Tag: Fancy That

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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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#FamilyEats – Afternoon Tea. Fancy That!

We’ve established in our first installment of #FamilyEats that parents are more than deserving of a night spent dining out with family, friends, and oh…the little ones. Way back when, parents delivered their babies and waved goodbye to their regularly scheduled wine dinners, chef tastings, and the entire restaurant industry as they vowed not to visit another restaurant until the little ones were old enough to understand that running is only an activity reserved for the park.

And while that may have worked in the past, we encourage our readers to break away from this cycle and regain their freedom. It is time to revolutionize how we dine and with whom we dine. Let this column inspire you to bring your children with you the next time you want to taste something savory or sweet that didn’t originate from Whole Foods.

A new day has dawned and it is in our best interest to celebrate this intergenerational dining experience.

Now, we want to be clear. Dining with the family does not necessarily translate to “let’s find a place where they serve mac and cheese” but instead it means digging into the restaurant scene to capture locations that provide an ageless experience that will satisfy the palettes of both children and adults. There is no other place that provides that heart-warming experience like Fancy That.

Hidden in the typical New England-esque town of Walpole, Fancy That has morphed the typical family lunch date into an extravagant and unique experience immersing the family into a bygone era of elegance and refined beauty. As an English inspired Tea Room for adults and young people twelve years of age and up (okay, don’t get rid of the babysitter just yet) Fancy That offers a specific insight into the delicacies of Afternoon Tea.

Stemming from a “desire to touch people’s lives with beauty and grace” through an era filled with forgotten traditions and unsaturated tastes, Sarah, owner of Fancy That, reflects her personal need to create a “warm and inviting place to enjoy the civility of Afternoon Tea” into every crevice of Fancy That. Offering traditional Afternoon Tea by reservation, Wednesday through Sundays and Monday holidays, the monthly menu at Fancy That changes to maintain a fresh appeal for its recurring tea lovers and new enthusiasts. Pairing a range of tradition teas with a heart-shaped scone with English clotted cream – a traditional spread in England for scones – and strawberry jam, a slice of tea bread, four rectangular tea sandwiches, three miniature sweets and a pot of tea made with spring water – choose from over forty selections of tea – the variation is potentially unlimited. The June menu will celebrate Brad’s birthday month. Brad, commonly known as “the husband of the owner,” entices Afternoon Tea with a nostalgic play on childhood sweets. Serving a birthday scone – a scone sprinkled with confetti-like sweets – a Reuben style sandwich, a S’mores shooter for dessert along with a fudge chocolate cupcake, Brad transforms the menu to heighten the small culinary possibilities of Afternoon Tea.

From the adorned walls lined with pink floral wallpaper and hanging crystal chandeliers to the linen tables topped with fine, antique china and fresh flowers, Fancy That provides a rare look into the past and offers the intergenerational brunch experience that can pivot the family dynamic. #FamilyEats is not a guide to find your nearest family-friendly restaurant that serves crayons with the kid’s menu but instead it is about the journey and importance of the family dining experience and making #familynightout a significant day of the week.