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10 Business Profiles 2014 Worcester Business Journal www.wbjournal.com s ituated midway on "Restaurant Row," aka Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, Coral Seafood Restaurant stands apart for fresh delicacies from the sea, offered in a relaxed setting reminiscent of a marine paradise. As a boy, Coral Seafood Owner Jim Voyiatzis, spent summers rising before dawn to accom- pany his father to Boston, where they selected seafood fresh off the boat for the family fish market. From 1979 to 1985, the market thrived, eventually adding take-out fish and chips on Fridays to its offerings. The business soon outgrew its small storefront on the corner of Fruit and Pleasant Streets, so the family relocated and opened Green Street Coral Seafood, a restaurant that continued the tradition of serving the freshest fish in town for the next 18 years. In 2005, Voyiatzis moved the business to its current Shrewsbury Street location and changed the name to Coral Seafood. Not only does this site feature plenty of free parking, but the ambiance inside enhances the over- all dining experience. As soon as you step into the res- taurant, the soothing sensation of the ocean sweeps over you. The eye is drawn to the three impressive overhead lights, which resemble giant jellyfish. These nine-foot lights, handmade of a flexible, clear material with fiber optic cables sandwiched in between, originated in the Netherlands. Set against the dark blue ceiling, they give the subtle impression of dining in the ocean. "The only other place in the country that has these lights is a museum in Georgia," says Voyiatzis. Family teamwork is responsible for the handmade tables, constructed of cop- per, a material that naturally resists bacteria. In addition to its public dining room, Coral Seafood features a balcony for private parties and a function room that seats up to 300 guests. "The function room has been used for weddings, corporate retreats, cocktail parties, christenings, business meetings and memorial breakfasts," says Voyiatzis. Coral Seafood also hosts breakfasts for the Worcester Chamber of Commerce and a variety of events for other organizations. Staff works with the client to customize the menu. To accommodate all culinary tastes and dietary requirements, Coral Seafood offers chicken, vegetarian and vegan options. Voyiatzis, a graduate of the Johnson & Wales University culinary program, together with his chefs, creates the menu items. While traditional seafood dishes dominate the menu, Coral Seafood also presents daily specials. "We get creative with our specials," he says. "Our servers taste the dish and if they approve, it's put on the menu." If you decide to order Coral Seafood's signature dish, make sure you bring a hearty appetite. The deluxe platter features a whole stuffed lobster, baked haddock, baked scallops, two stuffed shrimp, two oysters Rockefeller and seafood stuffing. The restaurant's full bar has a variety of world-class wines to accompany any selection. To complement the cuisine, Coral Seafood offers guests homemade bread, freshly baked on-site every day. "We use a simple recipe and try to make it healthy, always keeping the guest in mind," he notes. Coral Seafood recently joined Open Table, the online reservation service that makes it easy to reserve a table at a great restaurant, while earning points at the same time. Repeat guests may find a familiar face eagerly waiting to take their order. Although the restaurant industry is typically known for its high employee turnover, Coral Seafood boasts a high retention rate. "Some of our employees have been with us since we were at the Green Street location," Voyiatzis notes. Grateful for the warm reception Coral Seafood has gotten from regional diners throughout the years, the restaurant strives to give back to the local community. Voyiatzis says, "We donate the function room and food to a number of worthwhile causes, including Why Me & Sherry's House and the Pancreatic Cancer Alliance's Karaoke for a Cure." To this day, Voyiatzis' father makes the daily trek into Boston. This tradition ensures that guests receive the freshest seafood carefully prepared from a restaurant with a well-deserved reputation for excellence. n Coral Seafood: The Perfect Catch w o r c e s t e r , m a coral seafood restaurant Address: 225 Shrewsbury Street, Suite A Worcester, MA 01604 Phone: 508-755-8331 Fax: 508-791-9900 Website: www.coralseafood.com Product or Service: Seafood restaurant, specializing in fresh fish No. of Employees: 10 - 15 Head of Company: Jim Voyiatzis, Owner/ Chef Year Founded: 1979