Lock 50

This was the worst "fine dining" experience I have had in a long time. The steak was overcooked, tough, flavorless and cost $44. The service was terrible, we came with a large group and no ones food came out at the same time... we were there for 3 hours waiting for food and for the check.... it was absurd. When the waitstaff would bring a dish out, one at a time, they wouldn't have a clue who had ordered it, we had to pass our own food around to get it to the right person. When we did finally get the check there were items added to the bill that should not have been there, then it took the 30 minutes to sort that out. So disappointing.

We have been to Lock 50 on a number of occasions and the food, service, and atmosphere have always been great. It is one of our favorite restaurants in the Worcester area that has many other offerings.

Our waiter and sommelier were very well informed and made us feel like family. The food was superb.

We felt for the price the food was quite skimpy with lots of bread used to fill out nearly every dish. We certainly did not feel comfortably full after our meal; in fact my husband had a snack when we got home. That said, everything was delicious, especially the salads but our cheese plate had an incredibly small piece of brie -- and LOTS of bread.

Food and service were superb. The only complaint is the AC. Despite being turned down, we were right under the vent and left the restaurant frozen.

great food and amazing service! we sat outdoors and though the evening became a bit chily, the staff offered my date a blanket and brought over a patio heatere to take the chill out of the air. true five star service and a hidden gem!

They have a lot of vegetarian options but the menu isn't like a standard menu. The menu is designed for sharing different dishes between couples. The ambience is really nice.

This is a casual, fun place to eat very interesting food; the service was excellent and the small plates were generously sized. It was very enjoyable sharing the various items we ordered and the ambiance early on a Saturday night was quiet and relaxed. I am very interested in returning to sample more dishes!

I've been to Lock 50 twice. I was telling my husband before we arrived that I remember the last time we went the waitress brought me a card the staff signed because it was my birthday. I remember thinking that it was such a nice touch. Certainly not something you see everyday and not something I'd miss but it was a really nice touch.
Our second visit didn't disappoint either!
When we arrived, we were given the option to sit inside or out on their patio. I usually don't pick outside when eating especially for dinner at almost 8pm but I did see that they had live music out there so we decided we would go outside. The music was the perfect background noise to our dinner. We were still able to talk comfortably and the musician was very talented.
Lock 50 had outdoor heaters that were awesome. They provided the perfect amount of heat for us to be able to enjoy being outside. It did get a bit chilly as we were still eating after 9pm but they had dropped off a blanket on my chair in the event that I got cold. That was another very nice touch that I was blown away by. I did use the blanket ... it was very thoughtful of them.
The menu had changed since the last time we had been there so we were having a tough time trying to decide what we wanted. My husband asked about the chef's tasting and we were told that the chef prepares 5 or 7 courses - you don't pick the food, the chef does. We decided to try it as the last time we visited we loved every dish we ordered so we felt comfortable and thought it was a fun idea.
The chef's tasting was amazing. Every dish that came out was better than the other! I don't remember the exact details but the first dish was beets and goat cheese. Then shrimp and rice. The next course was pork belly, followed by steak and potatoes. Finally, a almond tart on ricotta cheese. Of course, it was more elaborate than I just explained but it was an exceptional experience. The food was delicious. Service was also amazing ❤️

Every drink and dish we tried at Lock 50 on our second visit was phenomenal! Their coffee is outstanding. The wait staff is attentive and informed and the atmosphere is pleasant, even though I am not a fan of the main art displays. It does get a little noisy, but it's worth dealing with that for the excellent cusine.

I checked in and told the host that I had an Open Table reservation. He read back my name and I confirmed. Five minutes before we finished dinner, I received an email from Open Table say I had been flagged as a no-show. I disputed the issue with Open Table and so noted with the host on the way out.

This is a fun restaurant with lots of choices. There is something for everyone and anyone. Ingredients were fresh and provided the base for many of the dishes. Unique offerings and combinations. Great drinks

My wife and I had been to Lock 50 in August for our anniversary, and this time we met friends for dinner. The owner himself helped me find parking and ushered us in. All of the staff is helpful, professional and fun; no snootiness whatsoever. The menu consists of a nice choice of small, "Tapas" plates, and also full dinners; I haven't tried anything there that I didn't love. They even have a chef's choice 5 or 7 course meal available. We had several of the small plates and shared them. We also had some delicious raw oysters. The specialty cocktails are great, and so is the wine and spirits selection. They have indoor and outdoor dining, which we plan to try next time we go. Live music was provided, and it was perfect.

Very nice . Varied menu, mostly small dishes made for sharing with a few mains. The wine list was also broad and varied both in offerings and price.

The Asian-spiced pork roll-ups were a delight and the Morroccan-spiced chicken was just heavenly. To taste everything would been too much so I guess we have to go back again soon

Food was very good but the service was really slow. We were one of only 3 tables in the entire restaurant and somehow our entrees all came out at different times, so different that 2 of us were done eating before the third entree came (we tried to wait but it was taking so long we ate so our food didnt get cold).

Unfortunately, the restaurant had a limited menu and dishes that we chose were of poor taste and quality.
The owner should go to other restaurants in the local area to ensure that what meals he's offering are unique and creative...not a different version of other cuisine offered in other establishments.
I'm pulling for you to improve that's why I'm writing this review.

Enjoyed our visit, food was excellent - arancini balls were terrific, Chicken Saltimboca, Flounder and Korean short ribs were a hit with everyone.

We enjoyed a festive Sunday brunch on the patio. The atmosphere for a group was perfect. Our band new server was excellent. Overall the food was very good, however I had a crepe that was a little dry and disappointing, which was a surprising first. Excellent Coffee and cocktails.

