Hidden Gems of North-Central Connecticut

ENFIELD, CT — Today we initiate a periodic series on Patch sites in north-central Connecticut, highlighting "hidden gems" throughout the region. We are looking to feature out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path.

Our first installment features a small eatery which is a shining star in the Thompsonville section of Enfield: Mark's Restaurant.

Located at 37 Pleasant Street, near the site of the former Bigelow-Sanford Carpet Company (now a large apartment complex), the building which houses Mark's has undergone an amazing transformation in recent years. It was boarded up for more than a decade, but in the early 2010s, Mark Dion rehabbed the property and opened the restaurant on Oct. 24, 2016.

"I own a few properties in Enfield and over the years I had the pleasure of getting to know not only my tenants but the other people around town," Dion wrote on the restaurant's Facebook page. I noticed how hard working they are. And sometimes when I had to do repairs I would see the mothers and fathers coming home exhausted and still had to prepare dinner for the family. And I thought they need a place to sit and unwind after a hard day at work and have a nice home cooked meal away from home at a reasonable price. Then I thought, what better way to give back than to try and employ as many from Enfield. Currently every person I employ lives in Enfield."

Customers can enjoy breakfast all day, as well as delicious lunch and dinner specials. Kim Grady, Tanya Davis and the rest of the staff provide wonderful home cooking and friendly service, from simple staples such as BLTs and grilled cheese, to specialty entrees like pulled pork mac & cheese and panini pizzas.

Mark's is open Tuesday through Thursday, 6:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Saturday, 6:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.; and Sunday, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Online ordering, including specialty cakes, and a complete menu are available at www.marksrestaurantofenfield.com.

Do you have a favorite "hidden gem" in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas to tim.jensen@patch.com.

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