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Taste Memories: Nancy’s Airfield Cafe

Mexican Salad, served with fresh avocado, and a lime vinaigrette from Nancy's Airfield Cafe in Stow, MA

Simple and unique is the best way to describe Nancy’s Airfield Cafe. Located at the Minute Man Airfield in Stow, MA, Nancy’s Airfield Cafe is small restaurant that provides diner’s with a small, but well executed menu using local ingredients to create seasonal favorites. With a view of the airfield’s runway from the dining room, an extensive and creative drink menu, and friendly service, there is a lot to enjoy.

Steak Frites from Nancy's Airfield Cafe in Stow, MA
Steak Frites from Nancy’s Airfield Cafe in Stow, MA

At Nancy’s Airfield Cafe, the focus is really to provide diners with quality food in an intimate setting. The menu is a collection of dishes from around the world, and by their own admission provide a menu that is “autobiographical,” in that it represents the extensive travels and “taste memories” Nancy has experienced. The goal of Nancy’s is to provide patrons with those same “taste memories” through the taste and smells of their own meals. This creates a personal connection from its preparation and is carried to the customer, and shows how much care is taken in preparing each individual dining experience.

As important as the ambiance and providing diners with “taste memories” can be, if the food is not prepared well, nothing else really matters. Fortunately, Nancy’s Airfield Cafe is able to successfully execute its diverse menu. Shortly after being seated, the server brought us warm rolls, and took our appetizer order. We started the meal with the homemade hummus and pita sliced. The salad special for the evening was a Mexican Salad, served with fresh avocado, and a lime vinaigrette. For the main course, we had the steak frites, which consisted of a flat iron steak cooked medium-rare. The house seasoning added a unique flavor to the steak, that worked to enhance the cut of beef. Additionally, the seasonal ravioli dish was ordered. This was a unique take on pasta, as it was served with a flavorful broth that made the dish soup/pasta dish. The ravioli was filled with cheese and peas, and the dish included shrimp, fiddleheads, asparagus, radishes and onions. Although dessert was not ordered, diners have the option of ordering samples of the desserts, which I thought was a clever way to indulge a little after a hearty and filling meal.

Overall, Nancy’s Airfield Cafe was a pleasurable experience, with food that was well prepared. They also offer a unique breakfast menu, that shares the same focus on local ingredients and providing the diners with a plethora of “taste memories.” Nancy’s Airfield Cafe is located on the Minute Man Airfield, 302 Boxborough Road, Stow, MA 01775.

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Date Night Is Complete with Nuovo’s Mussels Fra Diavolo

Salmone Atlantico ($24)—The filet of salmon was sautéed with creamy Madeira wine sauce, fresh spinach and lobster meat served with 5 large cheese ravioli’s

If you’re from Worcester or a surrounding town, you know that nothing beats a night out on Shrewsbury Street. Whether you’re on the market for a bottle of fine wine, some delicious cocktails, light appetizers, or an authentic Italian dinner, you can find it all at Nuovo, located at 92 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester.

Nuovo is made for lovers! The brick interior, piano, elegant booths, white table cloths, tea light candles and colorful flowers take date night to a new level. Not only that, but the restaurant also has a large function room on the second level that can fit up to 120 guests – perfect for birthdays, engagement parties, baby showers, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners and beyond. You name it, Nuovo can accommodate!

Mussels Fra Diavolo - sautéed mussels, fresh basil and tomato sauce.
Mussels Fra Diavolo from Nuovo Restaurant on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA

It was Friday night at 7PM and Nuovo was packed. I should have known better and made a reservation but luckily there was one open table for two. Upon being seated, warm bread and olive oil was brought out, followed by our $6—yes, all house martinis are $6!—dirty martinis. After browsing the appetizers I went with the Mussels Fra Diavolo – sautéed mussels, fresh basil and tomato sauce. For just $9 it was a good sized portion, plenty to share. There was a nice kick of spice from the Fra Diavolo sauce and I could have easily drank the broth at the bottom of the bowl if I knew no one would judge me – instead I soaked my bread in it.

For my entrée I went with one of “Nuovo’s Sautéed Specialties,” the Salmone Atlantico ($24) which was accompanied with a house salad. The filet of salmon was sautéed with creamy Madeira wine sauce, fresh spinach and lobster meat served with 5 large cheese ravioli’s. Madeira sauce is a rich and peppery sauce prepared with Madeira wine and peppercorns. It was plated so beautifully that I took a photo before I dug in. This entree was the perfect portion and went very well with my glass of Pinot Grigio ($7).

Top notch service goes hand in hand with top notch food. Our server was very professional, well-versed on the entire menu and knew the weekend specials to a T. What impressed me most was when a man, who appeared to be the owner, came out and asked each table how their meal was. There was a table of 6 behind me celebrating a birthday and he insisted that he bring out champagne for a complimentary toast. He then went on and did the same gesture for a couple who was celebrating their anniversary. This man went above and beyond to make sure each and every guest went home satisfied and that speaks volumes about how this family-owned restaurant is run.

Nuevo is a Shrewsbury Street staple with a well-deserved, almost perfect rating on Yelp! Start here for a romantic candle lit dinner without breaking the bank and then head over to neighbors Wormtown Brewery or Brew City to continue your night.

Bonus: Every Tuesday get any bottle of house wine for $20 and every time there is a show at the Hanover Theater receive a 10% discount off your food bill. They also offer free valet parking! Nuevo is a big “yes” from me. You just can’t go wrong here.