thePULSEBy Paul Giorgio
Worcester Restaurant Week kicks off. The semiannual summer edition of Worcester Restaurant Week kicks off Aug. 5 and goes until Aug. 17. For $23.13, you can get a three-course meal at participating restaurants. Visit the website ~ worcesterrestaurantweek.com ~ for a full listing of participating eateries. New restaurants come on, so recheck the website. Restaurant week is produced by Pagio, Inc., parent company of Pulse magazine and is sponsored by UniBank, Pepsi, Stella Artois Beer, Mercadante Funeral Home and American Express and supported by Percy’s and Integrity Merchant Solutions. Media partners include WXLO, WORC-FM, The Pike & WCRN 830 AM, as well as TasteWorcester.com
Johnny Fugata opens. John Piccolo’s new restaurant, Johnny Fugata, opened in the middle of July. The restaurant is located on Worcester’s Belmont Street, just a stone’s throw from the medical school. Piccolo has partnered with Michael Bernier, who formerly ran the kitchen at Leicester Country Club and has worked with Piccolo in a number of his restaurants. Johnny Fugata’s will serve Italian food. And no, we don’t know what the name means either.
Haiku sold. It appears that Haiku Restaurant on Worcester’s Park Avenue has been sold to the people who own Shrewsbury Street’s Kenich Restaurant. No news as to when the new owners will take over. The famous Kenzo Phan was the chef at Haiku, and we will keep you posted as to where he lands. Phan has become a Worcester institution since he arrived here from Montreal.
Along the Blackstone. Blackstone Bistro is about to open on Worcester’s Greenwood Street, in the space that formerly housed Sweet T Southern Restaurant. Luis Pizano is the owner and chef of what is billed as a classic American bistro. Pizano is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University and was the chef at Il Forno for a number of years before going to work at Chestnuts Café in downtown Worcester.
Now there are two. The Manor in West Boylston has split into two spaces. The Fotiadis family, long-time owners of The Manor, has redone the restaurant space and given that a new look and name ~ Draught House Bar & Grill. As you might expect, there are more than 30 beers on tap. The function space will still be called The Manor.
Too hot to cook? When it’s too hot to cook, try pizza. A few places in Worcester are offering deals on pizza ~ America’s favorite fast food. Leo’s Ristorante on Shrewsbury Street offers 2 for 1 pizza on Wednesday nights. Their backyard neighbor, Volturno, offers 2 for 1 pizza at the bar on Mondays and Tuesdays. If you are across town, try Park Grill for its 2 for 1 small pizza, also on Monday and Tuesday.
Coyotes eat burgers? The Hungry Coyote recently opened at 500 Park Ave. in Worcester, which was the home of Friendly’s for a long time. The Hungry Coyote opened at the end of June. In addition to burgers, the restaurant serves retro hot dogs, ice cream treats and chicken. It appears that the burger wars may be heating up soon.
