New restaurant planned for space at Worcester's Union Station will bring memories of El Morocco

Kim Ring, Telegram & Gazette
·2 min read
The Grand Hall of Union Station. The 961 Restaurant and Lounge is expected to open in the next few months in space across the Grand Hall from Luciano’s Restaurant.
The Grand Hall of Union Station. The 961 Restaurant and Lounge is expected to open in the next few months in space across the Grand Hall from Luciano’s Restaurant.

WORCESTER — Those longing for the old days at the El Morocco need only wait a few more months until the 961 Restaurant and Lounge opens at Union Station.

The new restaurant, planned for the space formerly known as Byblos Lounge — Lava Lounge is across the Grand Hall from Luciano’s Restaurant.

Obaida “Obie” Abdulky told the Worcester License Commission that he and his business partners plan to emulate the former hot spot with a "full-scale restaurant" serving Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine.

The restaurant will cater to a mature clientele and, Abdulky said, will offer entertainment including comedy shows, live jazz music and belly dancers. He said the experience will remind diners of the El Morocco, which closed

Abdulky has lived in Worcester for about 30 years and is a graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

He told commissioners that he and the other investors will spend about $500,000 renovating and preparing space which has been vacant for a while.

Late-night dining

License commissioners said they received one letter of opposition from Michael Sherwood, who said previous tenants in the space operated similar restaurants that became more like nightclubs which created problems.

Sherwood asked commissioners to impose limited hours of operation and to restrict the capacity of the restaurant.

But Abdulky explained that patrons would be seated at tables, not walking about, and there would be a light dining menu for later in the evening.

The restaurant would be open until midnight most days and would close at 2 a.m. on weekend nights. It will open at 11:30 a.m. for lunch, he said.

The early morning hours will allow the restaurant to serve wedding parties, Abdulky explained.

Abdulky said the executive chef, Diane Louis, is well-known in Worcester and worked at Boulevard Diner as well as Le Mirage.

The Worcester Redevelopment Authority late last year approved a five-year lease agreement with the partners and that lease is expected to begin Feb. 1.

License Commissioners set no restrictions and approved at their meeting Thursday a restaurant all-alcohol license, common victualer license and entertainment license for TV, dancing by patrons, dancing by entertainers, live music, amplification system, light show and karaoke.

Abdulky said the renovations to the space could take two to four months.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Restaurant at Worcester's Union Station likened to El Morocco