Breakfast rises again in Mystic
Mystic — Melody Pere wasn't actively searching for a restaurant to run, but when she happened to notice a small space on Water Street that previously had housed a fine-linen store and flower shop, the former Oyster Club employee had an "ah-hah" moment.
"It would make such a cute little restaurant," she thought to herself. "There was a whole niche that needed to be filled in Mystic. People had been looking for a breakfast place since BeeBee Dairy (closed down)."
Six weeks later, a sign went up saying the 750-square-foot space next to Chelsea Groton Bank was for lease. And Pere, daughter of songwriter and local activist Bill Pere, jumped at the opportunity, calling her new restaurant Rise to denote sunrise and breakfast fare.
But it would be about a year before her dream would come to fruition. She had to get approvals from Planning and Zoning as well as the Historic District Commission — processes that she said went smoothly, but still took time.
Waterford-based Reagan Construction Group completed the renovation, and Cindy Kramer of Stonington did the interior design work, which features a grayish blue and white motif. Soon to come, she added, will be local farm photographs by a Westerly photographer, and mom Carol has been helping out with interior touches, including the table flowers.
"Business has been really great," she said. "We have a lot of locals who come in here and keep coming back."
The space is small, with only 22 seats inside and eight outside. Comment cards indicate patrons would like more seating, but Pere said the kitchen is small and she isn't sure with all the takeout business she does whether Rise could handle any more customers.
Rise specializes in basic breakfast fare, including build-your-own omelettes.
"Pancakes have always been my thing," Pere added. "They're very fluffy and buttery and we serve real maple syrup."
Pere did not go to culinary school, instead choosing to do cooking internships at several top restaurants. She eventually latched onto a mentor, James Wayman at River Tavern in Chester, and then followed him to the Oyster Club, where she served as a cook and manager of its new outdoor Tree House area.
Rise, said Pere, is still largely a breakfast restaurant, and egg sandwiches fly out of there during all hours.
"Word of mouth pretty much did it," Pere said.
Pere said she likes that Rise fits in with an updated, cooler vibe in Mystic thanks to the addition of several businesses, including the Sift Bake Shop across the street.
"We've got all of this new, really cool stuff coming in now," she said. "It's a younger generation. ... People are really excited about it."
What: Rise restaurant
Where: 10 Water St., Mystic
Who: Melody Pere, owner
Hours: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 8-3 Sun.
Contact: (860) 415-9519
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