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Which Restaurants Decorate for Christmas? Enjoy The Splendor of the Holidays with these Festive Restaurants

Mass Foodies Christmas Trolley with Lock 50's Foie Gras.

This December, Mass Foodies took off on an adventure as they brought 70 readers around the city on a snow-white trolley. The journey was to enjoy restaurants that decorate to celebrate the Christmas season and while the two “Santa’s Sleigh Food Tour” sold out within a matter of minutes, this guide is a great way to ensure you can experience the wonder of the holiday season—while eating.

  • Nuovo Restaurant: Nuovo is a prime spot for large groups with expectations of attentive service. The staff values hospitality above all else and manages to make their extensive Shrewsbury Street space feel festive and intimate. For the crawl, the put together the eggplant rollatini and lobster sacchettini, characterized by its zippy dijon sherry sauce.
  • VIA Italian Table: VIA is certainly a long-term staple of Shrewsbury Street. With a flare for Italian, the subtle decorations ensure that the season isn’t lost on any of us. For their portion, VIA prepared crispy pork meatballs with sweet & sour glaze; House made ricotta on grilled crostini with local honey; Italian meat & cheese skewers with tomato red pepper, basil, prosciutto & fresh Mozzarella.
  • 110 Grill: This 240-seat eatery is a new edition to downtown’s thriving neighborhood. The menu features modern-American cuisine and pays special mind to gluten-free and allergy aware dishes. The outdoor firepit is particularly warming this holiday season. You might even catch a glimpse of a movie star along the way; Liam Neeson filmed a scene on the block just last week. Order the firecracker shrimp and share a cheese board with your Christmas crew.
  • Lock 50: There is nowhere else in the city where you can dine outside in an igloo during the dead of winter. Treat your friends to foie gras from the comfort of your toasty glowing orb. You deserve it. And, while eating, you can enjoy what is arguably the most decorated restaurant in the region. With Christmas lights, trees, garlands, and wreaths—both inside and out—you’d be hard pressed to find a more festive wonderland… with great food to back it.
  • simjang: While Christmas may be an American celebration (at least in the commercial extravagance) simjang made the list because its an unexpected place to find Christmas flare paired with its acclaimed menu. Also on Shrewsbury Street, simjang will warm your soul (and stomach) when the weather outside is frightful.
  • The Muse: Nothing says celebration like Italian cocktails. The Muse’s sprawling selection of Amari is only the beginning. Gorge on charcuterie served up by owner John Rinaldo himself and quiz him on top Italian Christmas traditions.
  • The Citizen Wine Bar: It’s last call at The Citizen in more way than one. This month marks the end of a decade-long run for the restaurant and we’re getting our fill. Miracle is taking over between now and December 31st. The Christmas themed pop-up bar has rolled out its yuletide décor and holiday glassware to send The Citizen on its way in style. Enjoy your last chocolate board and a cup of cheer.
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Five Great Outdoor Dining Venues in Central Mass

Chorizo Tacos: Housemade chorizo, cotija cheese, pico de gallo and cilantro lime creme from The Civic Kitchen & Drink.

The all too short outdoor dining season has begun in Central Massachusetts…with many local eateries capitalizing on the good weather and offering dining and cocktails outdoors in one shape or another!

The patio at Via on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA
The patio at Via on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

Outdoor dining or “al fresco” means different things to different restaurants. Some places in Worcester, like Volturno, La Scala, El Basha (Belmnot St. location), Pepe’s Trattoria and Vintage Grill have made a full commitment to dining outdoors with large, open-air patios outfitted to take advantage of the good weather months. Others like Nuovo, Meze, Fix Burger Bar, Brew City and Corner Grille set up tables on the sidewalks to host guests giving the meal a bit more of an urban feel. Looking for waterfront dining? Point Breeze on Lake Webster brings deck dining (and drinking) to a whole new level. Outside of Worcester there are plenty more options including The Mill 185 (West Boylston), Flip Flops (Holden), The Gazbar (Leominster), J. Anthony’s (Oxford) and Avellino and Cedar St. Grille (Sturbridge).

Mezcal in Worcester brings the outdoors inside by opening the floor-to-ceiling glass doors while their Leominster location offers some patio dining under umbrellas. Still others like Smokestack, The Citizen and VIA offer covered patios to extend the outdoor dining experience even when Mother Nature doesn’t fully cooperate.

So whether it’s a quiet spot to enjoy a romantic dinner, a sun-drenched patio to people watch or dinner on the deck lakeside with cocktails and friends, Central Massachusetts’ has plenty of great spots to match any occasion and mood!

Here are a few of our favorite places to eat, drink and enjoy the good weather months while they last.

Civic Kitchen & Drink

Located at Westborough Country Club, the deck at Civic Kitchen & Drink overlooks the golf course and is a wonderful place to enjoy a locally sourced meal or just great apps and cocktails. The craft draft list features some outstanding “all New England” and choices!

Lock 50

The oversized patio at Lock 50 is truly an extension of the elegance found inside the restaurant, and on the weekends is one of Worcester’s best spots for brunch. Look for live music, buck-a-shuck oysters, a highly-anticipated Tiki bar, and more on this patio during the good weather months!

Flying Rhino

For outdoor dining, Flying Rhino has it all. Tables with umbrellas on the sidewalk for that urban feel, a huge outdoor deck for a more casual, relaxed experience and one weekend every summer, they transform their parking lot into a full blown, stick your feet in the sand beach and cookout experience that will make you forget you are on Shrewsbury St. One of the more popular decks in Worcester so get here early if you want a table.

Zorba’s

At Zorba’s Worcester location, you can enjoy a full Greek dining experience under an enormous covered patio that runs the entire length of the front of the restaurant. A summer experience not to be missed is enjoying one of their famous sangrias and a selection of meze’s on this patio! And for when the weather isn’t perfect, Zorba’s patio is covered to make sure you can still enjoy the experience.

NU Café

Located right outside the front door, the big comfortable patio at NU Café features lots of tables with umbrellas to relax and enjoy coffee, fruit smoothies, breakfast and lunch. A great place anytime of the day, the patio at NU Café sits off the street, making it a quiet oasis from the hectic pace of the day.