thePULSEBy Paul Giorgio
A great taste. Taste of Shrewsbury St will be happening again this year. The annual event will take place on Tuesday, June 23rd, from 5 – 9 pm. There will be over 30 restaurants along Worcester’s Dining Row serving small portions of featured menu items. Buttons for the event are priced at $25 in advance and $30 the day of the event. If you’ve never attended this event, you’ve really been missing out. Where else can you try the food from so many restaurants! You won’t be disappointed. Among the sponsors this year are Bay State Savings Bank, Flagship Bank, The DCU Credit Union, and Consolidated Beverages, who distribute Budweiser & Rolling Rock Beer. Co-Chairs of the event are Paula McCarthy of Zia Grille and Paul Barber of Flying Rhino. Michael Carrigan of Café Dolce is President of the Shrewsbury Street Merchants Association. The money raised goes to local charities and to keeping Shrewsbury Street beautiful.
El Basha’s menu gets a makeover. The Park Ave., Worcester location of El Basha ~ owned and managed by George Sakhat ~ premiered a new menu last month. Don’t fret, the old standbys are still there, but there are also some updated choices. In addition to their homemade Middle Eastern food, El Basha now offers a selection of steaks and chops. They list a 20 oz rib eye for $22, a rack of lamb for $24, and a 16oz veal chop for $20. Now that’s value.
Luciano’s. That’s the name of the new restaurant going into Worcester’s Union Station. We hear from our sources is that the place is fabulous and filled with white marble. Luciano’s is owned by Gus Giordano, who also owns the popular Maxwell Silverman’s Toolhouse at the other end of Major Taylor Bvld (formerly Worcester Center Blvd).
Romey’s Gourmet expands. Romey’s Gourmet, located in No.Grafton on Rte122 in the Koopman Lumber Plaza, recently expanded. The one time take-out deli is now serving dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The restaurant is owned by Charlie Vasquez and his wife Jodi and it’s named after their son Romeo. Vasquez is the former executive chef at the DCU Center. He will be serving French, Italian and American Fusion Cuisine. And BTW, it is strictly BYOB.
Hong Kong BBQ opens. The Hong Kong BBQ Chinese restaurant recently opened at 872 Main Street in Worcester. It has all the usual Chinese food and you can choose eat-in or delivery. They are open 7 days a week ~ from 11:30am – 9:30 pm M-Thurs and Sunday, and until 11 pm on Friday and Saturday.
Blue Bell Diner gets new life. Bruce Trotta, owner of Dinky’s Restaurant on Route 70 at the Boylston/Shrewsbury line, has purchased the 1948-era diner and moved it to his restaurant. The Blue Bell has had 2 locations in Worcester ~ one was on Chandler Street from 1963 to 1972 and the second on Prescott Street until 1998. Trotta plans to use the diner to expand his seating in his “dinky” restaurant, which has only 35 seats. Dinky’s is currently open for breakfast and lunch, but that will change, according to Trotta. It is a great place for Sunday breakfast.
Tom’s Gourmet Deli sold. Tom’s Gourmet Deli in Northboro Center was recently sold. The deli is a two-level combination of market, cooking school and restaurant right in the center of town. The new owner is Joseph Seeley, who bought it from founder and now former owner Tom Ormondroyd. Seely took over the beginning of May
Citizen opens. Citizen, the latest endeavor by the Niche Hospitality Group, which also owns Bocado, Block 5 and Mezcal, opened in downtown Worcester on Thursday, May 28. The eatery features a full bar, cheese selections, pannini sandwiches, and soups ~ and chocolates for dessert. Citizen is located in One Exchange Place opposite Michael’s Cigar Bar and downstairs from Il Forno. This complex, which once housed The Firehouse, has undergone a renaissance of late with these three places all opening within a couple of months of each other. The building has now become a focal point for downtown diners. Citizen will be open for lunch and dinner. According to Mike Covino, president of Niche, “They hope to have a license to sell wine in the very near future.” This will be of great help to Il Forno, which is BYOB. Oh, and as to the name “Citizen?” According to Covino, “With the courthouse so near we wanted something legal sounding.” I guess “Guilty” may not have been an option.
