Fantom Four

Mezcal - Worcester, MA (Second Review)

2008-08-04T09:04:00.002-04:00

Though we've been to Mezcal many times since our first review (Mezcal and the Niche restaurants are our favorites in Worcester) we've decided to review again, since we had a few new experiences recently (great ones).

The service is still top-notch. Mezcal proves true to the "hospitality" in the term "hospitality industry". Our waiter, our host, and even the owner took good care of us and made sure we had everything we needed. Our silverware and dishes were spotless and cleanliness is a non-issue.

I'd like to comment as to how much fun you can have at Mezcal even if you're trying to be frugal (like us). We spent $30 and got:

The tortilla chips and salsa that come with the table
The jalapeño rice balls (more on that later)
1 fish taco each (my wife and I)
A side of rice and beans
A side of fried plantains
A Corona

And we took most of the plantains and rice home! You can certainly eat well even if you're trying to pinch pennies.

Ok, so is the food still good? Yup. You bet. With the new addition of the jalapeño rice balls, Mezcal has shown that it's still got it. Whatever "it" is. Each of the five rice balls were presented atop tiny inverted forks that were inserted into slots in what appeared to be a custom-made, wooden tray. Very nice.

The fish tacos, loaded with dressings and almost impossible to roll up, served as our main course--only $4. Yeah, and for this quality, you've got to be kidding me. And complete with the wonderful freshness of Mexican cuisine, cilantro; give me more.

Their fried plantains may evade your view since they are only on in the "Sides" section of the menu, but they are a hidden jewel. Fried and coated with a spicy chili honey, they certainly make a tasty addition to any table. But be careful, you probably won't be able to finish them (unless you're a growing boy).

Well, that about wraps up our second review of Mezcal. If you've read the first review, and now you're reading our second and you still haven't been there, shame on you! Get your butt over there and suck down some tequila! (with moderation, of course).

Zipango - Worcester, MA

2008-02-18T16:15:00.001-05:00

Once again, I got a craving for Sushi and we ended up at Zipango--my very first time. It was about 9:30 at night when we called to see how long of a wait it was for a party of 6. The hostess replied over the phone, "One second."

"One second?" I said jokingly. "Really?"

"No, I meant just WAIT one second," she replied, playing along. I was glad she was in a good mood. :) Anyway, she said it would be ten minutes and we just happened to be ten minutes away, so off we went.

The Ambiance

When we arrived, we were seated almost immediately near the window. I must mention that on that particular night it was very cold out and the windows seats are quite drafty.

But there was a very warm feeling inside. The red painted walls, the Japanese-decor bamboo facades hanging from the ceiling along with the tasteful old standards piped in over the sound system made for a very comforting atmosphere. It felt trendy, yet relaxed.

The Service and Cleanliness

The service was so good--. It was almost like a superb actor that dissappears into a role and, is so good, that they don't get noticed or recognized for their acheivment. Our waitress gave us our space and was also attentive and pleasant.

The table was very clean, as would be expected from such an establishment and the silverware was without spot.

The Food

GREAT. SUSHI. AND FISH.

The tiger eye (I think that's the only one I ever get) that I ordered was the best I ever had. The spicy srirachi-flavored sauce on top was just as it should be, spicy and thick. There was a little more tempura on it than usual, but I loved that. I love the crunchiness.

I also tasted a piece of my friend's tuna steak and it was even better. The lemon-wasabi sauce combined with the texture of the perfectly-grilled tuna and the flavor of the seaweed salad practically blew our minds. My friend Jake said that he would happy if that's all he ever ate.

I also sampled the Philly Roll and one other roll covered in some sort of rowe. Each was its own experience, as sushi should be. Zipango is top-notch sushi.

One of us also order their warm saki and, well, let's just say she really enjoyed it. ;)

The Fantom Four's trip to Zipango was not premeditated, but it was certainly a delightful find. I will return their again and again for sushi with all of my friends and I hope you will too!

Here's the scorecard:

// Menu Selection: 9.0
// Taste: 9.8
// Presentation: 8.9
// Ambiance/Atmosphere: 8.8
// Service: 9.7

Zorba's - Southbridge, MA

2008-02-18T16:14:00.001-05:00

We were taking a break from a big moving project . We were dog tired and WICKED hungry, as we say here in New England. Our friend, whom we were moving, decided to treat us all to Zorba's, a favorite stop for people in the Southbridge area.

It was a Friday night and we were a party of ten, so we expected to wait. We waited pretty much an hour to sit down. I wasn't too happy about it, but at least that tells you that the place has a good reputation.

The Ambiance

We finally got in and were seated. Inside, it's very chattery and the large wood rafters and wood decor makes for a comfortable atmosphere. There is a full bar and the music selection is 80s-90s pop music.

The Service

It was a large group and I was really busy eating most of the time and still getting over the 1 hour wait, so I didn't really notice the service much. But I don't really have any complaints.

The Food

I have to point out that, as I am writing this, I am digesting 4 pieces of the best takeout pizza I have ever eaten (along with my Corona) and it came from Zorba's. Tonight we got some takeout and the actual visit to the restaurant was several weeks ago. I had a piece of their chicken sausage pizza. I don't know the name, but even the waitresses can't pronounce it. The vegetarian pizza is equally as good with a breaded-and-fried eggplant--SLURP! And even the plain cheese pizza is nothing short of extraordinary.

Anyway, I digress. Back to the visit.

I had some of the calamari that was ordered for the table and it was good, but nothing special. For my entree, I order a gyro because I am a fan. I was dissapointed because the beef/lamb did not seem to me to be freshly shaved from a big, skewered, rotating piece as is the tradition. The meat appeared to be just pre-frozen strips of the meat that was grilled and greasy.

My recommendation for Zorba's is: get the pizza. The pizza is the best pizza you will ever have. I could take or leave everything else. But let me conclude on the positive: Awesome. Pizza.

// Menu Selection: 9.3
// Taste: 8.2
// Presentation: 7.1
// Ambiance/Atmosphere: 7.3
// Service: 8.4

Racha Thai - Worcester MA - Sheri

2008-01-29T22:25:00.000-05:00

It was a Tuesday night and Ian and I were feeling as we usually do on a weeknight with no specific plans - lets go get something to eat! Unfortunately, our spending has quickly been outweighing our income these days, so we figured we better do something cheap. Not like McDonalds cheap, but we would have to set our budget a little lower than, say, the 111 Chophouse. We were both thinking Thai. Sturbridge was a little far for us, and besides that, we've already reviewed that place :) So we thought either Racha Thai or Thai Cha Da on Park Ave. We decided on Racha Thai, simply because it was closer. So off we went.

Racha Thai is nothing spectacular to look at, and if you were not previously aware of its existence, it would most likely continue to escape your notice. Its in a small plaza, towards the back end. I would tell you to look for the Papa Gino's across the street from Wendy's near the Burlington Coat Factory on Rt. 20. By the time we arrived, it was about 6:30 and we were seated immediately. The decor is typical and generic "Asian." Our waitress was friendly and demure. She seemed to be the only waitress. There were only 2 other parties, besides us, and she was readily available to promptly take our orders and keep our water glasses filled.

We ordered the Golden Bags and Vegetable Tempura to start with. The Golden Bags ($5) were tasty and I love the sweet soy sauce that is served to accompany them. In case you're wondering, the Golden Bags are pretty much like pot stickers or dumplings. I really liked the variety in the Vegetable Tempura. There was a nice mixture of baby corn, sweet potato, broccoli, onions and green beans. It was served with a slightly spicy and sweet dipping sauce. The tempura batter was a little heavier than I would prefer, but at only $5, its still a great deal.

