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O C T O B E R 1 4 , 2 0 1 0 • W O R C E S T E R M A G . C O M 35

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located downtown in the historic courthouse district

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Dalat

Extensive menu offers many tastes of VietnameseMarc Cochon

Dalat is a Park Avenue fi xture, serving up Vietnamese and Chinese-infl uenced food to a clientele dominated by hungry college students. Dalat’s storefront dining space has recently undergone a facelift, and while nothing fancy, it’s clean and brightly lit, with a few bits of art hung high on the walls.

Dalat’s menu is extensive, with more

than 100 items numbered – a good thing, since the names are mostly in Vietnamese. Cha gio ($3.95) are fried spring rolls; the two small, crisp rolls are served with a pleasantly sweet and salty dipping sauce. It’s hard to tell what they’re fi lled with, but they provide the satisfying crunch of something deep-fried, and avoid an oily aftertaste. Goi cuon ($5.95) are a lighter and fresher alternative: “summer rolls” in steamed rice-paper wrappers. We ask for a vegetarian version, which comes stuffed with tofu, rice vermicelli and a hint of herbs. They’d benefi t from more mint and basil, but are a clean-tasting vehicle for the zingy peanut sauce, enhanced at the table by a splash of Sriracha.

Bun (rice vermicelli) dishes are a staple of Vietnamese cuisine. Bun ga xao xa ($5.95) features chicken sautéed with lemongrass over a bed of chopped lettuce and cool vermicelli. The lemongrass fl avor is bright and fresh, making for a very satisfying and enjoyable dish, if a bit undersized.

Muc xao chua (sweet and sour squid, $9.40) is a less successful choice. Cylinders of slightly fi shy-tasting sautéed squid have been combined with large

chunks of zucchini, tomato, onion, and pineapple in the same cloyingly sweet red sauce you’d fi nd in an Americanized Chinese restaurant.

Mi hoac pho xao heo ($7.70) are pan-fried noodles topped with sautéed pork and vegetables – mostly celery and onions. This dish, too, has a Chinese-American presentation and taste. Com chien tom (shrimp fried rice, $6.80), with no discernable ingredients other than rice, small shrimp and tiny peas, is lighter but less distinct in fl avor than Chinese-infl uenced versions. Overall, the fl avors at Dalat are subtle, almost muted, even though we’ve told our server that we’d

like things on the spicy side.A wide range of boba, or “bubble

tea” drinks ($3) are on offer – fruit-fl avored smoothies with a collection of dark balls of tapioca at the bottom. The drinks, with fl avors such as mango, passion fruit, avocado and coconut, are served with a wide straw to accommodate the tapioca blobs – it’s fun to watch them work their way up. The fruit fl avors are faint, but the drinks are a cool and refreshing way to accompany or end a meal.

Service is not Dalat’s strong suit – the servers are genial and competent, but rarely available. It’s the type of place where you’ll need to fl ag someone down if you want to order something, get some water, or pay your bill. Dalat has no alcohol license, but cheerfully accommodates BYOB diners.

The prices at Dalat are reasonable. Be aware, though, that most dishes are not enough to serve as a meal in themselves; they are meant to be part of a shared meal. You can expect to leave Dalat with a full feeling for less than $15 per person, including tip.

{ diningout }krave


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STEVEN KING

eat beat{ family}


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The family tableDining with children in the Woo

Jennifer Cantin

Considering cost, picky palates and the sounds of over-tired and hungry children, taking the family out to dinner is no easy feat. Here we’ve tried to highlight a few local spots that understand the hardship and offer affordable entrees to please kids and grown-ups alike.

“What’s nice about O’Connor’s (on West Boylston Street) is there are lots of little nooks and crannies, so we can kind of take a little family and put them off to the side, so they’re not feeling like they’re sitting in the middle of the room and uncomfortable that if the kids make a little peep that someone’s going to be upset,” says assistant restaurant manager Cindy Card.

She says many waitresses have kids and make suggestions to the executive chef, which eventually end up on the kids’ menu. The consensus is that simple things

are often the favorites.“Believe it or not,” says Card, “in the

18 years that I’ve worked here, I never thought I would see it, but we did add [boxed] mac and cheese, and I’d say the kids love it. And also the cheeseburger, I think kids always love the little burger.”

More mature tastes are also satisfi ed.“We have something for everyone on

the menu,” she says, “whether you want to splurge and have a fi let mignon, or have a bacon cheeseburger or a nice hazelnut chicken salad.”

The kids menu lists fi ctitious items such as sheep’s feet and onion stew, and pig’s head and cabbage, which are sure to elicit some horrifi ed giggles from the little ones.

