thePULSEWorcester is a test market for new Starbucks drive-thru
September 2003 – New Starbucks to open: Just a few short months after opening its first Worcester store on West Boylston Street, Starbucks is about to launch its second store in the city on Grafton Street. Now East Siders can buy their cup of Joe on the way to the Mass Turnpike entrance on Grafton Street. Jim Charcharone, of C& S Construction who owns the building on West Boylston Street that is home to Starbucks, will also own this site as well. But the real news is that this new Starbucks will be the first drive-thru in the New England area. Starbucks has traditionally owned stores that have no drive-thru and they are test marketing this new concept for them in Worcester.
Anthony’s turns 5: Anthony’s Restaurant on Shrewsbury Street recently observed its fifth anniversary. Owned by Anthony DeSantis, the restaurant consistently wins rave reviews and serves some of the finest Italian food outside of Boston’s celebrated North End. Under the leadership of Chef John Piccolo, 2003 winner of Worcester Magazine’s “Best Chef” Award, the menu has been constantly updated with new products from Italy and the freshest local ingrediants available. Anthony’s also offers one of the finest Italian wine lists in the area, featuring Barolo’s, Barbaresco’s, and Brunello wines which are often not available to the average consumer.
St. Clair Grille opens in Charlton: The St. Clair Grill owned by Pat St. Clair a former salesman for Sysco Food Products recently opened at 132 Sturbridge Road in Charlton. The building housed the former Armadillo Depot, which closed several months ago. The menu is described by the owner as upscale pub, with entrée prices ranging from $9 to $19. Working the range in the kitchen is Joe St. Clair the owner’s son and Glen Gonyea, who both worked at The Struck Café, Harrington Farm and the Beechwood. The restaurant is open seven days a week from 11: 30 A.M. until 10 P.M. The telephone number is 508-248-4011.
Speaking of Glen Gonyea: He has opened a new business venture — “The Conceptual Chef”. Gonyea is offering his years of experience to area restaurants as a temporary consultant, for those opening new restaurants or whose kitchens may be in trouble. Gonyea is also available to work in private homes as a personal chef or for dinner parties.
This in from the Cape: It seems that the LaScala Restaurant on Shrewsbury Street has branched out a bit. Owners Tom & Bobby Simone have opened a second LaScala Restaurant in Dennisport on Cape Cod. The Italian eatery is getting rave reviews from Worcesterites who are vacationing at the Cape. Just another example of how you can’t escape Worcester!
Vinny T’s…not Vinny Testa’s: If you‘ve driven over the Route 9, Lake Quinsigamond Bridge lately, you might have noticed that Vinny Testa’s has a new identity. In its place is Vinny T’s of Boston. Not to worry, it’s not a new restaurant but only has a shortened name and amazingly, since the offerings were already huge, the menu has been expanded. The Boston- based chain, which was founded in the early 1990’s, was purchased last year by Minnesota-based Buca Inc, which owns restaurants in 28 states. The corporation has plans to expand the Vinny T’s franchise to other New England States
Happy Birthday, Piccadilly! A birthday to celebrate. Bill Martin, owner of the Piccadilly Pub restaurant chain, recently celebrated his thirtieth year in business. The Piccadilly Pubs were born in downtown Westboro in 1973, in a small basement location right off the traffic rotary. The “Pic” is famous for its great pub style food and happening bar scene, were people feel comfortable going for an after work libation. Martin celebrated this auspicious moment by recently opening a restaurant at his thirteenth location! By the way, the original store has been replaced by a much larger restaurant, located right off Route 9 on Westboro’s Computer Drive.
Out of Africa: Bora Bora International, a new African restaurant, recently opened at 256 Grafton Street in Worcester. Owned by Ben and Wangari Mbugua, husband and wife who are originally from Kenya, Bora Bora uses chicken and beef in many of its dishes. The difference comes in wonderful spices used to create unusual dishes. The Mbugua’s have been in Worcester for about four years and previously worked in a restaurant in Nairobi, Kenya. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. for lunch and dinner.
The Copper Fox comes to town: A new restaurant opened recently above My Martini Bar in downtown Worcester’s Atrium complex. The Copper Fox is located in the space previously occupied by both Legal Seafood and later by Nantucket Seafood on Commercial Street across from the Centrum. The venture is the brainchild of Berlin resident Dan Wiedeman and features affordable lunches, with 25 sandwiches in the $4-$6 range. At night, the dinner menu, with entrees in the $10-$15 range, features pastas, steaks, seafood and chicken dishes. Wiedeman has 15 years in the food service industry all in upstate New York. Jack Watson former chef at the Irish Times and the former Marriott, mans the range. According to Wiedeman, The Copper Fox features entertainment on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Sweet news: Henri’s Confectionery Bakery & Café opened last week at 372 Chandler Street in Worcester. This new high quality bakery is owned by Kim Lofgren, former pastry Chef at her family’s business, the famed Whistling Swan Restaurant in Sturbridge. The bakery will offer the same excellent desserts that the Lofgren family was famous for at the Swan. You can purchase whole cakes in the $20-$30 range, or get a treat by the slice. Lofgren says of the bakery, “We also offer a whole line of baked goods including breads, muffins and pastries.” In addition, Henri’s has a luncheon menu which features grilled Panini sandwiches. Lofgren is partners with Robert Siegel in the venture. The bakery is open six days a week from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, until 7 p.m. on Thursday & Friday and from 8 a.m until 3 p.m. on Saturday. By the way, Lofgren’s White Chocolate Mousse is to die for.