I had the Pad Thai for an entree. I asked for a side of peanut sauce as well. Ian got the Massaman Curry dish with tofu. Our entrees came out quickly, before we even finished with the appetizers, actually. The Pad Thai was delicious and freshly prepared. For me, Pad Thai is incomplete without the peanut sauce, so I was glad to see that my waitress had remembered to also provide a small dish of peanut sauce. It was delicious, and at only $7, a steal. I only ate about 1/3 of my dish, and I was looking forward to eating the rest for lunch the next day. The waitress even gave me a small container of peanut sauce in my to-go box. I sampled some of Ian's dish as well. The Massaman curry sauce was good, but not the best I've ever tasted (once again, I'm lamenting the loss of Thai Cuisine in Millbury!). I was not a big fan of the tofu either. It was a little dry and rubbery. But that's tofu for you. Ian seemed pleased with it though.

All in all, I would say Racha Thai offers many favorite and freshly prepared Thai dishes at prices that are more than reasonable along with amiable service. Its a great place to take friends or family out, your treat! I would suggest getting a couple of appetizers and entrees to split and share, since the portions are generous and the prices kind. They even have an appetizer sampler for only $9 that includes mini Thai rolls, satay and golden cups among other popular items. They also offer a lunch buffet during the week and a dinner buffet on Sunday's. I've yet to try the buffets, but I'm determined to get there one of these days! They also provide carry out service, which is really convenient for lunch time or if you happen to live close by, for dinner. I've ordered out during lunch time and never had to wait more than 15 minutes.

Racha Thai is conveniently located on Rt. 20, right around the corner from the Blackstone Valley Shoppes. The next time you're looking for a place to eat after an arduous shopping trip, and are sick of the Longhorn's/Applebee's/TGI Friday's/Uno's/Red Robin/Qdoba offerings at the Shoppes, consider Racha Thai. Its good food for an extremely reasonable price.

Bocado Tapas Bar - Worcester, MA - Ian

2008-01-25T08:25:00.000-05:00

It has been over a year since Bocado came into my life. I don't know why I have waited so long to review it but, in a way, I'm glad. Just last week I had the best experience there, ever.

My sister-in-law was to be married that weekend and we had friends visiting from all over. So we wanted to take them somewhere special. We made reservations at Bocado and sat down as soon as we walked in. There was a latin band playing at the bar--there was some salsa, bachata--a little bit of everything.

We were seated in the Cava lounge, which was away from the music and a bit more quiet. We were led to a long table with modern-looking chairs that had only a single cushion lumbar support. Tres chic. Opposite our chairs was a soft, cream-colored booth. With some original art in the decor, you can't really get more modern, or sexy (as the website claims) than that.

Bocado is a tapas bar. A little history on tapas: Tradition asserts that Spanish King Alfonso X mandated that no wine be served at any inns unless accompanied by something to eat. So, the “botillerias” (bottle-shops) and “tabernas” (taverns) started to place a piece of smoked ham or cheese atop the wine glasses of the guests. This also served to keep insects out of their drinks. Thus tapas sread throughout all Spain and are served all over the world today.

Some also feel that the tapa first appeared because of the need of farmers and workers of other unions to take a small amount of food during their working time, which allowed them to carry on working until time for the main meal.

Who knows. All I know is that I love it. The way Bocado serves tapas, bringing them out one at a time, allows me to eat like a European--slowly and enjoyably. I get to have a lot of variety and I don't have to stuff myself in the process. It allows me to feel full when I am full. But, I'm just a health nut.

The Food

There were 10 of us and, believe it or not, we ordered the Bocado Experience for 4 and we had food left over. I don't even know where to start in describing the food, but it included 4 choices from the charcuteria y queso menu, 10 choices from the tapas menu and a paella clasica for 2 (which can feed 6). By the time the paella arrived, most of us had had enough. Of course, I had some paella. It was absolutely scrumptuous. Steaming hot shrimp, clams, mussels, calamari with a saffron rice--it was delish.

As for the tapas and charcuteria: The crowd favorite was definitely the queso de cabra con miel. This is a honey goat cheese covered in panko and fried to a golden brown and then served with almonds. I think that we ordered two of them and people were still complaining they didn't get enough--"Hey stop hoarding the goat cheese!", somebody said.

My personal favorite is the DÁTILES CON QUESO DE CABRA Y TOCINO (dates filled with goat cheese and bacon -- separately $4). I am a huge fan of dates. I also like the ATÚN DE BOCADO (raw tuna with lemon basil crema, sweet potato chips & chili avocado -- separately $10). The lemon basil crema is light and delectable. Those two are from the "frias" side of the tapas menu, meaning cold.

On the "calientes" side, the CALAMARES CON AJO Y LIMÓN (separately $6) is always a god choice, and much better than most others' calamari. And the flavor of the PIQUILLO RELLENOS (piquillos peppers stuffed with tasso ham, garbanzo beans & goat cheese with grilled onion crema -- separately $6) will blow you away. The combination of sweet and savory is a pure work of art.

The Service

A Porrón

Outstanding. The entire team was wonderfully pleasant, attentive and, well, hospitable. They claim to be "redefining hospitality" and, boy, did we get a special dose that night.

The restaurant owner, Mike, came to our table with something called a porrón. It's a pitcher of sorts that resembles a teapot. It has a long spout and it is meant for drinking wine. He was hugely entertaining and showed us the technique that is used to drink from it. It's meant to be passed around so you don't touch it to your lips, but instead, you pour a stream of it into your mouth. I know some of you are already really liking this idea. Then you're supposed to see how far you can extend the stream from your mouth and demonstrate your skill. I tried it, and yeah, I got cava (a rosé of sorts) on my shirt. Just a little though. That's more than I can say for some others at the table.

It was an awesome experience for us that night. The porrón, the excllent food, the European atmosphere, the hospitable restaurant owner made it a night to remember. The Niche Hospitality Group has done it again and we have ourselves another Fantom Four Fave. One of our friends visiting from Buffalo said, "This must be the best resaurant in the northeast." Enough said.

http://www.bocadotapasbar.com/index.html

Scorecard:

// Menu Selection: 9.9
// Taste: 9.9
// Presentation: 9.9
// Ambiance/Atmosphere: 9.7
// Service: 9.9

Mezcal - Worcester, MA - Ian

2008-01-16T12:29:00.000-05:00

Oh. My. Goodness. Gaaahh, gahh, gah...drool drool...

The Niche Hospitality Group has done it again and Mezcal is now officially a Fantom Four Fave!

I have to admit that the first time I walked in there, I was looking for a more budget-friendly place and I went somewhere else. Boy, did I make a BIG MISTAKE. In fact, you can do a budget night at Mezcal and still eat awesome food and have a great time. My wife and I only spent forty-five bucks and we each took home half of our entrees because we couldn't eat it all. OK, so here's the review.

The Ambiance
I remembered eating there when it was the Pearl Oyster. It hasn't changed too much, but I like it because it's very quiet and small. The decor is very tasteful and keeps in line with Niche's style: classy.

The Service
We were greeted by some avocados in a bowl of the same color and square starter plates (I love square plates). The plates reminded me of Block 5.

Our waitress was delightful and we were waited on by several people. In fact, someone came to refill my wife's water glass only to be beaten to the punch by someone else. I would describe the service as attentive, well-accommodating and enjoyable. The host even joined in on our experience and was happy to answer questions in passing about the menu items.

