Millstone Café open on North Main

KENT — The Millstone Café has opened at 14 N. Main St.,  the former home of The Blu Grill. It is owned and operated by John Cummins of Kent and Carol Hawran of Sharon.

Cummins operated a catering business in New York City for 16 years, and officially made the move to Kent in March after six years of coming up here as a weekender.

Hawran has lived in Sharon for 20 years and was an instructor at the Culinary Institute of America for 11 years.

Both of them have a (literally) fresh vision for what food and meals should be.

“Our tag line for the restaurant is ‘Celebrating honest food and thoughtful cooking,’� Cummins said. “During my time in New York City, I felt that people were becoming less and less concerned about simple and nutritious foods.�

At Millstone, he and Hawran want to bring back those simple foods, which will all be organic and fresh — and to remind diners of the benefits of these foods “in a comfortable atmosphere and welcoming environment.�

“It’s all about the connection between people and the foods they eat,� Hawran said. “Everybody needs to eat, that’s a fact. However, our culture has developed poor eating habits and unsustainable food practices.

“They should have more of a connection on a personal level to their foods, both for their own health and the health of the planet.�

As much as possible, Cummins and Hawran plan to use fruits and vegetables grown on local farms.

“The vegetable of the day will change, depending on what’s growing at any given time,� Cummins said.

Cummins and Hawran also own the building next door, the former location of Stroble’s Bakery. They plan to open the Millstone Bakery sometime in the fall.

The cafe is open for lunch Thursday through Sunday,  11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; and for dinner Wednesday through Monday from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

For more information, call 860-592-0500.