For kids with sheep’s feet allergies, gluten allergies or just about any other kind of allergy, EVO on Chandler Street has you covered.

“Our chef is highly qualifi ed in allergy sensitivity and is always willing to modify our menu items for those who have allergic reactions to certain ingredients,” says EVO co-owner Celeste Maykel. “Our kids’ menu offers the same modifi cation options. We feel that offering vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free items, as well as standard comfort meat menu items, provides the Worcester community with a variety of foods to choose from when they come here.”

Picky eaters of all ages will be thrilled to fi nd a build-your-own pizza option with four choices of sauce, eight choices of cheese and toppings ranging from pepperoni to jalapenos. Always health conscious, EVO offers all bread items in wheat versions in addition to white. Alternatives to French fries include brown rice, sugar snap peas, broccoli fl orets, whipped potatoes or Armenian rice pilaf.

And if you want to convince your kids (or your spouse) that tofu is yummy, this is the place to do it.

Over on Highland Street, The Boynton boasts a “stepped up” kids’ menu that manager Shelley John says has been a work in progress over the years.

Kids who can’t even pronounce “alfredo” will surely enjoy this new form of mac and cheese, while older kids can dive right into some baby back ribs with sweet potato fries: extra napkins required. Then there’s homemade pizza, of course, which John says even the kids can tell is made fresh every day. A take-home cup and mini ice cream sundae accompany each kid’s meal. Accessibility is also not an issue.

“We’ve got the high chairs and booster chairs,” says John, explaining that most of its seating is all on one level and can accommodate those who come in with strollers—and the kids can stay in the strollers if they want.

For the ones pushing those strollers, comfort food as well as Italian, American and Asian cuisines are among the many choices offered at the Boynton.

For a quick and simple outing try Wild Willy’s Burgers on West Boylston Street for a quality meal and an atmosphere certainly tame enough for the family.

“We haven’t got a full alcohol license for one thing, so people know that we’re not a late-night place. We don’t have any television screens and that sort of thing,” says Bob Stein, who owns the restaurant with his wife. “And I think our menu is sort of what families like to eat, you know,burgers, fries, milkshakes, ice cream and that sort of stuff.”

While fried-food fare might not be an appropriate choice for every night of

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the week, Wild Willy’s is a prime spot for celebration where the dirt-streaked uniforms of the winning T-ball team are as proper attire as any.

“Our tables are moveable, so when groups come in we can move tables together,” says Stein. “A lot of times people come in and celebrate a birthday or some other sort of gathering.”

Bill Isildakli, owner of Broadway Catering and Ice Cream on Water Street, also looks forward to these celebrations.

“We love children; we have a few of our own,” he says. “The restaurant has a quiet, family-dinner-table type of atmosphere.”

If you can pull the kids away from the cartoons, the Broadway is perfect for those big weekend breakfasts complete with Mickey Mouse pancakes.

“Kids like French toast, the pancakes, hot chocolate, and then junior omelets we make for children,” says Isildakli. “And of course, ice cream, we do homemade ice cream.”

Pancakes and a shake make a pretty reward for anyone who has been good over the week, child or adult.

{ family}STEVEN KING

Jeannine Szumski at EVO

krave eat beat{ specialoccasions}


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A Guide to Upscale Dining in and around the WooMarc Cochon

Sure, much of the joy of greater Worcester’s dining scene is in discovering the neighborhood gems, ethnic outposts, and other holes-in-the-wall that add diversity and character to our search for daily bread. But can our fair city do equal justice to special occasions, when we want to impress, to be pampered, to have a memorable evening?

We certainly think so! Here are our suggestions for places to put on the dog.

A Special DateHarrington Farm: Located in a peaceful mountainside setting in Princeton, Harrington Farm offers inventive modern cuisine served in the romantic and intimate dining spaces of their 18th-entury farmhouse. If the weather permits, have a cocktail on the porch before or after dinner.

Harrington Farm178 Westminster Road, Princeton978.464.5600harringtonfarm.com

Bocado: Looking for something more hip and urban? Bocado’s tapas menu, designed for sharing, provides a lot of choices and guarantees a topic for conversation when the chemistry isn’t working out so well. Low-level lighting creates a romantic mood. The servers are great at making recommendations if

you’re stumped, and the Spanish wines complement the food nicely.

