A new friendly spot in Tatnuck.

• Position: GO!

Byline: Barbara M. Houle

COLUMN: TABLE HOPPIN'

A new dining spot in the city is Tatnuck Grille, 638 Chandler St., Worcester, owned and operated by Lawrence J. (Larry) Noon of Worcester and his wife, Lynne Noon.

The restaurant officially opened in mid-December in the spot formerly occupied by Friendly's in Tatnuck Plaza.

Larry Noon, originally from Spencer, has owned and operated restaurants in Ft. Myers Beach and Naples. He sold both businesses in February 2012.

Lynne Noon is the daughter of the late George P. Guertin, who for many years owned and operated George Guertin Trophy Manufacturing Company and Guertin Graphics in Worcester.

Noon said he looked at several locations in the city where he could have opened a restaurant, but liked the idea of being in the Tatnuck neighborhood. "This place is manageable with 100 seats, and there's plenty of parking," said Noon. "We completely renovated the restaurant, and I'm really happy with the results. It's cozy and family-friendly."

Angel Barbosa, who at one time worked at Coral Seafood in Worcester, is executive chef. Robert Albanese is assistant manager.

Tatnuck Grille is open 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to after midnight, Friday and Saturday. Dinner is served nightly until 10 p.m. Take-out is available; Full liquor license. Telephone: (508) 792-0000.

A sample of the menu:

Angus burgers run the gamut from The City Square Burger to the Thai Blue Burger, with a price range from $10.99 to $13.99. Custom burgers and Tatnuck Sandwiches also are available.

Appetizers include oysters on the half shell, half dozen, $8.99; Andy's Favorite Fried Pickles, $5.99; BBQ pulled pork sliders, $8.99; sesame-seared ahi tuna "sushi style," $9.99.

There are a variety of soups, salads, seafood specialties (fried, baked or grilled), chicken, pork, beef, veal and side dishes.

"All our seafood is fresh," said Larry Noon. "Nothing frozen."

Haddock, topped with chef's homemade breading, served with choice of potato and vegetable costs $13.99; fried calamari dinner with fries and coleslaw, $10.99.

Pork and chicken dishes range in price from $13.99 (grilled pork chops) to $15.99 (pan-seared chicken piccata.)

New York strip steak (center cut), $19.99-$21.99, is already popular with diners, according to the owners.

The chef offers daily specials on the menu.

"Our lunch and dinner prices are competitive, and our drinks are affordable," said Larry Noon. "A glass of wine won't...