What does Peppercorn’s Grille and Tavern in Worcester do properly? The reply is a scrumptious paradox that one way or the other consists of “Every little thing” and “It’s a thriller.”
Let’s begin with the “every part.” Peppercorn’s has a wide-ranging menu that focuses on traditional consolation meals executed at a excessive stage. They crush the fundamentals, from pizza and burgers to rooster parm and pot roast. However there are additionally brilliantly executed prospers, equivalent to the meat brisket grilled cheese and pistachio haddock.
The “thriller” is my favourite aspect at Peppercorn’s. On sure nights, the restaurant encompasses a rotating thriller menu merchandise for adventurous friends who wish to depart their dinner destiny within the fingers of the chef.
Oh, there’s yet one more essential aspect: beer. Along with being an impressively well-rounded restaurant, Peppercorn’s additionally has an underrated brewery under the same roof.
Did I point out this restaurant does every part?
A Smash Burger from Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern on Park Ave. in Worcester.(Nick O’Malley, MassLive)
Mass. Hidden Gems: Peppercorn’s in Worcester
There are some individuals who will assume I’m loopy for calling Peppercorn’s a hidden gem. For 28 years, it’s been a culinary mainstay on Park Avenue, a first-rate vacation spot for college students at close by Clark College to carry their mother and father for a pleasant dinner after they go to.
It’s a spot that has a gradual pipeline of loyal regulars within the know. However after I hear of us discuss coming to Worcester for dinner, it’s not a vacation spot I hear talked about sufficient.
So, how has Peppercorn’s thrived as a neighborhood establishment that retains prospects coming again for extra? For proprietor Tom Oliveri, the secret is consistency and hospitality.
Which means, if a buyer orders their favourite dish, it’s bought to style the identical on a Tuesday in Could because it does on a Friday in December.
That consistency is vital for patrons who wish to know precisely what they’re going to get. However for others, the other is true.
That’s the place the key menu is available in.
On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Peppercorn’s presents the “Hand of the Chef.” It’s an off-menu merchandise that adjustments relying on what govt chef Marcos Ferreira has whipped up that evening.
The primary time I ordered the “Hand of the Chef,” I bought a brilliantly cooked pork tenderloin wrapped in prosciutto, served with asparagus and a sauce that I couldn’t determine however ate all of.
If the hand of the chef had been right here proper now, I’d give it a excessive 5.
“I’m not simply saying this as a result of he’s my chef — he’s the most effective within the metropolis, fingers down,” Oliveri says.
To be clear, the workers will let you realize what the thriller merchandise is, particularly if in case you have dietary restrictions. However the actual enjoyable goes out on a limb, being adventurous and never realizing what you’ll get.
Oliveri says Ferreira will mess around with some pork, duck and fish. He’ll take some rooster and jazz it up. There are even some vegetarian specials.
You by no means know what you’re going to get. However no matter it’s, it’s in all probability going to be good.
“I don’t assume in all of the years he’s been doing it, we’ve ever had a upset buyer,” Oliveri says. Nobody stated, ‘Oh, this isn’t what I anticipated.’ However then once more, these going into it type of know – you don’t know what you’re getting.”
The Crispy Rooster Fontina from Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern on Park Ave. in Worcester.(Nick O’Malley, MassLive)
What’s good on the menu?
The majority of the Peppercorn’s menu relies across the traditional American entree — a protein, a carb and, generally, a veggie.
Different eating places might have flashier gadgets throughout the menu. However Peppercorn’s is an effective reminder that, while you do the classics good, they’re onerous to beat.
We’ve bought to begin with the No. 1 vendor: the Crispy Rooster Fontina. It’s a crispy rooster cutlet smothered in prosciutto and fontina cheese served with a slick mountain of oil & garlic linguini. It’s a scrumptious, salty, garlic-y spin on rooster parmesan that takes pink sauce out of the equation.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for one thing on the lighter facet, go for the Pistachio Haddock. It’s not a mix that I’d have anticipated having fun with. However not often have I ever had one thing that managed to be so A) scrumptious, B) filling) and C) mild and wholesome sufficient that I didn’t really feel like I wanted to take a nap after.
Exterior of the conventional entrees, I extremely suggest the pizza and burgers.
Peppercorn’s has a killer pepperoni pizza that’s chewy, tacky and surprisingly mild with massive pops of taste in each chew.
The Smash Burger is a comparatively new addition to the menu, however has shortly rocketed to “fan favourite” standing. It’s a burger that actually nails the little touches, together with a well-toasted bun and grilled onions that style like they’ve been caramelizing for hours.
A go searching Double Down Brewing Firm in Worcester.(Nick O’Malley, MassLive)
The restaurant with a brewery incubator on the facet
While you go to Peppercorn’s, the very first thing you’ll in all probability discover is a giant signal for Double Down Brewing Firm and plenty of outside spots to take a seat and revel in a beer.
Don’t fear, you’re in the correct spot.
Double Down is bodily a part of the Peppercorn’s constructing, with a door main between the 2. But it surely’s technically a separate enterprise.
It’s the newest in a line of breweries which have operated within the house hooked up to Peppercorn’s. It was right here that Wormtown Brewery first opened. After Wormtown moved out in 2015, Flying Desires took over till leaving in 2020. A 12 months after, Double Down arrange store and has been thriving ever since.
Operated by business veterans with a ardour for making nice beer, I rank Double Down as one of many state’s most underrated breweries.
The shared house makes for a singular partnership. Double Down provides the brews for many of Peppercorn’s 12 beer faucets. In the meantime, the restaurant makes for a tremendous food-and-beer vacation spot.
In MassLive’s profile on the brewery last year, Double Down founder Christian McMahon hailed Peppercorn’s as the most effective meals you’ll discover at any brewery in Massachusetts
“If you happen to’d ranked the most effective brewery taproom meals, this is able to be No. 1 … If you happen to put it up in opposition to anybody else, actually, that is the most effective menu and among the greatest execution of meals you might probably have as a brewery,” he stated.
A go searching Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern on Park Ave. in Worcester.(Nick O’Malley, MassLive)
What to know when visiting Peppercorn’s
If you happen to’re planning to go to, the large factor to know is that the primary entrance is behind the constructing (as proven within the image above). It’s the one with the lengthy ramp going through the car parking zone — reverse from the Park Avenue facet.
There’s additionally an entrance to Double Down Brewing to the left. That’s technically just for the brewery. However in case you unintentionally go that manner, there’s a door that leads from the brewery into the restaurant itself.
Notice: Beer from Double Down is on the market to order inside Peppercorn’s. Nonetheless, the Double Down taproom solely has a restricted menu. If you wish to order off the complete menu, it is advisable go into Peppercorn’s.
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What’s the handle? — 455 Park Ave., Worcester, MA, United States, Massachusetts
What’s the parking state of affairs? — Peppercorn’s has its personal giant car parking zone behind the restaurant with loads of areas.
When are they open? — Listed here are the listed enterprise hours on the time of writing.
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 11:30 – 9 p.m.
- Wednesday: 11:30 – 9 p.m.
- Thursday: 11:30 – 9 p.m.
- Friday: 11:30 – 9 p.m.
- Saturday: Midday – 9:30 p.m.
- Sunday: Midday – 8 p.m.
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Mass. Hidden Gems is a collection highlighting eating places and different companies throughout the Bay State that we predict deserve extra consideration. You’ll be able to try the rest of the series here.
Have a hidden gem that you simply assume we must always try? E-mail nomalley@masslive.com your favorites.
