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Cauliflower Steak at The Fireplace Room

Cauliflower Steak at The Fireplace Room in Bolton, MA

Cauliflower Steak at The Fireplace Room in Bolton, MA

The Fireplace Room, located in Bolton, is tucked away at the upscale golf club known as The International. With the fireplace aglow and the tables perfectly set with white linen tablecloths and napkins, I knew I would be in for a relaxing dining experience.

There were so many creative dishes listed on “Tonight’s Features” and the dinner menu, but the Cauliflower Steak caught my eye and ignited my curiosity.

The generous slice of pan-seared Cauliflower Steak was topped with San Marzano tomatoes and crushed toasted pistachio nuts, which came together to form an absolutely addictive crust. The cauliflower florets were cooked to perfection while the stems were slightly under-cooked. It’s challenging to cook this vegetable given that florets and stems are two different textures. Either pan-searing or oven roasting may have helped to cook it more evenly. Other than that, the steak was presented beautifully on top of roasted fingerling potatoes and fresh spinach. The spinach was not in the dish description, but it complemented the potatoes. The gorgeous vegetables were bathing in a very flavorful layer of San Marzano tomato broth that seeped down through the Cauliflower Steak.

Our server was very attentive. What I found to be exceptional was that the server gave individual checks to everyone in our large group.

Overall, I enjoyed my very first Worcester Foodies dining experience. All of the dishes looked like works of art. I’ll definitely come back and not just for the fine dining. The very informative hostess told us that during the daylight hours you can see for miles. I’ll be back to check out the lunch menu and the spectacular views.

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Lobster and Pumpkin Risotto from The International

Lobster and Pumpkin Risotto from The International in Bolton, MA

Lobster and Pumpkin Risotto from The International in Bolton, MA

The Fireplace Room at the International has a large fireplace, a nice bar area, and an inviting dining room.

The menu offers a variety of dishes from casual eats like burgers and pizza to more elaborate dinner options like risotto and sirloin steak. While many items caught my attention, I ordered the Lobster and Pumpkin Risotto. When the dish arrived, the abundance of lobster amazed me. A small pumpkin was centered on the plate with a large portion of peas, pepitas, bacon and lobster claws along with a rich risotto. The flavors from the lobster, bacon, and risotto made for a wonderfully warm fall dish. The peas and pumpkin were the perfect balance to the saltier ingredients.

The service was very good throughout the night. The waitstaff kept water glasses full and drinks fresh. The only comment on the service was the kitchen seemed to be a little slow. But when the main course did arrive, it was worth the wait.

The International is a wonderful place to dine after a golf outing, to have a business meeting or to eat a formal dinner. The food and value are excellent. The International offers a nice alternative if you’re looking for a spot outside of Worcester.