Barbara M. Houle
Jon Pittsley and Edinei (Eddie) Rocco, owners of the recently opened Woo Bar & Grill, 358 Shrewsbury St., Worcester, plan a grand opening celebration on Dec. 28.
The restaurant, located in space formerly occupied by Padavano’s Place, is a first for partners Pittsley and Rocco, who secured the restaurant location in October from owners Rose-Ellen Padavano and Angela Padavano. The couple own and operate Rosalina’s Kitchen, a popular BYOB restaurant on Hamilton Street in Worcester.
Pittsley and Rocco have “refreshed” the restaurant’s dining and bar areas and created a new menu to give guests an entirely different dining experience. Creative decorating includes photographs of iconic Worcester landmarks. “We’ve given the place a facelift,” said Pittsley. Family members helped the owners spruce up the place, he said.
The dish:
Pittsley, originally from Bellingham, was on the management team at Dolphin Seafood Restaurant in Natick for 23 years. Early in his career, he worked for the late Bob Bonin, a local restaurateur who owned and operated the Ground Round in Shrewsbury. Former Ground Round employees have remained friends through the years, according to Pittsley, who said they get together at least once a year to “party and catch up.”
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Rocco settled in Worcester from Brazil more than 20 years ago. He was director of environmental services at Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center and also has some restaurant experience.
The men said they each had a dream of owning and operating their own restaurant. They envisioned a casual place that would appeal to both dining and bar customers, but also offer quality food and drinks that are affordable. The menu keeps to the restaurant’s brand, according to the owners. “American cuisine with a taste of popular Brazilian dishes,” said Rocco.
“Woo plates” are small versions of full entrees and are great for sharing, said Pittsley. Guests also can opt for burgers, wings or wood-fired pizza. There also is food special every day, he said.
Woo Bar & Grill is open from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Seating for 42 inside; seasonal outdoor patio. Telephone is (774) 243-6130; connect on Facebook. Parking is in front and back of the restaurant.
Note: The restaurant will be open New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, opening at 11 a.m.
Pittsley and Rocco are owners who plan to wear as many hats as it takes to run a thriving neighborhood restaurant.
Welcome The Woo Bar & Grill to Worcester’s food scene.
Living Earth closing after 48 years
Earlier this month, Albert and Magdalena (Maggy) Maykel, owners of Living Earth Natural Market & Café, 232 Chandler St., Worcester, announced the store would permanently close on Dec. 31.
The Maykels started the business in 1971 and told Elaine Thompson of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette that after closing the store they planned to “retire and move on.” Read Thompson’s complete story at telegram.com.
Living Earth closed its café last week but the store remains open. Hours posted on Facebook are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 26, 27 and 28. Closed on Dec. 29.
Many of us share fond memories of EVO dining and Bootleggers Prohibition Pub operated by two of Maykel’s three children, executive chef Albert Maykel III and Celeste Maykel-Zack. EVO dining evolved from the store’s original Garden Café.
Living Earth and restaurants participated in many community fundraisers, including the local Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation. Chef Al Maykel also represented the business in numerous food competitions and won numerous awards.
We wish Al and Maggy Maykel a happy and healthy retirement!
Annual OSV gingerbread contest
Recently I was asked to judge Old Sturbridge Village’s gingerbread house contest. I’ve judged at the village before and also gingerbread competitions in Boston.
This year at OSV was different. There were close to 70 displays that featured everything from gingerbread houses to farms and beyond. The realistic scenes were colorful and the detailing amazing. Deliciously decorated gingerbread houses covered with peppermint candy, sprinkles, gumdrops, crushed colored candy jewels, cookies, biscuits and tons of glistening royal icing on roofs, sleighs and winter gardens. A pure sugar high without even tasting!
Judges included Nathan Hardt, OSV marketing manager, and Dennis Santelli, general manager of sales, catering and retail at OSV. We agreed that each of the gingerbread entries was a winner and deserved bragging rights, but we had to select the best in four categories. Not so easy. Criteria included overall appearance, originality and creativity, etc.
Loren Stanard of Sutton took first place in Adult Professional; Denelle Cooke of North Grosvenor Dale, Connecticut, won Adult Non-Professional; Melody Berreth of Higganum, Connecticut, won in Youth division; and the Culross Family of Leicester, won in Family division.
Winners in each category received a $100 OSV gift certificate.
Jim O’Brien, director of public events and performance, who is in charge of the competition, said, “We’re thrilled with the Gingerbread House Competition. This year saw the best response by participants ever and the houses were of superior quality. This competition is a fun and loved part of our Christmas by Candlelight program.”
The gingerbread houses are displayed in OSV’s Visitor Center. You can’t miss them!
There’s still time to enjoy Christmas by Candlelight activities at the village. Visit www.osv.org/event/cbc/. Also, check out Evening of Illumination Jan. 17 and 31 (www.osv.org/event/evening-of-illumination.
Enjoy the celebration!
Xxxx
Happy New Year!
If you have a tidbit for the column, call (508) 868-5282. Send email to bhoulefood@gmail.com.
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