Nestled in a building on Water Street in the Canal District in Worcester, Gumbo is one of Worcester’s newest restaurants. Billed as a New Orleans kitchen and Oyster Bar it is nice to hear of something other than another Italian restaurant opening. The main dining area was a slightly darker room with lots of brick, stone, and exposed beams—hints of purple and gold accented the room. We were promptly seated and pondered over the wide variety of selections on the menu. I opted for the Shrimp and Grits that were described as “well seasoned gulf shrimp sautéed with onions, peppers, and celery in a Louisiana BBQ sauce… served over a creamy cheddar and jalapeno grits.” The meal delivered what it promised, pairing seven large shrimp with a tasty red BBQ sauce. The grits had a nice jalapeno cheddar taste to them and were the perfect accompaniment to the shrimp. My only suggestions would be to season the shrimp a little more and to make the sautéed vegetables more pronounced for added texture. Overall, I will definitely be back to Gumbo to try more of the dishes Gumbo has to offer. A welcomed addition to the Worcester dining scene. -DO