Owner Wilson Wang may be Chinese, but he knows his sushi. Try his famous oyster shooter, some yellowtail sashimi, and the chef’s salad sampler, or dig into any of the dozens of maki rolls. More sushi awaits you just down the road at Haiku (258 Park Avenue) , offering good value sushi and sashimi plus a wide range of cooked items. Craving a taste of India? Surya (299 Shrewsbury Street) serves up authentically fiery curries, fresh breads, and other northern Indian treats. Just across Lake Quinsigamond into Shrewsbury on Route 9, India Cafe (84 Boston Turnpike) offers a generous luncheon buffet plus all the appetizers, main courses, and tandoor-cooked meats you’d expect. Most of WPI’s Chinese students and employees probably already know that they need to leave town (or cook at home) to get reasonably authentic Chinese food. In Framingham, about 20 minutes to the east, you can find both Red Pepper (17 Edgell Road) and Sichuan Gourmet (271 Worcester Road). Sichuan Gourmet is a bit more upscale, and Red Pepper’s menu a bit more adventurous, but both locations serve up fiery versions of food from Sichuan province, balancing the sharp heat of fresh and dried chilis with the numbing tingle of Sichuan peppercorns. Most of the clientele in both spots are Chinese, which is an excellent sign of
good things to come. For a cultural experience out of the ordinary, head to One Love (800 Main Street) to sample Venice Fouchard’s homemade Jamaican food, served in a homey and welcoming atmosphere. Her jerk chicken and curried goat are famous, and not for the faint of heart. One Love features lots of vegetarian options, and their BYOB policy helps keep the cost down. It’s the kind of place you might fall in love with. Worcester has a sizable contingent of Brazilian residents, and you can get a taste of Brazil at Pampas Churrascaria (145 East Central Street). Like most churrascarias, they offer a wide variety of freshly fire-roasted meats accompanied by a copious bar or salads and side dishes. You pay for your meat by the ounce, and again, BYOB. Finally, Pomir Grill at 119 Shrewsbury Street is one of Worcester’s newest and most intriguing restaurants, featuring Afghani cuisine in a stylish setting. The flatbread and dips are an addictive start, and entrees feature lamb, pumpkin, eggplant, and chicken, distinctively spiced and attractively served. Afghanistan is rarely in the news for happy reasons these days, but at Pomir Grill you can learn a little about Afghani culture through its cuisine and warm hospitality. Sometimes, better understanding is just a meal away.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
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