The Food
OK, here we go. The guacamole--no, I'll wait on that. We actually started with the salsa and tortilla chips (which everybody gets as complimentary). It was pretty standard except for the addition of coriander, which I am not used to--but I got used to it quickly. Very good.

OK, the guacamole--YIKES!!! I think you should go to Mezcal, if for nothing else, for the guacamole alone. Amazing. Spectacular. I'm overflowing with adjectives! I've never had guacamole like this anywhere else and I've been to a lot of Mexican and Tex-Mex places from Nashua to San Diego. Simply delicious. We decided to get the tasting flight which is a bit of the house, tropical and crunchy. Each were fantastic in their own merit. The house: perfect. The tropical: sumptuous. And, finally, the crunchy: intriguing.

For a second course, I chose the empanadas. They were made with lobster & sauteed mushrooms with smoked cheddar, Mexican oregano & minced serrano (That's right off the menu). They were other-worldly. And for twelve bucks it's just craziness. I couldn't even eat the second one and it tasted just as good the next day.

For dessert, we chose the chimichanga, which we had to wait a little while for, but the host approached us and said it was on the house. And, let me tell you, it was certainly worth the wait.

In summary, Mezcal is top-notch Worcester eating. My wife proclaimed it to be her new favorite restaurant--and she's picky. So, we'll be in from time-to-time, maybe just for the guacamole and a Corona with lime. We love it.

Watch for us to hit Bocado soon for a review. Oh yeah, we've been there a bunch of times, and it's awesome!

Here's the scorecard:

// Menu Selection: 9.5
// Taste: 9.9 (I don't really know what a ten is and I'm afraid something bad might happen if I put one!)
// Presentation: 9.8
// Ambiance/Atmosphere: 9.3
// Service: 9.8

Niche Hospitality Group
I want to just take a minute and talk a little bit about the Niche Hospitality Group. Please note: These comments are entirely my own thoughts and unsolicited.

I am so thankful that the Niche group has brought their restaurants to Worcester. They have raised the bar in experience and quality which, I am hoping, will improve the quality of all new restaurants to dare themselves onto the Worcester restaurant scene.

Many of you may be aware that Niche first brought Block 5 to Green Street and then Bocado to Winter Street. What I love about Niche restaurants is that they are all consistent in quality and service. I can't honestly say that I see this same consistency in other group's restaurants.

To the Niche Group: Thank you, thank you, thank you. To all others, you owe it to yourself to get over to one of these fantastic restaurants that, in my opinion, could compete in any restaurant scene across the country.

They claim that they are "Redefining Hospitality". They ain't lyin'.

Calabria Ristorante - Millbury, MA - Sheri

2008-01-13T10:57:00.000-05:00

Let me begin by saying that I grew up in Millbury. I like to think that I avoided ever becoming what, those of us who feel exempt from such labels, refer to as "townies" or "Millbillies." But let's be honest, after 20+ years of living in the same town, some things start to rub off on you. So, when I heard that a new Italian restaurant, excuse me, I mean Ristorante, was opening on S. Main St, where Linda's Discount Video used to be, I was beyond shocked. I immediately started feeling sad for whoever had mistakenly thought that a swanky restaurant with style and maybe even a little culture would be able to make it in our beloved little town.

I had a brief flash back to Thai Cuisine that once occupied the Taft House on Main St. It was, by far, the best Thai food I've yet to have in MA (sorry Thai Place, you're a close second). I remember with fondness meeting my father there for lunch. Usually we were the only 2 in the entire place, which should've been a strong indicator that things were not going well for that little place. Their food was always freshly prepared, top notch quality, and a fair price. But, sure enough, after a brief year or 2 stint, they were gone. It was a sad day for Ian and I. But, I digress...

Back to Calabria. For several weeks Ian and I had every good intention to get over to this new place that was creating quite the hype among the Millbillies. (At this point I'd like to point out that the term "Millbillies" is not meant to be derogatory in any way, and I hope that no one takes it too personally. Believe me, its a term of endearment. I'm from there too, remember?) Finally one Friday night in December, we made it over there. It was about 7:00 and the place was packed. Always a good sign. I was immediately won over by the beautiful decor-dark tables and chairs, swanky granite top bar, handsome bar tender... all in all a great first impression. It was hard to believe we were still in Millbury.

We were seated after a brief 10 or 15 minute wait at the bar. I perused the menu, as is my custom, hoping something would pop out at me. I considered several options, but stuck with my old standby, a chicken scallopini dish with liguini served with a lemon caper sauce. Ian decided on a shrimp scampi dish. We ordered the fried calamari to start with. The calamari came quickly. It was a little over-cooked for my liking. I prefer a light crispy batter. This was sort of soggy and over fried. The marinara sauce, served for dipping, was tangy and tasty. Our meals came out in quick succession. I was not impressed with my meal. It lacked taste, bordering on bland, even after dousing it with salt and parmesan cheese. I only finished about 1/4 of the dish, since the portion was more than generous. I sampled Ian's shrimp scampi, hoping for something better. Nothing spectacular there either. The waitress continued to be attentive and helpful. About 40 minutes and $50 later, we were leaving.

I had lunch there again with an old friend not too long ago. My food experience was again, unremarkable. I had the tortellini with pesto. She had the gnocchi. Neither one of us was impressed. It satisfied our appetite, and lets face it, its better than eating a tuna sandwich or throwing a lean cuisine in the microwave for lunch.

Its difficult for me to sum up my review of this restaurant. I'm always a big fan of new restaurants that present fresh new options to those of us who have grown tired of the old corporate stand-by's that the Millbury Shoppes offer (i.e. Applebee's, Friday's, Uno's, etc.). I admire their courage for bringing their little piece of Italian heritage to a small town like Millbury. The restaurant itself is beautiful. They've done an amazing job with renovating the space, and have really improved the face of S. Main St. The staff is always warm and friendly. Calabria Ristorante offers a nice setting to meet up and enjoy good conversation with friends or family. My issue lies with the food. There is certainly plenty of room for improvement there. I hope to see their menu expand and improve in the months and, hopefully, years to come.

The next time I have a lunch appointment with someone in town, I may suggest going to 'this great little Italian restaurant in town. Its really nice inside. The food isn't anything special, but its better than Applebee's. And its right on S. Main...'

Halfway Cafe - Marlborough, MA - Jake

2008-01-12T23:58:00.000-05:00

I agree with Ian wholeheartedly on this one.

The ambiance and service were just as agreeable as the food itself. I was able to join in on the appetizers and enjoyed the crispy onion rings and loved the pairing of the calamari with the hot peppers. It was a truly wonderful combination.

For an entree I had the Halfway Fish & Chips with Sweet Potato Fries. The fish was served in small pieces that were perfect for using your hands with, and a tartar sauce that was refreshingly tangy. The sweet potato fries were great and the coleslaw was some of the best I've tasted lately. All-in-all it was fish & chips done right, and I would happily return to not only have them again but try any of their other available dishes.

Go there with friends and just relax and feast! Great food, a wonderful laid back atmosphere, and friendly fun people. The Halfway Cafe is well worth the visit.

Halfway Cafe - Marlborough, MA - Ian

2008-01-12T13:34:00.000-05:00

Halfway Cafe on Boston Post Road in Marlborough

We were headed to the Solomon Pond Mall on Friday evening and we were hungry. So I Googled restaurants in the area from my phone and I found the Halfway Cafe and discovered that it is a favorite of the Phantom Gourmet. We decided to check it out.

