Tag: brussel sprouts

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Hangover Pub’s Cider Braised Statler Chicken

Cider Braised Statler Chicken from Hangover Pub on Green Street in Worcester, MA

I walked into the Hangover Pub and felt like it was a very upbeat and happening place. Great energy in this place. The crowds were a mix of Hipster blended with corporate folks with the average Joe sprinkled in. It felt trendy and I thought very loud and very busy for a Tuesday night. Who would have thought a place like this at 6:30pm on a Tuesday night could be so busy.

We proceeded to order our appetizers. After much debate my husband and I ordered the shaved brussel sprout salad. It was large for a side salad but I’m not complaining. It was fantastic with the lemon Dijon vinaigrette and sliced green apples, almonds and of course the ever present bacon. We also ordered the smoked parmesan and house cured bacon potato chips. I can never turn down homemade potato chips. They were some of the best chips I have ever had. For my entrée I ordered the Cider braised Statler chicken it came with a Sherry cream sauce, apple, and bacon of course with large chunks of potato and Brussel sprouts this dish was divine. The chicken itself was cooked perfectly and melted in my mouth.

Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and was happy to share with us her favorite dishes on the menu. I had every intention of ordering the chicken and waffles and had pretty much made up my mind when I asked our waitress what her favorite entrée on the menu was. Our waitresses eyes got big and excited and she sighed lovingly and said the cider braised statler chicken. She gushed over is so much that she sold me on the spot. I have to say I was not disappointed.

I was very happy with my meal, very happy with the delicious sangria I ordered as well. The service was excellent with the wait staff all being very accommodating and nice. I did end up taking quite a bit of my meal home due to having 2 appetizers that my party and I shared plus the salad, it was a lot of food. I cannot wait to go back here and try some other options on the menu.

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The Twisted Fork Scallops

The Twisted Fork Scallops from Twisted Fork Bistro in Cherry Valley

The Twisted Fork does breakfast and lunch daily, but it is only open for dinner on weekend nights. At first, it looks more like a diner than a place for fine dining because it’s tucked away in a small Leicester strip mall.  When you are inside, it feels more like a local eatery than a gourmet restaurant.

Chef Jay and his wife Nancy certainly add to that feeling with their outgoing and quirky personalities. And, once you eat the food, there is no denying that the Twisted Fork is indeed serving upscale food with advanced technique and love behind it.

I started dinner with a lovely little Caesar Salad served in a Parmesan bowl. The bowls are made fresh for each salad and hold just enough salad to be a good-sized appetizer without filling you up. This dish can’t be shared but it’s plenty big enough for one. The homemade dressing was creamy without being too thick while the parmesan bowl was absolutely delicious.

For my entree, I had the Seared Sea Scallops over a parsnip puree with blood orange oil and Brussel sprouts. The scallops were cooked to perfection–tender and very flavorful. The slightly earthy parsnip puree grounded the scallops nicely and the blood orange oil provided a brightness to the dish with its slightly sweet and tart flavors. The scallop’s serving size was a little on the small side though. If I hadn’t had the salad as an appetizer, it might not have been enough food for me. Overall, the dish was delightful.

Our server for night night was Chef Jay’s wife, Nancy. She was not only knowledgeable of the menu and wine list, but her fun, outgoing personality was the perfect addition to our group. She genuinely seemed like she enjoyed spending time with us. She was around often enough to refill beverages and bread as well as joke with us.

This scratch kitchen (meaning nothing is pre-made, everything is made from scratch) made every dish to order. As a result, the dining experience is slower than most places but it was worth the wait. If you’re looking for a relaxed meal with a truly engaging chef and staff that is both reasonably priced and delicious, this place is for you. The Twisted Fork will be in our rotation for a while!