Looking for a shoreline restaurant when you are out at the beach or on a summer ride? Head down to Mystic to the Equinox Diner, restaurateur Jimmy Doukas' newest eatery.
But be forewarned if you are a diner die-hard, for it may take some time for you to adjust. There are no cramped booths, grimy menus or frenetic service. What you will find is a super-long menu, with breakfast served all day, and an eclectic blend of offerings, many not usually considered diner fare. Fresh pastries, entrées including Sesame Ahi Tuna, Agnolotti ravioli, Chicken Sacapiella and Thai Chi Salad put new meaning into the words "Blue Plate Special."
"I consider us an upscale diner," said Doukas, who also owns Equinox Diner in Orange. Once planning to be a lawyer, Doukas joined the family's restaurant business on a permanent basis when his father became ill. And he never looked back.
"I have a passion for the business," Doukas said, explaining the decision to open the second site. "And when it is in your blood, you want to grow it."
With its color-drenched green, blue and yellow tiles, recessed and hanging lighting fixtures, big screen TV, espresso bar and full service bar, the Equinox looks like anything but the diner of the past.
"The reason we used diner as part of the name is because we serve breakfast all day, just like a diner does," Doukas said. "But you can also come here for a nice piece of fish, some really good beef as well as the kinds of foods you associate with a diner, like meat loaf, shepherd's pie and macaroni and cheese."
Doukas and company kick it up a notch, however, when it comes to these dishes. Shepherd's pie is made with braised short rib meat, and the macaroni and cheese is a blend of fresh Parmesan, cheddar, jack and mozzarella cheeses.
Even the breakfast offerings have upscale pizazz. Stuffed French Toast is a combination of house-baked Challah bread stuffed with blueberry filling, coated in crushed corn flakes and topped with whipped cream, pecans and port wine syrup.
Standards for breakfast, lunch and dinner also share the menu with the more sophisticated offerings, with prices ranging from a couple of dollars to $20-plus for full dinners including shrimp, chops and steaks. Located at 253 Greenmanville Ave., the diner is open Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m. and Sunday from 6 a.m. to midnight. Call 860-415-4625.
Equinox Diner Opens in Mystic
Serving breakfast all day, with surprisingly upscale touches on the menu
By Maryellen Fillo
Hartford CourantJune 3, 2009
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(Credit: Michael McAndrews/Hartford Courant)
