THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 13, 1994 TAG: 9410120179
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Restaurant review
SOURCE: SAM MARTINETTE
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
The new Adante Express at The Waterside offers a variety of soups, sandwiches and salads, including some old favorites from its full-service cafe and market on Military Highway.
Owner Philip Schoenfeld has taken over what was a gourmet coffee counter directly across from the saltwater aquarium at the south end of the original Waterside, added a wraparound counter with plenty of dining space and created an attractive venue for Adante's signature gourmet Italian foods.
Pasta salads (served cold or heated by microwave) include a seafood pasta with shrimp and scallops in an Italian dressing ($4.95), Pasta Caprese (penne pasta, vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, basil and olive oil - $4.95), and Ziti and Broccoli Misto (sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and pine nuts - $4.95).
In the green salad category you'll find Grecian Spinachi (spinach leaves with hearts of palm, tomatoes, calamata olives, sweet onions and feta cheese, served with a raspberry vinaigrette - $4.50); a Mesquite Chicken Salad (with almonds and raisins, mixed with a creamy dill dressing - $4.75); and a fresh fruit salad with a citrus yogurt ($3.95).
Sandwiches include a spicy Cajun tuna salad ($3.25) that was indeed different than a more traditional tuna salad ($2.95); as well as a Reuben ($3.95); a roast beef and provolone cheese with a horseradish mushroom sauce ($4.25); a meatloaf and fontina cheese sandwich ($4.25); and the Terzo Formaggio (provolone, Swiss and cheddar cheeses with fresh basil and tomatoes - $2.95).
We tried the three-cheese sandwich, slightly warmed to take the chill off the refrigerated cheese and found it quite good, definitely worth having again. Julie ordered the Adante Adagio and seemed to enjoy it immensely, and I tried the Pasta Pezako, quite good when served warm in a covered plastic takeout plate, as are all salad dishes.
Adante Express offers a variety of homemade desserts, and you can order many items from the Military Highway store, such as sliced meats and cheeses, by calling the Waterside location.
Feeling lucky? You might want to attend the annual Atlantic City Festivity Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Days Inn, 4564 Bonney Road, in Virginia Beach. There will be games of chance, an auction, raffle prizes and a ``Grand Buffet,'' all to benefit the Culinary Salon, a food-show competition for area high school students from both South Hampton Roads and the Peninsula.
Sponsored by the Tidewater Branch of the International Food Service Executives Association, tickets for the fund-raiser are $20 per person.
``We have Chef Andrew Mark, who spent the last eight years working on cruise lines, and he will prepare poultry dishes West Indian style,'' explained Ron Haughton, president of the local IFSEA and manager of Kate's Catering in Portsmouth. ``Chef Frank Farello will provide some Italian food. And there will be some great desserts. The dress is casual, and there are some great prizes to be auctioned off.''
Haughton said he expects students from a dozen or more high schools to compete in 13 categories of food during the Culinary Salon itself, which is set for January 1995. Teams from Johnson & Wales University will compete against each other, and all will be judged by a panel of chefs from the local chapter of the American Culinary Federation, led by Chef Richard Christy.
As for the Atlantic City Festivity this weekend, for information call Ron Haughton at 399-5973 or Mary Gentry at 340-6252. Tickets will be available at the door, and, yes, there will be a television set for football fans.
Mom's back: According to my sources, the Jewish Mother in Norfolk (5215 Colley Ave.), will reopen for business at lunchtime a week from today, Thursday, Oct. 20. Call 451-0890. by CNB