Peppercorns Grille & Bar,

455 Park Ave., Worcester, (508) 752-7711. (Other location: 231 East Main Street, Milford, 508-634-8933.)

An upscale family restaurant with an Italian influence with an extensive menu that offers pasta, seafood, chicken, veal, beef, pizza, and burgers. Chef Anthony Joseph, a veteran of Arturo's and Tiano's, uses herbs skillfully, as in Tuscan chicken where fresh rosemary and sage enhance rather than dominate both the sauce and the light breading of the chicken filets. Other outstanding selections are perfectly sauteed sea scallops on a bed of field greens with portabello mushrooms, roasted peppers, and goat cheese a lobster ravioli appetizer, veal Napoleon, and angel hair Ashley.

Full review.

Price Range: $5 - $16.