Best of Business 2016: Food

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The 2016 Best of Business winners in this category cover locations for everything from business meetings to more casual spaces.

Best Tri-Area After Work Bar

Cedar Street Grille

12 Cedar St., Sturbridge

www.cedarstreetgrille.com

Top Executive: Michael Lyons CEO – Table 3 Restaurant Group

Signature Business Product: Small plates, inventive cuisine and cocktails

Cedar Street Grille redefines the American Bistro concept. Its talented chefs have created an extraordinary menu that features an eclectic mix of small plates, seasonal entrees and Patty Cake's desserts. The restaurant includes a full bar and a casual, comfortable atmosphere perfect for sharing, exploration and the celebration of food.

Best Restaurant For Business Dinner

111 Chop House

111 Shrewsbury St., Worcester

www.111ChopHouse.com

Top Executives: Robb & Madeleine Ahlquist

Signature Business Product: Great dining experiences

Thanks to customer support, 111 Chop House has been named the Best Place for a Business Dinner for three consecutive years. The restaurant's goal has been to offer a big-city dining experience by providing hand-selected steaks that are certified prime-grade, an award-winning wine list, an elegant setting and world-class service.

Best Worcester After Work Bar

Armsby Abbey

144 Main St., Worcester

www.armsbyabbey.com

Top Executive: Damian Evangelous, executive chef

Signature Business Product: Locally sourced farmhouse menu & Massachusetts exclusivity to Hill Farmstead Brewery craft beer

As an internationally recognized, award winning gastropub, Armsby Abbey specializes in seasonal farmhouse fare, craft beer and handcrafted cocktails. Its complete ethical commitment to food sourcing coupled with exclusivity to Hill Farmstead Brewery's world class craft beer selection helps it stand above the rest in Worcester.

Notable Runner-up Worcester Bars: The Boynton, boyntonrestaurant.com; Nick's Bar, nicksworcester.com

Best Coffee Service For Business

Good As Gold Coffee Service

(repeat winner)

115 Green St., Worcester

www.goodasgold.com

Top Executive: Patrice Goldman, president

Signature Business Product: Freshly roasted single-origin, organic, fair trade and direct trade coffees.

Good As Gold Coffee Service believes that everyone should “Enjoy Life…One Cup At A Time!” The company's freshly roasted coffees and artisan teas are rich in flavor, enjoyable and memorable. A locally owned and operated family business, Good As Gold Coffee Service enjoys its many customer relationships and strives to please those customers with expertise, value and service.

Best North County After Work Bar

Rye & Thyme

14 Monument Square, Leominster

www.ryeandthyme.com

Top Executive: Mike Covino, president

Signature Business Product: Full-service dining and hospitality.

Rye & Thyme has all the charm of an old tavern and features a stellar raw bar as well as a wood-fired grill, its signature. Pizzas, steaks, chops, seafood and burgers shine. That, paired with an unbelievable beverage program featuring a heavy focus on American-made spirits, wine and craft beer, make it a true American tavern.

Best Place To Meet For Coffee

Starbucks

11 E. Central St., Worcester

www.starbucks.com

Top Executive: CEO Howard Schultz

With more than 50 locations in Central Massachusetts, Starbucks – with its high-end coffee and free WiFi – is a favorite among business professionals for morning meetings and afternoon pick-me-ups.

Notable Runner-up: InHouse Coffee, inhousecoffeeusa.com

Best Caterer For A Corporate Event

Struck Catering

130 Hamilton St., Worcester

StruckCatering.com

Top Executive: Barbara Cotter

The mother-son team of Barbara Cotter and Derek Grillo contribute a blend of considerable talents to Struck Catering. Together with their professional staff, Barbara and Derek ensure clients and their eager guests relish every Struck Catering event with freshly prepared, hand-crafted choices, artful presentations and discreet service.

Notable Runner-up: Pepper's Fine Catering, pepperscatering.com

Best Metrowest After Work Bar

Tavern In The Square

(repeat winner)

318 Main St., Northborough

www.taverninthesquare.com

Top Executive: Stephen Desousa

Signature Business Product: Scratch-made food and craft beers

Tavern has created a welcoming atmosphere, where guests can unwind in the bar after work or enjoy dinner in the dining room. The bar features 50 draft beers that complement well with the scratch menu.

Best Blackstone Valley After Work Bar

Kyoto Bar & Grill

185 Church St., Whitinsville

kyotobarandgrill.com

Top Executive: Thien Phan, owner

Signature Business Product: Asian food and spirits

With a menu featuring sushi and other traditional Asian dishes and a bar featuring a variety of mixed drinks and imported beers, Kyoto offers an escape that can be a quick stop after work for small appetizers and a few rounds of drinks.

Best Restaurant For Business Lunch

The Sole Proprietor

118 Highland St. Worcester

www.TheSole.com

Top Executives: Robb & Madeleine Ahlquist

Signature Business Product: Freshest native New England seafood

How does The Sole Proprietor, an independent family-owned business, fend off chains and continue to be recognized as one of the best seafood restaurants in America? By serving the freshest, highest-quality seafood and making its patrons feel not only welcomed, but appreciated.

Notable Runner-up: VIA Italian Table, viaitaliantable.com

Read about other Best of Business award winners.

Best Office Services