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Seafood Fra Diablo at Bootleggers Prohibition Pub

Seafood Fra Diablo at Bootleggers Prohibition Pub on Park Avenue in Worcester, MA

Waking into Bootleggers Prohibition Pub, we were greeted with a newly renovated Pub and restaurant environment in the former space that was Evo. The space was newly refurnished and had a nice bar area yet it seemed to miss the mark on creating the feel of a speakeasy type atmosphere that I was expecting. The bar area looked like a great place to grab a drink and taste some savory appetizers or a burger.

The menu offered a wide variety of options that included burgers and pub food although with intriguing appetizers. After going through the menu I decided to order the Seafood Fra Diablo. The dish was described as a mix of calamari, scallops, chopped clams, mussels, and shrimp tossed with linguini in a spicy tomato sauce, garnished with asiago, parmesan, garlic oil and green onion. I choose to opt out of the mussels in my dish and the server informed me they were out of scallops, so the dish ended up being shrimp, calamari and clams. A healthy portion of the dish was presented and garnished with a shredded cheese and green onions on the top. The dish lacked a little flavor that I was expecting in the flavor of the sauce. Overall, the dish lacked depth or strong spicy flavors that one would expect from Seafood Fra Diablo

Service a the Bootlegger Prohibition Pub was average. The server was pleasant and service for dinner was fairly quick, yet it was sometimes difficult to get drinks and wine pours. For a prohibition pub, it looked like wine was still suffering from the impact of prohibition.

Overall the newly renovated Bootleggers Prohibition Pub seems to be a great place to grab a drink at the bar with some appetizers or a burger and watch the Lone Ranger on a big screen. No doubt, you’ll easily find the “secret door” and know the “secret password.”

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La Cucina Keeps it Simple and Sweet

Eggplant Parmesan from La Cucina Italiana on Hamilton Street in Worcester, MA

Eggplant Parmesan from La Cucina Italiana on Hamilton Street in Worcester, MA

Although I’d heard good things about La Cucina Italiana, I had never thought to come because there are so many Italian restaurants in the city. That was my first mistake! As soon as I walked in, I felt at home. It was a cold night, but it was cozy inside. I was greeted with a warm smile and a loaf of bread. My heart and my stomach were instantly happy.

I’ve been on an eggplant frenzy lately. Even after seeing the appealing list of weekly specials on the chalkboard, I went with my gut and ordered the Eggplant Parmesan. It was a large portion of both penne and eggplant piled high with a heavy helping of marinara sauce, shredded parsley and grated cheese. Our server told us the pasta was not homemade, however, it was cooked just the way I like it. I left very satisfied and even had leftovers for lunch.

Family-owned restaurants always have the best customer service. Our waitress was attentive and friendly, and our dinner came out in record time. Not to mention, she gave each of us separate checks. That’s a major plus in my book. After we all finished, the owner’s son came to our table to thank us for stopping by. He also gave us a little background about his family, the restaurant, and their passion for Italian food.

La Cucina Italiana is the perfect spot for any occasion. A first, second, or third date, a birthday, or a reunion with friends. You won’t have to break the bank, or even a $20 bill, to enjoy a hearty Italian meal. La Cucina Italiana is now on my go-to list for a casual dinner or a place to go to start a night on the town. This is a real hidden gem, and I will be back sooner, not later.