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Posted by Lysa Miller, guest blogger of Ladybugz Interactive Agency

Are you visiting Central Massachusetts and looking for a unique dining experience during your trip?   We have dozens of great options, featured  here are three newly opened  establishments that will impress.

<Less Than Greater Than>, Hudson
Step back in time to Less Than Greater Than, a speakeasy style tapas lounge hidden behind a cobbler’s storefront on busy Main Street in Hudson.
Once a hidden gem, it is no longer a secret to the crowds of people waiting in line at the New City Microcreamery, (which is the entrance the lounge) on any given evening Tuesday to Sunday after 5 pm.
Less Than Greater Than offers a variety of delectable small dishes such as Poke, a sashimi styled tuna with scallions, cilantro, ginger and wasabi; Bahn Mi Taco with roast pork, sticky sauce, and sricracha aioli and a Classic Cheese Plate featuring locally selected cheese from Mullahy’s Cheese shop across the street.

You will also find homemade ice cream base with fine spirits including the Frozen Old Fashioned and the Grasshopper. Drinks are 1920’s style crafted cocktails made in front of customers in traditional shakers using old-fashioned drink ingredients and drink making techniques.
Less Than Greater Than offers a quiet and dark lit atmosphere that feels cozy and intimate.  Great for a special occasion, anniversary date or after work cocktails and snacks, this old fashioned speakeasy will not disappoint.

Less Than Greater Than is open Thursday – Sunday 5 – midnight.
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<Less Than Greater Than>

435 Bar and Grille, Leominster 
435 Bar + Grille, a new Gastro Pub tucked away in a reclaimed classic, industrial space boasts a unique menu putting a modern spin on traditional with local ingredients, locally crafted beers and small batch spirits for it’s specialty cocktail menu.

435 Bar + Grille offers an extensive variety of appetizers and salads, making group and family style gathering creative and fun.  With treats like Lobster Arancini, 495 Stuffed Peppers, Caprese Bites and Poutine, some of your guests might not want to share.

Entrees cover everything from vegetarian with its Mushroom Harvest Quinoa to classic fish, chicken and steak dinners. Popular meals include the 435 Fish Stew; Cherry Pepper Chicken pan seared with prosciutto and provolone stuff cherry peppers; Maple Salmon seared to perfect topped with Maple Cream Sauce; and a classic meat-lovers Filet Mignon.

435 Bar + Grille is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner along with late-night dining. Hours are 11:30 am – 1:30 am. 435 also hosts private events for groups, parties and corporate entertaining.

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The Hangover Pub, Worcester 
It’s a bacon lovers dream. That’s right, every dish and cocktail on this menu includes home-smoked flavorful bacon. The Hangover Pub is New England’s first and only bacon-themed Gastro Pub and is located in the Canal District of downtown Worcester.

With an extensive appetizer and small-plates menus, you can easily gather with friends to try everything on the menu while sipping on craft cocktails.

Try some favorites such as the Chef’s Board with bacon jam, local imported cured meats and cheeses with accoutrement; Local Oysters with bacon mignonette foam, fresh herbs; Crab and Bacon Cakes packed lump crab, spicy aioli or Pork Belly and Goat Cheese Rangoon or House Smoked Hog Wings.
If you are not out-baconed by now, there is still much to choose on the main dinner menu. Try a bacon-take on these popular dishes: Sous Vide Chicken and Waffles with bourbon bacon maple reduction, caramelized onion; Cider Braised Statler Chicken with sherry cream, apple bacon, potatoes and brussel sprouts or Steak Frites with watercress cilantro chimichurri, truffled house cut fries, shaved pecorino.
Not the best place to bring a vegetarian on a first date, but maybe in the future we’ll see soy bacon. Okay, maybe not.

Currently the Hangover Pub is taking reservations only due to the high-demand and the recent opening. Reservations can be made online.

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Photo Credit @jstephinger 

Lysa Miller is a Massachusetts-based writer whose work covers notable local businesses around the state. Follow her on Twitter @ladybugzinc.

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