My wife and I enjoyed our anniversary dinner at Lock 50. They have great small plates to share! For a large plate, we liked the lamb shank. Very delicious. Drinks were also delicious. Definitely come out and try it!

WINNER!! What n ice surprise in a redeveloping section of Worcester. The chef and therfore the food was amazing (Tom Keller amazing). Four people ordered five different small plates (almost the whole small plate menu). Fish, meat, vegetarian - each one shared by all - devoured!! Each of us raved about every plate. We then shared two large plates with the same results. With 8 drinks and a shared dessert, we were sated and shoked at how reasonable the bill was. As a group we have split bills in NYC, Chicago, Boston, etc. 4 times the amount and have not been as satisfied.
Okay, it was a slow night and still service was a little spotty (a long time for drink orders and lack of communication). I would be concerned on a night with a full house. The kitchen seems tight, but bar and waitstaff need some tweeking.
I hate to give such a positive review. I'd like to keep the discovery to myself and return again and again without fearing its booked, but this is a treasure; far and away the best eatibg in central MA.

Anniversary

Food was fantastic - uniquely crafted, simple yet elegant, delicious. Service was slow at start (waiter was slow), but sharable portions came out in good sequence. I'll go back. Expensive but worth it.

Had a wonderful brunch with my parents, great food and excellent coffee. Service was friendly and attentive.

This was my second trip to Lock50 and I will definitely be back again. The food is amazing - there is a great variety of small plates and it tastes great. What really stands out to me, and the main reason I will keep going back, is the thoughtfulness of the owner. Both times I have been he has been present and engaging with his customers. He is genuinely grateful for your business and wants to make sure you have the best experience possible. This time I dined here he not only gave us his prime table on the patio, he also came around with fleece blankets in case the customers were chilly!

We came away with mixed feelings. Some of the small plates we had were absolutely delicious, but others were disappointing. Prices are steep, too - especially the drinks - so that the bill at the end of the night came as quite a shock.

Food was just ok for the price. Great service and outdoor patio was really nice.

Amazing food. It was clear they really care about what they serve. Every dish was well thought out and the presentation was beautiful. Well done! We loved it.

I was attracted to Lock 50 because of their restaurant week menu. So glad to have dined here. The patio space is really nice. The wine list is impressive. I started with an American Rye cocktail that was refreshing and summery. First course was a perfectly dressed salad. Both of the 2nd course options were perfect for summer dining. The fried chicken thigh was crisp and still moist. The seasoning was perfect. I have been craving fried chicken and the preparation at Lock 50 was spot on. We will definitely be back with friends.

This was our first visit and we splurged on the tasting menu. Because we didn't know what to expect, we had a few choices that did not fit our palate but each course was all cooked very well. The service was top notch; when they found out we had to make a train back to the city they made every effort to make the meal enjoyable and on time. We'd definitely go back again.

This place is amazing. Food was delicious and the band on the patio was great. Super surprising to find this gem in Worcester! Only complaint is prices of the food. Spent more than would have liked but that is also on us for not really looking at the overall costs. Will go back but plan to make it a less expensive endeavor!

Lock 50 has a limited, seasonal menu, so it was disappointed when more than a few menu items where not available.

To their credit, the waiver did offer us a free dessert to compensate for the inconvenience.

Nevertheless disappointing as compared to our great previous experience at Lock 50.

We had a wonderful meal and a pleasant time at Lock 50. Our waiter was friendly, helpful, and attentive without being obsequious. The beer and wine we had were quite good. The cheese board with accompanying bread, jam, and nuts was tasty. We then shared the grilled octopus (excellent) and gnocchi (good). We finished with their homemade ice cream that was well worth the calories. We definitely will come back.

Great atmosphere, awesome brunch menu and great coffee!

Enjoyable evening. Grilled octopus was excellent. Most of the other dishes we ordered were interesting, but I not stellar. A little pricey, but it was a relaxed evening, and we were not rushed. They had a guitar duo performing as we finished diner, which sounded really good. They were unfortunately outside, so we didn't hear much of their work. Next time, I will check who is performing and plan seating around that.

Great place to dine! Wonderful wine list. Friendly, helpful waitstaff. Incredible food. THe whole cooked sea bass , pasta, bread and salad were amazing - sharing concept highly enjoyable. Can't wait to try the chefs tasting menu. This restaurant is a wonderful choice for any occasion - no need to drive to Boston or Providence for a memorable dining experience!

Great meal, love the food, decor, and ambiance.

We were seated immediately, our waiter was a little overbearing for my liking. The plating of the food and the items themselves were great. A great mix as we tried there special plate and one small plate which was plenty for two. I would go back

We had the most enjoyable time. The food was amazing. The entertainment was sublime. Service was adequate but could have been better. The waiter got my entree wrong so I ate my dinner while my husband had his dessert... It was fine though because the meal was so tasty I didn't mind since I had great music while waiting. We will definitely go back again!

Fantastic food, nice atmosphere. My husband and I pick a different restaurant every month to try. This place is a neighborhood gem, with fantastic food- shared plate style- with lots of fun variety. We had the grilled octopus, and the pork jowls small plates to start, and shared a large plate of seared steak to finish. The live music provided a nice ambience, without being too intrusive or limiting our ability to enjoy a nice conversation. Would highly recommend this restaurant.

Food was delicious, but the service was terrible. Extremely slow. It wasn't entirely the waitress' fault. Every table waited exceedingly long for their food, regardless of server.