Hot & Now

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

PAUL GIORGIO

NEW GLOO-IGLOO. The Beer Garden and its restaurant located on Franklin Street across from Worcester Common has some of the best urban outdoor space in the city and it’s now available to enjoy even during the winter.Taking their lead from Water Street’s Lock 50, The Beer Garden debuted six igloos about six weeks ago. They feature propane heaters with a number of settings as well as blankets to warm the space to the perfect temperature for each visitor. Each of the six igloos is decorated in a different holiday theme, which will change throughout the winter.

NO LONGER SHANGRI-LA. It appears that Shangri-La, the Chinese restaurant opposite City Hall on Front Street has turned off the wok. It is rumored that they closed at the end of 2019.

NOT SO WILD ANYMORE. In another city closing, Wild Willy’s in Worcester’s Greendale section has closed after about 10 years in business. Wild Willy’s never caught on. The hours and concept missed the mark. However, they did serve great burgers.

THE BEAT GOES ON - NOT REALLY. Beatniks on Park Avenue has stopped beating at the end of 2019. No word yet on whether something else will go in.

HOPEFULLY, IT WILL BE A LONG REIGN. REIGNcafe, a Vietnamese coffeehouse will soon open in the space once occupied by Figs & Pigs at the DCU Center in downtown Worcester. Tam Le, who is also opening a 5,000 square foot Asian restaurant on Franklin Street is one of the owners.

YOU CAN GET HOOKED ON THIS. Hook & Reel, which bills itself as a Cajun Seafood restaurant recently opened in the Lincoln Plaza Shopping Center in Worcester. This is their second Massachusetts location, with about 50 places nationwide.

SOMEONE THREW A MONKEY WRENCH INTO THEIR PLAN. It appears that Mill Street BBQ will be changing concepts and getting a new namethe Monkey Wrench, which was invented at Coes manufacturing across the pond.

DON’T BE CROSS WITH THEM. 3 Cross Brewery recently reopened their tap room on Worcester’s Cambridge Street. The tap room had been closed because of plumbing issues and had been searching for a new home for several months, before opting to stay in their current location. The brewery as opened by Dave Howell in 2014.

SPEAKING OF BEER. Bay State Brewery received city approval to open in Worcester’s Canal District. Baystate will be located inside the ice arena on Harding Street, just down the street from, Wachusett Brewing in the Public market at Kelley square. Bay State Brewery

GO FISH. Marlboro’s Fish restaurant has a new chef, Chris Bairos . The new owner, Jessica Sewell, who bought the restaurant from George Voyatsis whose family owned Coral Seafood in Worcester, announced the appointment at the end of the year.