The Ambiance

One word to describe this place is FUN. When you walk in, you're greeted by one of those curvy mirrors (vertically, of course) that makes you look all stretchy and stuff. You could smell popcorn and hear great music. We had to wait about 10 minutes for a table, but it was Friday night and it definitely seemed like a popular place.

The Food

There was a great selection of food, great prices and a full bar. They're running a "7 for 7" special for the month of January. There are seven different meals for 7 dollars. Two of the people at my table ordered the Steak Au Poivre and they said you couldn't beat it for 7 bucks.

For appetizers, we had the calamari and onion rings and they were both fantastic! I was really impressed by the onion rings because the batter actually stuck to the onion. It wasn't like the rings at Red Robin that slide all the way out on the first bite and slap you on the chin.

The calamari was also outstanding. It was served with red and green hot peppers and some tangy marinara. It definitely beats the calamari you'd get at Longhorn's, 99, Friday's or any of those places.

For my entree, I ordered a burger. It was tasty, although a bit overcooked, and the fries were especially good. They were skin-on, hand-cut. Can't beat that. Together with my black-and-tan it made me a very happy (and full) man.

The Service

I was very pleased with the service. All of our appetizers came out very quickly, and so did out entrees. This was especially impressive for a Friday evening. Our waitress was very friendly and good-natured and the others in the wait staff had a similar persona that melded well with the family atmosphere.

I liked this place so much that I'm going to add it to the Fantom Four Fantastic Finds! I was very pleased to know that there are still great pubs out there that remain unscathed by the corporate monster that has taken over American, feel-good food.

Haiku - Worcester, MA - Ian

2008-01-07T15:18:00.000-05:00

The evening started with a hankering for sushi. So, we thought, "Let's go over to Baba!" It's this sushi bar I heard of in Worcester that was supposed to be really good. Someone told me it's the place to go for sushi in Worcester.

Well, it was completely packed when we got there and we didn't have a reservation so we figured that we would try it another time and go down the street to try out Haiku. I had heard that it made runner up for best new restaurant in the Worcester Magazine - Best of Worcester 2007. We had a pretty good experience.

The Ambiance and Location

We drove a couple of blocks down Park Avenue to where Haiku is located, right across from Biago's Grill.

Inside, we found the ambiance to be modern, not too noisy, and comfortable. The temperature was great (even though we were sitting right next to the door) and the atmosphere was very warm. The appearance of the patrons told us that this was a classy place. We were excited.

The Service

Well, I'm trying to find a good balance between fair and honest when making an assessment of the service at Haiku. I should note that all of us, except for one, waited over an hour for our entrees. But the floor manager did make a personal appearance at our table and explained that they were unexpectedly short staffed and they informed us that we would be receiving a free dessert spread. This was an impressive gesture since we were a party of 6. We were well-compensated for our inconvenience.

Also deserving notable mention is the fact that, when we first arrived, we were told that they only had seating for 4, but when we insisted on staying, they pulled an extra table out of storage to seat all of us. I was very pleased with the service at this point.

The Food

My wife and I split an order of vegetable tempura for an appetizer. It was pleasingly light and the accompanying dipping sauce was tangy and very well-balanced. It included shrimp, onions, asparagus (which I am a fan of) and sweet potato.

For my entree, I ordered the Tiger Eye Maki, a sushi-roll that is cut into 6 pieces. It surely was a salmon-wrapped delight that was filled with tuna and asparagus and then lightly covered in tempura. It was finished off with what I believed to be some kind of Japanese-soy-mayo-with -srirachi (a spicy element) kind of sauce. And of course, I dipped it into my low-sodium soy and wasabi mixture.

All in all the Tiger Eye Maki is outstanding.

My wife also made a positive comment about the sushi at Haiku: Many times, even though she enjoys sushi, she sometimes experience a gag-reflex kind of feeling when eating it. But she commented that she especially enjoyed the sushi at Haiku that night because she didn't get that feeling at all. She ordered the Philly Roll and was very pleased.

For dessert, we all sampled the platter they brought: A yummy chocolate cake, bananas flambee, ginger ice cream and these crispy strawberry rolls. They even poured some alcohol over the top of it all and gave us a little pyro show. Everybody was digging in, and lovin' it.

In summary, Haiku certainly satisfied my hankering for sushi. I'm confident that if you're feeling like a sushi night, Haiku won't let you down.

Here's the scorecard:

// Menu Selection: 9.2
// Taste: 8.9
// Presentation: 8.9
// Ambiance/Atmosphere: 8.8
// Service: 7

Via Italian Table-Sheri's assessment

2007-05-17T18:12:00.000-04:00

Let me begin by saying, I had really high hopes for this restaurant. I am a big fan of the 111 Chophouse and The Sole, and when I heard they were opening an Italian restaurant right on Shrewsbury Street, I was elated. I drove by each week and saw the restaurant quickly come together. That being said...my actual dining experience was not quite what I had anticipated. I was picturing succulent, rich Italian dishes with decadent ingredients and, of course, plenty of garlic. My experience on Saturday evening was a little different.

The Food:
I perused the paper placemat menus for several minutes trying to find something that would say "Eat me." Sadly, nothing really jumped out at me. In fact, I was really sad that there was no fettuccine alfredo, in fact very little selection in regards to white sauces in general. The vast majority of the menu featured red sauces such as bolognese and vodka sauces. I was happy to see many pasta dishes offered in both small and large sizes. There was also a nice selection of pizzas. Since I had my heart set on alfredo sauce, and nothing else seemed especially interesting to me, I settled on the Baked Caprese Salad. I figured I'd sample everyone else's dishes to try a little of everything else.

Soon after being seated, they brought us some freshly baked bread. It was tasty. They also provided a small carafe of olive oil (the tiny spout wasn't especially efficient considering my inclination towards olive oil), pepper mill, and salt. The only thing lacking was some parmesan cheese to add to the olive oil. The oil itself was great.

My Baked Caprese Salad was OK. The bread was a little burnt around the edges, the mozzarella didn't taste especially fresh, and the balsamic dressing was too sweet for my taste. On a positive note, it was a good size portion. 4 thickly cut pieces of tuscan loaf with plenty of mozzarella and fresh basil.

I also sampled some of the other dishes. The Basil Pesto with farfalle was tasty, but again, nothing spectacular. At $10 for a "small" plate, it was no bargain. When they say small, they mean small. For only $12 the grilled pizza with rotisserie chicken, roasted red peppers, mozzarella, and romano seemed like the best deal at the table. It was a large rectangular pizza plenty big enough for 2, maybe even 3 or 4 as an appetizer. My friend at the table got the small portion of vodka sauce with penne and said it was the best vodka sauce she ever had. I let her be the judge, since I'm not big on vodka sauces.

I did splurge for the dessert (and I do mean splurge-$8 a piece). I had a hard time choosing between the Espresso Brownie Sundae and the Crepe Cake. After much deliberation I chose the Crepe Cake. It was an innovative idea-layer upon layer of crepes with a sweet marscarpone like cheese in between and a small spattering of black cherry preserves sauce on the side. Unfortunately, I couldn't tell you what kind of cheese it was, because my waitress didn't know. It wasn't a dramatic taste by any means, but it wasn't a bad taste either. Basically, nothing spectacular. In my personal opinion, if they would've put more of the cherry sauce over the cake instead of just a small spoon full on the side, maybe it would've stretched the taste a little more. My friend got the Espresso Brownie Sundae and I heard no complaints whatsoever coming from her side of the table.

