Rick_V's Profile
Ceres Bistro Reviews Needed
Well, I went last night and have a mostly positive review. Service and atmosphere were very nice as always. The pork belly app was yummy, although some might want a leaner chunk. A special seared tuna app was pretty plain. Bouillibaise was very nice -- good deep flavor, lots of fresh seafood, nice rouille on the toast -- a classic version. Bacon-wrapped pork loin, a special, was disappointingly dry and unflavorful -- the best part was the bok choy on the side. To their credit, they took it off the bill after noticing that our guest left most of it uneaten.
Ceres Bistro Reviews Needed
I go there fairly regularly -- the last time was about 3 weeks ago, and I think we're going there tonight. I find it very consistent. I like the low-key atmosphere; it is a much better place to have a conversation than Via, the Sole, or the Chophouse. The service is just fine, and the food is reasonably creative and made with good-quality ingredients. The meal on average isn't quite as good as Sonoma, but the atmosphere is better, and it's a lot closer to Worcester.
Looking for the best destination restaurants in RI, Mass, and CT
Greetings from central MA. I consider Baba in Worcester a destination restaurant. I have foodie friends who drive from Amherst to eat there. Best sushi, sashimi, etc. I've had anywhere.
Worcester for Lunch - must tries
Mina's NY Style Deli, which used to be in Worcester 20 years ago, was at 788 Main Street in Holden last I checked, which was admittedly a couple of years ago. Maybe they're gone. Tom Mina made a mean sandwich! He would lovingly assemble it, slice it in half, show it to you, and say "it's a beautiful thing."
Worcester for Lunch - must tries
Armsby Abbey is great for a casual lunch washed down with a great beer. Via has terrific lunch specials -- a really good deal -- the meatball sandwich and truffle/parm frites are really nice. Elsa's (Tatnuck, also on Rt 9) makes great sandwiches, as does Mina's in Holden (ask for a Viennese Special, whether it's on the menu or not). Dueling Indian buffets at Bollywood and India Cafe on Rt 9.
Fin Cape Cod
Went there early Saturday night -- maybe we were one of the parties who were sitting too close to you! I agree the space upstairs, with closely placed tables and nothing but hard surfaces, can make conversation a bit challenging unless you can block things out.
The crabcake app was outstanding -- a plump, light cake packed with good lump crabmeat served with a wonderful grapefruit mousse and bits of candied ginger. Chilled shellfish app was nice, with a smoked paprika sauce. The seafood was impeccable and the presentation very nice.
I had the scallops -- fabulously sweet and perfectly seared, with crispy pancetta, potato crisps, asparagus, and a classic hollandaise. Really good stuff. Mom had the duck breast -- closer to rare than the medium-rare she ordered, and a bit chewy but flavorful. With cabbage, bacon, and spaetzle, really a fall dish, but nicely conceived and executed.
Wine list had interesting choices and fair prices. Had an off-dry prosecco ($8) and nice Gavi di Gavi ($9) by the glass.
The chef was formerly at the excellent Brewster Fish House. I'd say the quality is on par with BFH, the prices a tad higher, and the atmosphere a bit more formal. Definitely a solid choice.
The Registry in Worcester: aptly named
The Registry is a relatively new restaurant on Park Ave., where Apsara (and before that, Thai Cha Da) used to be. The name refers to the building's original use as Worcester's Registry of Motor Vehicles. And along those lines, our visit there was about as pleasant as a visit to an RMV. Although I usually try to focus my postings on praise, I feel compelled to register a warning to any would-be visitors.
The room is decorated with old licence plates and street signs, and the tables sport images of vintage car-related clippings and ads. The menu conveys the interesting story of the building, which has no parallel walls or right angles. Unfortunately, things get a lot less interesting in the rest of the menu.
From a not-very-tempting set of appetizers (think heavy, fried, cheesy) we chose the Rhode Island style calamari. Someone from Rhode Island should object to the way these fried calamari had been tossed in cheap oil until soggy. then served in a puddle of said oil.
