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Alex’s Test Kitchen Experience

Pork ready to be made into Porchetta Con Pimenton From Niche Test Kitchen in Worcester

Pork ready to be made into Porchetta Con Pimenton From Niche Test Kitchen in Worcester

I had absolutely no idea what to expect heading over to Mezcal looking for the Niche Test Kitchen. I was promptly brought back outside and down the street a little bit to a separate entrance with it’s own sign prominently displayed. Oops. The Test Kitchen is in fact, a kitchen with a few tall tables and some stools, but it is also a separate space open to the public for events. And this event was an event unlike anything I’ve been a part of. The chefs butchered a pig from Chimney Hill Farm and created eleven dishes representing each of the 5 restaurants run by the Niche Hospitality Group. Appropriate name, if I may say, because the owner, chefs, and beverage specialists were energetic, cheerful and welcoming. The eleven dishes, plus 2 desserts, were an amazing assortment of flavors and textures that left me so full I could not eat breakfast the next morning.

My favorites were the Banh mi Poutine, the lettuce cups, and the porchetta con pimenton. The Banh Mi Poutine included shredded pork, pickled vegetable, soy mayo, sliced jalapeno, and cilantro. The fries were crisp despite all the toppings, and the mix of sweet and spicy was sublime. I may have returned for seconds. And then I may have grabbed a couple off the plate as they took it away. The lettuce cups were filled with sweet gem, crisp pork belly lardons, bleu cheese dressing, and minced shallot. The creamy dressing surrounding the crisp pork belly created a satisfying textural mix and since the medium was lettuce, felt very light to eat. By the time my last favorite arrived I was very full. I had actually been eyeing the porchetta all night since I noticed it early on in the back. The outside was very crisp, and the inside very tender-expertly cooked. I took some home to eat for lunch the next day, and I did not cut off the fat but ate it while savoring the flavors at my desk. I highly recommend holding your next small gathering at the Niche Test Kitchen. The atmosphere, food, and drinks will create a night of excitement and happiness.

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Lynn’s Evening At The Test Kitchen

Taylor Ham Slider From Niche Test Kitchen in Worcester

Taylor Ham Slider From Niche Test Kitchen in Worcester

This month I had the pleasure of being part of the most unique and favorite Foodies experience I have participated in thus far.

Niche Hospitality Group’s new – Test Kitchen. The event was titled “Nose to Tail.” The concept, test new creative items, providing feedback to see if the items may be considered as new offerings at the various Niche venues. I would be remiss, not to express praise to the exceptional chef’s, host, and bartender for this event. Well done (no pun intended).

As we prepared to embark on our culinary journey, we settled in sipping some creative libations, Spring Cleaning Sangria was my choice, very tasty.

The format, we would be presented with six menus, one for each venue, ending with some sweets. It was entertaining to watch the items being prepared in front of us; you are literally in a kitchen.

While each menu was unique and fantastic in its own right, I will highlight some of the items that were my personal favorites.

Taylor Ham Slider: While I love sliders they are typically beef, this was welcome change to the typical slider. Taylor Ham (fancy SPAM) celery root slaw, salsa verde, arugula. This was so delicious, I loved the flavors, and the slaw was the perfect accompaniment.

Bloody Mary Poutine: While I love anything with the words “Bloody Mary” in them, this was no exception. The potatoes had a delicate spice, the slow roasted crispy pork shoulder was so delicious, and the Bloody Mary sauce had the right balance of spicy and flavor to make this unique and enjoyable. I must mention the Bahn Mi Poutine was excellent as well!

Lettuce Cups: I think this was my favorite of the night. Sweet gem, crisp pork belly lardons, blue cheese dressing, minced shallot. These were so delicious; I loved the pork balanced with the dressing, if I was not pacing myself I would have had more.

Porchetta Con Pimenton: Pickled onions, shaved carrot salad, crushed marcona. Simply amazing. The pork was cooked to perfection, the flavors meld together in such harmony.

In addition, we had some sweet options to finish off the evening. I selected the Mexican Hot Chocolate Cheesecake. Creamy cheesecake with a hardened chocolate drizzled atop. Excellent.

I enjoyed this evening immensely; if you have an opportunity like this, you will not regret attending a uniquely delicious experience such as this.