LINK: www.worcestermagazine.com

REVIEW: The catchphrase on the Whistle Stop menu is "Not what we appear to be…" and that couldn't be more appropriate. With a nondescript exterior and an interior that looks like your typical pub with Americana décor (including a wall of Red Sox memorabilia), the diverse menu, held together in a 3-ring binder, is quite the surprise. Not only are there selections for vegetarians and carnivores alike, but there are also salads that would work for vegans, several seafood dishes, burgers, southwestern fare, a children's menu, and even a "lighter fare" menu for those looking to save calories or dollars.

For a Sunday night, the bar, dining area, and parking lot were still pretty busy. There were quite a few regulars based on the many conversations, and my husband and I were welcomed to our seats quickly and warmly.

We started out with one of the evening's special appetizers: fried duck wings. Upon tasting the wings, Scott almost changed his entrée order to the fried chicken because the breading was so good. It was both crispy and tender, with a great flavor and not too greasy. The meat was rich, and for those not as familiar with duck, more like turkey than chicken in its flavor profile. A perfect match for the wings was the dipping sauce, a citrus-sesame teriyaki which was a great mix of tart, bright, toasty and a little sweet.

Scott's entrée also came with a dinner salad, which, of all the food items, proved to be the least impressive. There was nothing wrong with it, it was just a very simple iceberg salad with a regular balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

The entrées themselves, however, were as pleasing as the duck wings. I ordered the chipotle barbeque turkey tips and chose rice pilaf and sweet potato fries as my sides. The tips were all white meat done well with tasty grill marks, and not at all dry. Their sauce had a great tang and just enough of a burn to make me happy without any pain. Both the rice pilaf and the sweet potato fries were yummy, but neither were exceptional. However, the sweet potato fries came with syrup and brown sugar that gave them an added dimension and flavor.

Scott ordered The Sopranos, which was a grilled, thinly-sliced flank steak and mushroom slices. The steak came perfectly rare, as ordered, was tender and entirely delicious, and was served with a full Portobello mushroom cap and a garlic au jus so good that Scott asked for a slice of sourdough bread to soak it up so that none would go to waste.

We were too full to eat dessert there, so we got it to go. My lava chocolate cake was decadent, and our server kindly took the time to instruct me how to heat it up so I'd get the melted chocolate center. My husband's key lime pie was both rich and tart.

For the appetizer, two entrées, lemonade, and two desserts (that had to be taken home because we were already full), the total bill came to $52.01. The desserts were a little on the pricey side, but the rest of the meal was better than average value. There was plenty of food, and the overall experience was very good. Not only that, but the Whistle Stop also offered a "Lighter Fare" menu, where we could have ordered smaller portions for less money. Not only is it a fair value for solidly good food, it's a venue that welcomes just about anyone. So whether you're a family looking for something for everyone, a couple looking for a comfortable night out without cooking, or someone just looking to hang out at a bar, the Whistle Stop is worth your discovery.