Date: Fri 31-Jan-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

LuLu-Auger-Robert-Neal's

Full Text:

A New Chapter In Lulu's Restaurant Career>

B Y K AAREN V ALENTA

Lulu's back.

Those who remember Basil's Pizza & Pasta, on South Main Street, before Lulu

Auger sold the restaurant last summer will be glad to know she has returned

and has opened a new restaurant, in the same location, named Robert Neal's -

after her 11-month old son, Robert Neal Auger.

"I left because of the baby," she explained. "But the business wasn't a

success for the new owner. He closed on [December] 20th, I took it back on the

22nd, and re-opened it a month later, on the 21st."

She has brought back her chef, Geraldo DeSuhoza, and almost all of the same

staff. The decor is the same, too. What's new, besides the name, is the

expanded menu and the emphasis on the fact that this - according to the sign

out front - is a family place.

"We had three high chairs and six booster chairs in use on Sunday," she said.

"We offer good quality food for a good price. There really isn't another

medium-priced family restaurant in the area that offers the kind of menu we

have."

Besides the ever-popular gourmet pizza (new names but still the same

favorites), Robert Neal's features a large selection of chicken, beef, seafood

and pasta, plus half-pound burgers, main dish salads, appetizers and soups.

Dinner entrees range from $4.50 to $16.50; lunch (which also includes

sandwiches), from $4.50 to $8.50. Most entrees include fresh garlic mashed

potatoes or rice pilaf and grilled vegetables.

"We offer lots of steaks and burgers," Lulu said. "There's a kid's menu [$4 to

$5.50] too, so it doesn't cost a fortune for people to bring the whole

family."

Lulu comes from a restaurant family. Her family has owned Turk's, a seafood

restaurant, in West Haven for more than 50 years. On this weekday afternoon,

Lulu's father, Neal Ramadon, was sitting in the dining room at the Newtown

restaurant, holding his sleeping grandson while Lulu sat nearby, placing

orders with her suppliers.

Lulu's husband, Robert, is a partner in the business but he also works for a

beer distributor during the week. They have moved from Milford into the

apartment above the restaurant because of the baby.

Lulu's business dates back to 1991 when she opened Basil's as a gourmet pizza

shop in Ricky's Shopping Center. She moved to 91 South Main Street, site of

the former Hitching Post Inn, in 1993. The Hitching Post owners still own the

building - it is on the market for sale - but Lulu said it will not affect her

business if she has a new landlord.

"I have a 50-year lease," she said.

Robert Neal's Restaurant is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 to 3 for

lunch. Dinners are served 5 to 9:30 pm Tuesday through Thursday, 5 to 11 pm on

Friday and Saturday. Sunday dinner is 11 am to 9 pm. The entire lunch and

dinner menus are available for take-out.

This week the restaurant will add a brunch from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday and

Sunday. It includes entrees such as a quiche-like "breakfast pizza," omelets

and Belgian waffles, along with the regular menu.

"There are special heart-shaped pizzas for Valentine's Day: one topped with

shrimp, artichoke and roasted pepper - or whatever you'd prefer - for your

sweetheart, and the Revenge Pizza (extra-hot and spicy) for your ex," Lulu

said, laughing.

The restaurant is in the process of getting its liquor license back. In the

meantime, it's BYOB or complimentary glasses of wine and beer. Lulu hopes to

be able to resume pizza delivery, at least within a five-mile radius, in the

spring.

For reservations, or to order take-out, call 270-9293.