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Fine Dining: Ceres Bistro

Ceres Bistro

Every city has its staple Italian restaurant, Middle Eastern, steakhouse, casual, family-style, and fine dining spot. In Worcester, it is fitting that the only four diamond hotel is also home to one of the most elegant dining experiences without the snobbery: Ceres Bistro.

Dessert at CeresLocated across the street from UMass University Campus, the Beechwood Hotel and Ceres Bistro restaurant have become known for their sophistication, gourmet menu, trendy atmosphere, and attention to detail. Starting in the lounge, the atmosphere rivals that of a trendy Manhattan bar with illuminated faux-marble counter-tops surrounded by an impressive selection of liquor, beer, and wine; a perfect spot to relax for a cocktail after work or informal business meeting over food from the bar menu. The most comforting fact is whether you are in a suit or tie, or jeans and polo, you will feel at home in the lounge.

The dining room includes both table and booth seating to accommodate parties large and small and features a magnificent stained glass ceiling dome that dates back to the late 1800’s and floor to ceiling glass walls that highlight beautifully manicured gardens. Nestled in the back is a wine dining room where you can eat in a more private setting surrounded by wines from around the world.

The outdoor dining area gives you a greater feeling of freedom all year—regardless the time of the day with outdoor heaters, convenient bar, and lawn seating—an oasis escape from the surrounding city.

Chef at the table in the main dining roomWhether enjoying dinner, a business lunch, or Sunday brunch, the kitchen staff—led by  awarding-winning chef, Bill Nemeroff—has created gourmet options with a contemporary twist to please your appetite and titillate your taste buds.

The private function rooms at Ceres Bistro provide the perfect venue for an intimate event or to entertain clients, family or friends.

A restaurant like this would demand the highest prices based on the quality of food, but Chef Nemeroff’s uncanny ability to create a sophisticated meal at an affordable price—especially the special bar menu—is one reason Ceres Bistro should be at the top of your list. When in Worcester, Ceres Bistro is the place to go when you are looking for a gourmet meal, sophisticated atmosphere, and pure professionalism from start to finish. Visit their location on Plantation Street in Worcester to understand why.

Ceres Bistro

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Foodies Unite!

Recently, the WorcesterFoodies group united with the culinary expertise of Niche Hospitality’s The People’s Kitchen. Owner Michael Covino, Chef Bill Nemeroff, and Wine Director Katie Kelly designed a special 3-course meal and wine pairing for our members and guests to enjoy.

The People’s Kitchen features local, artisan and hand crafted meals created by passionate, food loving professionals so it was a perfect match for our WorcesterFoodies group.

Our evening started with a locally-sourced, roasted root vegetable panzanella of beets, butternut squash and parsnip, drizzled with a maple vinaigrette. The deep, rich flavors of the root vegetables were balanced perfectly with the lightly sweet maple vinaigrette.

The Tahitian Vanilla and Valrhona Cocoa Brined Double Bone Pork Chop

The panzanella got our meal off to a wonderful start and we knew we would be in for something special.

Our palettes were cleansed with an intermezzo of apricot sorbet with fresh tarragon. The apricot sorbet by itself, was outstanding, but the fresh tarragon added a sweet licorice flavor that worked perfectly with the sorbet.

Shortly before our meal was served Chef Bill Nemeroff came out to introduce our main course, a Tahitian Vanilla and Valrhona Cocoa Brined Double Bone Pork Chop, served with Grafton cheddar mashed potato and fresh vegetables. The perfectly cooked pork chop was tender and extremely flavorful but the vanilla and cocoa added such an unusual twist that it really brought this dish to another level. The accompanying potatoes and vegetables were also outstanding.

With our first two courses, the staff at The People’s Kitchen pushed our taste buds to new limits, and they certainly didn’t disappoint with dessert. Chef Nemeroff and his staff prepared an Almond Joy Bread Pudding with Coco Puff Streusel that was unquestionably a fantastic finish to a tremendous meal. Moist and rich, this smoothly textured bread pudding had hints of chocolate and coconut woven into the custard covered bread and was topped with a warm, rich chocolate drizzle.

The People’s Kitchen is certainly one of Worcester’s jewels and if you have not been there, put it on your “short list” of restaurants to visit. Located at One Exchange Place, TPK is a wonderful place to enjoy an outstanding meal with friends and family. But be ready to be challenged, as the menu is diverse and exciting.

Chef Bill Nemeroff explaining his food and wine pairings to the Worcester Foodies group.