The atmosphere:
Its absolutely beautiful inside. The heavy drapes and "candle" chandeliers cast a warm glow over the dining room. The open kitchen with basket fulls of freshly baked bread at the ready gives it an old world feel. The brown leather round booths give it a chic touch. The wait staff in simple black T's and long white aprons give it a more casual feel.

We arrived around 9pm on a Saturday evening, and it was a full house. We didn't have to wait more than 15 minutes for our table for 8. They get big points for that. A typical wait for us on a Saturday evening, without reservations, is usually more like 45 minutes. The bar area was great for waiting with plenty of stools to spare. The only downside was if you sat at the end of the bar, where the wait staff came in and out, it got a little crowded and congested. In fact, looking around the dining area, it seemed like the wait staff was all over the place. The congestion seemed to be coming mostly from them, not from the patrons. It added a bit of a rushed and frantic aura to the air. Once we were seated, we loved the big brown leather booths. Plenty of seating for all 8 of us.

The place settings were a bit surprising. Heavy weighted silverware wrapped in dish cloth napkins seemed out of place. When we ordered the House wine, it was served in a carafe with small drinking tumblers, instead of wine goblets. That sort of took away from any notions of upscale dining. The paper placemats/menus were the clincher. That's when I realized that my preconceived notions of posh dining in a trendy Italian restaurant were way off course. This wasn't an upscale restaurant designed to make you feel trendy and chic. It was old world designed to make you feel comfy and at ease.

The Service:
One thing that really impressed me at 111 and at The Sole was the level of service. The wait staff at Via seemed inexperienced and inattentive, and fell short of my expectations. When I ordered my Pellegrino, I asked for a lemon instead of a lime. When my water came out, with a lime, I asked again for a lemon. It never came. I know that lemons and limes are not huge deals, but it was a bad first impression in my mind. Then my friend ordered a salad as her entree and asked that it be brought out with the rest of the entrees instead of as an appetizer. The good news is that it came out pretty soon after placing the order, but she was the only one with food. Our waitress, however, did notice and apologized. When our entrees were brought out by various wait staffers, they were rushed and bordered on rude. When I asked my waitress what kind of cheese was in the Crepe Cake, she said she didn't know, but "some people like it, and some people don't." She said it was served with a blueberry sauce, but it was actually a cherry sauce. Trivalities, I know, but again, I was expecting the service to be on par with 111 or The Sole, and it wasn't. Interestingly, the pricing was right up there with its cousins, with entrees ranging from $17 for lasagna right up to $60 for Steak Florentine (for two). The high prices did not match the level of service.

Lasting impressions:
I admit, my review is less than glowing. However, I would like to go back to Via. Here's why. My first visit was a disappointment. That being said, I feel as though it was partially my own fault. My expectations were on a completely different plane than the vibe that Via is actually trying to send out. When I visited their website (after I visited their restaurant) I realized that it was not fair of me to be expecting some sort of fancy Italian restaurant. They never made those claims. So I'd like to go back, and give it another shot. This time with an open mind and a hungry appetite.

Via Italian Table (Guest Contributor)

2007-05-17T18:08:00.000-04:00

The ambiance was great. However, it was blurred by the hectic wait staff. As I watched from the bar, I actually saw a pregnant patron get bumped twice without acknowledgement. Although small, I enjoyed my arugula salad. The size was more like a side salad. My margarita drink was a delicious and fun combination of cilantro and pear. Dessert was well worth the wait and size was not lacking. Would I come back? For the dessert-yes.

Contributed by Fantom Four guest writer-Erica

Via Italian Table - Worcester, MA - Ian

2007-05-14T08:47:00.000-04:00

My friends had been talking about this restaurant since long before it opened. They knew who was opening it, where it was opening and what it was going to be. A lot of anticipation was built. Well, we finally made it over there on Saturday night, almost a month after they opened their doors.

The Ambiance and Location
The first impression was great. Stunning styles, oval tables and candle-chandeliers. It seems as though they achieved the look they were going for: neo-old-world-Italian...if that's not an oxymoron for you. One of my favorite features was the fact that the kitchen is wide open and you can see everything that goes on. That means it's clean. Always a good thing when dining out. And sitting at those oval tables was a neat experience.

And of course, add to that Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, which a sign on 290 labels as the "Cultural District", and you've got yourself a hot spot. And it certainly is a hot spot, from the looks of the clientele wining, dining and feeling free.

The Service
Unfortunately, I can't say as much for the service. I didn't really notice it myself until my friends mentioned it. Our server was very attentive and friendly, but the runners that brought out our food seemed kind of careless, practically throwing our plates down on the table.

The Food
The menu was very simple and interesting, although I felt that the variety was a bit lacking and I was disappointed not to find a dear favorite of mine, fettuccine Alfredo, even though I know it's more of an Italian-American dish.

My wife and I split an order of calamari that was very pleasing. I thought the marinara was sufficient. The breading on the squid rings was very light and crunchy, just as it should be. I was able to sample what my friends ordered, thought I kept it simple and decided to try the pesto sauce, which I was very pleased with. I got it on farfalle--always a good choice to hold that sauce.

I was able to sample their pizza, vodka sauce and a mozzarella salad on toast, which was very sweet with balsamic vinegar--yummy. I enjoyed the samplings, though nothing really struck me as groundbreaking.

For dessert, my wife and I ordered the crepe cake, which was a tad bit disappointing. It came with an insufficient drizzling of black cherry sauce that was tasty. Without the sauce however, there was not much to the flavor of the crepe cake. We would have liked to have seen more sauce. On the other hand, my friends who ordered the chocolate cake dish were very happy with it.

All in all, I'd say that Via Italian Table has a bit of a way to go in order to reach the bar set by its steak house counterpart, One Eleven Chophouse, from the same restaurant group. I would definitely go back again for the pleasing and fun atmosphere, but I'm hoping to see it mature and catch up to its fantastic cousins--111 and the Sole.

Here's the scorecard:
// Menu Selection: 7.8
// Taste: 8.4
// Presentation: 9.2
// Ambiance/Atmosphere: 10
// Service: 6.7

http://www.viaitaliantable.com

Chioda's Trattoria - Worcester, MA - Ian

2006-12-04T11:42:00.000-05:00

by Ian

I love this restaurant. I'm Italian and I've always loved Italian food, and this place is definitely one of my favorites. Forget about Vinny T's or any other "chain" restaurant like that. This is where it's at. They aimed for authentic Italian dining and they've certainly made their mark in Worcester.

The Location
Away from the buzz of downtown, Chioda's sits at the top of Franklin Street and looks down on Shrewsbury Street.

The Ambiance
As you can see in the photo, they've chosen some very warm yellows and reds. It's not large and loud, but rather quaint and cozy. And with the accompanying Italian music, it's the perfect setting for a romantic evening.

The Food and Selection
OK, so now we move on to the good part. I've been to Chioda's several times and tried many of their dishes and I've never been disappointed.

It's hard for me to choose a favorite, but it's definitely a tie between the porcetta and the almond-encrusted Gorgonzola sirloin. The former was a moist, rolled pork loin around prosciutto and a cheese I couldn't quite put my finger on. The latter is steak sirloin smothered in this beautiful Gorgonzola cream. Each time I've had it, it was always cooked exactly as I requested. Both dishes demonstrated true culinary excellence and contribute to the maintenance of high standards of fine dining in the city of Worcester.

