thePULSEBy Paul Giorgio
Via opens for lunch. Via on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street recently began opening for lunch. The Italian-themed restaurant is owned by Rob & Madeleine Alhquist, who also own the 111 Chop House and the Sole Proprietor in the city.
Speaking of lunch. A. J. Tomaiolo’s on West Main Street in Northborough is also now open for lunch. This Italian family-owned eatery has been around a long time, first located in Shrewsbury before moving to Northborough.
G’Vanni closes. G’Vanni’s Ristorante Italiano, located on Pearl Street in Worcester, closed its doors the last week of January after about 6 weeks in operation. G”vanni’s chef, John De Christofaro, walked out in a dispute with the owner. The restaurant was located at the site of the former TiNoVo. G’Vanni’s was loosely affiliated with G’Vanni’s in Boston’s North End. The restaurant opened to rave reviews, but a disagreement among the owners led to its demise.
And Il Forno opens. Il Forno, the Fitchburg/Westboro mini chain of Italian restaurants owned by Mike Mohamed, will be opening a location in Worcester soon, downtown at the old Atrium complex. We hear this might be BYOB, which works in these economic times. Just ask Joe Petrou over at Roma’s.
Thai Island. A new Thai restaurant opened this past December in Holden. The eatery, located at 456 Main St.,. is in the center of town (if Holden has a town center). It is owned by Olga Kwasniewski and her husband John as well as by Perry Sinasone. They are all from Southern Worcester County. The restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.
St. Patrick’s Day (Month). Check out your favorite Irish haunt as St Patrick’s Day, which used to be a day long celebration but has turned into what seems to be St. Patrick’s Month, rolls around. Among our favorites? Fiddler’s Green at the Hibernian Cultural Center in Worcester. And you can always get corned beef and cabbage at O’Connor’s on West Boylston Street. Tweed’s on Grove Street in Worcester starts counting down the days ‘til St. Patrick’s day on March 18. You can also head out to Clinton for the Old Timers. Of course places that are usually just bars will also be serving corned beef and cabbage that day.
Jillian’s sold. Jillian’s on Park Ave. in Worcester has been sold. The new manager is Scott Neri, formerly of The Irish Times, who will be running the place for Revolution Entertainment. Revolution is owned by Daiel Nigro, a Whitinsville lawyer. According to our sources, they will continue current operation but will also be giving the place a facelift with a new stage and a new sound system. They will also be featuring live bands from New York & Boston. Watch for an early April opening.
And at the other end of Park Ave. Sources tell us that Nicki, the former manager of Al Fresco in Holden, is the new owner of Benders (formerly The Foo Bar), also on Park Ave. She will be putting in a full kitchen. Watch for a late March opening.
Wild Willy. Willy’s Pizza on Grafton Street in Worcester is for sale. It is owned by Fred Willis, who used to own Willy’s Steakhouse in Shrewsbury. However, there is no connection between the two restaurants. Willis spent a great deal of money updating the pizzeria before he decided to put it up for sale and close it down.
And in Leicester. When Eller’s Restaurant recently moved to a new location in Leicester, it left an opening. Well, Uncle Jay’s Twisted Fork recently opened at the Stafford Street spot. Owned by Johnson & Wales trained chef Jay Powell, the restaurant is strong on comfort food and cheap prices. It is open for breakfast & lunch 7 days a week and for dinner on the weekends.
Franny Turo. We mourn the passing of Worcester restaurateur Franny Turo, the owner of Leo’s Ristorante on Worcester’s Shrewsbury St. Franny had been a presence in both the Worcester Restaurant scene and the neighborhood he grew up in ~ Shrewsbury Street. Our condolences go out to his wife, his children and his brother.
