Hot & Now

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

SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN Plan It Eats a new franchise concept will be opening in Northboro. According to owner Geof Kelly it will be a healthy grab and go establishment. There will be gluten free, sugar free and carb free options available. There are seven other locations throughout Massachusetts.

NEW LOOK The Compass Tavern in Worcester’s Canal District has undergone extensive renovations and will feature a new updated look. They have completely renovated the bar area and the dining room is next. Also, they may introduce a new dining concept.

NEW SPACE Fitchburg based eatery, Il Forno, will soon move to a new location. They will be taking over the space once occupied by Sean Patrick’s, in Lunenburg, a restaurant that closed down. We hear that they will also be getting a liquor license.

A NEW ICON Kelly’s Roast Beef an iconic eatery north of Boston has been eying Worcester for a new location. Their concept is simple-roast beef piled high on a fresh roll.

START WINING Crompton Place on Worcester’s Green Street is teaming up with Boston-based wine company 90+ Cellars to host a rosé garden every Thursday evening from 4 to 8 p.m. in the courtyard at 138 Green St. The garden will be there from May 28 to Oct. 1, according to a news release.

NOW YOU KNOW WHAT HE’S DOING IN HIS SPARE TIME Armsby Abbey at 144 Main Street in Worcester recently announced in a Facebook post that it’s opening for lunch Monday through Friday starting at 11 am.

LONG NAME A Salvadorian restaurant has opened at 591 Park Ave. The name is Al Sazon De Mi Tierra and its specialty is pupusa which is the national dish of El Salvador.

PIZZA LIKE IT SHOULD BE ‘Olo Neapolitan Pizza will soon open at the former Dacosta Pizza on Worcester’s Millbrook Street. It will be owned by Richard Romain and Peter Rano who own Smokestack Place in the Canal District. For those who play, they will be putting in a bocce court.

IT TOOK GREAT TIME Downtown Worcester’s Great Wall, has finally reopened after being closed for a couple of years due to building issues.

MAKE WAY Maker to Main, a grocery store in downtown Worcester opened on March 17. The concept is to bring fresh local produce the city residents. They will have early hours for local chefs, who are looking for the freshet ingredients available.