Bocado Tapas Wine Bar85 Winter Street, Worcester508.797.1011bocadotapasbar.com

Baba Sushi: Baba serves up some of the best and most creative sushi you’ll fi nd anywhere. The salads and starters will dazzle, and the sushi, sashimi and rolls are top-notch – impeccably fresh and artfully presented. If you really want to impress, and you’re sure your date is not a picky eater, ask Chef Wilson Wang to create a menu for you. A heated porch allows outdoor-like dining, even in winter.

Baba Sushi309 Park Avenue, Worcester508.752.8822babasushi.com

Armsby Abbey - Don’t let the unassuming store front sway you from entering this cozy, amber wood and brick pub. With hundreds of American hand crafted beers, a stellar wine list and food crafted with care from local sources, this restaurant and pub offers some of the best to eat and drink right on the Main drag. From the exquisite cheese plates, to the delectable pulled pork sandwiches, to

the ultimate bean burger, you’ll impress your date with your high end taste in a low key environment – hip without being pretentious. Armsby Abbey144 Main StreetWorcester508.795.1012armsbyabbey.com

A Business DinnerCeres: Sophisticated and stylish, Ceres will make a very positive impression on your guests. The food is delicious, the seasonal menu varied and fl exible, the wine list interesting and sensibly priced. The elegantly appointed room is just right for conversation over dinner, and there are outdoor options when the weather allows.

Ceres BistroBeechwood Hotel363 Plantation Street, Worcester508.754.2000ceresbistro.com Tribeca: Often overlooked amidst the busy Shrewsbury Street scene, Tribeca’s upstairs restaurant offers a very nice range of contemporary cuisine in a space that’s elegant and quiet—sometimes very quiet. The menu has a lot to offer, as does the

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wine list.Tribeca92 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester508.754.7600tribeca92.com

Sole Proprietor: Consistent and creative, the Sole is a great choice for visitors “from away” who want to sample fresh seafood. If you want to get business done, ask for a booth since the dining areas can get noisy. The bar area is a popular place for drinks and appetizers.The Sole Proprietor118 Highland Street, Worcester508.798.3474thesole.com

A Birthday or AnniversarySonoma: Sonoma may be located in a strip mall, but it’s special once you’re inside, with creative contemporary cuisine, fi ne wines, pleasant ambiance and proper service. Offering some of the best and most interesting food in Worcester County, Sonoma never disappoints.

Sonoma206 Worcester Road, Princeton978.464.5600sonoma-princeton.com

The Castle: What could be more special than the old-school charm and classic cuisine of The Castle? The gracious Nicas family has been running this place for 60 years; they know how to treat their guests and can help steer you through the killer wine list.

The Castle Restaurant1230 Main Street, Leicester508.892.9090castlerestaurant.com

111 Chophouse: Sometimes you just want a sizzling hunk of high-quality meat, and the Chophouse is there for you with its contemporary steakhouse menu and exceptional wine list. This is a great choice for those who love to splurge, both fi nancially and cholesterol-wise. You may want to ask for a table upstairs, away from

the frenetic din of the popular bar area.

One Eleven Chop House111 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester508.799.4111111chophouse.com

{ specialoccasions}

STEVEN KIN

G

BABA SUSHI

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680 Main St. Holden

508.829.3008

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Dinner : Tue-Sat 4-10p • Lunch: Fri 12-4pOpen for Sunday Football 1-8p • Closed Monday

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75 Reservoir Street • (Route 31) Holden • www.valsrestaurant.comDine In ~ 508-829-0900 Take Out ~ 508-829-5995 email: [email protected]

508-733-2850Function Room Available for your parties! Call Ahead Seating

Functions Rooms for 10-75• Birthday• Showers Wedding/Baby• Anniversaries • Holiday Parties• Mercy Luncheon/Dinner

Come and try somes of Val’s fall dishes, Butternut Raviolis, Roast Pork, and more!

Vegan Dishes Put Worcester on the MapDrew Wilson

In recent years Worcester has grown into a hot spot for the vegan food. This year PETA named Worcester among the top-10 vegan-friendly mid-sized cities in America. At the end of 2009, Worcester even had more vegetarian restaurants than Boston.

The Vegetarian Resource Group found that only 3 percent of the general U.S. population is vegetarian or vegan, but 18 percent of U.S. college students are vegan. With 13 colleges, it’s no surprise that our city has a burgeoning vegan movement. At the end of last April, more than 2,000 Worcesterites came out to the fi rst-annual Worcester VegFest, a daylong vegan festival at Worcester State College.

Why vegan?Vegans avoid meat, dairy and eggs, opting for plant-based foods instead. For some, eating vegan is a way to improve their health. For others, veganism is an ethical objection to the routine cruelty involved in raising animals for food. With our society’s growing ecological

consciousness, many have chosen a vegan diet because it dramatically reduces our carbon footprint — in 2006 a United Nations commission published a study stating that livestock is the principal cause of human-made global climate change.

