On the outside looking into what soon will be Jordan Stein's new taco restaurant on Main Street in Collinsville. Photos: dotCANTON
A table with a view. Photo: dotCANTON
Jordan Stein was envisioning “… a hipster taco joint with a New England industrial feel” when he spoke about his plans for 105 Main St. in Collinsville more than two months ago. Now, with the restaurant’s opening just over a week away, it’s clear that visions can come true.
Earlier this week Stein invited dotCANTON into “Husk — New American Tacos,” which he plans to open on Monday, Aug. 23.
It was obvious in the 10 p.m. visit that plenty of work remained, but it also was clear that Stein and his associates had accomplished much by working late into the night recently to pull the place together.
Looking out onto Main. Photo: dotCANTON
“I’m nervous, excited, can’t sleep; I’m working on adrenalin,” Stein said when asked how he’s feeling with opening day drawing near.
It’s not like the 36-year-old Collinsville resident is new to the restaurant business. He is an accomplished chef with plenty of experience and is, after all, a managing partner at the Pond House Cafe’ in Elizabeth Park off Asylum Avenue in West Hartford.
But there is a difference with this project.
“(Until now), I’ve only been in charge of kitchens,” Stein said. “I’ve never been in charge of everything … picking the artwork, the furniture, trying to orchestrate everything, soup to nuts.”
Notice the wainscoting. Photo: dotCANTON
And he has picked out some interesting things, including a bunch of “recycled machine shop lights from the 30s, 40s, and 50s” that have been fashioned into a track lighting system that drips of that “New England industrial feel” Stein had in mind (see photo gallery below).
That feel continues with the wall art, which features a significant collection of original, hand-drawn schematics of products connected to the old Collins Company, just down the road.
Diners who choose to eat at the restaurant will have an eclectic variety of tables and counters to pick from, most of which come with cast-iron tractor seat stools. Two seating area certain to be popular are located on either side of the front door and look out onto Main Street through floor to ceiling windows.
And then there’s the wainscoting. According to Stein, it all comes from a North Canton barn, circa 1871, that was recently rebuilt.
Stein says the eat-in/take out restaurant will seat 26. Current plans call for it to be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
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– dotCANTON
