After five years of serving the Tatnuck Square area, Tatnuck Grille officially closed its doors on Friday the 13th, leaving the rest of us to wonder about the truth behind this superstitious holiday. In December, the Worcester Foodies dined at the neighborhood bar and grill and while there was a mixed feeling among the foodie crew about the menu, the overall summary was that Tatnuck Grille was a great place to go after a long day of work with “casual, affordable, pub-style food.”
Not all is bad, as this rumor has a happy ending. Cal Dolan and Dessie McKane, co-owners of Funky Murphy are said to have purchased the Tatnuck Grille location with the intention to renovate the space and reopen it’s newly branded location in three months. We don’t know how you feel, but a Funky Murphy-like restaurant in Tatnuck Square is much needed and we are sticking around to see this rumor unravel.
“The Potato Gnocchi was phenomenal,” says Robyn Lane, in between servings of small plates meant for discovering new favorites. The potato gnocchi with bleu cheese, crispy sweet potato and fresh scallions was the dish everyone knew they would come back for within the first few bites. “Oh, and the Fontina Cheese was amazing.”
With a constant rotation of new plates from the kitchen, the subtle “oohs and ahas” echoed throughout the room as dishes like the Shaved Compressed Octopus made its way to each table.
Writers for Mass Foodies share a moment while enjoying Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA.
“The Octopus and the Porchetta dishes are my favorite to create. The Shaved Compressed Octopus technique was just a creative thought I had one day and it seems to be a favorite so far. The Porchetta with Grilled Sausage, Pork Rib, Stewed Lentils and Fried Polenta is where I can alleviate some steam. It’s a fun dish to create and not as delicate as the others,” says Executive Chef Russo.
Chef Tim Russo speaking with a group of Worcester Foodies during the June outing
The Chorizo Stuffed Calamari was a great play on the full use of a squid dish. The body, stuffed and proportionally enhanced with a Zesty Tomato Broth and Chickpeas, was adorned with a boost of flavors and a well-versed tapas presentation.
While Stephanie Orsi and Evan Dufault raved about the Potato Gnocchi – clearly a group favorite, Amy Peterson saw the magic in Russo’s eyes when speaking about the Porchetta dish and seconded him as her favorite of the night. “The act of sharing food creates conversation and brings about laughter and camaraderie. The Porchetta is a dish to be desired. The plate, something like an upscale Shepard’s selection embodied the tapas experience with culinary excellence,” says Peterson.
Mass Foodies review the menu options at Worcester’s Lock 50.
The Meat Board from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
gnocchi with bleu cheese, crispy sweet potato, and fresh scallion from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA.
Half roasted chicken with mushrooms and marsala syrup from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Grilled Tri Tip Steak from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Chef Tim Russo speaking with a group of Worcester Foodies during the June outing
Porchetta, Grilled Sausage, Pork Rib, Stewed Lentil, and Fried Polenta from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Roasted beets with creamy goat cheese, baby Kale and Blood Orange form Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Crisped Fontina Cheese from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
The Whole Roasted Local Fish from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Roasted Chicken with Mushrooms from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Crisped Fontina Cheese from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Chorizo Stuffed Calamari with Zesty Tomato Broth and Chickpeas from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Roasted 1/2 Chicken with Mushrooms and Marsala Syrup from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Grilled Tri Tip Steak, Roasted Potato, Broccoli Rabe sans Pesto from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Potato Gnocchi from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Grilled Beets, Creamy Goat Cheese, Baby Kale, Blood Orange from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Writers for Mass Foodies share a moment while enjoying Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA.
Grilled Beets, Creamy Goat Cheese, Baby Kale, Blood Orange from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Porchetta, Grilled Sausage, Pork rib, Stewed Lentils, Fried Polenta from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
