Havana Nights owner to open second location at Worcester Public Market
With the successful launch of Havana Nights Restaurant & Lounge in Worcester under his belt, owner Julio Roque will open another restaurant, Little Havana, inside the Worcester Public Market at 150 Green St., taking the former Akra African Fusion space. Target date is early December.
Little Havana will be a QSR (quick service restaurant) that embodies Cuban/Caribbean culture in a small footprint, according to Roque, who said it will offer the counter-service experience that you might get approaching the “ventanita” in Little Havana, Miami. A social gathering spot, usually a quick-serve walk-up window on the exterior of many of the best Cuban restaurants, “ventanita” is where people of all cultures gather for a quick bite, “un Cafecito,” (a hot coffee drink), or a pick-me-up to get them through a busy day, he said.
Kevin Comellas, Managing Partner/Executive Chef, will be in charge of the day to day operations at Little Havana. Roque and Comellas recently checked out the Worcester Public Market space vacated by Akra on Sept. 29. Roque’s answer to the question of opening a second restaurant is, “Why not?” From the owner’s perspective, “the businesses are not exactly the same.” Little Havana joins a diverse mix of restaurants and vendors at the marketplace, where 12 of the 15 restaurants currently offer global cuisine, according to Domenic Mercurio, the market’s executive director.
Roque said Little Havana’s menu would get “teased” on social media closer to opening. Renovated restaurant space will offer dine-in, takeout and delivery. Hours will be the same as the public market, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, with food vendor hours until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Havana Nights Restaurant & Lounge at 258 Park Ave. opened in June, Father’s Day weekend. Roque and his wife, Maiden, co-own the business located in former Sake Bomb Bistro space. A Worcester native, Roque comes from a family of Cuban immigrants and after tasting food at a family gathering in Miami initially got the idea to open a Cuban restaurant in Worcester, where he and his family reside. In a Telegram & Gazette story about the opening of Havana Nights, Roque told a reporter, “Last year (2022) was a pretty difficult year for me emotionally because I lost my mother.” Tasting the chef’s food reminded him of his mother’s cooking, he said.
Roque originally brought in a chef with more than 20 years of culinary experience from his home in Havana, to run the restaurant’s kitchen. To date, diners highly rate Havana Nights, posting plenty of accolades.
Comellas, one of two executive chefs at Havana Nights, said the restaurant’s brunch menu, served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, is popular with guests. “Food is unique, flavorful,” he said. FYI: Havana Nights (havananightsrestaurantandlounge.com) is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Call (508) 304-8089 about catering, private parties, etc.
Interesting facts about Comellas: First generation Cuban American, he was born and raised in Miami. He says he was fascinated with food from a very young age and “was that 3-year-old boy that was playing with the plastic kitchen set until he was 5.” His mother is a Spanish/English interpreter and always worked from home while caring for three kids, he said. “She would sit me on the kitchen counter while cooking dinner and being on the phone, and I was always her little helper/taster. It was my favorite part of the day, besides going to the grocery store with her,” said Comellas.
A graduate of Johnson & Wales University in Providence (Dean’s Excellence Award), Comellas during his first two years at college worked weekends at the former French restaurant L’Espalier in Boston. He also was a sous chef in his hometown of Amesbury, making the two-hour plus drive back to Providence to attend 6 a.m. classes, he said.
After graduation, Comellas was a sous chef for Fidelity Investments, with FLIK International, and joined Rebecca’s Culinary Group in Boston after a stint as a chef for Wegmans supermarket chain. He left as Vice President of Culinary Operations/Corporate Executive Chef after eight years with Rebecca’s. Comellas is single and resides in Worcester.
Little Havana promises to bring an exciting new food experience.
Dining enthusiasts can’t wait!
Tribute to Evangeline Nicas at Brady's
Le Diner D’ Automne, Les Amis d’Escoffier Society of New England, Joseph Donon Chapter, was held in the memory of the late Evangeline Nicas Nov. 6 at at Brady’s restaurant in downtown Leominster. Nicas' late parents, Stanley J. Nicas and Helen Nicas, founded The Castle Restaurant in Leicester.
Evangeline’s brother James Nicas and his wife Denise planned the tribute. Nicas said his sister was dedicated to the principals of Les Amis d’Escoffier, working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of the Joseph Donon Chapter, founded by their father.
Culinary events, such as the dinner at Brady’s, unite Les Amis d’Escoffier members, creating an opportunity to connect and enjoy the most exquisite dining experiences. Restaurateurs, chefs and guests usually catch up at a reception with apps and drinks prior to dinner. The Escoffier society has a rich history in culinary and hospitality industries.
Brady’s owner/executive chef Bill Brady (Escoffier member) enlisted the help of other executive chefs, some Escoffier members) to prepare a classically-styled Escoffier feast.
On the menu: First course: Double Chicken Consomme; Second course: Seared Diver Scallops, Butternut Miso Puree, Guafrette Potato; Third course: Roasted Rack of Fallow Deer, Sauce Grand Veneur, Cauliflower Timabale; Fourth Course: A cheese plate consisting of Belper Knolle, Switzerland, Moses Sleeper, Greensboro, Vermont, Four Fat Fowl, St. Stephen, New York; Dessert: Green Peppercorn Smeared Golden Pineapple, Mascarpone Gelato. Wines were paired with each course. A special surprise at the end of the evening was a plate of sweets that included baklava, a treat that Evangeline Nicas often brought to family and friends.
A celebration filled with laughter, clinking glasses and the joy of sharing delicious food!
If you have a tidbit for the column, call (508) 868-5282.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Table Hoppin': A little bit of Havana set for Worcester Public Market