Bill Clinton recently appeared on Wolf Blitzer’s show to discuss why he made the switch to a vegan diet. For Clinton it was a matter of health. “I did all this research, and I saw that 82 percent of the people since 1986 who have gone on a plant-based: no meat, no dairy of any kind... 82 percent of people who have done that have begun to heal themselves. Their arterial blockage cleans up; the calcium deposit around their heart breaks up.”

Whatever your reason for choosing

vegan food, Worcester has plenty to offer at its many veg-friendly restaurants.

Getting your Vegan Eats in WorcesterWorcester is a melting pot. In our little city, you can sample some of the best vegan foods from around the world. Pho Da Kao on Park Avenue offers big bowls of Vietnamese vegetable Pho, a traditional noodle soup ($7.76). Udupi in Shrewsbury offers all-vegetarian South Indian cuisine. Try the savory Chana Batura — chickpea curry with puffy fried bread ($10.25). For a meal on the go, you can pick up a

couple of Jamaican curry pockets from One Love Cafe on Main for less than $5. The Sahara on Highland Street has a fattoush salad ($7.95) that makes a hearty-but-healthy lunch.

You’ll fi nd plenty of vegan options at chain restaurants like Moe’s, but local businesses are often better at responding to local demand. So delicious vegan fare is easier to fi nd at the mom-and-pops. While most restaurants in Worcester will have a vegan dish on the menu, there are defi nitely some shining stars:

• For a leisurely lunch, stop by the cafe at Bahnan’s International Market on Pleasant

continued on page 44

eat beat krave{ bites}


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Opened in Cyberspace 2010Uniquely

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245 West Main St.(Rt 9)

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Ed Hyder’sMediterranean Marketplace

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With Jen Cantin

Betcha Didn’t Know that it’s National Pizza Month. P & D Pizza invites you in for new pizza specialties as part of the celebration.

They’ve already got some tempting ones on the menu with Spinach Supreme (spinach, olives, feta and tomatoes) for the vegetarians and the Inferno (pepperoni, sausage, hot capicola, hot pepper rings and jalapenos) for the carnivores who double as spicy-food lovers. Another bonus: free Wi-Fi. P & D Pizza, 440 Main St., Oxford, 508-987-5798.

Long Time No See: The Blue Belle Diner, a lunch cart from 1948 that has been toted all over Massachusetts, will fi nally open its doors to the public again after more than a decade of sitting idle. Dinky’s in Shrewsbury bought the cart to create Dinky’s Blue Belle Diner, a new (yet quite old) and improved version of the current diner favorite. Renovations are still in

progress, but the diner with all of its vintage charm is open for business every day until 12:30 p.m. with dinner hours and a grand re-opening ceremony coming soon. Dinky’s Blue Belle Diner, 70 Clinton St. (Rte. 70), Shrewsbury, 508-981-8007.

What Girls Like: Chocolate with their wine, and wine with their chocolate, of course. Thursdays at The Citizen, ladies receive a free chocolate to enjoy with their glass of wine or cocktail. Leave the boy problems behind and take a girls’ night out, or bring the guy with you, but make him buy his own dessert. The Citizen, 1 Exchange Place, 508-459-9090.

Cook It Up: The Culinary Underground, a cooking school for home cooks that up until now was hosted in an actual home, is having a grand opening for their new location in Brickyard Plaza in Southborough this Saturday and Sunday. Festivities include all of the good stuff: cooking demonstrations, door prizes, giveaways and, best of all, free samples. They offer kids classes, too, so bring them along to see if they’d like to get a head start on cooking for themselves. It’s never too early. The Culinary Underground, 21 Turnpike Rd., Southborough, 508-904-6589.

BITES TIPSTER: If you’ve got a Worcester dining scene tip for us, we want to know! New restaurant or café here in the city? Have you discovered a new place to eat out that you just have to share? New chef behind the stove? Then send along to [email protected] today.

eat beat{ vegan}

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Street. For $7 you’ll get a falafel sandwich, steak fries crusted with Middle Eastern spices, and a soda.

• A cornerstone of the vegan scene, the second-Saturday-of-the-month buffet at Loving Hut on Chandler is a deal for $10. (Next one: October 9.

