Ruth's Chris Steak House joins in the Worcester Restaurant Week fun

The Summer Edition of Worcester Restaurant Week, July 31 through Aug. 12, is the perfect time to try a new local spot or visit an old favorite. Ruth’s Chris Steak House at Worcester’s Mercantile Center joins longtime WRW participants for the first time. The restaurant opened in 2022.

During WRW, diners can enjoy three course, prix-fixe meals for $28.23, or a “premium” three-course meal, $32.23 offered at some restaurants. Delve into a new dining experience as local chefs showcase fresh, seasonal ingredients and impeccable flavors. We look forward to Massachusetts grown or produced products on menus.

John Piccolo, owner of Piccolo’s Restaurant has been a participant in WRW’s winter and summer editions from day one. The semi-annual events not only introduce new customers to his restaurant, but also the business benefits from more social media exposure, said Piccolo. “Not too many local restaurants offer three-course meals on daily menus so WRW offers an opportunity to try it out. Cooking to order and serving courses at a set time also requires good teamwork between staff and kitchen,” he said.

Owner Erika Rovezzi of Joey’s Bar & Grill said WRW is a way for diners to explore new dishes and cuisines. It’s an exciting celebration showcasing culinary talent, she said. “Chefs keep menus interesting by always creating something new. We often will take an item from WRW and put it on our regular menu, especially when guests rave about a certain dish and tell us they want to be able to order it again. It’s a win-win situation for us.”

Both owners also said WRW offers great value, “more bang for the buck.”

Worcester restaurant participants: 110 Grill Worcester, Mercantile Center, 123 Front St.; 2 Chefs Restaurant, 317 W. Boylston St.; Bocado Tapas Wine Bar, 82 Winter St.; Chashu Ramen + Izakaya, 32 Franklin St.; The District Wood Fired Kitchen, 90 Harding St; Flying Rhino Café & Watering Hole, 278 Shrewsbury St.; Joey’s Bar & Grill, 344 Chandler St.; El Basha, 256 Park Ave., Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 4 Mercantile St.; Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern, 455 Park Ave.; La Scala Ristorante, 183 Shrewsbury St; Lock 50, 50 Water St.; Piccolo’s Restaurant, 157 Shrewsbury St.; O’Connor’s Restaurant & Bar, 1160 W. Boylston St.; One Eleven Chop House, 111 Shrewsbury St.; Nuovo Restaurant, 92 Shrewsbury St.; Mint Kitchen & Bar, 79 Maywood St.; Mezcal Tequila Cantina, 30 Major Taylor Blvd.; Red Crab Juicy Seafood Restaurant, 1269 Main St.; Russo Italian Restaurant, 65 Water St.; The Fix Burger Bar, 108 Grove St.; the Sole Proprietor, 118 Highland St.; VIA Italian Table, 89 Shrewsbury St.

Restaurants outside the city: Chuck’s Steak House & Margarita Grill, 10 Prospect St., Auburn; J. Anthony’s Italian Grill, 917 Southbridge St., Auburn; Eller’s Restaurant, 190 Main St., Cherry Valley; 110 Grill Millbury, The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley; Calabria Ristorante, 7 S. Main St, Millbury; Amici Trattoria, 582 Main St., Shrewsbury; Black & White Grille, 206 N. Spencer; Oli’s Italian Eatery, 339 W. Boylston St., West Boylston; Oxfords Casual Dining, 2 Millbury Blvd., Oxford; NOLA Cajun Kitchen, 340 W. Boylston St., West Boylston; A.J. Tomaiolo’s Restaurant, 411 W. Main St., Northborough; Table Twelve Kitchen & Bar, 175 W. Boylston St., West Boylston.

Summer’s Worcester Restaurant Week is presented by Pulse Magazine, Worcester Pepsi, Discover Central Massachusetts, Wormtown Brewery, US foods, Percy’s, Nash Icon, WXLO, Radio Worcester, the Pike, Central Massachusetts Pride. Visit www.worcesterrestaurantweek.com  for more information and updates on new participants.

Outdoor dining is in full swing at some of the restaurants, with many options, from decks to patios and sidewalk see-and-be-seen options. These days, diners inside surely will welcome a blast of AC, especially since the summer shapes up to be a scorcher.

WRW reservations are now open!

Remembering late Castle Restaurant owner, Evangeline Nicas

Evangeline Nicas of Centerville, daughter of noted restaurateur, the late Stanley J. Nicas and his late wife, Helen Nicas, died on July 12. The Nicas family founded and operated the fine-dining Castle Restaurant in Leicester for more than 70 years.

Nicas and her brother, James (Jim) Nicas and his wife, Denise, owned the Castle until it was sold in 2021. Together, they also organized special events, celebrations and the annual dinner meetings of the Les Amis d’ Escoffier Society, Joseph Donon Chapter, founded by Stanley J. Nicas. Evangeline assisted her brother with the induction of Escoffier members, took photos and worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Their brother, the late John Nicas, was an executive chef who also worked at the restaurant. Truly, a family of dedicated, hardworking restaurateurs and chefs.

In her obituary in the Telegram & Gazette, it was noted that Evangeline Nicas was the “smiling face at the front of the Castle Restaurant for the better part of 50 years.”  She helped build the family business and warmly welcomed guests to the restaurant, often handing out red roses from a large vase that sat on her desk at the front entrance. She could be often seen chatting with guests, answering questions about all the family photos that surrounded her.  A devoted family member, pilot, teacher and a person who generously donated to charitable organizations, Evangeline also was “an avid collector of antiques and a supporter of local artists.”

I knew Evangeline, having written about the family business as Food Editor of the Telegram & Gazette and my membership in the local Escoffier chapter. When I judged food competitions alongside her father he always gave an update on “the kids.” Evangeline was a person who answered reporters’ questions and promptly returned their calls and emails. I remember her friendliness and wit, no matter where we met, whether at one of the Castle’s special events, or as a guest in the dining room or outside patio. We sometimes ran into each other outside the business, and I vividly recall the day I was at a salon having my hair highlighted (a full head of foils, not pretty) when Evangeline walked up to me and with a sly smile, asked, “What’s new?”  At the time, I had no idea we were regular customers at the same salon.

Jim Nicas recently told me that he and his sister had talked daily. In retirement, they both lived on Cape Cod.

Evangeline’s many friends and colleagues surely share fond memories.  She will be greatly missed.

Sincere sympathy to Nicas family members.

'Christmas in July'

Julio’s Liquors in Westborough is having a “Christmas in July’ sale through July 25.

Visit https//juliosliquors.com for deals on spirits, wines and beers. Staff picks also are listed and owner Ryan Maloney offers his thoughts about white wine sangria, a perfect, fruity summer drink that is both light and refreshing. Check the internet for recipes.

Happy summer sipping.

If you have a tidbit for the column, call (508) 868-5282. Send email to bhoulefood@gmail.com. 

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Summer edition of Worcester Restaurant Week has some new faces, menus