A "mediterranean salad" was anything but -- the mesclun was fresh, but topped with chopped canned black olives instead of the advertised kalamatas, and tiny squares of jarred red pepper. The "lemon mint" dressing was more of that nasty oil with a squirt of bottled lemon juice and no other detectable seasoning.
I'm a lover of meatloaf, and also a believer that it's hard to screw up. The Registry's meatloaf was leaden and overcooked, with no discernable ingredients other than breadcrumbs and some sort of ground meat combined into an impenetrable, mortar-like substance. Served with flavorless whipped potatoes of questionable provenance, it was simply appalling.
A roasted eggplant dish was less offensive, but still pretty lame, with heavy slabs of oily, undercooked eggplant layered with tomatoes, cheese, and peppers. Yuck.
In a triumph of hope over experience, we tried the carrot cake. Again, leaden, and the "cream cheese" frosting certainly never saw a molecule of real cream cheese.
In sum, The Registry is a concept in search of a restaurant. Fortunately, there are plenty of fine places along Park Avenue: Baba, Flats, Haiku, El-Basha, EVO, etc. Unless this place gets its act together quickly, I predict its registration will expire without renewal.
Where are the best message boards about Australian Dining Options for folks like us - chowhoundish types?
Masnole: I am a New Englander who's been in Melbourne on business the past two months, with side trips to Sydney, Yarra, King Valley, Mornington. As most have said, you're in for a treat as long as you don't dwell on the weak US dollar and strong Aussie dollar!
By far the most useful site for me has been urbanspoon, largely because there are lots and lots of local food bloggers whose posts accumulate at the top of the urbanspoon report. I find those blog posts much more helpful than the "user ratings" that most sites (including urbanspoon) provide.
Good luck and enjoy!
People's Kitchen in Worcester
I've been to TPK three times for dinner, and overall I like it. The weeknight 3-course meals for $20 are a great bargain. They do a lot of things right -- for example, they buy whole animals and try to actually use them, making their own charcuterie and whatnot. The service is usually very good, and the space is nice. The smoke bothers me sometimes, and not others.
They have a great wine/beer/drinks list from the very cool bar downstairs. I'll keep going back just to support life downtown.
As for Ceres, I've had three very nice dinners, a great breakfast and a terrible lunch there. Nice menu, nice space, and some dishes really rock.
Casual, quiet place for graduation lunch near Worcester, MA
I've been to a celebration just about that size at Via that was great. They have some spaces that work well for groups, and they have a very nice lunch menu that's a good deal, with terrific sandwiches, although I don't know if it's on offer Saturdays.
Easter weekend in Worcester/ Surrounding area
I go to Sonoma once or twice a year, and it has remained consistent. The menu doesn't change much, and the atmosphere doesn't always work for me, but the food is reliably good.
I have had some very good meals at Ceres Bistro in the Beechwood Hotel. It may be the best restaurant now in Worcester proper. I've also had a disappointing lunch there, but dinner and breakfast both seem quite solid. They could probably achieve "intimate," as they have some nice spaces there.
Calling All Worcester Area Foodies...
Prompted by recent posts, we hit The People's Kitchen last night. Very impressive place. They just started a Sun-Thurs 3-course $20 prix fixe menu that's an outrageous deal -- choice of about 6 apps/salads, 6 mostly comfort-ish entrees, and 3 desserts. Crazy good for the price.
I had a braised lamb shank (not on the prix fixe menu, but a good deal at $16) with nice mashed potatoes, a huge pile of nicely blistered green beans, and a chipotle sauce. Started with an interesting salad and some nice calamari with Cuban mojo/lime flavors. The other entree (off the prix fixe) was a tasty casserole of shrimp, sweet potato, and chorizo.
Very nice wines, very nicely priced by glass and bottle. Great beer selection and of course good cocktails from down below. Our waiter was very attentive and appealing in a trying-way-too-hard sort of way.