• Flats on Maywood Street is a new pizzeria with a stellar Neapolitan vegan cheese pizza ($14), which you get in classy 100 percent post-consumer recycled pizza box. The white sauce is also dairy-free. Flats could certainly win over Worcester’s entire vegan community by adding mock meats to their menu

• A relatively new addition to the city, Belmont Veg serves up home-style Jamaican vegan food and features a rotating menu with new items each day. Choose one of the three sizes (small, $9.91; medium, $10.09; large, $12.22) and order a “whatever” to sample a mix of everything they have that day.

• If you’re out at the Dive Bar on Water Street, step outside to Chris’s Hot Dog Cart for a vegan completo: a veggie dog topped with sliced avocado, onions and peppers

• Like to do your own cooking, but want to try some interesting new ingredients? Mekong Market on Main Street has a substantial selection of specialty mock meats. They have everything from veg pork to vegan shrimp.

Much of the credit for the ample vegan choices at local restaurants is due to Worcester’s numerous student groups. Every month, college veg groups are holding vegan potlucks or movie nights. Clark University’s Student Association of Vegetarian and Vegan Youth has its annual vegan Thanksgiving dinner coming up soon. It’s free and open to the public. WPI’s Veg Polytech is planning a trip to The Boston Vegetarian Food Festival on the weekend of October 30 and 31 in Roxbury.

Worcester has award-winning vegan food. Get out there and try it!

Kitchen Stays Open Late • Complimentary Valet Parking Thurs-Sat 4:30pm - ClosePerfectGameWorcester.com • 64 Water St., Worcester • 508.792.GAME (4263) • Also fi nd us on Facebook

More Th an Just Your More Th an Just Your Average Sports BarAverage Sports Bar

Chef Gary Killeen, formerly of Thymes Square on Hudson

continued from page 42

{ recommended}Funky Murphy’s 305 Shrewsbury St., Worcester 508-753-2995While lacking in atmosphere, the restaurant at Funky Murphy’s has a lot to offer. Whether you’re grabbing some appetizers while watching sports on the big-screen TVs, or wishing to enjoy neo-diner fare, you’re in luck. The soups and salads are fresh and homemade, and the entrées are generous and delicious. Romantics may wish to skip this stop, but those in search of a moderately priced dining experience may want to give it a try. Kitchen open 7 days; breakfast Sundays.

86 Winter 65 Water St., Worcester 508-459-5400The restaurant 86 Winter serves up inventive, bistro-style comfort food in a warm, intimate and exciting setting. Reasonably priced fare includes artful versions of old standbys, as well as a few dressier dishes. Professional service and wonderful food round out this superb Worcester dining experience.

The Wexford House 503 Shrewsbury St., Worcester508-757-8982What are the secrets of The Wexford’s longevity? For close to 20 years, Chef Alan Erickson has continued to dish out some of the legendary fare he cooked at the El Morocco, undoubtedly attracting former patrons of the old El. The menu at The Wexford offers kibbe and stuffed grape leaves alongside traditional Italian “Shrewsbury Street Favorites.” In addition, The Wexford’s menu features predictable fare at very reasonable prices, “Shrewsbury Street Favorites” and a few signature twists.

The Publick House On the Common, Rte. 131, Sturbridge508-347-3313 or 1-800-PUBLICKpublickhouse.comVisit The Publick House for Sturbridge’s world-famous colonial experience, and their “traditional favorites with a modern twist.” A gorgeous, period inn and excellent food make it a perfect spot for a special dinner after a day’s visit to this Central Massachusetts destination.

Chioda’s Trattoria 631 Franklin St., Worcester 508-459-6039A short drive up Franklin Street from downtown Worcester, or down from Brown Square at Plantation Street, at Chioda’s Trattoria you’ll fi nd all the Italian dishes you’ve come to love in a warm and intimate environment. Lots of pasta, seafood and chicken, as well as a few veal dishes and steaks. Chioda’s should be right at home in this Italian restaurant-happy city.

The Border Grille and Bar 246 Mill St., Leominster978-840-0194 The Border Grille and Bar brings the ever-popular culinary specialties of the Southwest to the north — north of Worcester, that is, in Leominster. Loyalists to local establishments will enjoy the funky eclecticism of The Border; fans of barbecue and Tex-Mex will like the wide range of available chicken, beef, seafood and Mexican specialties. The 22 tequilas and a page of fun drinks add to the festive atmosphere.

Lidio’s Restaurant and Lounge 1045 Central St., Leominster 978-534-6600Bridging old and new, Lidio’s offers diners some old standards (pasta, chicken, beef) as well as creative diet-conscious (an extensive low-carb menu) and nouveau entrees (including vegetarian dishes), all at very reasonable prices. The service and food preparations are quite dependable.

