WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — It's a new cuisine and a new location for one restaurant owner in Luzerne County. The Burnt Norton has been in business for three weeks, and the place is already packed.
"Seems to be a big hit around here, like these last two days have been crazy," said Dina Sabecky, who was busy waiting tables at lunchtime.
The Burnt Norton is a new restaurant taking over the space on East Northampton Street in Wilkes-Barre.
"This is a change for me," said owner Dezarae Sabecky. "I had a café in Kingston called The Looking Glass Café, and we were looking to expand and rebrand and go with a bigger concept, more sit-down seating."
Sabecky is also a tattoo artist, but her passion is in the culinary arts.
"It sounds weird, but I feel more creative in the restaurant than doing tattoos because doing tattoos, you're creating what your client wants, where here, I create a menu, and if people like it, they show up," she explained.
Sabecky named the place after a favorite of hers from the literary arts, a poem by T.S. Elliot.
"A lot of our pizzas have fruit on them. We use a lot of prosciutto, foreign cheeses. We have some charcuterie boards. Our breakfast is pretty different, inspired by stuff we have eaten down south on our travels."
It's a family affair, too, with her mother helping out as needed while the restaurant gets in its groove.
"I love watching her pursue her wishes or her dreams, you know, so I'm living mine through her now," said Dina Sabecky.
The Burnt Norton's Facebook page has all the details about the restaurant's hours and menu offerings.
A ribbon cutting for the restaurant will be held in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday at 10 a.m.