The Deadhorse Hill Team to Open a Korean-American Spot in Worcester

(L to R) Deadhorse Hill director of service Julia Auger, and co-owners Albert LaValley, Sean Woods, and Jared Forman. / Photo by Brian Samuels provided

Deadhorse Hill is a major reason why Worcester is a veritable dining destination these days—New York City ex-pat chef Jared Forman and beverage director Sean Woods made it so just 15 months ago, with the debut of their seasonally sourced, exciting and comforting restaurant on Main Street. Now, the duo, along with Deadhorse Hill co-owner Albert LaValley, will expand their range with a new, Korean-American concept in Worcester. Simjang is currently in development and will open on Shrewsbury Street this fall.

Forman, who joined forces with Woods after the two worked together at Strip-T’s, formerly cooked at David Chang’s Momofuku, as well at Gramercy Tavern. Simjang, stylized as the restaurant name with all lowercase letters, is the Korean word for “heart.”

It will be “a gateway for diners to experience lesser known flavor profiles and dishes” of the culture, Forman says in a press release. The kitchen will stay true to the Deadhorse Hill ethos, with local, seasonal, and responsibly sourced ingredients, and also bring in “more traditional Korean elements.” The menu breakdown will include quickly prepared, affordable dishes, alongside large-format plates meant for sharing.

“Worcester is known as the Heart of the Commonwealth, and we want this restaurant to be attached to our community in the same vein,” Forman says in a statement. “Excitement and growth is pulsing through Worcester, and we love continuing to be a part of it by sharing one of our favorite cuisines with the neighborhood. We want simjang to be a place you can have fun, get messy, learn something new, and indulge.”

A representative for the group says Woods is currently experimenting with tiki-inspired libations for his newest creative cocktail program. We can only hope Deadhorse Hill’s heart-shaped garnish traditions continue at Simjang.

Today’s announcement promises “a vibrant, energetic environment” at the new spot, located right next door to the buzzy, growing Volturno Pizza, and an expanding Wormtown Brewery. The location was formerly Sweet Kitchen & Bar.

Stay tuned for more on Simjang ahead of a fall 2017 opening. Headed to Worcester in the meantime? The so-called Canal District, just north of Kelly Square, is home to a blossoming dining scene, including the small-and-shareable Lock 50, Birch Tree Bread Company and other businesses inside the dynamic Crompton Collective, and the brand-new Kummerspeck, a deli and restaurant from a couple of Barbara Lynch Gruppo alums.

Simjang, opening fall 2017 at 72 Shrewsbury St., Worcester, Deadhorse Hill, 281 Main St., Worcester, 774-420-7107, deadhorsehill.com.