By Charlene Arsenault

• In their daughter's name: Ron and Cindy Ward's nine-year-old daughter, Natalia Nook, has cerebral palsy, and is her parents' biggest inspiration. Ever since she was born, says Ron, they have wanted to do something special for her. Now, she's got a place she can call her own, because it's named after her. The Wards named their new restaurant Natalia's Nook, which opened on Dec. 17. Located where the ill-fated Gizzie's was (which lasted a total of six weeks) in Leicester at 850 Main St., Natalia's Nook is a new home to a family dining place specializing in New England comfort food. "These are our own recipes," says Ron, who does the cooking along with Dennis Drake (from the Cozy Corner, also in Leicester) and Michael Brown. "We have everything. It's a full, family style restaurant, but we specialize in roasted chicken. All our chicken is fresh. And the fish is fresh on Thursdays and Fridays."

The menu also includes burgers, pasta dishes, salads, soups, lasagna, sausage Abruzzi, sandwiches and hickory-smoked BBQ ribs. New hours are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays-Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. "It's awesome so far," says Ron. "I never expected it, but we have done very well so far." Call 508-892-8555. Speaking of doing well, we hear that Wild Willy's Burgers on West Boylston Street (where Eddy's used to be) has "lines out the door," as they say.

• The Struck strikes out? The answering machine for the Struck Café on Chandler Street says the restaurant will be closed for renovations through January. Rumors are that the restaurant, which served an eclectic, upscale, inventive menu, is actually closed down for good. Calls to the establishment were unanswered by press time. The License Commission did confirm that the Struck did not renew its liquor license for 2008. Worcester Magazine hopes it comes back, as it's one of the most delicious places around, albeit hard to find (The Struck is buried in a non-descript little strip mall set back from the road). Ping's Garden, on the other hand, did reopen, despite rumors to the contrary. Closed for "four months and ten days," as the anonymous man on the phone reported, Ping's is now completely remodeled. "Everything is new," they say, and they are back up and running full-time. Ping's is located on Madison Street.

Wine tastings? New chef? New menu items? Breakout of salmonella poisoning in your favorite restaurant? Opening a new place? Expanding? Eat something good? Eat something bad? Did your mom win a pie recipe contest? If it's directly or indirectly related to food and drink, we want to hear about it. Direct any and all of your juicy foodish news and tidbits to Charlene at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call 508-749-3166, ext. 245.