For those who miss the friendly face of Brenda Trask, the former owner of Norm’s Diner in Groton, worry not; you’ll soon be able to enjoy her company seven days a week at Belle’s Country Kitchen on 678 Colonel Ledyard Highway.
The restaurant, which Trask describes as ”cozy” and “family style,” opens Thursday morning for breakfast and Trask says she’s anxious to meet the people of Ledyard and make some new friends and regulars.
“I just hope here when I get some regulars we could have a conversation,” said Trask.
The restaurant has a prominent counter service and Trask will be brewing Farmer Brothers fresh ground coffee beginning at 5 a.m. every day. Trask said the menu is a lot like what they did at Norm’s Diner and then some.
The restaurant has hearty breakfast menu of eggs, pancakes, waffles, breakfast sandwiches and the breakfast grinder, which has shaved steak, peppers, mushrooms, and onions on a hoagie roll.
“I don’t think you’re going to go out of here hungry, that’s for sure,” said Trask of her portion size.
Breakfast and lunch are available to 4 p.m. then they switch to dinner, where they’ll offer pasta dishes, steak, fish and seafood and lots in between, like a home-style turkey dinner made from a cooked whole turkey, for instance.
The restaurant doesn’t have a beer, wine or liquor license right now but that could change if customers want it.
“We’re just going to see when people come in and if they want beer or wine,” said Brenda.
Trask co-owns the restaurant with her husband Mark who helped her clean and touch up the space although customers who ate at the previous restaurant will recognize many features at Belle’s.
For instance, the Trasks will decided to keep the ice cream service, which is a first for them. That portion of the restaurant is waiting to be filled ice cream and goodies and they’re hoping customers will give them some ideas.
“It’s new to us, we know we’re going to do it but everything’s up in the air,” said Mark Trask.
They’ll be serving Gifford’s of Maine ice cream and they expect to serve the standard set of toppings, sundaes and splits and they are open to other suggestions.
Belle’s Country Kitchen will have a soft opening on Thursday, March 14 and an April 1 Grand Opening is in the books. They will be open 7-days a week from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
