Andrianopoulos: Bootleggers - A Mysterious Speakeasy Resembling a “Prohibition Era” Pub

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Sunday, October 09, 2016

Guest MINDSETTER™ Christina Andrianopoulos, Producer Dining Out MetroWest

On Saturday, October 1, 2016, I received an invitation to the opening of the Bootleggers Prohibition Pub. Knowing the Maykel family, owners of the former Evo and the Good Earth, I wanted to support their new endeavor.  In addition, I was excited to experience the menu of Award Winning Chef Albert Maykel, in its new incarnation as a pub.

Through the misty dank skies, we immediately spotted the “Hollywoo” style search lights and wondered if this was for the opening. As we got closer to the restaurant we were pleased to learn that the new opening was done in style belying other activities in Worcester’s past. In fact, as we got closer we almost felt as if the search lights were strategically placed by law enforcement of circa prohibition to hinder any elicited activities from the speakeasy era. This gave us a bit of excitement from the doldrums of the raining weekend.

We were not disappointed when we approached the entrance and experienced a formidable “fortress” style door making us feel as if we had to knock a code or they would not let us in.  Lost in thought making us hesitate for a few minutes, we realized it was part of the new décor and easily opened the door to enter the new restaurant.  Suddenly, we felt as if we were transported to the 1920’s with the well-done new interior design and architect of a Bootleggers pub.  It seemed so real with servers wearing “flapper” styled uniform with lacy straps peeking through their slightly revealing tops, and men wearing shorts and braces indicative of fashion in that era.  

Well, we were so happy to learn that the prohibition law enacted in 1920 to decrease the “evils” of alcohol, was only reflected in the décor, we went immediately to the newly designed and well stocked steel horse shoe bar that hosts spacious seating and as their website promises, “made to enjoy the finest moonshine cocktails in the city.” It was filled to capacity with second tier guests waiting, hoping for someone to finish their meal or drink so that they could grab that coveted stool.  Instead of being part of the waiting hoverers we were invited to hang out at the owners’ table, which included several generations of Maykels including Al Maykel, the Patriach, who lavished us with the appropriate attention that “should” be given to friends and tv celebrity who came to support the new venue.  We ordered two Tito’s martinis, and they arrived in short of 3-minutes exactly the way we like them no vermouth, shaken until you could skate on them.  We were pleasantly surprised to see that they were priced very competitively and not the “break the bank” prices of some of the other restaurant/bars in the “hood!”

We gave our name to the hostess for a table for four since our friends had just arrived.  We were seated shortly after and we got to “now” enjoy the new and famous menu of award winning Chef Albert Maykel.  The menu, which resembled a “rap sheet” clip board from that era included very eclectic choices from traditional pub fare with the Chef Albert touches, to gourmet entrees.  The menu courses were labeled with fun names that I assume some of them were clever phrases from that era, such as “Blue Nose Bites,” “Flappers,” “Straight off the Press,” “Street Tacos,” and others.  Appetizers (Blue Nose Bites”) started at $4.99 such as steamed and seared pork- and kimchee-filled dumplings-accompanied by a spicy Korean BBQ sauce, Southern Fried Lollypop Wings-3 Spicy Southern fried chicken lollypop wings served with coleslaw and bourbon infused maple syrup, Mussels poached in a spicy ginger coconut curry moonshine broth and garnished with fresh green onion and cilantro, and many other items.  “Flappers”—Sharable nibbles and yes, generous portions to share or be square! Included: Guacamole and chips, $10.99, which we ordered and it was delicious and plenty to share, Dips and loaded fries.  You were given a choice of “Chowda” or Chili, starting at $5.99.  Our friends ordered Chili and they enjoyed it very much.

The Menu

The menu also included: Great selection of salads including the Waldorf and blue cheese crumbled wedge and lots more…salads start at $5.99  to $11.99 for the Antipasto plate.  Creative Street Tacos—two flour tortilla’s including Naked Clam, Cohiba (roasted pork), and blackberry ribs, and others.  Hot off the press—great selection of grilled sandwiches such as the veggie, Turkey formage, Hillbilly—corned beef, and so many more. Hamburgers and Dogs-6 different varieties of hamburgers stacked so high you can’t eat it in one bite…includes their famous veggie burger with avocado and varieties of “hot” dogs…You were also given the build your own hamburger or dog choice on the menu to tailor it to your add-on tastes with wide selection of toppings.  A great selection of Flatbreads starting at $9.99 –with the highest price $15.99 for the blackberry short ribs…even offering a build your own for $9.99

Entrees-which really spotlighted Chef Alberts award winning creativity and tastes included something for every palate starting at $12.99 for mac and cheese to $22.99 for a 12 oz steak and frites…I ordered the grilled Korean salmon at $20.99, which was delicious and featured a grilled hand cut salmon filet glazed with Korean BBQ, served with Yukon gold whipped potatoes, sautéed green beans, and garnished with sunflower sprouts.  I was on a restricted diet and didn’t want mashed potatoes so they replaced it with sweet potato fries seamlessly and no complaints.  

Visiting Bootleggers

HOURS posted:

Tu – We 11:30am–11pm

Th – Sat 11:30am–12am

Sun 11:30am–11pm

Though it really was a “bar/restaurant” when we arrived at 7pm, that phase of the evening included families with children, and a more senior early dinner crowd at the bar.  By 8:30pm the restaurant median age transformed to approximately 25—35 somethings as families departed and tables and bar stools were filled with a younger bar crowd.  Regardless of your age or lifestyle, the atmosphere was electric and a fun environment to be alone or with friends.

I had the chance to talk to Chef Albert and told him how great the new restaurant was, with all the design really coming together and loved how eclectic the menu was.  He was smiling from ear-to-ear and stated, “Worcester hasn’t seen anything yet!” referring to his wide and eclectic culinary tastes.  We really enjoyed opening night at Bootleggers and are looking forward to returning and trying some of the other selections on the menu…oh yeah…and another martini-up, cold enough to skate on it!

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