Tag: Crust Bakery

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The April Wrap Up

April gave me a rare look inside Armsby Abbey’s kitchen to learn about their team’s exceptional charcuterie program in addition to their unique butchering practices. Executive Chef Sean Dacey expressed sky high expectations for his knowledgeable staff while owner Sherri Sadowski provided insight about the role that Reserve’s technology plays in streamlining guest services. As Mass Foodies live correspondent, I also had the opportunity to attend Massachusetts’ first hemp dinner at deadhorse hill, courtesy of Luce Farm. Hemp or CBD, offers a variety of health and wellness benefits. The event proved indicative of an uncharted cannabis culture that Worcester is only beginning to grapple with.

Five single origin dark chocolate bars from Goodnow Farms and the beans used to produce them. The middle one, made from Mexican beans, actually has the highest cocoa content: 77% (Erb Photography for Mass Foodies)
Five single origin dark chocolate bars from Goodnow Farms and the beans used to produce them. The middle one, made from Mexican beans, actually has the highest cocoa content: 77% (Erb Photography for Mass Foodies)

Contributing writer, Giselle Rivera-Flores continued her #SundayFunday series with an old favorite: Bocado Tapas Wine Bar, embracing a sultry communal dining experience. On the West side, Giselle got “clean and naked” with Nu Cafe where owner Josh Van Dyke is curating an organic lifestyle for his Chandler Street customers. Just up the road in Tatnuck Square, Giselle broke the news that owners of Funky Murphy’s had purchased Tatnuck Grille where they are planning to launch a new concept in the near future.

This month, Jim Eber immersed himself in craft chocolate at Goodnow Farms in Sudbury. Jim distinguished chocolate as a complex food rather than a simple candy, citing the laborious steps undertaken by proprietors, Tom and Monica Rogan. The Rogans take their beans seriously, accounting for the likes of their fresh, herbal, and aromatic small-batch bars of Ucayali from Peru. Trust us when we tell you that the $8 price tag is a steal.

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

Most exciting of all was the announcement by Alexis Kelleher and Nate Rossi that Crust Bakeshop will expand to offer fine wine and cheese, a suitable match for the signature fresh baked breads that drive customers downtown in droves. The expansion makes use of a neighboring Main Street storefront, which has already undergone two months of renovation.

And, if you’ve been following the Hangover Pub’s restaurant drama (fit for a box office hit) we are pleased to report that Michael Arrastia has officially divorced from any legal ties to notorious money-launderer Christopher Slavinskas. According to the Telegram and Gazette, Arrastia received approval from officials on Thursday to reopen under a fresh license.

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Crust Bakeshop To Expand Worcester Footprint With North Main Provisions

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

Main Street’s Crust Bakeshop To Expand into Neighboring Storefront—to offer wine, cheese, and more, as North Main Provisions.

Alexis Kelleher and her partner, Nate Rossi – former sous chef at Armsby Abbey – plan to expand into the storefront next to Crust to open a wine and cheese shop. Crust was wildly popular before it even opened in 2014. Food lovers waited for the highly anticipated shop to open its doors and expectations were met with its grab-and-go model of freshly baked breads, pastries, Armeno coffees, farmstead cheeses, and breakfast sandwiches.

The interior work being done at the expansion of Crust— The building permit for Crust's expansion as North Main Provisions.
The interior work being done at the expansion of Crust—North Main Provisions.

In February 2018, Ms. Kelleher approached Mass Foodies days after signing a lease with even more exciting news for Crust fans: a 2018 expansion. Two months in, construction has recently taken the attention of passersby and North Main Provisions is starting to take shape. “With everything that’s been happening in Worcester, combined with an opportunity to take over the neighboring space next door it felt like the right time to expand. Nate and I are passionate about food, in general, but we are really excited to share our love of wine, cheese, and bread with the people of Worcester,” Ms. Kelleher explained. The new storefront will allow for more seating at Crust and will also offer a greater array of products.

The expansion is expected to be completed by the spring and open by the in the next month or two. Crust has also been asked to exhibit at the upcoming Worcester Wine Festival where they will be presenting tastings of the exciting new offerings.