thePULSEBy Paul Giorgio
Wine Tasting. The Beechwood Hotel in Worcester is hosting a 5 course Gourmet Wine Dinner on Oct. 7th at 6:30pm After a champagne reception featuring passed hors d’oeuvres, diners will enjoy a multi course meal. Among the courses will be a cider glazed duck breast, roasted chestnut crusted tuna, and grilled Kobe short ribs ~ all topped off by a decadent chocolate cake filled with plum cheesecake filling. The wines will be supplied by KJ Baarons. The cost of the dinner is $95 per person. Contact Liz at the Beechwood for details: 508-453-1112
Rom’s closes. Rom’s restaurant, a Sturbridge landmark for over 50 years, recently closed its doors (there had been rumors for some time, as the family was negotiating with a developer to purchase the property). But have no fear. According to our sources, owner Romaldo Roscioli will soon be opening a new place ~ Romaldo’s ~ at the Hearthstone Inn on Rte 20 in Sturbridge. A late fall opening is planned.
More Sturbridge news. The Whistling Swan in Sturbridge has added a Tea Room to the upscale eatery. Tea Service will include scones, desserts and finger sandwiches. Isn’t that so veddy veddy English of them. I just love those little cucumber sandwiches without the crusts.
Holden goes Mexican. Carmen Scafani will be opening the Playa Del Carmen Mexican Family Restaurant at 700 Main St. in Holden in the space that recently housed Shamrock’s. Scarfini currently is the Assistant Manager of the Acapulco’s restaurant in Framingham. She has said that she will use the Acapulco’s business model as her plan. The 3,000 square foot restaurant will have a full liquor license and will open by Nov. 1st.
Benefits. Two food related benefits will be held in Oct. The first is a fundraiser for the Holy Trinity Nursing Center. “A Taste of Class” will take place on Thurs., Oct. 16, from 5-9pm at St. George’s Orthodox Cathedral and will feature food from a wide variety of Worcester area restaurants.
The 2nd event is the March of Dimes’ “Chefs for Healthy Babies,” which will be held on Mon., Oct. 20th, at Worcester’s Union Station. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased by contacting the March of Dimes. June and Brian Carroll will be honored at the event which is being chaired by a host of local chefs, among them Bill Brady of Sonoma, Michele Bohigian of Something Sweet, Steve Champagne of Block 5 and Richard Romaine of Romaine’s.
Happy 3rd Birthday. Block 5 Bistro on Green St. in Worcester recently celebrated its third birthday with a bash that featured a selection of their signature dishes and drinks. My favorite is the pomegranate martini, which goes down way too easily. But a least it’s healthy. Cente ano to the Niche Hospitality Group, owners of Block 5, Bocado and Mescal.
Retiring. Hermis Garcia, the owner of Rochdale Pizza on Pleasant St. in Leicester, is retiring after 20 years and is looking to sell the pizzeria known for its thin crust pizza.
Doherty’s sold. Doherty’s on Park Ave in Worcester was recently sold and is awaiting the license transfer. The new owners are Barbara and Christopher Walker. Doherty’s was owned by John Mahoney and Dan Doherty for a number of years. John Mahoney still owns Mahoney’s also on Park Ave.
