Tag: 110 Grill

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Your Mid-Summer Food News Recap

Olive & Herb with whipped feta, evoo & herbs (BirchTree Bread Company)

A few of your favorite restaurants want you to try cooking at home this summer. No joke. Just ask Lynn Cheney of Lettuce Be Local whose unique spin on the CSA is changing the way Central Mass thinks about food. She has strategically selected three pickup locations at area restaurants in different neighborhoods of the city in order to foster ease and walkability for residents. Pickups can be made at deadhorse hill downtown, Lock 50 in the Canal District and simjang on Shrewsbury Street. Orders can be personalized based on each member’s needs from week to week and offers accessibility to Cheney’s wide network of farms, previously only available to chefs. The CSA does not include dairy and meat at this time.

Meet the Only Woman Worcester's Top Chefs Trust With Their Beef, Farmer Joan WalkerIf it’s meat you’re after, look no farther than Walker Farm. I should warn you that obtaining Joanie Walker’s beef can be as challenging as Elaine Benes ordering a cup of soup. Joanie only sells to chefs who will do justice to her herd of grass-fed Red Devon cattle known for their healthy, hearty, marbled meat. You’ve probably enjoyed the results of her love and labor at Armsby Abbey, deadhorse hill, or the International’s Fireplace Room. Joanie’s reputation is steadfast among local foodies for producing the highest quality beef in the region. I visited Walker Farm in New Braintree in order to fully appreciate Joanie’s patience and care for her cows. (Rest assured, I went home with a freezer full of meat.)

This month, the Worcester Foodies visited 110 Grill where they admired the “very cool outdoor patio and fire pit that was bustling on the beautiful summer evening we visited.” 110’s ambience was dubbed “casual elegance” by the group. Lindsay said, “Big windows along the front of the restaurant allow you to overlook some of downtown Worcester’s new sights. I can’t wait to spend and evening on the patio trying some options from the cocktail menu.” Stephanie added, “I was born and raised in Worcester and I really enjoy seeing my city grow and thrive.” The evening marked Worcester Foodies’ 86th consecutive monthly outing. They found a wide range of crowd pleasers from light and casual salads to comfort classics such as Meatloaf or Mac and Cheese and even all out NY Sirloin or Rib Eye Steak options.

Contributor Giselle Rivera-Flores continued her #SundayFunday series with trips to Boston’s Barking Crab and Worcester’s Hacienda Don Juan. Regarding the Barking Crab she wrote, “On any given day, the patio tables are lined with patrons enjoying the summer breeze and the distinct smell of the sea as they order signature items like the Crabby Coolers – a 32 oz drink of choice, usually with alcohol – or admire the King Platter – a 10lb lobster and mixed crab bowl as it is served to a nearby table.” Hacienda proved equally transportive on account of their corn loving dishes made with pupusas, tortillas, and tamales.

Mass Foodies welcomed a new writer this month. Dana Harrison, MS. Harrison is a nutritionist, educator, and fitness instructor with a simple approach to nutrition, health, and wellness. Harrison’s philosophy is, “Eat, move, love, and learn. It’s all a balancing act.” Her goal is to help others find their own balance through health and wellness with a concentration on nutrition education. She has amassed over 25,000 followers on Instagram with the handle @eats2know. Her inaugural article raised a toast to toast, getting personal with BirchTree. Harrison sees toast as a tool for portion control with a variety of nutrients and flavors.

Buck's Whiskey & Burger Bar on Green Street in Worcester, MAContributor Veronica Vann Jura visited Buck’s Whiskey & Burger Bar to scope out the atmosphere. She admired the original artwork by Tony Freitas, the narrow layout reminiscent of a ‘country-road,’ and even the tidy restrooms. The only thing missing from Buck’s was apparently the line dancing. There’s an idea for August…

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Worcester Foodies Adds 110 Grill To Their List For Their 86 Consecutive Month Dining Out

The Worcester Foodies group meeting for their 86th consecutive month, this time at 110 Grill in Worcester, MA.

