Best Food for 2017
BirchTree Bread Co. Co-owner Avra Hoffman
BEST LOCALLY OWNED PLACE TO MEET FOR COFFEE
BirchTree Bread Company
Worcester, www.birchtreebreadcompany.com
Top executives: Co-owners Robert Fecteau and Avra Hoffman
Founded: 2014
Employees: 26
BirchTree uses local, wholesome ingredients to create its products and differentiates itself by creating a community atmosphere where people feel at home, offering live music and continuously changing artwork.
Notable runners-up: InHouse Coffee, NU Cafe & Juice Bar
BEST RESTAURANT FOR BUSINESS LUNCH
The Sole Proprietor*
Worcester, www.TheSole.com
Top executives: Robbin & Madeleine Ahlquist
Founded: 1979
Employees: 110
Hospitality and freshness are hallmarks that have made The Sole a Worcester institution, with customers served by two wait staff. Chefs are encouraged to make memorable meals out of the freshest fish, all served in an elegant setting.
Notable runners-up: VIA Italian Table, Boynton Restaurant & Spirits, Mezcal Tequila Cantina, O'Connor's Restaurant & Bar
BEST RESTAURANT FOR BUSINESS DINNER
111 Chop House*
Worcester, www.111ChopHouse.com
Top executives: Robbin & Madeleine Ahlquist
Founded: 1999
Employees: 110
Its fourth consecutive year winning this award, 111 strives to offer the big-city steakhouse experience without the big-city prices, using hand-selected steaks and a wine list that has received the “Wine Spectator” Award of Excellence.
Notable runners-up: deadhorse hill, Ceres Bistro, Bocado Tapas Wine Bar, Willy's Steakhouse Grill & Sushi Bar
BEST WORCESTER AFTER-WORK BAR
Armsby Abbey*
Worcester, www.armsbyabbey.com
Top executive: Executive Chef Damian Evangelous
Founded: 2008
Employees: 45
The pioneer of craft beer and farm-to-table cuisine in Worcester, Armsby Abbey puts time and effort into all of its services, including sustainably sourcing its menu, intensive staff training and an elaborate beer selection and cocktail program.
Notable runners-up: Nicks, Ralph's Rock Diner
BEST METROWEST AFTER-WORK BAR
Tavern in the Square*
Northborough, www.taverninthesquare.com
Top executive: CEO Stephen Desousa
Founded: 2014
Employees: 75
Tavern in the Square sets itself apart by being more than the typical sports bar and offering a full-service restaurant with a sizable bar and patio, coupled with a casual atmosphere adapted to fit the Northborough community.
Notable runners-up: Not Your Average Joe's, Jack's Abby Craft Lager
BEST NORTH COUNTY AFTER-WORK BAR
Rye & Thyme American Tavern*
Leominster, ryeandthyme.com
Top executive: Joshua Longtin, director of operations
Founded: 2012
Employees: 30
Rye & Thyme features a raw bar with local shellfish and a signature wood grill used for pizzas, steaks, seafood, chops and burgers. Its beverage program offers American-made spirits, wine and a rotating beer list.
Notable runners-up: Slattery's Restaurant, Clinton Bar & Grille
BEST BLACKSTONE VALLEY AFTER-WORK BAR
Gray Barn
Whitinsville
Top executive: President John H. Mellor
Founded: 1965
Employees: 6
In its third generation of owner and 52nd year, the Gray Barn strives to set itself apart by offering fun activities almost every night, coupled with a knowledgeable and friendly bartending staff.
Notable runners-up: Kyoto Bar & Grill, Feng Asian Bistro & Hibachi
BEST TRI-AREA AFTER-WORK BAR
Cedar Street Grille*
Sturbridge, www.cedarstreetgrille.com
Top executive: CEO Michael Lyons
Founded: 2011
Employees: 40
Cedar Street prides itself on its neighborhood atmosphere, creative cocktails and an approachable scratch kitchen menu featuring small places, seasonal entrees and house-made desserts. The bar and restaurant layout is designed to encourage a comfortable, sharing atmosphere.
Notable runners-up: Rovezzi’s Ristorante, Eighty Ates Bar & Grille
BEST COFFEE SERVICE
Good As Gold Coffee*
Worcester, Goodasgold.com
Top executive: President Patrice Goldman
Founded: 1969
Employees: 14
One of the last family-owned coffee services in Massachusetts, Good as Gold combines good-tasting coffee with fair pricing, along with an intense desire to always be better.
BEST CATERER FOR A CORPORATE EVENT
Peppers Artful Events
Northborough, www.pepperscatering.com
Top executives: President Susan Lawrence and Catering Director John Lawrence
Founded: 1987
Employees: 149
Peppers seeks to go above and beyond its customers’ expectations by focusing on artful presentations of everything from the meals to the event decor, coupled with attentive staff and all underlined by delicious food. All the elements, from top to bottom, are designed to meet clients’ visions for events.
Notable runner-up: Struck Catering
*denotes repeat winner
Click below to see the other 2017 WBJ Best of Business winners
BEST CLIENT & EMPLOYEE SERVICES
- BEST COLLEGE FOR BUSINESS EDUCATION - Nichols College*
- BEST EXERCISE FACILITY/FITNESS CENTER - The Fitness Asylum*
- BEST LUXURY AUTOMOBILE DEALERSHIP - Wagner Auto Group*
- BEST LIMOUSINE SERVICE - Knight’s Airport Limousine Inc.*
- BEST HOTEL FOR BUSINESS CLIENTS - Beechwood Hotel*
- BEST NONPROFIT FUNDRAISER EVENT - Notre Dame Health Care Educational Forum
- BEST VIDEO PRODUCTION - Pagano Media
- BEST AWARDS & PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS - Engraveables*
- BEST COMMERCIAL PRINTER - Curry Printing*
- BEST IT SERVICES - Machado Consulting
- BEST INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER - Spectrum Enterprise*
- BEST WEB DESIGN FIRM - Pagano Media*
- BEST TRUCK DEALERSHIP - Harr Motor Co.*
- BEST COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPER - Leone's Landscaping & Construction
- BEST ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR - Coghlin Electrical Contractors Inc.*
- BEST PLUMBER/HVAC CONTRACTOR - J.J. Bafaro, Inc.*
- BEST WASTE REMOVAL - E.L. Harvey & Sons, Inc.
- BEST OFFICE CLEANING - Eagle Cleaning Corp.
- BEST PUBLIC GOLF COURSE - Green Hill Golf Course*
- BEST PRIVATE GOLF COURSE - Worcester Country Club*
- BEST GOLF CLUB FOR CORPORATE OUTING - Cyprian Keyes Golf Club*
- BEST VENUE FOR A BUSINESS MEETING - Beechwood Hotel*
- BEST VENUE FOR AN EMPLOYEE OUTING - EcoTarium*
- BEST VENUE FOR A CORPORATE EVENT - Mechanics Hall*
- BEST BANK - UniBank*
- BEST BUSINESS INSURANCE AGENCY - Sullivan Insurance Group*
- BEST FINANCIAL PLANNING/INVESTMENT SERVICES - Provo Financial Services, Inc.*
- BEST CREDIT UNION - DCU – Digital Federal Credit Union*
- BEST HEALTH INSURANCE PROVIDER - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts*
- BEST EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONSULTANT - Sullivan Benefits
- BEST LAW FIRM - Mirick O’Connell*
- BEST ACCOUNTING FIRM - Bollus Lynch, LLP Certified Public Accountants & Consultants*
- BEST ADVERTISING AGENCY - PENTA Communications, Inc.*
- BEST STAFFING AGENCY - The Davis Companies*
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