Table Hoppin

TABLE HOPPIN’

Foodbeat offers Mediterranean fare on West Boylston Street

BARBARA M. HOULE

George Makhlouf opened Foodbeat Mediterranean Grill on West Boylston Street in Worcester on Dec. 1 with the help of his longtime friend Mario Azrak, Foodbeat’s chef/manager. Both men see takeout and delivery success as recipe for the future, especially amid COVID-19.

Foodbeat’s location across the street from Quinsigamond Community College was formerly occupied by Wraps N’ Bowl, a business that Azrak and a business partner operated for more than a year. Azrak said his return to Lebanon to take care of the family business after his father’s sudden passing was one of the reasons Wraps N’ Bowl closed. The space at 667 West Boylston Street remained empty until Foodbeat’s opening, he said.

Makhlouf, who bought Spoodles Deli on Main Street in Worcester a year ago, and Azrak have years of restaurant experience and worked together before. Makhlouf at one time owned a fine dining Lebanese restaurant (Nara) in Providence’s historic Federal Hill neighborhood, with Azrak as executive chef. Azrak also was executive chef and a partner in Terrazza in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Being “half Lebanese and Greek,” the chef has a rich background in Mediterranean cuisine and has pursued his passion at hotels and resorts outside the United States.

Makhlouf is an owner who takes an active part in Spoodles and Foodbeat, going between both businesses, according to Azrak, who said he was excited to work for Makhlouf again.

Foodbeat is all about homemade Mediterranean specialties using fresh ingredients to build-your-own wraps and bowls. Green lentils and rice, lamb, spiced rubbed beef, falafel, chick-

Mario Azraka, chef/manager of Foodbeat Mediterranean Grill, which was recently opened by his friend George Makhlouf.

SABRINA GODIN

en and citrus-cilantro shrimp are a mere sampling of the add-ons. The menu also includes salads; keto bowls; signature breakfast; fresh juices and smoothies. Vegetables pack a punch of color and flavor. There are a variety of condiments (13), spreads and dips and vegan and vegetarian options, too. Grab-and-go items from the refrigerated case includes vegetarian stuffed grape leaves that come with a separate container of yogurt mint.

Foodbeat’s wide-open space has been refreshed and renovated. For now, window counter seating near the entrance is for 4 people. The business will add more seating when COVID-19 regulations allow. Customers now order from inside menu or online. Drive-thru, delivery and window-service for pickup orders are available. Friendly and helpful employees are eager to help or answer questions.

Breakfast hours are from 7 to 10:30 a.m. daily; lunch and dinner, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Visit http://www.foodbeatmedgrill. com or telephone (774) 530-6941. Connect on social media.

FYI: Get a free cup of coffee with a breakfast purchase; Take 10% off first online order.

“George (Makhlouf) took the chance in opening during the pandemic and he’s confident in Foodbeat’s concept,” said Azrak. “Yes, it’s fast food, but everything we make on premise is fresh and healthier. So far, everyone is loving the food. People in the neighborhood and surrounding businesses have been very supportive.”

Check out the chef’s specialties!

More Webster House cookbooks available

An update on the Webster House Restaurant cookbook:

The book’s first printing sold out last month at a one-day sales event held in the parking lot at Barrows Hardware in Worcester. Proceeds benefited the Worcester County Food Bank in Shrewsbury.

More cookbooks have been printed and will be sold from noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 13 in Barrows Hardware parking lot, 15 Webster St., Worcester. Enter on the Webster Street side of the building. It will be a drive-thru event, first-come, first-served. Cookbooks cost $20 each and sales are cash only Dec. 13, no checks. The Worcester County Food Bank will receive proceeds.

Beginning Dec. 14, Barrows Hardware also will have cookbooks for sale in the store, cash only.

Christos T. Liazos planned for the cookbook before his death from pancreatic cancer in 2019. He and his late wife, Helena, for more than 30 years owned and operated the Webster House Restaurant, now the location of Barrows Hardware. Former restaurant employees and friends worked with Liazos on the book, finalizing it after he passed.

More books were printed as a result of all the calls and emails from people who weren’t able to get a copy before the books sold out, according to Deborah Alcorn, a member of the volunteer cookbook committee. Many former customers wanted a copy to keep or to gift for the holidays, she said.

It’s a cookbook with terrific recipes, vintage photos and many memories.

Christmas by Struck

Struck Catering, 130 Hamilton St., Worcester, has a Christmas by Struck menu featuring main course items, “sides to fill the plate” and hors d’oeuvres.

There’s a little something for everyone, so take the day off this holiday and let the chefs do the prep and cooking. So many delicious dishes! Servings range from three to four to eight or 10.

The Stuffed & Roasted Flank Steak Roulade, Roasted Ham, Traditional or Vegetarian Lasagna may be the star of the holiday table, but you’re going to want some side dishes or a salad to accompany it. Or, maybe it’s just hors d’oeuvres and drinks this year. Struck’s Famous Bread (Carrot Pineapple, Pumpkin, Cranberry Orange, Poppy Seed) also is available. Wrap a couple and gift them.

Struck Catering is taking orders through Dec. 18, with pick up from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 24. Connect on Facebook for menu, or visit www.struckcatering.com. Call (508) 755-5953 for more information.

Holiday catering from Arturo’s

Arturo’s Ristorante in Westboro has its holiday catering menu posted at http://www.arturosristorante.com.

Orders have to be placed before Dec. 15 by calling (508) 366-1881. Recommended time to call is from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Chuck’s offers takeout options for holidays

Chuck’s Steak House in Auburn offers two take-out dinner options for the holiday season.

The restaurant is selling Roasted Turkey Dinner for five, packaged and precooked, for $75. The meal includes roasted turkey breast, mashed potatoes, homemade stuffing and gravy.

Also, Bacon Wrapped Tenderloin for four, $125. A center cut bacon wrapped roast (2 plus pounds), fingerling potatoes, demi glaze and Bearnaise sauce are in the package. Cooking instructions, too.

The restaurant has a gift box deal: Chuck’s Butcher Box to Go consists of four ½-pound Angus burgers; two 8-ounce top sirloins and two 10-ounce New York strips. Also, a bottle of the restaurant’s teriyaki sauce. Cost is $70.

Chuck’s Gift Certificates: Purchase $100 and receive a $20 gift certificate.

Call Chuck’s Steak House, (508) 832- 2553, for ordering information and deadlines.