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Miss Last Month’s Food News? Here’s A Small Bite

Mass Foodies and The Queen's Cups sit down at Good As Gold Coffee to understand their air roasting and begin planning a fall event together. (Erb Photo)
The Kale Brussels Salad with Yellowtail at 110 Grill's new Worcester, MA location.
The Kale Brussels Salad with Yellowtail at 110 Grill’s new Worcester, MA location.

May means outdoor dining, a reality made simple with the launch of 110 Grill in downtown Worcester. I had the opportunity to tour 110’s new space for a Live segment with General Manager Patrick McClelland who expressed his excitement about the restaurant’s proximity to the AC Marriott. Lights still need to be installed on the patio, but guests are welcome to dine before dark in the meantime; stay tuned for fire pits. If you’re curious about the parking situation, rest assured that 110 Grill validates after 5 p.m. and anytime on the weekends.

The building permit for Crust's expansion as North Main Provisions.
The building permit for Crust’s expansion as North Main Provisions.

I joined Renee King of the Queen’s Cups on a tour of Good As Gold Coffee, one of her Canal District neighbors. I have driven past Good As Gold hundreds of times over the years, but this was my first venture inside. New advanced air roasting technology allows these local crafters to ensure steadfast consistency for customers. Their custom air roaster controls how heat is applied to the coffee bean, impacting the outside coloration of the roast color as well as the inside by taking measurements 10 times per second. What now separates Good As Gold from other roasters is an ability to provide more consistent coffee and dial in their recipes. Good As Gold is currently the only roaster in the United States with this precise technology. You can expect an autumn collab with the Queen. (Stay tuned for Coffee + Dessert #1!)

This month, Mass Foodies contributor Jim Eber took a chance on Crust Artisan Bakeshop’s Coney Island pizza. Alexis Kelleher’s homage to the “Up” dog, an iconic preparation with all the fixings, was created to trigger the same nostalgia she feels whenever she sets foot in her family’s eatery, Coney Island. Kelleher and her partner Nate Rossi are expanding their footprint to offer fine wine and cheese, a compliment to their signature fresh baked goods at Crust. The new entity will be called North Main Provisions.

The Worcester Market, photograph from Worcester Historical Museum
The Worcester Market, photograph from Worcester Historical Museum

Giselle-Rivera Flores broke the news that Chef Jay Powell has sold the Twisted Fork Bistro in Leicester to open a new venture in the town of Auburn. The new project will be called the Twisted Cochon BBQ and Grill. Flores also treated the family to a tea party at Fancy That in Walpole for her new series, #FamilyEats. In addition, she zeroed in on the community, applauding public markets like Allen Fletcher’s new Kelley Square Market project. Rivera wrote, “In the midst of a growth spurt, Worcester looks back on its roots in an attempt to infuse what the city needs the most: a common space to define and explore shared values among the diverse culture that breathes life into Worcester’s identity.”

The Worcester Foodies braved torrential downpours to test the waters at simjang on Shrewsbury Street. The crew found it easy to step out of their comfort zone under the watchful eye of Chef de Cuisine Mike Wenc and his knowledgeable staff. Robyn sprang for the Mulgogi (whole fish) and reveled in its flakey perfection. What a way to delight in May.

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The Twisted Fork Bistro Seared Scallops

The Twisted Fork Bistro Seared Scallops

The Twisted Fork is a short drive from the Webster Square area of Worcester. At the top of Dead Horse Hill the Twisted Fork sits in a strip mall tempting your taste buds with its interesting menu.

Upon entering the restaurant the owner and chef, Jay Powell, whose passion and eclectic personality are apparent instantly, greeted us. The restaurant is a modest size with a small bar area. When we sat down, Chef Jay shared that his restaurant is a scratch kitchen, which means everything is made in-house from scratch.

The menu offered a variety of options. To start, I went with the Mushroom Truffle Soup, which was a rich creamy mushroom soup with black truffles and a dollop of sour cream. It was a masterful combination of flavors. Also, it was quite possibly the best mushroom soup, and largest quantity of soup, I have ever had. It was a portion that could have served two or three people.

For my main course, I ordered the Seared Scallops. This decent-sized portion of scallops and Brussels sprouts came on a citrus parsnip puree topped with a bacon emulsion and finished with a blood orange olive oil. The scallops were seared perfectly. The surprise star of the dish was the parsnip puree. This flavor pulled the dish together. The citrus noted in the puree and blood orange olive oil helped create a dish I want to order again and again.

Our servers, Miss Lindsey and the owner’s wife, Nancy, provided friendly and helpful assistance all night. Nancy is also the pastry chef. She makes sinfully delicious desserts. Service can be a little slow as the chef explained to us that they only have three burners and, of course, everything is made from scratch.

The Twisted Fork’s only downside was the small kitchen. It seems like having a bigger kitchen would allow them to make everything from scratch within a reasonable amount of time. However, the owner and his team showed us their sincere passion for food in the dining experience they created for us. The Twisted Fork is definitely worth a return trip.