The downside is that the place still harbors some residual smoke aroma from a previous incarnation. My dining companion couldn't detect it, but I could. Not bad enough to ruin the evening, but it's there.
We'll be back, though. It's a great concept, well executed.
Mac and Cheese in Worcester
Yes, Armsby Abbey is the choice. I find the service there generally very pleasant, but the owner does have a bit of an attitude and ego. And true, it's not a family restaurant -- it's a craft-beer pub, and a noisy one at that, catering to adults.
For those who love great beer and local food, it's hard to beat. One of the best things to happen to downtown Worcester in a long time.
Recommendations for lunch in Worcester needed.
I agree with vino that Via is a solid choice and great value at lunch. Nice atmosphere, too. For middle-eastern, I really like Shiraz on Park Ave -- a simple place, but good service and very nice food. Sahara on Highland is stylish and can be nice as well, as long as you're not in a hurry.
I have yet to find any authentic Thai food in Worcester.
Worcester, MA - New Restaurant - Promising Barbecue!
Outstanding review on PigTrip, Gary. Thanks.
Spicy challenges
Try the jerk chicken sandwich at Armsby Abbey on Main Street in Worcester. It's up there with ECG;'s pasta from hell.
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Armsby Abbey
144 Main Street, Worcester, MA
Special Lunch in Worcester
I have eaten at Ceres, and the food is very nice! Another good choice would be Via on Shrewsbury Street.
Ceres Bistro RW
I had a similarly impressive meal there (including that steak frites with the bone marrow compound butter). Started with some gorgeous little cherrystone clams. Very sophisticated dining for Worcester, and priced pretty well. Promising!
Worcester, MA - New Restaurant - Promising Barbecue!
Just had a quick lunch at Smokestack and was very impressed. Nice place, friendly and prompt service. We had a brisket sandwich and a pulled pork sandwich. Both were nicely smoky -- the whole place smells of smoke, as it should, I guess. The brisket was on the lean side with a good texture. Served with a dab of sauce to moisten it and a stack of top-notch onion rings. They cheerfully let me sub a nice cucumber slaw for the fries.
My friend liked his pulled pork, and gave me a bite -- dense, smoky, nice. Slaw on top. I stole a couple of fries and they were very good -- thin and properly double fried.
Good selection of beers on draft. We tried the Wormtown ales to be loyal Worcesterites -- were not that impressed.
This place warrants a try. In my humble opinion it's pretty good barbecue.
Flats - new pizza in worcester?
Finally got there last night. NOT a good night to eat there; it was probably 90 degrees in there due to the pizza oven overwhelming their little AC unit. Got two pies to go: "shroomin'," with pesto and portobellos, and "hot 'n' sweet," with red sauce, ricotta, sausage, peppers.
These are GREAT pies. Wonderful crust -- crisp, chewy, not too thick nor too thin. Generous toppings but not so much as to overwhelm the crust. I think this is immediately the best pizza in Worcester.
Looking forward to trying more things there...
Louisville, KY suggestions for visiting SW hound
Just got back from a business trip to L'ville, and based on various posts we went to the Mayan Cafe. It is the bomb. A stylish, friendly place celebrating fresh, locally sourced food through upscale interpretations of Mayan cuisine. Fabulous. We had scallops with black bean cake and ancho (?) sauce, a great arugula/goat cheese salad (with the goat cheese makers at the next table), the famous cochinita pibil with lima beans (amazing local pork shoulder), and a nightly special of line-caught seabass in a green mole. All wonderful, wonderful. Nice wine list, fair prices, great service, nice art, nothing more to ask for.
Flats - new pizza in worcester?
This is exciting -- I will definitely check it out! Their website sends an impressive message about sustainable eating. http://www.flatsrestaurant.com/
It's great to see something like this coming to the Woo.
New Job: Solid Lunch Spot Near Route 9 in Worcester
I've been there once for lunch and once for dinner. Service itself was fine, but the food is cooked to order, so it doesn't appear after a quick microwaving, as is the case at so many fast food joints. It's not a place to go for quick takeout -- if you want takeout, call ahead or ask them to deliver.