I've also had the opportunity to try their Alfredo and scampi dishes. The Alfredo was not soupy, but the right consistency and sticks to the fettuccine. This is very important for me, as many restaurants omit the egg from the sauce leaving the fettuccine swimming in a sea of cheesy cream. The shrimp scampi is also delightful: buttery, garlicky (if I'm allowed to say that) and huge shrimp. You can't ask for much more from a scampi dish.

I must mention, though, that they have a very extensive menu. Even with all the dishes I'm highlighting here, you must look at the menu yourself to see the real selection.

I was so excited to share my favorites that I forgot to mention that Chioda's bread dipping oil is pretty much the best in town. I don't know what's in it, but it's awesome. You should at least stop by just to try the oil.

Their standards of excellence are carried right on through to dessert. I've tried the tiramisu (amazing), the limoncello cake, which is a lemon-cake, which wife would die for (or from) and I sat across from someone once who tried their lava cake and said it was wonderfully warm and creamy inside.

The Service
Their service is right on par with their food. I haven't met anyone on their staff that wasn't friendly and cheerful. Tables and silverware are always clean and staff are always making sure that plates and glasses that you're finished with are taken out of your way.

Chioda's is a true gem. Worcester should be proud to have Chioda's Trattoria as part of it's host of great resaurants. Chioda's, though, is now setting the standard for fine Italian dining.

Here's the scorecard:

// Menu Selection: 9.3
// Taste: 9.6
// Presentation: 8.9
// Ambiance/Atmosphere: 9.7
// Service: 10

Welcome India Cuisine - Framingham, MA - Ian

2006-07-10T13:16:00.000-04:00

by Ian

Pleasantly surprised. That would definitely summarize my experience here.

The Location
While the location is definitely convenient (on Route 9 in Framingham, on the eastbound side), the area and outside appearance can be deceiving.

The Ambiance
While there is a small, limited seating area, it makes for a tranquil setting. The restaurant appeared very clean and orderly, and this also lent itself to a peaceful, relaxed experience. I was treated with a cloth napkin, and this was only at the lunch buffet!

The Food and Selection
Please keep in mind that I was only there for the lunch buffet. While only a small variety of dishes to choose from, they were of the highest quality. Before I even took my seat I was offered fresh baked naan (an Indian flat bread) in the flavors of onion, garlic, plain and others still. I ordered the garlic naan. It was also sprinkled with fresh basil and cilantro and it was awesome!

From the buffet, I chose the chicken masala--a rich, red-brown thick sauce with chunks of chicken. I used every last bit of my naan to send that down my chute. Oh so good. I also had some zucchini deep-fried in a chick-pea batter. This is a great choice for those of us on the Atkins/South Beach diet who miss those deep-fried, golden goodies. I also sampled their vegetable mix that was available, and it was OK. Their strength is definitely in the naan and soy or meat w/sauce dishes. And again, this was just for the lunch buffet. I hope to return there for a full-course dinner soon.

The Service
The service was excellent. Everyone on the staff was smiling and attentive, addressing me with "sir". And when I left, they also sent me off with a smile. Well, two, actually. Their smile and mine as well.

Here is a quick scorecard: (FOR JUST THE BUFFET)

Out of 10

// Menu Selection: 6.8
// Taste: 8.3
// Presentation: 6.5
// Ambiance/Atmosphere: 8.0
// Service: 9.0

Thai Place, Sturbridge MA - LK

2006-04-07T13:35:00.000-04:00

Its only a short drive to Sturbridge and you find yourself entering a Thai style Tiki room. From the wood lined walls to the bamboo bar, you will forget you're in America.

Menu:
The choice seems hard between the noodles and rice selections to the seafood and meat choices. Do you like a certain sauce? Perhaps curry? Mix and match the meat of your choice to the sauce of your choice. I suggest the tofu! Vegetarians have a huge selection here.

Looking for a romantic night out? The tables for two are perfect as is the appetizer combo - 2 of everything - Even Steven!

Just ask and you can get extra peanuts or hot peppers.

The food is delicious! Lunch or dinner the prices are great and extremely reasonable.

Want to keep the Thai illusion? Just ask for chopsticks and tea.

Service is great and friendly, but definitely informal.

A great comfortable place to eat with a large or small party.

Nancy Chang, Worcester MA - LK

2006-04-07T13:30:00.000-04:00

As we walked under the awning of a fine brick storefront, I knew this was not your average Chinese restaurant. The entry is tranquil with tall fish tanks and quiet music. You are definitely in the mood to try health Eastern cuisine.

The crab rangoons are an excellent group starter. The portions are generous yet appear classy in square white plates. Expect to pay slightly more than other Chinese food restaurants, but the atmosphere is worth it. Don't forget to ask the waitress to bring tea for the table. Don't get the menu's appetizers confused with the meals. The listings under the "Salads and Soups" are appetizers, not meals. Looking for a delicious lo mein? Go for the deluxe!

One Eleven Chophouse - Worcester, MA - Ian

2006-03-28T09:08:00.000-05:00

by Ian

Posh. Upscale. These are a couple of words that come to mind when you walk into the browns and reds of the One Eleven Chop House. As you make your way into the main dining room, (which is where Sheri and I sat) you walk by a table for two with big, brown, leather wing chairs. Nice.

This was a trip we've been meaning to take for some time. Actually, I've been waiting since about 1999 when I received a $100 gift certificate to the One Eleven and the Sole Proprietor. Now it was time to whip that baby out for a night on the town.

Location and Ambiance
Well, we touched on it a bit already but comfortable, indulgent and luxurious are a few more words that come to mind when thinking of the atmosphere. It was a bit noisy, but it was also Friday night and very busy. I was pleased with our surroundings.

Located right in the heart of Worcester's cultural district, Shrewsbury Street, it couldn't be more accessible. It's minutes from downtown and seconds off route I-290, exit 15.

Service
The service was what should be expected of such an establishment. Respectful, courteous and attentive. I'd give it 5 out of 5 stars. Our waiter was knowledgable regarding wine (he recommended a great red for my filet), he offered us more bread when we finished and he let us take our time to find what we wanted and then enjoy it.

The Food
OK, wow. That's one way to start. I got the mixed grill platter, which was comprised of filet mignon over a bed of garlic-mashed, duck confie over a bed of this amazing onion and fig jelly and then two grilled jumbo shrimp over some great tomato salsa mix. The flavors were diverse and all their own. I have to say that my favorite single thing on the plate was the onion and fig jelly. I could have eaten an entire bowl of it. OK, no, that would be gross. Two thumbs way, way up, though, for the mixed grill.

I forgot to mention the Caesar salad: The presentation was interesting: just whole romaine leaves draped across the plate with all the fixings on top. I had to cut up the lettuce myself, but I didn't mind. I must say, it's a great way to add a little something to a classic dish and cut down on preparation time all at once. Nice move, 111.

As I mentioned before, the waiter suggested a glass of Pinot that was perfect for my mixed grill. Mmm, mmm, good.

I guess I was so excited about my mixed grill that I forgot not only to mention the salad, but the appetizers. I got the Vidalia onion soup (as they call it). It was excellent. Many french onion soups locally are much too dark and rich. This was the perfect balance of flavor and simplicity. Oh and with that swiss cheese draped over the top of the crock...yeah, that's good stuff.

