String theory: Worcester offers places to use your 'noodle'

What’s new on the noodle beat? Allow me to assist. While plenty of big city establishments are gussying up Cup Noodles for nostalgic effect , Worcester is leaning into quality and tradition, making our city a destination for noodle-heads near and far.

Pasta Mani, 160 Green St. If you snag a seat at the Pasta Mani counter in the Worcester Public Market, you should consider yourself lucky. Reservations at Jay Midwood’s popular fresh pasta joint are a hot commodity. Midwood came to Worcester by way of Seattle where he taught pasta-making classes at the oldest and most famous public farmer’s market in the country, Pike Place. His ever-changing menu follows the seasons and always inspires me to try new things.

Last weekend, my husband and I enjoyed a chrysanthemum greens salad with chamomile dressing, octopus with chili maple aioli, and delicate little ribbons of mafaldine; I’ve been thinking about our meal ever since. Best of all was the staff’s major energy while they danced and sang along to the “Clueless” soundtrack for the duration of our meal.

Wooden Bar and Wooden Bakery, 4 Knowlton Ave. I’ve praised the merits of Wooden Bar many times in this column, but that won’t stop me from doing it again. What began as a passion project by two local artisans, Spencer Mewherter and Christopher Ly, has evolved into one of Worcester’s most exciting restaurants. Wooden Bar’s menu combines local ingredients with Asian methodology to create unique shared plates, ramen, crudo preparations, and more. Now, the duo is partnering with Helene and Daniel Bourget of B. Food to bring us beautiful bread and pastries. Keep an eye on their Instagram at @woodenbarworcester for your chance to snag the next batch.

Phoever Vietnamese, 433 Park Ave. Phoever Vietnamese is the latest establishment on a plentiful stretch of Park Avenue that leads to Webster Square Plaza. Joining the ranks of Dalat, Pho Dakao, and Anh Thu II, Phoever Vietnamese knows broth. In addition to the pho, I devoured summer rolls, bánh xèo — a crispy rice pancake, and refreshing Thai iced tea during their recent soft opening. The owner even encouraged my toddler and me to leave our mark on a graffiti wall in the dining room. (Here’s hoping my daughter doesn’t replicate her masterpiece on any of the walls at home.) You can dine in as we did, or order takeout using a convenient kiosk.