The chips and salsa (oh, and maybe a Tecate) are good enough to amuse me while I wait.
New Job: Solid Lunch Spot Near Route 9 in Worcester
It is indeed on the hill before you get to the Oak Street light. 344 Boston Turnpike. But I would call that a strip mall -- there are a couple other businesses to the right of it, and a shared parking lot.
Either way, I think it's really good.
New Job: Solid Lunch Spot Near Route 9 in Worcester
In a strip mall on Rt 9 eastbound, about halfway up the first hill in Shrewsbury.
New Job: Solid Lunch Spot Near Route 9 in Worcester
I tried Tacos Acapulco this week, and it's great. REAL Mexican food, not Tex-Mex. Cheap, too. I'm not sure how they'll fare in the lacto/ovo tournament, but the vegetarian I was with seemed happy enough. For you carnivores, this is the real deal: carnitas, chorizo, lengua, barbacoa, etc. Real street tacos, wonderful gorditas, etc.
New Job: Solid Lunch Spot Near Route 9 in Worcester
That's a good area for lunch spots. India Cafe has a great lunchtime buffet -- I favor it over Bollywood's across the street, but the latter is not bad either. Elsa's Eatery has wonderful sandwiches and other things. The Regatta has classic Italian subs.
I've heard great things about Udipi (vegetarian Indian) and Tacos Acapulco but haven't gotten there yet.
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Elsa's Eatery
33 Boston Tpke, Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Amethystos, just outside Chania in western Crete
I just returned from a week on Crete and need to give a shout-out to a terrific place to eat.
Amethystos is located in Kato Stalos, maybe 5 km west of Chania along the coastal road. Turn inland at Maria's Taverna, and drive uphill for a few hundred meters. The road bears right at a church; Amethystos is on the second road on the left (there's a sign at the turn). A friendly family-run taverna, with Mom in the kitchen (of course), Dad making the wines and cheeses, and their English-speaking son serving as host and waiter. The building is beautiful, with large windows, light wood, and a view of the Aegean. A variety of their own wines are available -- the white is excellent, but the local (brownish) wine is their pride and joy.
Our group of eight filled the table with food, and everything was great: fennel and spinach pies, loukaniko sausage, Cretan salad, wild artichokes with lamb, moussaka, stuffed grape leaves, boureki, homemade cheeses, etc. But best of all was just the warm, welcoming vibe -- we were offered a round of drinks on the house, given a tour of the wine cellar, and then invited back for cross-cultural recipe sharing in the kitchen! We wound up making an all-American apple pie for them, after which Mom showed us how to make moussaka and boureki. What a great experience.
If you're in western Crete, seek this place out.
Calling All Worcester Area Foodies...
As a Worcesterite who gets to travel to a lot of good food cities, I share your desire for an elevation of the Worcester food scene. However, I don't see things as being quite as bad as you portray.
I have had nothing but good experiences at Baba, including recently (the unfortunately-placed TV nonwithstanding). I know foodies who travel long distances to eat at Baba. I have a lot of regard for the food at Armsby Abbey -- yeah, it's a noisy bar with a bit of an attitude at times, but I find the integrity of the ingredients and care in preparation to be exceptional. Citizen offers a similar experience with a more limited menu.
Bocado, Via, the Sole, Tribeca, and 111 are solid, although I agree that none of them are exactly thrilling destinations. 55 Pearl, after a rough start, is showing promise.
If you haven't had the pizza at Via, try it. Also the brussels sprouts with pancetta.
For soul and character, I think small and ethnic. One Love Cafe, El Flamboyan, Bahnan's. I mourn the loss of Bamboo Hut and Baja Grill, which also fell into that category.
To source ingredients, we're lucky to have Hyder's and some good Asian markets. Emerald Meats is OK if you want straightforward stuff, but don't go there looking for anything out of the ordinary.