Tomasso’s Trattoria154 Turnpike Road, Rte. 9, Southboro508-481-8484tomassotrattoria.comTomasso’s Trattoria is tucked into a corner of The Crossings, a relatively new retail complex on Rte. 9 in Southboro. Inside, the décor could only be described as Tuscan. Chef Tony Bettencourt has come to Tomasso’s with an impressive resume. He earned the Julia Child Award for excellence while at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts. If you have not been introduced to a genuine Italian menu, you might be a bit nonplussed. Take your time and do not fear. The Italian meal is an event to be enjoyed and shared. It is not all about tomato sauce, pasta and cheese. The menu is like a palate of colors used to paint a meal. Tomasso’s offers a fi ne Italian dining experience that will transport you to a villa in the hills of the Veneto.

Wonder Bar Restaurant121 Shrewsbury St., Worcester508-752-9909Worcester’s Wonder Bar has been serving it up — pizza, beer and Italian specialties, that is — for more than 75 years, right on Shrewsbury Street. A hometown gem on the order of Coney Island Lunch, Wonder Bar is a laid-back, locally fl avored parlor where you can feed your family good food for about the price of Chinese take-out.

Pampas Churrascaria Restaurant145 E. Central St., Worcester508-757-1070pampas-restaurant.comOpen seven days, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Pampas Churrascaria

Restaurant adds a fresh kick-in-the-pants to the usual Central Mass.suspects. Come with your best hearty carnivore appetite and prepareyourself for this casual, out-of-the-ordinary dining experience. Graba plate, choose cuts of beef, pork, chicken an lamb from slow-roasted skewers in an enormous iron rotisserie, help yourself tonumerous (but not too many — you don’t want your hots to getcold!) sides and salads and then pit-stop at the counter to have yourplate weighed. Pampas charges by the pound.

Yama Zakura369 West Main St., Northboro508-393-4187yamazakurafoods.comYama Zakura will delight fans of locally produced, high-quality sushiin a creatively charged and casual environment. The friendly staffserves up a wide variety of sashimi, sushi and maki rolls, as wellas familiar Polynesian appetizers, soups and salads, meat and vegetable combinations, teriyaki and Thai curry dishes. Open dailyfor lunch and dinner.

Dino’s Ristorante13 Lord St., Worcester508-753-9978dineatdinos.comDino’s is still everything that you’ve always enjoyed: reasonablypriced Northern Italian classics, served in a quaint, old “Little Italy”style. Though renovations have made it a bit more upscale (anduncovered an ancient treasure!), it’s still home for Worcester’sfamilies and lovers.

Fugakyu Café621 Boston Post Road, Sudbury978-443-1998Look for the two red lanterns that hang outside Fugakyu Café. Insideis a well-stocked bar, exclusive sushi bar - about six seats - and anextensive menu to satisfy the Japanese cuisine enthusiast as well asthe novice. Even the purist should be able to overlook the nouveauselections. There is no shortage of sushi, fried “kitchen” appetizers,soups and entrées from simple katsu, teriyaki and tempura to exotic eel and live lobster sashimi. The price range is as wide asthe delectable choices. Spend as little or as much as you like andstill leave satisfi ed.

Trumbull Bar & Grill117 Main St., Spencer508-885-6901In a market crowded with pub-style clones and chains, Trumbull Bar& Grill is refreshing. Clean, friendly, and skilled at producing heartyhome-cooked meals, Trumbull’s will make you glad you came. All the pub standards are available as well at rock-bottom prices (like fresh

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{ recommended}boneless pork chops with two sides). It is a nice piece of Americana on Spencer’s Main Street, USA.

Anh Thu439 Park Ave., Worcester508-752-1330Anh Thu is yet another option for fans of fresh and healthy Vietnamese cuisine. Serving up lots of noodles, as well as beef, chicken, pork, shrimp and tofu, as well as a few stir-fry dishes for Chinese food fans, Anh Thu is cheap — but good — food, in a no-frills atmosphere. Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sundays, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. BYOB.

The Red Lantern235 Shrewsbury St., Worcester508-795-0500theredlantern.comThe Red Lantern offers the staples that have made Polynesian restaurants an integral part of the American scene for so long. Also offered are enticing, less-common dishes sure to revive the appetite of area diners. Fresh, varied dishes make The Red Lantern truly “Polynesian”; and served in their clean, open facility downtown, Worcester will fi nd it convenient and pleasing. Open seven days to midnight; Monday through Saturday lunch buffet; Sunday dinner buffet, 5-8.