And for dessert, Sheri and I split the apple brown Betty crepes. We were so stuffed we opted not to get our own desserts. A 9.2 out of 10: The crepes were a little dry, but that didn't affect the wonderful taste.

The One Eleven Chop House is, without a doubt, one of Worcester's top three restaurants. It is truly fine cuisine. The prices aren't so bad either. If you stick with an entree, you can stay in the $25 range and still get sides and salads. When you go for the steak cuts is when it becomes a la carte and can get expensive. But everything that the chop house has to offer is well worth the money--the craftsmen there are delightfully skilled in their craft.

Here's the scorecard:

// Menu Selection: 9
// Taste: 9.7
// Presentation: 9.4
// Ambiance/Atmosphere: 9.1
// Service: 9.9

http://www.111chophouse.com/

Chioda's Trattoria, Worcester MA-Sheri

2006-02-05T11:26:00.000-05:00

The first time I noticed the sign advertising the opening of a new Italian trattoria, I was super excited. Ian and I love Italian food, and we were getting kind of tired of the typical Vinny T's. It had been a while since we tried a new Italian restaurant that we liked.

Our first visit to Chioda's was the day they opened for lunch. They brought us rustic Italian bread and olive oil dipping sauce that was so delicious, we were asking for a refill on the olive oil within a few short minutes (it was also 1:30 and we were starving). The olive oil dipping sauce was thick with flavorful herbs and seasonings as well as parmesan cheese. The bread had a nice thick and hard crust on it with a light and airy inside that made the perfect vehicle for the oil.

After much deliberation we agreed to split a dinner entree and finally decided on the Chicken Scaloppini with Lemon & Capers. At $14.95 it was a cheap lunch, but they added a $2 charge for splitting. Something I myself, am not a fan of. Why should they charge you more, when you're getting the same amount of food? Not really sure of the reasoning behind that, but whatever. If they asked me (which of course they haven't), I would say that they should offer slightly larger portions for splitting (like Vinny T's) or maybe charge a splitting fee, but include an additional cup of soup. I just don't like the idea of paying more for exactly the same thing.

More about the soup, though. Instead of salad, a cup of soup is served with each dinner entree. Its a homemade "Wedding soup" and it is yummy. Of course, since we only ordered one entree, we only got one cup of soup, so I only had a few tastes of Ian's, because I insisted that I didn't need to get my own. Next time we dined there, I was sure to get my own.

The entree came pretty quickly. It was great. I don't really have a lot to say about it, except that it was just really good. Not any spectacular flavor from it, but then again its a fairly simple dish. It has all of my most favorite elements-lemon, capers, and butter. We both cleaned our plates, and were well satisfied.

That particular day, since it was their first week open, the staff were especially attentive and friendly. But then again, we were the only 2 people there.

All in all, a great experience. You can tell its a new restaurant, still working out the kinks and getting a feel for things, but I'm sure that, with time, it will grow to become a favorite in Worcester.

Thai Place - Sturbridge, MA - Ian

2006-01-31T09:51:00.000-05:00

OK, so we've been venturing outside of Worcester lately and we discovered that there lots of great places hidden away in Sturbridge. One of which is a Thai restaurant called Thai Place. Sheri loves Thai food. I like it.

The Service
I have to say, though, that the best thing about this restaurant is the waiter. He's dry and deadpan with a great sense of humor and goes around telling everyone that he's half Polish and half Korean and how funny that is. He mostly makes fun of his Polish side. If he forgets something you asked, he says: "Oh, I guess I had a Polish moment." And if you ask pointedly for something, he'll just refuse. But you know he's just playing because one of us asked for some extra peanut sauce and he brought a bucket size portion with a huge spoon. We wanted to take it home. Suffice it to say that the service here is excellent.

The Food
As for the food: The winner was the Tom Kha Kai soup. With coconut milk, scallions and chicken, I have to say that it had the best flavor out of anything I sampled that evening.

The runner up were the wings. Wings with hot Thai spice and a cucumber dipping sauce--ooh yum.

My main dish, the spicy chicken, came with celery, carrots, peanuts and some great spicy sauce with a hint of peanut flavour...OK, and I added a little bit of that peanut sauce too. Oh yeah, good stuff.

I did get dessert and it was OK--red bean ice cream. It was a strong vanilla base and I don't know if I was experiencing anything much different from a traditional American ice cream cone experience. I guess I expected Thai ice cream to be different. I have had green tea ice cream at a Thai restaurant before, and that was defintely a new experience. So, nothing amazing in the Red Bean ice cream, but it was tasty.

The Location and Ambiance
Positioned right next to the entrance to Old Sturbridge Village on Mass Rte. 20, the atmosphere fits nicely into the old-world, Sturbridge scene. The building was old with creaky, sloped floors and there were little stand-up, folding dividers around several of the tables that added a nice little private feel to the ambiance. And it was sufficiently warm on that very cold evening. We all know how important that is. Nobody likes to dine with wind blowing underneath their table.

The Drinks
Also, I should mention that they had a fairly good selection of wines but there was not a full bar.

All in all, it was a favorable experience. Comfortable, fun and tasty.

Here are the numbers:

// Menu Selection: 8.6
// Taste: 7.5
// Presentation: 7.1
// Ambiance/Atmosphere: 7.3
// Service: 8.4

Bollywood Grill - Shrewsbury, MA - Ian

2006-01-25T12:27:00.000-05:00

Well, I practically had to drag Sheri to this restaurant on Mass Route 9 in Shrewsbury, but I'm glad I did. It was a very interesting experience. I didn't eat or taste anything that I didn't like.

I'm not going to pretend to be a connoisseur of Indian food, because I don't frequent Indian restaurants. But I think I'm going to try a few others now.

The Ambiance
The atmosphere was very interactive--Indian music videos displayed on a large plasma screen and popular Indian actors looking up at you from underneath the polyurethane on the table. The decor was very modern and warm. Lot's of browns and yellows. It was a very comfortable place and I wasn't the only one feeling it because there was a small group at a nearby table that were really kicking back. But the full bar could have been the explanation for that.

The Food
We started off with the Bollywood Combo Platter under "Trailers" because we wanted to taste as much variety as we could. Since we were both starving we were glad that it came out quickly. The platter mostly consisted of meats or vegetables deep-fried in chickpea batter, which was a nice, healthy twist. Tasty too. I think my favorites were the non-deep-fried Meat Samosas, which were turnovers stuffed with fresh, minced lamb. Yummy.

For a main dish, I decided to reach for the unknown and went for the Shaahi Paneer, although I wasn't reaching too far because the listed ingredients (ginger, garlic, onions and tomato base) are on my hit list. But the paneer cheese was completely foreign to me. It's kind of a homemade Indian version of cottage cheese, but much more firm with almost the consistency of tofu. It has a very mild flavor of its own, which made it a great canvas for the sauce it came with. It was totally delish. I wrapped bite after bite in a whole wheat pita and finished the entire thing.

Sheri got the Chicken Curry because she was too chicken to get something other than chicken. Sorry I had to. Anyway, I got a taste of it and it was top-notch curry flavor. Yummy. I also tried this great Mango shake that she got that was made with yogurt and it was oh, so smooth. Good stuff.

The Service
I have to say that the service was pleasant and attentive. The whole wheat pita I mentioned was something I had to ask for, and they had no problems complying. The service here gets a big gold star on its forehead.

Sorry, but I can't offer any feedback on the dessert menu since we were stuffed, but if you like Indian food, definitely check it out. Even if you don't know if you like Indian food, but you're in the mood for some diversity, give it a try. You might have something new to put on your comfort food list.

