Date: Fri 18-Dec-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

Addonizio-Clearly-Delicious

Full Text:

Gourmet Fare For Those On The Go

BY KAAREN VALENTA

Joe Addonizio may own a restaurant, but at home he and his wife face the same

food problems as the rest of us: the daily dilemma of getting a nutritious,

appealing meal on the table without a lengthy preparation and cleanup time.

Mr Addonizio's solution was Clearly Delicious, an upscale takeout business

that answers the plea of today's consumer: "Give me homestyle take-out meals

that I would cook myself if I had the time."

Those who have eaten at ClearWaters Restaurant on Route 25 in Monroe will

recognize some of the dishes. Both ClearWaters and Clearly Delicious are owned

by Mr Addonizio, who knows a lot about what it takes prepare a meal that both

children and adults will like.

"My wife, Marianne, and I have four children: Jessica, who is 11, Julia, 9,

Joey, 7, and Joanna, 5," he said. "Dinner usually takes an hour to prepare,

and another hour afterwards for cleanup. I believe there is a lot of demand

for good food that you can take home, heat up and serve."

When the building that for years housed Swanson's fish market at the corner of

Routes 25 and 59 in Stepney available last year, Joe Addonizio decided it was

time to act.

"This location was close to the restaurant," Mr Addonizio said. "Ella Holst,

who helped with the opening of ClearWaters seven years ago, is part of my

brain -- I bounce all my ideas off of her -- and she helped me decide whether

to open more restaurants or to go with this concept."

"In the industry it's known as meal replacement concept," Ms Holst said.

"According to surveys, 80 percent of the people at 4 pm have no idea what they

will have for dinner tonight. When we first opened four months ago, women

literally were dancing in the store."

The opening came after nearly a year of renovations and planning. Joel Leneker

of Leneker Design in Stratford, was hired to create the design for a prototype

store that is intended to become a chain. Mr Leneker, who lives near the

Monroe-Newtown border, has worked on many corporate food projects. Newtown

builder Bryan Robik did much of the work along with Joe Addonizio and his

staff.

"About five percent of our business at ClearWaters is takeout so we know there

is a market but we were interested to see how well the Clearly Delicious

concept would be received," Mr Addonizio said. "There is a tremendous amount

of labor involved in producing attractive meals that people can reheat with an

assurance of quality and eat right out of the container."

Two head chefs, Joe Cacciola and John Phillips, both graduates of the culinary

program at Johnson & Wales in Providence, R.I., were hired to plan and prepare

the food. Every day between five and ten entrees are offered, some of which

are gourmet, others "comfort" food. Some are packaged individually, others --

like Shepherd's Pie -- in multiple servings.

Most of the entrees change weekly although Clearly Delicious has begun to

offer repeats of some favorites like Chicken Marianne ($6). Other choices

included Stuffed Eggplant Provencal, Stuffed Leg of Lamb, and Beef Shepherd's

Pie. The most expensive entree on the week's menu, Seared Honey Peppercorn

Salmon, is a tender fillet grilled with honey, peppercorns, lemon juice, and

white wine, served with whipped potatoes and tender-crisp zucchini and yellow

squash, $10.25.

Joe Addonizio's wife has been a vegetarian for 20 years so he knows the

importance of offering vegetarian entrees. In addition, the side dishes

($3-$3.75) like Curried Lentils & Vegetables, Carrots & Turnips, and Green

Bean Mushroom Casserole often are purchased along with a salad or soup for a

complete vegetarian dinner, Mr Addonizio said.

There are four dinners especially for children as well: chicken fingers with

waffle fries, macaroni and cheese, beef and macaroni, and pizza, each priced

at $3.

On a recent week the soups, dished up hot at the restaurant's soup bar,

included chicken alphabet, sausage escarole bean, black bean, and southwestern

corn chowder; they are priced at $2.50 to $3.50. The four weekly pastas, made

to order at the pasta bar, included two traditional styles of pasta and

ravioli marinara plus Chicken Fra Diablo Over Penne and Fettucini With

Mushroom Spinach Sauce.

A half dozen varieties of salads range from $3.50 for a large garden salad to

$5.75 for grilled Caribbean chicken garden salad or grilled chicken Caesar

salad.

Sandwiches, from $4.75 to $5.50, are made daily on pitas and interesting

breads. Spreads (aioli pesto, dijon mustard, southwestern mayonnaise) are

offered separately. Desserts change weekly.

Ingredients are listed on the packaging or posted so that those with allergies

or special diets will know exactly what is in each dish.

Mr Addonizio said he knew that packaging also was very important. "We

researched packaging to find something with an elegant look that could be

microwaved. We visited all the top gourmet shops in Connecticut before we

settled on this grab-and-go concept," he said. "We designed Clearly Delicious

to get most people in and out in 15 minutes."

The shop also offers gourmet coffee, tea and pastries, and breads from Arthur

Avenue in the Bronx.

Mark Mercier is in charge of the kitchen, Lou Reda, Kristina Barlow and Lisa

Nezvesky, are managers.

"We're getting retail items in for gifts like truffles and dipping oils to go

along with the fresh breads," Mrs Nezvesky said. Gift certificates come in a

compact disk-style case.

The customers seem to be pleased. "The food is fresh, delightful, light and

attractive," said June Lee of Easton, who had stopped by to purchase some

soup. "It's so nice to have a store nearby -- less work for mother and the

prices are good."

Marie Loughlin, who operates a business nearby, said she stops at Clearly

Delicious five days a week.

"They've got the best price, the freshest preparation, healthy food, great

staff and I love it," she said. "It's something about the atmosphere -- very

inviting."

Clearly Delicious is open Monday through Friday from 11 am to 8:30 pm,

Saturday from 1 to 8 pm, and Sunday from 2 to 8 pm. Meals can be ordered ahead

by calling 452-7511. Catering is available.

Beginning in January, Clearly Delicious will open at 7 am, serving coffee,

cappuccino, pastry, freshly squeezed orange juice, and salads and sandwiches

for persons on their way to work.