By Paul Giorgio

Worcester Restaurant Week.  Worcester Restaurant Week is set for the first 2 weeks of August, with over 40 local restaurants involved.  Already hugely successful in Boston, Worcester’s event is chaired by Katie Krock of KJ Baarons and Mike Covino of Niche Hospitality.  How does it work? For $20.09, you get a 3 course dinner at the participating restaurants.  The presenting sponsors are KJ Baarons and the Worcester County Convention & Visitors Bureau; for a list of all participating restaurants and sponsors, visit WorcesterRestaurantWeek.com.

Putnam branches out.  If you thought Putnam, CT was just an antique Mecca, you’re wrong.   The restaurant scene down there is growing.  After all, you do have to eat after a tough day of shopping. The newest place is Bella, a bistro and market in the center of town.  Bistro is owned by Karen Snow and Allen Granberg, who is also the chef.  The Italian eatery is open Tuesday-Sunday and is BYOB.

Citizen opens.  Citizen, the latest venture of the Niche Hospitality Group, opened the first week of June.  What was once conceived of as a wine and cheese bar has actually expanded its concept.  It has a full bar and offers everything from soups, salads and Panini (sandwiches) to dinner entrees and cheeses as well as chocolate for dessert.

New Chef at Hamilton.  Hamilton Bistro on Hamilton Street in Worcester recently hired Rene Marty as its new chef. Marty formerly worked at the Plaza Club, TiNoVo and Coral Seafood.  Look for a new menu at this great family owned and BYOB place.

Arturo retires.  Arturo Cartagenova, long time owner of Arturo’s Ristorante in Westboro, will be retiring after owning the eatery for 25 years.  Arturo and his wife Dianne Rose first opened in the old Fair Plaza, which her family owned on West Boylston’s Route 12.  They then moved to Worcester’s Chandler Street before settling in Westboro.  As we reported in the past, the new owner is Domenico Fabiano.  As we say to Arturo who is a restaurant icon in these parts, “Cente Ano ~ a hundred years.”

Bridge Street Bistro.  Tim Welcome recently opened the Bridge Street Bistro in Grafton.  The site once housed the Wonder Restaurant and Sebastian’s.  Welcome formerly was the head chef at Lake Ripple in Grafton. They will serve moderately priced food including prime rib, pizza, seafood and Italian specialties.  They will be open 7 days a week. 508-839-7811.

Beatnik’s opens.  Beatnik’s, located on Worcester’s Park Ave., recently opened and, along with having a great bar, is serving some interesting food.  It is nothing too heavy, but they specialize in Bohemian Burgers, chopped salads and chili.  Among their offerings will be a goat cheese fondue and a baked artichoke dip.  Now that’s bar food!

Worcester cuisine for less green.    The YouthBuild Program has come up with a tasty fundraising idea.  They are selling a coupon book with discounts from 30 local restaurants. The book costs $20 and the coupons offer a variety of discounts. Among the places you can purchase it is Elsa’s Bushel n Peck at Tatnuck Sq.  The offers run from now until May of 2010.