The Webster House Restaurant1 Webster St., Worcester508-757-7208websterhouseweb.comPatrons are treated like family at The Webster House. The bountiful

menu includes beef, chicken, seafood, vegetarian and Greek specialties, with a home-cooked taste straight from your Yia-yia’s kitchen. A number of international and domestic wines are fl agged by which meals they complement best. Each month, The Webster House features selections from a different international cuisine. Be sure to leave room for a slice of homemade pie or baklava cheesecake.

Val’s Restaurant and Lounge75 Reservoir Road, Holden508-829-0900Val’s is the perfect stop for families looking for a wide variety of familiar seafood, beef, chicken and pasta entrees, plus pizza and burgers, at budget-friendly prices. The service can’t be beat, and you might be surprised by the recipes and presentation.

Porto Bello156 Shrewsbury St., Worcester508-753-9865For more than a decade, Shrewsbury Street’s Porto Bello has served up classic Italian fare in an uncontrived, paper-napkin style. Evocative of North End Boston, it’s an atmosphere without too much preciousness. Four pages of menu offerings rarely stray from the rule on Italian cuisine. Entrée highlights include various seafood and meats with pesto, mascarpone, scampi and cream sauces; four raviolis (Maine lobster, lemon basil, roasted eggplant, and Porto Bello mushroom); and the classic marinara with sausage and/or meatballs, and lasagna.

The Belfry Restaurant59 Blackstone River Road, Worcester

508-751-5040The Belfry Restaurant is defi nitely worth a visit, a renovated church standing at the fork of Greenwood Street and Blackstone River Road and tucked behind Route 146, in the middle of growing Quinsigamond Village. The moderately priced, mostly Mediterranean menu includes some of the best hummus in Worcester, staples like chicken Parmesan and fi sh & chips and gourmet pizza, with such entertaining names as Texan (steak, mushroom and onion) and the Golden Greek (locanico sausage and peppers). A respectable wine list and homemade desserts top off a tasty dinner out.

Arturo’s Ristorante54 Main St., Westboro 508-366-1881arturosristorante.comArturo’s is everything that made it a hit in Worcester before the moveto MetroWest: Colorful Italian food and brick-oven pizza. Lots of winechoices, Mediterranean classics, and seating for about 200. Try theantipasto misto for a sampling of all Arturo’s antipasto offerings.

continued on page 46

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9 Walker Drive • Upton, MA 01568508-529-3600 • desirees-desires.com

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With this Coupon. May not be combined with any other offer or discount. One per table, per visit. Exp. 10/31/10

With this Coupon. May not be combined with any other offer or discount. One per table, per visit. Exp. 10/31/10

$5.00 OFFAny Food Purchase of $15 or More

$5.00 OFFAny Food Purchase of $15 or More

{ recommended}El Basha2 Connector Road, Westboro508-366-2455elbasharestaurant.comLovers of El Basha’s two Worcester locations, especially those from Metro West, will be pleased with their new Westboro location. Though not as arabesquely elegant as Park Avenue, the Westboro branch offers the same delicious fare in a clean facility. Middle Eastern specialties are the calling card: shawarma, kebabs, salads, gape leaves, beef, chicken, quail, lamb and seafood. BYOB.

Osaka Japanese Restaurant White City Plaza 20 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury 508-753-1144 Fresh, fun and a great value. For an entertaining and tasty meal, try communal dining at the teppanyaki tables. Combinations like calamari and teriyaki chicken, or the Osaka special (fi let mignon, lobster and shrimp) more than double the number of choices cooked before you on this Japanese grill. Sushi is also plentiful, including intriguing sushi rolls. The cool exotic drinks are served tall and the sake is served hot.

Fresco’s95 Uxbridge Road, Mendon508-473-2369Fresco’s is a great treat: delicious food, impeccably prepared in a colorful, friendly setting at reasonable prices. Watch for the sign with whimsical script on the rural stretch of Route 16. Fresco’s menu is a fun collection of chicken, seafood and beef dishes, frequently

partnered with pasta, as well as intriguing complements like crushed tomatoes, toasted cashews, prosciutto and a variety of mushrooms. Try dishes named for the staff, like tortellini Melinda, Jimmy’s seafood sauté and steak Willis. Toss in appetizers, salads and specialty pizzas, (including light sauce selections), and you’re sure to fi nd something to please (even a kid’s menu).

Nashoba Winery100 Wattaquadoc Hill Road, Bolton978-779-5521nashobawinery.comNashoba Winery’s orchards, tour, retail shop, and restaurant make for a perfect New England experience — in any season. The wonderful grounds and quaint atmosphere couple well with niche wines, beers and spirits, and an equally renegade menu. Free-range poultry and beef, as well as wild game, meet delicious seafood, and varied regional vegetables. Pricing is moderate to expensive. Plan to make a day of it.

