The migration west on the rise, and so is the opportunity to find great places to eat. Here are some new restaurants in Worcester that we can't get enough of.
Courtesy of Stephen Phillips
Simjang
Simjang, recently opened by the acclaimed deadhorse hill team, is a modern and spacious Korean-American fusion restaurant with a free play arcade. But the pedigree and atmosphere aren't even the coolest parts— it's their personal take on classic Korean dishes that makes them so special. Simjang is offering up incredibly unique and tasty treats like the kimchi pancake with wild sesame mayo, raw oysters served with a gochujang cocktail sauce, and the Simjang burger with chicken fried onion, kimchee and pickles.
But they're also serious about the classics and have stocked the menu with flavorful dishes like Korean fried chicken, steamed buns, and a variety of delicious ramen bowls and rice bowls. Be sure to save room for dessert, soft serve ice cream is on the menu and it's delicious. Your taste buds will not be disappointed by this food adventure.
72 Shrewsbury St., 774-243-7750, simjangworcester.com
Courtesy of Hasini Assiriyage
Revolution Pie & Pint
It's been less than a year since Revolution Pie & Pint opened in Lynn. But business is booming and they've headed west to expand, with their newest location in the historic Bancroft Hotel in Worcester. The doors literally just opened and it smells amazing.
Revolution Pie & Pint is serving killer pizzas with a large selection of local craft beers. You're free to build your own, or order off of a menu that's stacked with specialty pies named after Worcester-based colleges, like The Anna Maria with marinara, mozzarella, sausage and broccoli rabe, and The Holy Cross with BBQ sauce, pulled pork, bacon, mozzarella and caramelized onion. They also have dessert pizzas, and we can't stop talking about the Harvest Apple made with cinnamon-sugar apples and ricotta cheese, finished with a crumb topping and a drizzle of caramel. In this case, dessert does come before dinner.
Revolution Pie & Pint is connected to the comedy club Woohaha. Pizza, beer and stand up sounds like a perfect date night to us.
50 Franklin St., 774-530-9020, pienpint.com
Courtesy of Hasini Assiriyage
Craft Table & Bar
If pizza isn't what you're craving, the folks at Revolution have another option for you; Craft Table & Bar, also located in the Bancroft and connected to the comedy club, is a polished-casual restaurant that's serving innovative new takes on gastro pub classics.
We love their upscale sandwich offerings, like the California Chicken on a brioche roll, the perfectly cooked, mile high Craft house burger, and our favorite - the Steak Sandwich made with hand-cut sirloin, an extra helping of caramelized onions, fresh arugula and pepper jack cheese, topped with housemade diced pickles and served on a Piantedosi roll. Each plate comes with perfectly salted fries and please don't pass on the truffle ketchup, it'll change your life.
50 Franklin St., 774-530-9030, crafttableandbar.com
Courtesy of the Doughnuts & Draughts staff
Doughnuts & Draughts
Artisanal doughnuts, paired with local craft beers, is a growing trend and Doughnuts & Draughts in Worcester is all over it. Nowhere in town have we seen a more alluring variety of doughnuts that includes brownie batter, Samosa (inspired by the infamous Girl Scout cookie), strawberry shortcake, raspberry cheesecake, maple glazed and chocolate glazed topped with thick pieces of salty bacon, and so many more.
And you bet you're going to find a large selection of big glazed beauties topped with the best kids cereal (winking at you, Trix). These aren't your average doughnuts and we couldn't be happier.
Doughnuts & Draughts is also serving all of the coffee's, and a breakfast menu that includes a sweet and savory sandwich made with a glazed doughnut. You'll also find a full lunch menu with fresh smoothies, sandwiches and quesadillas, and some of the best panini's we've ever had. Road trip, anyone? We're driving.
255 Main St., 508-791-8080, facebook.com/doughnuts&draughts
Courtesy of Maddi's Cookery + TapHouse
Maddi's Cookery + TapHouse
We're adding Maddi’s Cookery + TapHouse to the growing list of amazing beer houses in Worcester. Not only does their menu include an amazing selection of craft beer options, but it's also chock full of pub favorites with modern twists, like grilled cheese stuffed with apples, tomato and avocado, a pastrami sandwich served on a pretzel roll, and a steak tip mac that's loaded with add in's like roasted peppers and caramelized onions.
And we couldn't be more thrilled to see poutine on the menu. Maddi's takes the dish to another level by topping it with slow cooked chicken thigh meat, cheese curds, pickled red onion and a sweet and sticky Kansas City-style BBQ sauce. This dish is a game changer.
64 Water St., 508-459-1080, maddiscookery.com
Courtesy of Anna Briggs Photography
Reunion Tap & Table
Reunion Tap & Table is an American-style restaurant focused on two things: providing friendly service in a great atmosphere, and sourcing the freshest local ingredients. We gladly support both and are in love with their menu loaded with mouth-watering meals, like carbonara with romanesco, a maple brined pork chop served with bacon-wrapped asparagus and lentils, and steak frites.
But we're still focused on the poutine trend Worcester is owning right now, and Reunion is leading the pack with three delectable versions of the Canadian delicacy. We've got our eye on the Breakfast poutine served with North Country bacon, housemade hollandaise, scallions, and the mother of all toppings - a perfectly fried egg. It's incredible. With a top notch beer collection rounding out the dining experience, Reunion will have no problem worming their way into your list of go-to places.
198 Worcester St., 774-293-5501, reuniontap.com
Courtesy of Broth
Broth
From the owners of the Hangover Pub comes Broth, a ramen house that like their older sibling, is far from traditional. The eclectic graffiti and superhero art immediately sets a cool mood, but it's the inimitable menu that includes Thanksgiving ramen and Chicken Parmesan ramen, and a Creamy Tomato & Grilled Cheese ramen made with a black garlic and roasted tomato broth, fried garlic, shiitake mushrooms, tofu, chili oil, Parmesan, and finished with shoyu egg and a grilled cheese skewer, that will keep you coming back.
Broth has got some seriously fun mixed drinks to pair with the cuisine. We love the "Sippin On Sunshine," a cocktail made with Tito's vodka, house limoncello, vanilla, house sour, egg white and a graham cracker rim. We're also fans of the sweet and sour "Bacon de Mayo," made with bacon pineapple-infused tequila, elderflower liquor, house sour, agave, Triple Sec, bacon and cilantro. Your taste buds are going to be moved by this place.
106 Green St., 508-459-1511, brothramenbar.com
