Liquor Sales Area for Sushi Restaurant Approved

The Di A Sushi Bar and Mongolian Grill in the can establish a counter for patrons to drink beer and wine, the first Food Court store to get such approval.

One member of the Planning and Zoning Commission voted against it. But the store still needs a state-approved liquor permit.

Jimmy Lin, son of owner Tian Gui Lin, said the restaurant has been open since 2008.

"There are a lot of [food court] restaurants [serving alcohol] in California. We never had one in Connecticut," Jimmy Lin said.

Deborah Cox, Economic Development director, called it "an interesting idea."

She said that "the face of malls is changing."

Zoning Vice Chairwoman Arlyne Fox cast the opposing vote. "I'm nervous. I see problems," she said.

The only other mall business serving alcohol is , but it has an outside exit and alcohol can't be carried into the mall.

Board Chairman Anthony Chory said the exit would be through the bar so patrons could not carry beverages out.

The alcohol would be served in glasses and would only be served for eat-in orders, Jimmy Lin said.

Board member Rich Deecken noted that there are functional beer gardens in other states.

Still, added Fox, "I would like to see more security with this bar area."

But even with zoning approval, the state Liquor Control Division will impose its own restrictions on the restaurant, said Board Member Christopher Costa.

The approval adds to the mall, Cox said after the decision.

"I think it's a nice thing to have in the mall. It adds a nice ambiance. It kind of brings in the beer garden concept and the cultural flair," she said.