Harry’s Drive-in Restaurant and Dairy Bar149 Turnpike Road (Route 9W)Westboro508-366-8302Harry’s Drive-in Restaurant and Dairy Bar is a quiet roadside attraction of vanishing Americana, and a venerable local institution of 60 years (nearly 40 in its present location) under the ownership of the original family. The menu is an endless list of entirely homemade comfort foods: full breakfast, American diner standards, steaks, burgers, pasta, club and open-faced sandwiches, wraps and pockets, salads, soups, stir fry, platters, sundaes and frappes, a kids menu, and, of course, loads of seafood — fried and otherwise.

Breakfast all day. Beer and wine available. Cash only.

Prezo Grille and Bar 2291/2 Main St., Milford 508-634-0101 prezogrille.com Prezo Grille and Bar is a moderately upscale spot, well worth the trip to explore a bit of southeastern Worcester County. Prezo’s sizeable menu is fi lled with pizzazz — such ingredients as gorgonzola, goat and bleu cheeses; artichoke hearts, asparagus and sun dried tomatoes; and Madeira wine sauce and hoisin glaze. House favorites include chicken Sinatra, pot roast, and the seafood bomb. Check out weekly specials, or meet friends for designer drinks and fl at-screen TVs at Prezo’s “horseshoe” bar.

The Monument Grill14 Monument Sq., Leominster978-537-4466themonumentgrill.comThe Monument Grill is a good bet for classy fare in northern Worcester County. Rich wine selection and new and traditional recipes for pasta, seafood, beef, pork, chicken, and veal are served up in a spotless, comfortable room. Moderate to expensive.

Joey’s Bar and Grille 242 Mill St., Worcester508-797-3800Joey’s will please Worcester’s West Siders (especially those in the Mill Street/Tatnuck neighborhoods), who enjoy reasonably priced ribs, steaks, burgers and Italian specialties, like spaghetti and meatballs, gnocchi, and seafood — dishes familiar and novel — in a quaint, low-lit atmosphere. Full liquor license. Credit cards accepted. Closed Sundays.

Bauhinia271 Grafton St., Shrewsbury508-842-0880 bauhiniarestaurant.com A one-stop Asian cuisine shop, Bauhinia is welcoming to the casual or well-heeled, not as chic and showy as PF Chang’s, but far beyond your local take-out joint. Making it’s home in the immense former

Golden Steakhouse building just off Route 9 West, Bauhinia’s more-than-200-item menu is as sprawling as the restaurant’s architecture.Find familiar, as well as not-so-typical dishes on the Chinese menuand a lifetime supply of sushi, sashimi and designer maki rolls on theJapanese menu — all fresh and well-prepared.

Sofi a’s Ristorante158 Main St., Hudson978-562-1221Sofi a’s is a bit like the restaurant in the Campbell Scott and StanleyTucci-directed Big Night, in that it is quiet, but traditional Tuscan fare(pork, lamb, fi llet of beef, chicken, seafood, homemade ravioli andpeppardelle, and other pastas), and not a red-sauce-and-meatballskind of place. The room is comfortable and clean, if not a little dated,and several dishes really excel.

Tribeca 92 Shrewsbury St., Worcester508-754-7600tribecarestaurantgroup.comTribeca boasts attractive features: American cuisine ‘with a twist,’homemade desserts, a 120-label wine list and live entertainment.Open seven days, premium palates may dine upstairs, from thedinner menu. Those who don’t mind dining on the street level canperuse both the dinner and the grille menus. Tribeca offers fi ne foodand service and recommends making a reservation.

Lucky’s Café102 1/2 Grove St., Worcester508-756-5092Places like Lucky’s are a real fi nd (and this one is hard to fi nd —follow the stairwell and the corridor). They serve up modern bistrofare of excellent quality in a quaint, factory atmosphere at below-average prices. BYOB will further the appeal to frugals. Appetizersand entrees of seafood, steak, pork, chicken, pasta, and vegetables;specialty soups; and an array of salads will please most tastes.Friday and Saturday, 5-9:30 p.m. Visa, Mastercard, AmericanExpress accepted.

continued from page 45


FlavorousBlue Jeans’ Margherita Pizza: featuring fresh Mozzarella, fresh sliced tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic and tomato sauce

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Serving Worcester County since 1959

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We Have... Burgers, Chicken, Pizza, Fish And MORE!!!

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