Worcester’s downtown renaissance has garnered a lot of well-deserved media attention lately. A few years back the Galleria Shopping Mall was torn down and Front Street was reconnected to the downtown area making room for the City Square revitalization project. New upscale hotels like the AC Marriott have opened, 145 Front Street built 230 brand new luxury apartments, new retail outlets have opened and yes…a new restaurant has moved in!

Chef’s Plate at Worcester's 110 Grill (A MEDLEY OF ROASTED RED PEPPER HUMMUS, TZATZIKI SAUCE, FIG JAM, CANDIED WALNUTS, RED GRAPES, ARTICHOKES, OLIVES, ROASTED RED PEPPERS AND CUCUMBERS, ACCOMPANIED BY GRILLED CIABATTA AND WARMED NAAN BREAD.)
Chef’s Plate at Worcester’s 110 Grill (A MEDLEY OF ROASTED RED PEPPER HUMMUS, TZATZIKI SAUCE, FIG JAM, CANDIED WALNUTS, RED GRAPES, ARTICHOKES, OLIVES, ROASTED RED PEPPERS AND CUCUMBERS, ACCOMPANIED BY GRILLED CIABATTA AND WARMED NAAN BREAD.)

Right smack in the middle of downtown – right beside the aforementioned AC Marriott – sits the 110 Grill. This brand new, 7,000 square-foot restaurant opened in May 2018 and the Foodies recently made it the location of their latest gathering.

The Foodies have stayed away from chain restaurants, but the 110 Grill is a bit different. It is a smaller, localized chain, having opened their first restaurant in Chelmsford, MA in 2015. Since then they have added 13 other locations with Worcester being the latest addition. Everyone was excited to try their take on Modern American Cuisine.

The restaurant has a large, bright lounge area with a nice 30 seat U-shaped bar, a great selection of craft beers and an impressive wine list. The open kitchen overlooks the dining area and there is a small function room that can be utilized for larger parties, meetings and special events. Outside there is a very cool outdoor patio and fire pit that was bustling on the beautiful summer evening we visited.

The Worcester Foodies group meeting for their 86th consecutive month, this time at 110 Grill in Worcester, MA.
The Worcester Foodies group meeting for their 86th consecutive month, this time at 110 Grill in Worcester, MA.

The overall feel of the restaurant is one of casual elegance. Warm rich wood, contemporary details, open and clean visual lines. When you walk in, you immediately feel comfortable and welcome. As Lindsay put it, “Big windows along the front of the restaurant allow you to overlook some of downtown Worcester’s new sights. I can’t wait to spend and evening on the patio trying some options from the cocktail menu”. Stephanie added, “I was born and raised in Worcester and I really enjoy seeing my City grow and thrive.

Evan described the menu at the 110 Grill as “fresh takes on some American Classics.” Both the lunch and dinner menus are extensive, with lots of choices to satisfy any mood, from light and casual salads, burgers, comfort classics such as Meatloaf or Mac & Cheese, to pasta and fish dishes or all out with a NY Sirloin or Rib Eye Steak.

Crispy Fried Pickle Chips from 110 Grill in Worcester, MA (CRISPY DILL PICKLE CHIPS, SERVED WITH HONEY MUSTARD AND SRIRACHA AIOLI DIPPING SAUCES.)
Crispy Fried Pickle Chips from 110 Grill in Worcester, MA (CRISPY DILL PICKLE CHIPS, SERVED WITH HONEY MUSTARD AND SRIRACHA AIOLI DIPPING SAUCES.)

We all arrived and were seated immediately as our server began the process of taking drink and app orders. The restaurant’s GM Patrick McClelland was kind enough to send over some chef’s tastings before our meals. The large plates, made up of a medley of roasted red pepper hummus, tzatziki sauce, fig jam, candied walnuts, grapes, artichokes, olives and grilled naan, set the bar very high. Looking down the long high-top table it seemed everyone enjoyed these starters as a variety of drinks including bourbons, draught beers, wines and more were brought to the table.

