Gourmet cooking is Joe Clemente’s passion.
Joe learned his craft at the apron of his grandmother and spent his childhood helping out at the family’s Brooklyn Italian store.
My grandmother was always cooking every day and I was always around her. When you walked into the house and into the kitchen she would always say ‘Here taste this. Come here and let me show you.’ I learned from her and I helped cut the carrots and cut the onions. Nonna was always trying to improve her cooking. I learned from her more than how to cook. I learned that opinions count, that you should always be trying to improve, and it’s the food that brings the family together to create the experience.
After graduating college, Joe formed a business partnership and created a successful gourmet store in Jackson, NJ. Over the years, Joe learned two important ingredients to building a successful market: exceptional quality and exceptional service.
In 2008, Joe brought his vision and passion of quality Italian gourmet foods and exceptional customer service to Robbinsville. With his wife Jennifer and his children Isabella and Carmine, Joe recognizes the importance of family and the value of community involvement. He contributes regularly to worthy charitable organizations in the Robbinsville area. He has been recognized and honored by the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank, Robbinsville Senior Center, Robbinsville school district, Robbinsville Twp., PBAs, and local churches. Joe proudly supports the Robbinsville business community and the “Keep It Local” initiative.
Customers can join Dolce and Clemente’s loyalty Program and earn 5% back on all purchases. Click here to join.
JOE'S FAVES
FAVORITE FOODS: Osso Buco Bolognese because it tastes so good, and eggplant parmigiana because it reminds me of my childhood.
FAVORITE COOK: Nonna (my grandmother).
FAVORITE SMELL: Sautéed garlic in olive oil in a hot skillet.
INFLUENCE: Peter Vilone was a store owner who always made people feel comfortable in the neighborhood (Avenue U in Brooklyn). I always wanted to be like him.
FAVORITE CHEF: Jeff Smith, the Frugal Gourmet. I could relate to his style of cooking.
FAVORITE SINGER: Eros Ramazzotti
FAVORITE PLACE IN ITALY: Sciacca (pronounced Shaka), a historic seaport on the southwest coast of Sicily that is famous for its salted anchovies.
FAVORITE PLACE HE’S BEEN TO: Spain. The food was very good because it was authentic.
PLACE HE WOULD MOST LIKE TO VISIT: Sardinia off the coast of Italy.
Clients Testimonials
GENEROUS PORTIONS
Everything is excellent here. If you like a sandwich with LOTS of meat ask for the “Hulk Grogan” named after one of the employees! Then plan on eating it for lunch AND dinner. This could be my favorite thing about living in Robbinsville!
Matt E., Trenton, NJ
OLD-FASHIONED PERSONAL SERVICE
This market has outstanding one stop shopping service with personal attention. Highly recommend shopping here for big family dinner needs, or a quick last minute restaurant style take home meal. The people who work there went above and beyond for me when I needed a special ingredient that i really didn’t want to make a second trip to another store for. Servizio eccellente, amo questo posto!
JustJenni74
FRESH BREAD, FRIENDLY STAFF
Fantastic find so close to home. The staff are very friendly and helpful, the food is always fresh and delicious but it’s the freshly baked breads that have me stopping in several times a week. We have long complained that there was no bakery/shop in Central NJ that is capable of making authentic European-style bread but no more, Dolce & Clemente’s fresh bread selection is delici
Jamie C., Allentown, NJ
BEST SELECTION OF ITALIAN GROCERIES IN THE AREA
The food choices are fantastic and I have had their catering on several memorable occasions. They have the best bread in the state of New Jersey, and their prepared foods are perfect if you don’t feel like cooking. Their selection of imported Italian products is outstanding. I would be deliriously happy to buy all my groceries here!
frankiedC09, Princeton, NJ
CATERING IS TREMENDOUS
Coming from Brooklyn, they bring back the delicious foods of my youth. Been there dozens of times. Sandwiches rule and the pasta is amazing. The bread is the best in the area. Catering is tremendous!!!!
George S., Trenton, NJ
GREAT BUSINESS LUNCH
So I happened to walk into a meeting at work where lunch was provided and I found myself eating one of the top 3 subs I’ve ever had in my life. Now that statement cannot be taken lightly by a Jersey Boy who’s been frequenting solid delis his entire life. Like most sandwiches, one of the key ingredients is the bread. The thinly sliced Boar’s Head turkey layered on this great bread was a match made in Jersey Deli Heaven! I WISH this place was further north instead of down in the state of South Jersey.
Leeann O., Newark, NJ
