOMINSTER.
The long-awaited opening of Brady’s the latest venture by former Sonoma owner Bill Brady happened in the middle of December. The Leominster eatery offers a first- rate staff, with Brady and consultant Christina Ernst the former owner of Clinton’s Via Alto helping out. Brady has been known for his hi qualitied food.

AT A CROSSROAD.
Worcester’s 3 Cross Brewery reopens its tap room the first week of January. They will offer 10 to 12 beers and featured food from pop-up Wooden Noodles all served in their refreshed tap room on Cambridge Street.

NEW IN THE WOO.
Two new eateries are opening in the city. Kelly Square gets Golden Pockets, a restaurant and bar, while The Downtown area sees the sale of Talyta’s across from City Hall to Hector Umana, and the place will appropriately be called Umana Restaurant. They will serve Mexican food and have a beer and wine license.

GETTING A YEAR’S HEAD START.
David Wade and Joe Perrin owners of the Jenkins Inn in Barre announced in the middle of December that they were closing their restaurant at the end of 2020. Now, that’s planning! The B&B will stay open