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Test Kitchen Pays Homage To El Morocco

Test Kitchen's El Morocco Event on Friday, May 20th 2016

Editor’s Note: The first El Morocco Tribute Dinner on May 20th has been sold out. A second date has been announced: Thursday, May 19th!

In a year that saw both the El Morocco building demolished and the Park Avenue Lebanese eatery Shiraz close, it is only fitting that Niche Hospitality’s Test Kitchen pay homage to the ethnic flavors that once represented the city of Worcester.

On May 20th, the Test Kitchen will present a five course event that will be reminiscent of the El Morocco. Executive Chef De Cuisine, Neil Rogers, will be serving traditional favorites including three different types of hummus, grape leaves, baba ghanouj, kafta, fatayer, haloumi, kibbeh naya, lamb shoulder, and more. “With all of the growth the region has seen with relation to restaurants, it’s nice to preserve a sense of the past, the history of the city; where the city started and what is has become,” says Rogers. And while Rogers wasn’t able to borrow “secret recipes” he spent time doing research at the Worcester Historical Museum and listening to personal “stories from old patrons, told with a twinkle of nostalgia in their eye.”

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased through Niche Hospitality Group.

Keskoon!

El Morocco Dinner Event menu

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Beef Shawarma Plate

Beef Shawarma Plate from Bay State Shawarma on Water Street in Worcester, MA

Beef Shawarma Plate from Bay State Shawarma on Water Street in Worcester, MA

I always say, if you crave the dish the next day, you had a great meal. Well it’s been five days and I’m, still craving my dish I had at this month’s Foodies stop, Bay State Shawarma and Grill at 86 Water Street. This Middle Eastern eatery has been serving Worcester’s Middle Eastern appetite with fresh homemade food and baked goods for over twelve years. A casual dining atmosphere, much like a delicatessen, where the eater orders from the front counter and waits to be called by number to get their dish.

My experience began with an appetizer of vegetarian Grape Leaves. Stuffed with rice, mint, tomato, parsley & spices; a squeeze of lemon complimented the already flavorful dish. A must try!

For my entrée I chose the Beef Shawarma Plate. Fresh beef shaved from the rotating grill behind the counter; loaded with spices and presented over a bed of rice pilaf. Each dinner entree is served with a small Middle Eastern salad, hummus, vegetables and pita bread.

Friendly hosts, extremely reasonable prices and amazing food in a warm atmosphere, I cannot say enough about Bay State Shawarma. If you enjoy Middle Eastern food, you will not be disappointed.