We have just about every style of dining out available here in our “snack-sized state,” as Food & Wine recently referred to Rhode Island. Food icon Julia Child was asked during one of her many visits here what was lacking in eclectic restaurant options. The year was 2000 and there was a gathering in what
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FRESH FROM THE OVEN: Neon Marketplace “pizza pro” Jessica LaPlante, left, and Neon General Manager Nicole Bailey display the pizza that will be offered at Neon locations in Rhode Island, which will also feature a pizza oven. COURTESY NEON MARKETPLACE[/caption]
Elise Babey is a food developer who joined Neon from Florida with a clear focus on an open lane in the food scene around here. She and the Neon team are developing several unique approaches to some popular casual food choices. The first is a fresh take on pizza. Being rolled out at the Neon locations in Rhode Island and Seekonk is a new-style square pizza, a cross between a Sicilian and Roman style. The dough is fluffy. It is proofed – allowed to rise – like bakery pizza, the Rhode Island “party pizza.” The dough ball at the foundation is locally made.
After it is topped, the pizza is baked in a brick oven, which gives a crispy bottom crust and is one of the most distinguishing features. The toppings are also unique, with combinations such as chicken with hot honey and mozzarella cheese, and a Market Special with slices of tomato, banana peppers, black olives, arugula, sausage and pepperoni with a mozzarella blanket.
“We want to break the mold of what people think of so-called ‘convenience store food,’ ” Babey said. “Our consumer who wants upscale coffee in the morning and an artisan sandwich or salad at lunch, then orders from a restaurant on their way home is going to find all those things here.”
Neon has some ambitious plans, especially in these times. The outlook for the company is to open six more locations between Cape Cod and Connecticut in the coming months.
Dining Out With Bruce Newbury is broadcast locally on WADK 101.1 FM and 1540 AM and on radio throughout New England. Contact Bruce at bruce @brucenewbury.com.