Tag: calamari

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Seafood Fra Diablo at Bootleggers Prohibition Pub

Seafood Fra Diablo at Bootleggers Prohibition Pub on Park Avenue in Worcester, MA

Waking into Bootleggers Prohibition Pub, we were greeted with a newly renovated Pub and restaurant environment in the former space that was Evo. The space was newly refurnished and had a nice bar area yet it seemed to miss the mark on creating the feel of a speakeasy type atmosphere that I was expecting. The bar area looked like a great place to grab a drink and taste some savory appetizers or a burger.

The menu offered a wide variety of options that included burgers and pub food although with intriguing appetizers. After going through the menu I decided to order the Seafood Fra Diablo. The dish was described as a mix of calamari, scallops, chopped clams, mussels, and shrimp tossed with linguini in a spicy tomato sauce, garnished with asiago, parmesan, garlic oil and green onion. I choose to opt out of the mussels in my dish and the server informed me they were out of scallops, so the dish ended up being shrimp, calamari and clams. A healthy portion of the dish was presented and garnished with a shredded cheese and green onions on the top. The dish lacked a little flavor that I was expecting in the flavor of the sauce. Overall, the dish lacked depth or strong spicy flavors that one would expect from Seafood Fra Diablo

Service a the Bootlegger Prohibition Pub was average. The server was pleasant and service for dinner was fairly quick, yet it was sometimes difficult to get drinks and wine pours. For a prohibition pub, it looked like wine was still suffering from the impact of prohibition.

Overall the newly renovated Bootleggers Prohibition Pub seems to be a great place to grab a drink at the bar with some appetizers or a burger and watch the Lone Ranger on a big screen. No doubt, you’ll easily find the “secret door” and know the “secret password.”

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Homemade Lasagna in the Canal District

Homemade Lasagna from Compass Tavern on Harding Street in Worcester

I have heard plenty about the Compass Tavern but I had not ventured down to see it, or taste it, for myself, which is why I was really looking forward to our Foodies visit this month. A few different restaurants have been in this space over the past few years but it certainly looks like the new owners invested significantly in renovating the space.

fried calamari from Compass Tavern on Harding Street in Worcester, MAWalking into the main dining area, you are greeted by a gigantic rectangular bar centered in the room with plenty of booths and dining tables around it. The open room has a warm, comfortable feel to it with exposed brick walls, rich wood finishes, and even some Blackstone Canal black and white photos to add authenticity.

The menu is a mix of traditional pub-style comfort food with a few special twists. My dining partner and I started with one of our favorites: fried calamari. For my main entree, I ordered the Homemade Lasagna. The large plate of calamari arrived quickly and our table devoured it. The lightly fried squid was tender and the mix of peppers and sauce was delightfully spicy! My main course arrived just as we finished the calamari. The lasagna square was large and filled with tasty cheese, ground meat, and sausage. The sauce was a bit sweet, but it was not overly rich or spicy. Overall, the dish was well-prepared and satisfying. My comfort food extravaganza was paired with a few ice-cold Wachusett Bella Czech Pils draft beers to make my night complete.

Even though our party was a bit smaller than a normal Foodies gathering, we can be a bit demanding, but our server took everything in stride. The food came out timely and the drinks were served quickly–and with a smile every time.

Overall my experience was very good. If you are looking for a solid, pub-style dining experience, the Compass Tavern is certainly a great choice. For me, I will be a bit more adventurous and order one of the less traditional comfort food choices next time.