Tag: swordfish

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Dinner at Deadhorse Hill

Swordfish over the ratatouille from deadhorse hill on Main Street in Worcester, MA

Deadhorse hill is located on Main Street, Worcester where Ritual restaurant used to be. Deadhorse did a fantastic job renovating the space, they exposed the covered up brick walls and tin ceiling and added warm lighting. The windows were open on this cooler August evening which made the experience delightful.

We sat at the bar to order a drink, I chose a bubbly Rosé, it was light and fruity. I was scanning the area and was so happy to see they were using vintage glasses. Throughout our meal we would see more from bowls to plates, it added a bit of fun and nostalgia to our meal. The menu is small and changes everyday we were told, you could pick from several “small” options or a “large” option. I chose the Swordfish & Summer Ratatouille (cherry tomatoes, squash and eggplant) from the “large” section. For an appetizer, a friend ordered Duxbury Oysters with sour cream, onion, crackers for the table. The oysters were cold and amazing, the ingredients listed sounded odd for an oyster but it was one of the best I have tried ( and i have tried a lot). The mixture of the crunchy cracker with the salty oyster was fantastic, something I would have never thought of. My meal arrived in a large bowl, four pieces of swordfish over the ratatouille. The swordfish was cooked perfectly, very moist, the ratatouille was al dente and delicious. I am not a fan of eggplant but it was seasoned so well I ate every bit. Our table became very quiet when our meals came, always a good sign. My friends at the table each loved their meal, we all ordered something different.

From the bartender to our wait staff everyone was warm and welcoming like you were an old friend, that alone makes you want to come back. Our service was quick and on point, especially seeing that the restaurant was filled from the moment we walked in at 6:00pm to when we left at 10:00pm, clearly they are doing something right.

Deadhorse was a warm, wonderful experience. The food was delicious without being pretentious and the way they mix ingredients together is a treat, most of which I had never experienced before. I would not only recommend coming here, I myself can’t wait to return and since their menu changes every day, I am excited to see what my next meal with bring!

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The Best Cast Iron Swordfish

The International has Best Cast Iron Swordfish

The International has Best Cast Iron Swordfish

I blindly signed up for this month’s Worcester Foodies event without looking up the restaurant until the day of. Even then, I did not look at where it was until I put it in my phone’s GPS. I headed out the door from Blackstone, Mass. with hesitation. Tuesdays are school nights, but boldly I went up 495 anyway.

The dark winding roads into the woods made me feel very adventurous. When I parked next to a Maserati, I gave myself a solid pep talk to be on my best behavior. To my surprise, The International was not stuffy at all. I may have even overdressed.

I ordered the Cast Iron Blackened Swordfish Steak with white cheddar polenta, roasted garlic spinach, San Marzano tomato and sun-dried corn. I had been deeply wounded by The Urban in the past so I thought the high prices and fancy-sounding dishes would mean tiny portions. I was completely wrong. I don’t know the exact weight of my swordfish, but it was definitely three ounces, the recommended protein quota for a serving.

Even thinking back to it now, I am amazed I ate the whole piece. Despite the size, the swordfish was cooked evenly. The fish just melted as my fork sliced through it. The texture was meaty, smooth, and moist. On its own, it was excellent. Along with white cheddar polenta, tomatoes, and roasted garlic spinach, it was the best dish I have ever eaten as a Worcester Foodie. The rich, creamy polenta, the tangy garlic spinach, and the slight sweetness from the tomato was perfection. I think if I were to order swordfish anywhere else I would be disappointed

The servers were quick and attentive. There were a lot of people helping with our group. The servers all seemed to rave about the food as well.

I honestly cannot recommend The International enough. I fully plan on returning with my husband sometime soon and would love to see it in daylight as the wall of windows looks out onto the grounds. I also had a delicious bite of the Lobster and Pumpkin Risotto (served in a pumpkin) so I am eager to try more items on the menu. If I lived closer I would head over for a casual weekday evening meal to enjoy the bar menu of burgers and pizzas.