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Brian Komaromi, of Monroe, cooks beef short ribs at the new 123 Pronto Gourmet Prepared Meals To Go & Catering at 123 Monroe Turnpike in Trumbull, Conn. on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023.
TRUMBULL — A father-daughter duo have recently opened what they say is a first-of-its kind gourmet grab-and-go restaurant.
The restaurant, called 123 Pronto Gourmet Prepared Meals To Go & Catering, serves packaged, freshly made Italian cuisine that customers can pick up on their way home and pop in the oven, according to co-owner Claudia Tecla.
“Everything is in an oven-safe container and is available in three sizes,” Tecla said. “You can come in, pick it up and you can take it home. Everything has heating instructions, as well.”
Tecla said it is not a traditional restaurant as it offers only pickup and catering and does not have any seating.
123 Pronto opened earlier this month at 123 Monroe Tpke., between Mathnasium and Mex on Main. The name, Tecla said, is a combination of the address and the quick service.
Tecla’s father, Claudio Lia, was born in Terracina, Italy, and has worked as a chef for over 40 years. He has opened a number of restaurants in that time, including Nostrano Italian Eatery in Newtown.
Recently though, Lia had been wanting to continue to work on his craft, but with fewer hours than a typical restaurateur.
“He still wanted to do what he loves, but on a smaller scale,” Tecla said.
The initial plan was to open the grab-and-go restaurant in Newtown, but Tecla said 123 Pronto’s location on the border of Trumbull and Monroe was “just perfect.”
Initially, they were looking to open the restaurant in Newtown, but Trumbull caught their eye.
“We’re on Monroe Turnpike, so we’re on the border of Trumbull and Monroe. We’re very happy with the location,” she said. “It took a while because we were trying to find a specific location. We almost had our hearts set on Newtown, but when this spot opened up, it was just perfect.”
The menu combines Lia’s cooking with the smoked meat skills of chef Brian Komaromi, Tecla said.
The restaurant is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tecla says these hours make it more convenient to have a work-life balance.
“Brian and I both have young kids so it allows us to get that part of our life going very early and then come in,” she said. “It gives everybody a little bit of flexibility when it comes to work-life balance.”
A unique feature is that the restaurant’s kitchen is open to the public, allowing patrons to interact with kitchen staff and get to see the face of the man who prepares their meals.
“It’s nice to watch him talk to customers about his food, what he’s made and what we’re doing,” Tecla said. “He’s been in the kitchen for so long and we’ve had repeat customers for like 30 years that still have never really seen him but know of him and of his food.”
123 Pronto opens in Trumbull serving 'grab-and-go' Italian meals – CTPost