The table also ordered a number of other appetizers. Robyn thought “the apps were excellent. The Deep-fried Pickles were cooked perfectly and came with two unique dipping sauces. The Calamari was crispy outside and tender and hot inside. But her favorite app was the Hot Crab Dip, something she said, “I will order again when I return.”

On to the main courses…

Chicken Pesto Pasta from 110 Grill in Worcester, MA (PAN-SEARED CHICKEN, ROASTED TOMATOES, ARTICHOKES AND CAVATAPPI PASTA, TOSSED IN A CREAMY PESTO SAUCE AND FINISHED WITH SHAVED REGGIANO.)
Chicken Pesto Pasta from 110 Grill in Worcester, MA (PAN-SEARED CHICKEN, ROASTED TOMATOES, ARTICHOKES AND CAVATAPPI PASTA, TOSSED IN A CREAMY PESTO SAUCE AND FINISHED WITH SHAVED REGGIANO.)

The Pesto Pasta, either with chicken or without, was a popular choice. Evan said, “The Chicken Pesto Pasta was seasoned beautifully, with the pesto fresh and large shavings of cheese abundant on top.” Julie thought it was “delicious and huge, plenty big enough to serve two people.”

Amanda had the Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad along with The Grilled Salmon. She thought “the salmon was cooked perfectly, very tender and flaky. The salad was colorful and crisp, and the variety of ingredients really complemented each other well.” She also tried a taste of the BBQ Pork Mac & Cheese and added “it was amazing.”

Steve reiterated Amanda’s thoughts on the BBQ Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese saying, “it was very tasty and something I would absolutely order again.”

“The Cuban Swordfish was fantastic,” said Dana. The blackened swordfish was well seasoned and grilled perfectly with a nice char. The black bean, corn and rice salad came with sour cream and refreshing citrus flavors that countered the blackened fish nicely,” he added.

Anna had Salmon dish as well saying, “the food was tasty – my 110 Salmon was substantial in size, cooked perfectly and served over a bed of chilled noodles making it the perfect dish for a hot summer night.”

110 Sesame Ginger Salmon at 110 Grill in downtown Worcester, MA (PAN-SEARED SALMON OVER MARINATED CHILLED SOBA NOODLES, TOSSED WITH ASIAN SLAW AND SESAME GINGER DRESSING, TOPPED WITH SESAME SEEDS AND FINISHED WITH SRIRACHA AIOLI.)
110 Sesame Ginger Salmon at 110 Grill in downtown Worcester, MA (PAN-SEARED SALMON OVER MARINATED CHILLED SOBA NOODLES, TOSSED WITH ASIAN SLAW AND SESAME GINGER DRESSING, TOPPED WITH SESAME SEEDS AND FINISHED WITH SRIRACHA AIOLI.)

Personally, I had one of 110 Grill’s “signature dishes” – the 110 Meatloaf. The beef, pork and veal combination was tender, moist and flavorful. Crispy onion strings were added on top to add texture and the Sriracha sauce gave the dish a spicy kick that completed the dish.

Stephanie had the meatloaf also, we exchanged notes and both felt the dish was outstanding. She added, “the meatloaf was tender and the Sriracha sauce added a nice sweet & spicy heat. The accompanying potatoes were creamy and well-seasoned as well.”

The 110 Grill staff was outstanding. As noted previously, the restaurant’s GM was highly attentive and personable, and not just at our table. I watched him great guests, deliver food and in general, lend a hand wherever needed. The support staff and servers were always close by, food service was outstanding and food quality was very high.

Drew re-capped what most everyone was saying when we finished our meals by adding, “I liked everything about the 110 Grill. The ambience, service and food were all very good. A step up from the usual chain restaurant and a solid anchor for the revitalized downtown area.”

Overall our experience at the 110 Grill was excellent with many of us making plans to revisit, especially during the warmer months to enjoy the patio!