Restaurant Pizza Works 456 Grove St (Sept 20)

Overall impression:   Good pizza, plus a large menu of non-pizza things. Ideal for multi-generational gatherings.

http://www.restaurantpizzaworks.com/zgrid/proc/site/sitep.jsp

This week's new-for-me (and for Eric) place was Restaurant Pizza Works. It was perfect for post-game, post-afternoon walk refreshment. Nothing fancy, just good food that we didn't have to make for ourselves. (And wearing slightly worn football t-shirts we were happy not to feel under-dressed).  We will likely visit again in the same type of Sunday situation.

I first heard about the food there from a colleague who has taken his boy scout troop for celebrations. His son is one of those extremely picky eaters whose diet mostly consists of bread - and yet he likes their pizza.  Though that is what we had, the menu is gigantic, so there is something for everyone. The crowd when we were there was older, but I could envision groups of kids there. It seems a good family place. Totally casual and comfortable.

The pizza was slightly different than our usual fare - the crust was unique. Not thick, not thin- sort of in-between with just the right amount of crispness, and a touch of sweet. Yummy. Eric got sausage and mushroom and I got the puttanesca pizza. It was the first time I had capers as a topping and I was taken aback at first, but I really liked the added zing.

So far I haven't actually experienced a bad pizza place in Worcester. But I do really appreciate the differences in crusts and choices at the various establishments. A reason to get out of one's usual pizza joint rut!

Wicked Wings, 321 West Bolyston St. (Sept 16)

Overall impression:  This very new place has a few kinks to still work out in service, but the food is promising.

http://www.wickedwingco.com/


I'd like to thank my guest tasters this week - my husband and four of my colleagues. Tasters are a must for a vegetarian going to a wings place. I am happy to report, however, that there are vegetarian pizza and salad options at Wicked Wings, so it is fine to accompany meat eaters there. Happiness for everyone. (Well, maybe not for vegans.)

This is a new restaurant, only open a few weeks. It is the third restaurant in this location in the last decade. Since its walkable from our house I'd really like it to do well. On a Wednesday night it was packed at 6 pm , that's a good sign. They were originally supposed to open in June, so the people in the neighborhood have been waiting a while. Outdoor seating option is also a bonus, though it isn't very scenic. The inside of the restaurant is decorated in barn wood. Cozy but not dark, and certainly family-friendly.

We ordered onion rings, a caprese pizza for me (pesto, mozzarella, tomatoes) and boneless wings for Eric. There was a mix-up, so we were brought someone else's food instead (bbq and buffalo wings). Which we got to take home, since they couldn't bring it back to the kitchen. (Hence my colleague taste-testers - I brought these bone-in wings to work on Friday). Our waitress was nice, but seemed fairly green - we also had to wait for plates and condiments. But I bet she'll be a pro within the week.

The onion rings needed salt, but were otherwise good. The pizza was fine.  Eric said he prefers buffalo wild wings, but that his dinner still tasted good (he chose the pesto and the mango sauces). The lunch crowd at work was happy for the wings surprise, and very much appreciated them. One person asked if they were from Wings over Worcester, and I've only heard favorable reviews of that place.

I'd go to Wicked Wings again. Especially because they have fried mac and cheese balls, which sound interesting. (If only they were on a stick, I think they'd qualify as fair food).

Belmont Vegetarian Restaurant, 157 Belmont St. (September 9)

Overall impression:   Stick with it through the somewhat sterile atmosphere, the food is really good.

http://www.belmontvegetarian.com/


I covered an 11am - 2pm class this last week, and completely forgot to bring any lunch with me to work that day. So I went for takeout to Belmont Vegetarian restaurant, a place my friend Ara recommended months ago. It was a bit of a distance from work, but worth it for hot food that didn't come from a cafeteria.

This restaurant is right across the street from a school, and perhaps driving there around 2pm wasn't the best idea. But I did find parking immediately, and only had to wait for one school bus. When I walked in there was just one person sitting at one of the handful of tables, reading (not eating... hmmm). Sports radio was on. The counter where one orders didn't actually show any visible food, and was completely covered in plexiglass (you speak through a cut out, same with passing payment). So, atmosphere not too welcoming.

However, the young man who came to take my order was very welcoming. He suggested I get everything they had that day. Which is what I did (minus the pepper steak, I don't want to eat anything called steak, even if it is mock meat). They serve up two sizes of round container (I got the small). Rice goes in and then I had all the various dishes added on top.

I ate back at work, and found it yummy. My favorites were the curry, the vegetable stew and the beans. The mac and cheese was fine, but I wouldn't order only that. The sauce on some other mock meat was a bit too sweet for me. But I'm glad I tried it all. Now I know to get curry and vegetables in the future to be most happy.

The food isn't cheap, but they gave me a lot. I thought I'd have leftovers. Turns out that when I eat lunch at 2:30 though, I end up cleaning my plate.


(And apologies for no pictures lately... Eric is my photographer and he hasn't joined me the last few places.)

On the Rise Bakery (Sept 6)

Overall impression:  Great for west-siders who have a sweet tooth.

http://www.ontherisebaking.com/

I took myself to On the Rise on Sunday morning, hoping to have coffee and a croissant. The website had fabulous-looking croissants. Alas, there were none of the flaky pastry to be had, but I did have a nice cappuccino. Since my sugar diet I haven't been much for sweets, but if you want a fancy coffee this is your place - they have things like almond joy lattes. My plain jane drink was just fine, and I did appreciate that when I ordered it "for here" I got an actual ceramic mug without having to ask.

