Salmon | Page 7 of 13 | Mass Food & Wine

Jerk-seared Salmon Filet from Mezcal Tequila Cantina on Major Taylor Boulevard in Worcester, MA

I was excited to hear Foodies was heading to the new location of Mezcal Tequila Cantina. When I entered I could not help but be brought back to my fond memories of Sh-Boom’s, seems so long ago. Good times back then…

We were seated in what I believe would be the function room towards the back; I think that used to be the techno club. HA! The new location is very spacious, décor is fitting, staff was fantastic, and looks as though the windows can open, so in the summer that will be nice.

When I do get to Mezcal (Leominster location is great as well) I always order the same thing, fish tacos, so I really wanted to try something new this time. Upon a recommendation from friend, he mentioned the “nontraditional meals” were quite good and always enjoyable. I liked the selection on the menu and decided to order the JERK-SEARED SALMON FILET – Roasted vegetables, Caribbean butternut bisque, tropical spices, chili pineapple glaze, fried plantains / 22., and of course (since I had a snow day the next day) a couple glasses of sangria.

The salmon was cooked perfectly, seasoned well, and the Caribbean butternut bisque was a unique and the perfect blend of spice and sweet. I really enjoyed the flavors. Of course, I tried some of the fried plantain and roasted vegetables, which were all very good; however, I was more interested in eating the entire piece of salmon.

I did want to order some guacamole, as they do have the best, but I was trying to be good and saving room for dessert (to share). For dessert, I ordered the CRÈME BRULÉ vanilla bean and orange essence and a fellow foodie’s friend ordered the bread pudding. I will preface this by saying that I never order dessert, but thought why not (snow day tomorrow, right). They were both very good, the bread pudding was a little too firm for me but the flavors were there.

I now have an alternative to my fish tacos, the salmon, but next time guacamole is necessary!

This evening Worcester Foodies met at Joey’s Bar & Grill at 344 Chandler Street (where’s Ross?!). This restaurant is slightly hard to find, as it sits in a lot back from Chandler Street – keep your eyes open for the sign, not the building.

On the inside, Joey’s is upscale pub dining. The furnishings are clean and modern; it’s comparable to the relatively new Zorba’s, a little further west on in Webster Square.

Our dinner was held in the back dining room, a rent-able function room that would hold about 30 (seated) or about 80 (standing – I recently attended a political campaign kickoff party here). The space is nice, adjacent to the restrooms (so guests don’t need to walk through the entire restaurant). One hang-up is the walls are painted a dull mustard yellow-orange and the monotone paintings are blah enough to put a crying baby to sleep. Zzzzzz…

I chose the three-course restaurant week menu. The cost was $23.13, reasonable but made briefly me wonder if I had jumped three hundred years into the future.

My first course was the Caesar Salad [“Our homemade dressing, croutons and parmesan cheese”]. I added anchovies (no charge) to salt things up. The lettuce was fresh and crisp. On top were large soft croutons instead of the packaged, hard ones. The Caesar salad was larger than the shrimp appetizer, and smaller than the garden salad. I’d wished they’d used a touch less dressing; the lettuce was so good, it didn’t need artificial enhancement.

My main course was the Swordfish & Salmon [“Pan seared swordfish and salmon medallions with reed peppers and roasted leeks in a pesto cream over ricotta cavatelli”]. Of all the entrees offered at Joey’s for Restaurant Week, this was probably the largest portion. I give the taste a “B.” The pesto cream was a bit overdone – I would have liked it less dense to appreciate the fish. Also, presentation isn’t normally very important to me, but this meal looked like something I could’ve spooned out from my own crockpot.

For dessert, I chose the Lemon Sorbet [“Light and refreshing sorbet served with mixed berries”]. After my heavy, creamy entrée, this was a nice, light, and slightly tart choice. I don’t regret my dessert choice, though I will point out the Cookie Sundae was made with a delicious fresh chocolate chip cookie.

In sum, I’d recommend Joey’s as a very good middle-ground restaurant, three steps above Panera and Chipotle, and one step below the Sole or 111.