I blindly signed up for this month’s Worcester Foodies event without looking up the restaurant until the day of. Even then, I did not look at where it was until I put it in my phone’s GPS. I headed out the door from Blackstone, Mass. with hesitation. Tuesdays are school nights, but boldly I went up 495 anyway.
The dark winding roads into the woods made me feel very adventurous. When I parked next to a Maserati, I gave myself a solid pep talk to be on my best behavior. To my surprise, The International was not stuffy at all. I may have even overdressed.
I ordered the Cast Iron Blackened Swordfish Steak with white cheddar polenta, roasted garlic spinach, San Marzano tomato and sun-dried corn. I had been deeply wounded by The Urban in the past so I thought the high prices and fancy-sounding dishes would mean tiny portions. I was completely wrong. I don’t know the exact weight of my swordfish, but it was definitely three ounces, the recommended protein quota for a serving.
Even thinking back to it now, I am amazed I ate the whole piece. Despite the size, the swordfish was cooked evenly. The fish just melted as my fork sliced through it. The texture was meaty, smooth, and moist. On its own, it was excellent. Along with white cheddar polenta, tomatoes, and roasted garlic spinach, it was the best dish I have ever eaten as a Worcester Foodie. The rich, creamy polenta, the tangy garlic spinach, and the slight sweetness from the tomato was perfection. I think if I were to order swordfish anywhere else I would be disappointed
The servers were quick and attentive. There were a lot of people helping with our group. The servers all seemed to rave about the food as well.
I honestly cannot recommend The International enough. I fully plan on returning with my husband sometime soon and would love to see it in daylight as the wall of windows looks out onto the grounds. I also had a delicious bite of the Lobster and Pumpkin Risotto (served in a pumpkin) so I am eager to try more items on the menu. If I lived closer I would head over for a casual weekday evening meal to enjoy the bar menu of burgers and pizzas.