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Calamares con Ajo

Calamares con Ajo

Calamares con Ajo

Entering Bocado I got the feeling of an intimate encounter, I was greeted warmly by a friendly server who immediately made me feel at ease. My husband and I were lead to a room where the rest of our party was ensconced. The room was dimly lit with Spanish style paintings adorning the walls and soothing warm colors with bursts of reds and browns, the perfect mood for what we came for!

The server was prompt with presenting us various drink recommendations based on those which he thought truly showed the feel of what Bocado was all about. The Red Sangria was fantastic and, in my humble opinion, a must try.

We started off the night with a cheese and Charcuterie platter with Manchego cheese and a dry cured Serrano ham–light, flavorful, and it made your taste buds wake up and want to try more.

The Tortilla Espanola (potatoe, egg and onion omelette) was a little bit dissapointing. I’m not sure I would have called it an omelet as I was searching of the egg; nonetheless, drop ‘omelette’ from the name and it was a delicate light dish of layered potatoes.

Pollo Asado Con Naranja Y Aceitunas – A very long name for slow roasted chicken thighs with orange, fennel, rosemary and olives. The most pronounced flavor in this dish were the olives, however as they are mentioned last in the list of ingredients I was a little surprised as they were the one ingredient I tasted above all the others, when it came to the orance, fennel or rosemary, their flavors were subtle.

Calamares con Ajo – fried calamari with garlic, lemon, parsley and orange horseradish cream. A must have if your a calamari lover! In my experience, calamari can be very tough if overcooked; which I find it is quite often. This calamari literally melted in your mouth; it was cooked to perfection, lightly fried and seasoned perfectly. This was some of the best calamari I have eaten.

Paella Classica and Paella De Carne – Both were excellent with the flavor or saffron rice coming through. The Classica had a deep fish based stock which I found very pleasing. The meat Paella was also good with an abundant amount of the various meats mixed in.

Finally the Postres Churros y Chocolate were presented for desert were a light sweet completion to the meal. The chocolate dipping sauce was extravagant and decadent.

I would go back and I would recommend this to many of my friends. There is something for everyone here. -RL

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The Master of Cigars

Cigar Masters Outside

Cigar Masters OutsideWhen you think of a cigar bar, does your mind conjure up thoughts of a dark, smokey and stuffy lounge with old men smoking cheap cigars? Well, some cigar bars are exactly that, but not Cigar Masters on Exchange Street in Worcester.

Cigar Masters is beautifully decorated, exposed brick lounge with an open floor plan, great ventilation, a huge walk-in humidor and a lively bar area all designed to enhance your overall experience. The sitting areas in the main room are inviting, complete with comfortable leather chairs and tables and reflect the tradition that goes along with smoking a premium hand rolled cigar. Each sitting area is slightly different than the next, some with high back leather chairs, others with deep-seated club chairs, but all comfortable and relaxing. The bar area is a wonderfully designed square bar, with plenty of seats and viewing access to a variety of flat screen TVs. If you are looking for something more intimate, then the upper lounge offers a number of spots to enjoy quiet conversations while still enjoying a smoke and libation.

In addition to the seating areas inside, Cigar Masters has a 3-season atrium where you can enjoy your favorite smoke. The atrium comes complete with a retractable roof so during the warmer weather you can enjoy your favorite cigar “al fresco” and in the cooler weather, the roof is closed and portable gas heaters are used to keep patrons warm.

The staff at Cigar Masters is extremely knowledgeable and is always willing to help even the most novice cigar smoker choose the smoke that is right for them. They can walk you through the humidor and help you choose the right size, tobacco blend and flavor to match your desired taste. Cigar Masters carries a wide variety of premium, hand rolled cigars including brands such as Aston, Cohiba, Punch, Romeo & Julieta, La Gloria Cubana, Partagas, CAO and more, including their own brand which has been hand blended by Rocky Patel just for them.

If cigars aren’t your thing, Cigar Masters has plenty to entertain you. With plenty of large screen TVs, watch your favorite sporting event with a smoke and a drink, while relaxing in a big comfortable leather chair. With live music on many nights, Cigar Masters is one of the city’s best spots to hear some of the area’s finest acts. Have you ever tried a hookah? Once reserved for Middle Eastern men, hookah has become popular with just about everyone. Cigar Masters offers a variety of flavored tobacco to choose from, so if you haven’t tried one yet, maybe Cigar Masters is the place to do it.

Finally, if you think a cigar bar will be an uncomfortable place to be for an entire evening, don’t worry. Cigar Masters has one of the finest ventilation systems in the area, keeping even the most particular patrons who don’t “light up” comfortable all night long.

Cigar Masters, One Exchange Place in Worcester offers free valet parking and is open 7 days.

Cigar Masters Lounge