“The Potato Gnocchi was phenomenal,” says Robyn Lane, in between servings of small plates meant for discovering new favorites. The potato gnocchi with bleu cheese, crispy sweet potato and fresh scallions was the dish everyone knew they would come back for within the first few bites. “Oh, and the Fontina Cheese was amazing.”
With a constant rotation of new plates from the kitchen, the subtle “oohs and ahas” echoed throughout the room as dishes like the Shaved Compressed Octopus made its way to each table.
Writers for Mass Foodies share a moment while enjoying Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA.
“The Octopus and the Porchetta dishes are my favorite to create. The Shaved Compressed Octopus technique was just a creative thought I had one day and it seems to be a favorite so far. The Porchetta with Grilled Sausage, Pork Rib, Stewed Lentils and Fried Polenta is where I can alleviate some steam. It’s a fun dish to create and not as delicate as the others,” says Executive Chef Russo.
Chef Tim Russo speaking with a group of Worcester Foodies during the June outing
The Chorizo Stuffed Calamari was a great play on the full use of a squid dish. The body, stuffed and proportionally enhanced with a Zesty Tomato Broth and Chickpeas, was adorned with a boost of flavors and a well-versed tapas presentation.
While Stephanie Orsi and Evan Dufault raved about the Potato Gnocchi – clearly a group favorite, Amy Peterson saw the magic in Russo’s eyes when speaking about the Porchetta dish and seconded him as her favorite of the night. “The act of sharing food creates conversation and brings about laughter and camaraderie. The Porchetta is a dish to be desired. The plate, something like an upscale Shepard’s selection embodied the tapas experience with culinary excellence,” says Peterson.
Mass Foodies review the menu options at Worcester’s Lock 50.
The Meat Board from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
gnocchi with bleu cheese, crispy sweet potato, and fresh scallion from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA.
Half roasted chicken with mushrooms and marsala syrup from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Grilled Tri Tip Steak from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Chef Tim Russo speaking with a group of Worcester Foodies during the June outing
Porchetta, Grilled Sausage, Pork Rib, Stewed Lentil, and Fried Polenta from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Roasted beets with creamy goat cheese, baby Kale and Blood Orange form Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Crisped Fontina Cheese from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
The Whole Roasted Local Fish from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Roasted Chicken with Mushrooms from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Crisped Fontina Cheese from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Chorizo Stuffed Calamari with Zesty Tomato Broth and Chickpeas from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Roasted 1/2 Chicken with Mushrooms and Marsala Syrup from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Grilled Tri Tip Steak, Roasted Potato, Broccoli Rabe sans Pesto from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Potato Gnocchi from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Grilled Beets, Creamy Goat Cheese, Baby Kale, Blood Orange from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Writers for Mass Foodies share a moment while enjoying Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA.
Grilled Beets, Creamy Goat Cheese, Baby Kale, Blood Orange from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Porchetta, Grilled Sausage, Pork rib, Stewed Lentils, Fried Polenta from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Shaved Compressed Octopus, Salsa Verde, Crunchy Bread Crumbs from Lock 50 in Worcester, MA
In the reviving heart of Worcester, the Canal District illuminates with a new presence, Lock 50. The restaurant and café, sitting on the 50th lock of the old Blackstone Canal, once thriving with business, trade and prosperity, is a piece of the puzzle in the revitalization of the waterway.
The space, lit in an ambience of intimacy, wraps its guest with a street view of the up and coming Canal District, through an impressive display of full sized windows. The windows, grasping the attraction of every patron, are accompanied by the dark, rustic tones of wooden frames and an impeccable distinct style. A warm atmosphere engulfs the front café seating area with each table adorned with an amber colored stone display lit with centrally placed tea light candles. The exposed brick and wall hangings complete the creative display and overlook an elongated blue suede sofa – a sofa too comfortable to not make this a regular seating option for every visit. This sophisticated yet relaxed feeling continues down a few steps to the main dining area and into a room with vast high ceilings, more oversized windows and a large, inviting bar.
With owner Ed Russo and Executive Award-Winning Chef, Tim Russo at the helm, the seasonally-changing menu doesn’t fall short of exceptional. In the morning, the café peaks the interests of patrons with a selection of crepes like a delicious Nutella, Banana and Crushed Hazelnut crepe or a filling Roasted Mushroom, Goat Cheese and Fresh Herb crepe. Pairing a morning delight with an exceptional cup of coffee – created with contraptions only a true Barista can describe – is the right way to start the day. For lunch, the cafe expands diners choices with an array of soups, salads and sandwiches but these sandwiches are not your average turkey and cheese clubs, instead they serve slow roasted pork, caramelized with red bell peppers, broccoli rabe pesto on a nice ciabatta bread. The small plate options served for dinner come complete with simple descriptions, eliminating the need to decode dish titles only the Chef understands. With steamed littleneck clams infused with preserved lemon, fried garlic and parsley and a cured meat board, patrons will have to learn how to share, while leaving full, satisfied and begging for more.
Grilled Tri Tip Steak from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Half roasted chicken with mushrooms and marsala syrup from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
gnocchi with bleu cheese, crispy sweet potato, and fresh scallion from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA.
The Meat Board from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
The Whole Roasted Local Fish from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Crisped Fontina Cheese from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Roasted beets with creamy goat cheese, baby Kale and Blood Orange form Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Porchetta, Grilled Sausage, Pork Rib, Stewed Lentil, and Fried Polenta from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Chef Tim Russo speaking with a group of Worcester Foodies during the June outing
Potato Gnocchi from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Grilled Tri Tip Steak, Roasted Potato, Broccoli Rabe sans Pesto from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Roasted 1/2 Chicken with Mushrooms and Marsala Syrup from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Chorizo Stuffed Calamari with Zesty Tomato Broth and Chickpeas from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Whole Roasted Local Fish with Fresh Greens from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Roasted Chicken with Mushrooms from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Crisped Fontina Cheese from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Crisped Fontina Cheese, Herb Salad, Fresh Crostini from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA.
Writers for Mass Foodies share a moment while enjoying Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA.
Mass Foodies review the menu options at Worcester’s Lock 50.
Porchetta, Grilled Sausage, Pork rib, Stewed Lentils, Fried Polenta from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Grilled Beets, Creamy Goat Cheese, Baby Kale, Blood Orange from Lock 50 on Water Street in Worcester, MA
Shaved Compressed Octopus, Salsa Verde, Crunchy Bread Crumbs from Lock 50 in Worcester, MA