I had my coffee at one of the two outside tablesThe other table had a small group of men drinking espresso and speaking a lovely slavic language I'm embarassed to say I couldn't identify. And a boy of about 8 or 10 who looked bored out of his mind, poor thing. I thought it was refreshing to be outside on a hot sunny day.

Not feeling I had the full experience, I went back in for a peach cobbler to go. I brought it to my friend Sarah so I could have input on the goodies. Her report was that it was good, but achingly sweet. She couldn't tell if the peaches were fresh or some sort of preserved (either way, cooked). She also said she had a major sugar crash afterwards. So...good? Depends on your feelings toward sweet.

I don't think they have bakers working Sunday, so I'll have to go back another time to try the croissants. (Its a bit dangerous for me, though, as its right next to a yarn store and like any good knitter I have a slight yarn-purchasing problem). Maybe I'll meet a friend from the West Side there sometime,




Post script --  It was a stretch of 10 days between my most recent new places, and both were coffee shops. I had been gone to Minnesota, and then got a very bad cold. This coming week I'll try to visit someplace with substantial food.

The Bean Counter 113 Highland St (August 26)

Overall impression:   Great coffee.

http://www.beancounterbakery.com/

This year I squeezed in an end-of-summer long weekend away. I didn't have much time to get in a new Worcester experience last week before leaving, so I just grabbed a quick iced coffee. Technically I may have been at the Bean Counter before, but it had been at least 9 years (and I had never sat for coffee). I spent a good 30 minutes there this time, reading while sitting in a comfy chair. And it gets a thumbs up - tasty coffee.

I think it was just around moving in time at WPI when I visited, and there weren't too many people sitting in with drinks (or eating pastries - the pastries looked awesome). I don't know what its like when the semester is in full swing, but there is a lot of space. So don't be deterred! Street parking wasn't bad either. I actually had to walk back to my car to raid my parking coins - I didn't have quite enough cash in my wallet to cover my drink. I really appreciated that it was waiting for me when I got back. Good service.

Also - I loved the classic rock music selection. This place is worth visiting as much as possible.

Blue Jeans Bistro, 266 Park Ave, August 19

Overall impression:  Lovely to sit outside on a summer night. Somewhat slow service, but fine food, including a large selection of appetizers.

(For general info go to: http://worcesterscene.com/worcester/restaurants/blue-jeans-bistro/
I can't find a dedicated bistro site, but Blue Jeans pizza is at http://www.bluejeanspizza.com/)

The building next to Blue Jeans pizza now houses "Blue Jeans Bistro" on the first floor, open Wednesday-Sunday. We have had Blue Jeans pizza before (mmm...) and were drawn to the Bistro by $5 burger Wednesdays and outside seating on a warm night. We were the only bistro customers outside or in, but a pizza-eating family with lots of small kids livened up the outdoor atmosphere. Overall it was a good experience.

[We had only been to this building once, 10 years ago. This was a time we spent a weekend in Worcester looking at apartments and doing the final decision-making process about relocating. Eric had been out for his job interview, and I requested to see the city before moving all the way across the country. We decided to check out the only Thai restaurant we could find then, which was in the now Blue Jeans Bistro/Loft 266 space. And - it was awful. God-awful. Limp rice noodles with vinegar kind of awful. I was sure it was a mafia front. It was a major shock to the system coming from Berkeley, CA, with world-class Thai food on almost every street. Yet we still moved. I am so happy that there are a few good Thai places in Worcester now (see Basil N Spice review). And that now a lovely pub-type restaurant has replaced the horrible old place.]

We started with potato skins. There aren't that many vegetarian things for main courses, but the appetizer list is jam-packed. I then had a great salad and Eric had the burger and onion strings and a beer. The server was very pleasant, though the food took a while. That was ok, we were enjoying the evening.

I think this would be a great place to go for drinks and munchies with a group of friends after work. Bonus for us it is on the edge of the west side (where many of our friends live) but not far from our house (north Worcester). And its close to That's Entertainment, where I am weekly or bi-weekly.

Sol of Mexico, 538 Pleasant St., August 12 and 15

Overall impression:   This place is fabulous!

http://solofmexico.yolasite.com/
http://www.solofmexico.com/

We have wanted to try Sol of Mexico for years, but have been thwarted by the afternoon-only opening times. (I believe  this was started just as a place to sell homemade tortillas, then the owner branched out a bit). As I had one last week of flexible summer schedule, however, I went there on a Wednesday and got take-out for lunch. To my happy surprise it is open Fridays and Saturdays 12-9, so we can go for weekend lunch/dinner. Which is great because I loved it on my own, and Eric loved it when I took him back three days later.

On the Wednesday I got in right at opening. By the time my order was ready there were five other customers and the three small tables were filled. Popularity is a good sign. I tried to order tamales, but she didn't have any, to everyone's disappointment (all parties were seeking tamales that day). But she promised tamales on Saturday, which is why I went back so quickly. For my take-out order I got a veggie burrito, chips and guacamole. Even the small (4 oz) guac is too much for one person, one sitting, but it was wonderful. The burrito was also too much for one sitting, but I didn't let that stop me and I ate it all. It was grilled just the perfect amount and tasted superb.

On Saturday, Eric and I were the only customers at 12:40. I guess it gets more of a work-lunch crowd, but regardless we were happy to sit down there. The ceiling is a beautiful shade of green and it was a bright sunny day. We both got tamales, mine veggie. They were well worth the wait. I also had a veggie taco (good, but I think I like the burrito better) and Eric got fish tacos. He was impressed, and started planning the next time in our schedule that we can return.

So - 5 stars, 2 thumbs up, etc. Yummy food, nice owner, pretty inside. Lovely.