2 Worcester restaurants close abruptly

  • (Google

    Two restaurants in Worcester's Canal District have closed abruptly.

    Michael Arrastia, owner and executive chef of The Hangover Pub and Broth on Green Street, announced on Monday in a Facebook post that both eateries are closed.

    "The Hangover and Broth are closed," the post reads. "Thank you guys for everything over the years . Respectfully I won't be able to reply to everyone I'm gonna take some time to reflect and be with my family."

    He did not offer an explanation for the closings.

    The closings mark the end of an era in the Canal District.

    The Hangover Pub opened in early 2016, Broth in late 2017.

    The Hangover Pub billed itself as "New England’s first bacon gastro-pub," according to its website. "American fusion with influences from Italian, Japanese, & Hispanic cuisine are peppered with house made bacon, bringing these dishes to life."

    The Hangover Pub made a positive impact on diners, who gave it great reviews and a 4.7 rating on Facebook.

    Likewise, Broth made an impact as the first ramen restaurant in Worcester to draw a wide audience, helping popularize the category in Central Mass. Diners also rated Broth highly, giving it a 4.8 rating on Facebook.

    (Google)

    Things took a turn, however, in 2018.

    Both closed in March 2018, a day after "the restaurant's manager pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators," the Telegram & Gazette reported. The restaurant's manager, Christopher Slavinskas, "pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to lying to investigators involved in the case of Kevin A. Perry, a former Worcester restaurateur convicted of money laundering."

    The restaurants got the OK to reopen in April 2018 with Arrastia at the helm, according to MassLive.

    Arrastia's talents made him a local celebrity. He has competed in Worcester's Best Chef competition and has appeared on TV in "Guy's Grocery Games" on Food Network and "Man vs. Food."

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