Sturring North End Cuisine
So that transient good weather we had sent the Mr. and me out of doors after work a couple of nights ago, to take a walk, and then eat out in downtown. We came down Central St and so passed by the now-closed Mickey’s, except it wasn’t closed anymore - it’s reopened as a new restaurant, Stur. It looked lively, and fairly upscale. We had a coupon for another location so we didn’t stop for food there - but we chatted real quick with one of the new bartenders, and they have been open only about a week. From the website:
Stur is a fine dining restaurant and cocktail bar located in historic downtown Lowell. Specializing in Mediterranean dishes, Stur is primarily the creation of Executive Chef Gary Gianchetti.
Executive Chef Gary Gianchetti is a graduate of the world’s premier culinary college, The Culinary Institute of America (New York). His creations represent many regions of the Mediterranean, with a particular emphasis on Southern Italian and Sicilian cooking styles. Before settling in Lowell, he cooked at Ristorante Damiano and Prezza in Boston’s North End. Before that, at restaurants in New York, Las Vegas, and Boca Raton.
Hey, the North End of Boston sports some damn good cooking, so I’m already sold. 
Anyway, thought people might be interested. If you go let me know how it tastes. Menus are up on their website. They do have music on weekends, too.
I like the new breed of upscale, hip, trendy places coming into downtown…seems like a weird time for them to bloom, but places like this, Centro, Blue Taleh, and others remind me of some of the cities I love to visit, like Montreal. Except I don’t have to go anywhere! Good luck to the latest fine dining endeavor in downtown Lowell.
April 9th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
I just finished a Chimichanga dinner from Mr Jalapeno on Merrimack St. Last week it was the Old Court and the best Easter Lamb at the Olympia. I’ll try this new place next week. Food has to be one of Lowell’s big draws.
April 10th, 2010 at 8:54 am
My wife and I went before the grand opening. They were open to the public, it just wasn’t publicized much. I think we were the only ones there who didn’t know the owners.
Anyway, food was really good. Service of course was a little off, and I didn’t really enjoy the atmosphere/decor (a little too…hotelish or something. Did not feel hip and/or trendy). Our favorite was the polenta - so creamy and delicious, you must get this when you go. Best I’ve ever had? Maybe…best I can recall. We also got the arugula salad, sea scallops, rapi greens, maybe one other thing, then tiramisu for dessert (not on the menu). Everything was really good minus the salad (Arugula was not fresh at all).
Centro is probably our favorite spot, with Blue Taleh a close second.
April 16th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Went to Stur this evening and liked it. The concept of ordering several small plates to share, with each one brought sequentially was nice, but it put a strain on the kitchen and waitstaff as it makes for more servings to ready and deliver. But if you are not in a hurry it is worth it, as each plate we had was very good, and the entire staff was friendly and accomodating. You can always start small to see if you like it, and go back to try additional plates if you like your first experience.