Here's the quick scorecard:

// Menu Selection: 8.8
// Taste: 7.9
// Presentation: 6.9
// Ambiance/Atmosphere: 8.1
// Service: 9.6

Their website features the full menu:
www.bollywoodgrill.com

Block5 - LK

2006-01-21T17:22:00.000-05:00

If you are looking for a modern, appetizing, and upscale restaurant you've found it.

Immediately upon entering you are transported from the dark alleys of Worcester to the hub of modern city life.

If you are looking for presentation and a choice of food you recognize, wrapped up with new tastes and temptations, come here! For instance, at first I skimmed past the Grilled Cheese on the menu. However, when I read the description I knew this was not the usual cheese on bread description. Pumpernickel bread with onions smothered in a mixture of cheeses would have convinced me...But the raspberry dipping sauce clinched the deal. I loved it.

Menu:
You can have a cheap night out and order a pannini or a pizza. The other option is a full dinner with main entrees such as pork and lamb.

My Thoughts:
The appetizers were delicious and unique. The pannini Sheri ordered was hard on the outside and not as flavorful as the other menu choices. The service was good and always attentive. The atmosphere was great, from the plush green seats at the bar to the square plates for your meals.

Block 5 - Worcester, MA - Ian

2006-01-21T13:00:00.000-05:00

"Where,? On Green Street?" That's what I said when Jordan suggested Block 5. I couldn't remember where Green Street was, and then when I realized it was one of those streets leading to Kelley Square I became skeptical. But I was very pleasantly surprised.

The Location and Atmosphere
The valet parking did make up for the super-small lot next to the building and to look at the face of the building changes your opinion of Kelley Square. As a man, I certainly enjoyed the modern, black-trim decor and especially the "streets at night" photos hung all over the place since I'm a fan of photography. Very modern, very cool. We kept saying that we felt like we weren't anywhere near Worcester.

The Food
As for the menu, one word would suffice: eclectic. But I'll say more. They had some dishes that are super-original and others that are classic but have a cool modern twist, like their burger that's dressed with goat cheese and shallots. The menu wasn't very extensive, but they make up for that in the meticulous preparation of their dishes.

I decided on the slow-roasted duck ($19) , since I haven't had duck for some time, and I was really pleased. I'd say 3 and a half out of 4 stars. I think I'm holding back the half star because I couldn't substitute brown rice for the jasmine they offer with the dish. So I got asparagus instead and wasn't cooked nearly as long as it should have been. But nonetheless, the duck was superb. The presentation was outstanding--everything arranged in orderly fashion on a square plate with sauces drizzled appropriately. They cooked the duck exactly as I had ordered (medium-well) and the taste was amazing. The raspberry-hoisin glaze was perfect.

I almost forgot to mention the appetizers we shared. We got the Parmesan-encrusted shrimp and the calamari. I have no complaints about the calamari. It was awesome. Especially the spicy kick from the pepperoncini and the chorizo sausage that was tossed in. The lemon aioli added a nice twist too. The shrimp was OK, but the Parmesan was undetectable. Not a big win.

They had a great selection of teas. I had the African Amber--decaf and delicious. I passed on dessert but I tasted Sheri's Molten Chocolate Egg-Rolls and they were quite tasty. I know I'm picking but, I think they should change the name to spring rolls since they're wrapped in rice paper and not egg roll wrappers.

We checked out the bar on our way out. It featured leather seating areas and large, flat-panel monitors showing the Celtics game. Again, very cool, very modern.

The Prices
You get a great experience for prices that are right around Vinny T's prices, which range from $13-$22 for an entree. In my opinion, the plates here are well-priced.

The Conclusion
All in all, this restaurant is a big win for night-outers in Worcester. With a price point not much higher than Vinny T's and a super-modern experience, we all agreed that Block 5 is one of our favorite places.

Here's a quick little scorecard on a scale of 1 through 10:

// Menu Selection: 5
// Taste: 8.9
// Presentation: 9.9
// Ambiance/Atmosphere: 9.9
// Service: 7.8

You can check out their site: (the intro is kind of annoying)
www.block5bistro.com

Block5 in Worcester, MA - Sheri

2006-01-21T00:44:00.000-05:00

First of all, let me say, that I never in a million years would have thought that such a trendy place could be found tucked away on Green Street. When you look at the surrounding neighborhood, the last thing on your mind is a hip, happening evening.

Block 5 makes a pleasant first impression peering in on the bar and dining areas from Green Street. With a limited amount of off-street parking, the valet service is an essential. Our party of 4 arrived around 7pm and we were seated immediately, although we didn't have a reservation. By about 7:30 a steady stream was flowing through the curtainted entryway. I was immediately taken by the great mix of cool green and blue painted walls contrasted with the black doors and trim. The black and white photos of local Worcester streets hanging on the walls gave a nice perspecitve on the local neighborhood.

At first glance, the dinner menu seems a little small, but as you start reading about the appetizers, pizzas, and sandwiches, you realize dinner doesn't have to mean steak and potatoes. After about 10 minutes of hemming and hawing, we finally decided on 2 appetizers-the Calamari and Mussels Mediterranean along with the Parmesan Shrimp Fritters. Right away we were munching on crostini spread with white navy bean dip. It was a great starter. Soon after, our appetizers were out, and soon after that they were gone, because they were so delicious. The calamari and mussels were dressed with a smooth aioli and tossed with chorizo sausage and cherry tomatoes and pepperoncini. The shrimp fritters were served with a red pepper jam to replace the traditional cocktail sauce. Both were great tasting, and generous portion sizes.

About 15 minutes later, our dinners were out. Lisa and I each got a sandwich and swapped halves. My sandwich was a Pressed Cuban. The presentation, just like all the other dishes, was impressive. The taste left a little something to be desired. Nothing bad, but nothing spectacular either. The swiss cheese was well paired with the pork and ham, but it was a little light on the horseradish for my taste, and the pickles seemed out of place somehow. The french fries had the appearance of McDonald's french fries, but closer to the taste of Friendly's french fries. Nothing special there either. The B5 Grilled Cheese made an even more spectacular presentation accompanied by a Raspberry black peppercorn sour cream dunk, which at first glance seemed a bit out of place, but paired with the carmelized onions and mix of creamy cheeses including brie and fontina, it was delicious. I'll let everyone else comment on their entrees. (But just to get my 2 cents in, Jordan's burger looked delicious and Ian's duck looked pretty good too. The asparagus left something to be desired though)

I couldn't resist the dessert menu, and finally, after much deliberation, settled on the Molten Chocolate Eggrolls. They were accompanied by a rasberry-ginger dipping sauce, a caramel-Kahlua cream, and a white chocolate mousse. It was divine. The warm chocolate earned its name as it oozed out the sides of the "eggrolls" like molten lava.

Througout, our waitress was attentive but not over bearing. The service all around was friendly and warm.

All in all, it was impressive. With generous portions designed for sharing, its a great value as well. The fun and trendy atmosphere is contagious. I'm ready to go back next week and try those great looking pizzas. Maybe next time I can get someone to split the Chocolate fondue for Two with me!

Introduction

2006-01-20T21:04:00.000-05:00

OK, so this blog is for the Fantom Four, two young, modern couples on the Worcester restaurant scene, to post their reviews of the coolest eats in town.

We all decided, after having a great experience with a new restaurant, that we would share our experience with the rest of you. So take a look, but don't let us sway you too much and draw your own conclusions! :)