Pulse Magazine: March 2020

HOT & NOW What’s hot and happening now in the restaurant scene

PAUL GIORGIO

KING OF THE CASTLE. The iconic Castle Restaurant in Leicester, a mainstay

in the area's restaurant scene for decades is up for sale. The Castle was an epicurean’s delight serving classical cuisine. It has been owned by the Nicas family for two generations. Stanley Nicas, the godfather of Worcester’s dining scene, opened it over 50 years ago. It will remain open until it sells.

IT LEFT A BAD TASTE. Taste Of Mediterranean on Worcester’s Franklin

Street has closed. This marks the second restaurant bordering Worcester’s common to close in two months.

THE FIX IS IN. The Fix Burger Bar owned by Worcester based Niche Hospitality opened its second location at the beginning of February in Marlborough.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Worcester’s Public Market located in Kelly Square opened the first week of February and has been mobbed ever since. The numerous food stalls sell everything from bagels to sushi. Wachusett Brewery’s tap room anchors the 20,000 sq. foot marketplace. IF IT’S MARCH, IT’S GIRL SCOUT COOKIE TIME. The local Girl Scouts announced its Fork It Over fundraising event at a new location, Mechanics Hall in Worcester on March 12, 2020. The annual Girl Scout Cookie culinary competition features some of the region’s top chefs creating both sweet and savory dishes using favorites like Thin Mints®, Samoa’s® and Do-si-dos® and presenting their creations to attendees and a distinguished panel of judges. This year’s chefs include those from: Bay Path Tech. Voc. High School, Bushel N’ Peck, D&D Taste of Puerto Rico, JPs Twisted BBQ & Grille, Karol’s Corner Take Out, Milk & Sugar, Mill St. BBQ Company, NOMS Eatery, Nuestra, Old Sturbridge Village, Pepe’s Italian Restaurant, and Publick House. WHERE THERE’S SMOKE, THERE IS BARBEQUE. Sources tell us that Sturbridge’s award-winning BT’s Smokehouse will be opening a Worcester location at the corner of Park Ave and Chandler Streets in the old D’Angelo’s. We don’t have an opening date yet, but you will smell the smoke. THEY’RE MOVING EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE KITCHEN SINK. LaCucina on Worcester’s Hamilton Street is expanding and moving. This family owned eatery, which serves classic Italian American food at very reasonable prices is packing up and moving to Worcester’s Grafton Street. They will be moving into the space that for years was home to Mrs. Mack’s bakery. In addition to a larger space, they will have much more parking. Watch for a springtime opening.

EXPANDING THEIR EMPIRE. Richard Romaine of Romaine’s in North-

borough and his business partner Peter Rano of Worcester’s Smokestack BBQ will soon be opening a third eatery. They will be taking over the space formerly occupied by DaCosta Pizza across the street from Worcester’s Greater Good Brewery on Millbrook Street. DaCosta’s had great Neapolitan pizza but a bad attitude. t h epu ls emag.com

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