PLATTSBURGH - Soup's on. On the curriculum.
Class was in session at the Great Adirondack Soup Company, the soup, salad and sandwich shop owned by Chris Dominianni at 26 Clinton St. Dominianni plays to conduct classes in soup making every other month.
He has prepared more than 200 types of soup since the restaurant opened in June 2003. There are many inspirations for his creations.
"At least 15-20 soups from my repertoire started from entrees on the menus at other places," he said. "When I started, I looked at canned soups, then tried to figure out how to embellish and expand on them."
Saturday, his students participated step-by-step as two kettles of soup were prepared. On one burner, Moroccan-style chicken with lentil,
orange and couscous warmed its way to a spicy awakening, while cream of broccoli with cheddar, bacon and potatoes slowly simmered toward sauciness on another.
Students received instruction based on Dominianni's years as a culinary journey man.
"It's not necessarily the right way, or the only way. It's the way I get the results I want," Dominianni said. "I've learned a lot from chefs I've worked with."
For instance, Teflon is a no-no, except for things like omelets.
"It tends to break down," he said. "It's a form of freon." .
The cozy eatery was hand-decorated by Dominianni's wife, Laura, using an Adirondack theme. Birch-bark signs provide a natural frame for inspirational messages, while branches, greenery and reserved lighting create a homey atmosphere.
Four tables are scattered through the dining area, while a fifth holds a selection of magazines. A small counter provides additional seating.
The Great Adirondack Soup Company offers three soups daily, including one vegetarian selection. Four types of salad are available, as are beverages and dessert specials prepared by Laura.
The menu is rounded out with a roster of sandwiches, such as the Round Mountain Gobbler, combining oven-roasted turkey breast with orange-cranberry mayonnaise; the Apple Orchard, featuring Black Forest ham, sliced Macintosh apple and a dijon-apple mustard; or the Tree Hugger's Delight, a house-prepared hummus wrap with alfafa sprouts and a mango-curry sauce. All sandwiches are prepared using bread from Rambach's Bakery.
Soup and sandwich, or soup and salad combinations are available.
The cooking class is one in a series of special events the couple have introduced in an effort to stretch their boundaries.
A Saturday night Dinner for Two promotion is also planned for every other month. The most recent was held in conjunction with Valentine's Day.
There is only one seating a night, where five couples (make a reservation) are served a four course meal during one seating. Diners who enjoy spirits with their meal may bring their own, as the shop does not have a liquor license.
Special decor is used to enhance the dining experience, including the romantic decorations used for February's event.
The couple host a praise and worship night every other Wednesday. The public is invited to join in as student musicians from the Interfaith Varsity Club at Plattsburgh State lead a spiritual evening of song and inspiration.
They've also held three monthly coffee house nights, where patrons listen to local musicians while enjoying vegetarian soup, tea and coffee in a relaxing, candle-lit atmosphere.
Next up is Steve Ferraris and Friends, featuring afro-latin drumming and instrumentation. It is scheduled for Friday, April 23, from 7 to 10 p.m.
As usual, Dominianni plans to come up with a soup tied to the musical theme for thf evening. While there is no admission charge a $3 donation is requested for the musicians.
For Dominianni, soup and music share certain characteristics, making it a great pairing.
"There is room for a lot of interpretation and variation," he said. "Soup is a great medium for that."

PLATTSBURGH - Things are really cooking at the Great Adirondack Soup Company's new location.
Owners Chris and Laura Dominianni opened the 24 Oak St. location on July 18.
"It's neat to be right across from the YMCA and Plattsburgh Library. It's brought in a new group of peopIe who never found us on Clinton Street," Chris said.
Business has jumped by about 50 percent, Chris said. That, combined with separate preparation and service kitchens, has seen the restaurant expand to five employees.
Because he is now involved as president of the Plattsburgh Downtown Association, it was the Dominianni's desire to remain at a downtown location. Their first look at the open space at the former Fantastic Planet location gave them the vision for their new restaurant.
In addition to more space for tables, the Dominianni's created two lounge areas near the front windows, where customers can wait for food or simply relax. Customer input remains encouraging, and has led to some new ideas, such as a express line for soup only and extended hours.
Soup Express allows customers to pick up soup without having to wait for those seeking a sandwich. The expanded hours, along with the lounge areas, provide a relaxing place to start the day with some coffee, tea and pastries.
Starting at 11 a.m., the restaurant continues to offer three home-made soups daily, including one vegetarian offering and its large, unique sandwiches. Examples include The Wilderness Challenge, which is turkey, ham and roast beef with bacon, Swiss cheese and a dijon-horseradish sauce; and The Tree Hugger' Delight, a house-prepared h mus wrap with alfalfa sprouts and, a mango-curry sauce. Laura's, homemade brownies, cookies and coffee cake are on the counter, a sweet way to end lunch or dinner.
Capacity has been doubled, with room for 26 diners. The Adirondack theme extends to the decor, with branches and wood crafts displayed inside the spacious dining room.
A peg board along the southern wall is being used to display local art. This month, the photography of Plattsburgh High School art teacher Pat Duniho.
"We hope to feature a new artist each month. We're hoping to have different genres of art with an Adirondack theme," Laura said.
Chris said it was a Pleasant surprise to find two side rooms, which will be used as an office and the Adirondack Art and Gift Gallery, set to open early this fall.
Laura plans to offer both pre-made and made-to-order food and gift baskets featuring locally produced products. "We anticipate having a local potter craft a Great Adirondack Soup Company bowl or mug, which will be available as a gift item," Laura said.
Chris and Laura got the idea to open the restaurant in June 2003, after working 10 years as a chef in local restaurants. It was previously located at 26 Clinton St.
"We decided it would be a good idea to open our own place, with our own menus and setting our own hours," Chris said.
Dominianni said he hopes to bring back some of the special events held at the old location, such as cooking classes, Saturday night dinners for two, and coffee houses featuring local musicians. Possible acts for the Friday night performances include Roy Hurd, Damaged Goods, Phil Henry and Crossing North.
Another idea is cultural evenings, allowing people to come in and prepare their ethnic foods while playing cultural music and displaying decorations. An Iranian Night at the old location found more than 40 people squeezing in to sample the fares.
"It creates a fellowship of eating together," Laura said.
She hopes the nights can be used as fund-raising opportunities for local groups such as high school, college or other organizations.
Catering services are offered, although delivery is not' available at this time, Chris said. They have already done theme menus such as pre-made and made-to-order Mediterranean and Middle food and gift baskets featuring Eastern meals."We can do pretty much anything the customer is looking for," Chris said.
The Great Adirondack Soup Company is open from 9am to 6:30 pm, Monday through Thursday, and 9am to 5pm on Friday. To find out what's cooking, call 561-6408.