By Paul Giorgio
August 2004
- Identity Crisis — There is a Bugsy’s on Shrewsbury Street which sells ice cream, and coming in August to 367 Chandler Street will be Buggsy’s, one of the first clubs to pop up on Worcester’s West Side. Although 367 Chandler Street was not a lucky address for either the Golden Goose or Michelino’s Italian Restaurant and Grill, Tariq Ellahi, who used to run the Bar Fly near Clark University, doesn’t seem concerned about the success of his new venture. Ellahi has been busy since Bar Fly closed last year — he is also planning to open a new club on Front Street in Worcester soon with Nick Fiorello called Bar None.
- I came, I saw, I drank fine wine — SPQR, an Italian Caffe will open this month. For those who have forgotten their high school history, SPQR are the Latin initials for “The Senate and People of Rome.” The café will have an Italian theme and will serve coffee, desserts, wine, and cheese. Located at 82 Winter Street, SPQR will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
- Et tu, Brute? — Rumors persist that Caesar’s Bistro on Southbridge Street will close soon for needed renovations. We will miss Chef Keith Bonetti, whose kitchen has consistently produced some of Worcester’s best, most innovative food.
- The grass is greener — Shorah’s Restaurant, a downtown mainstay, will move across Foster Street to 144 Commercial Street in August. The larger space was previously occupied by the nightclub Liquid Sky and before that by the restaurant Thai Orchid.
- Any way you slice it, this is good news Woosta Pizza on Main Street near City Hall now has pizza by the slice. Now that may not seem like big news, but no one else that we know of is doing it in Worcester.
- Will it be the same without Tina? — Erik Levins and Josh Shea have signed a five-year lease to operate the Miss Worcester Diner on Southbridge Street. The pair plan to reopen the diner in two to four weeks. Levins has worked at Harrington Farm in Princeton, and is a graduate of the Culinary Arts Program at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. The diner is scheduled to be open weekdays 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on weekends for breakfast.
- Out of the school and into the kitchen – The Salter School, located on Ararat Street in Worcester, has long been known for turning out some of the area’s best secretaries. Recently, the school turned its attention to the culinary arts. Salter students work at the facilities of Amore Café on Shrewsbury Street, when the restaurant is not open for business during the day. The students are learning kitchen skills, as well as gaining front-of-the-house knowledge. Look for graduates at a restaurant near you!