By Nicole M. Wells, Special Writer
If the parking lot was any indication, the new Pind eatery on Route 27 in Kingston, received a warm welcome from the community Wednesday evening at its grand opening event.
There was hardly a parking spot to be found when the “dining complex,” which features a sports bar, lounge, dining area and private party rooms, officially opened its doors to the public with a special 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. VIP reception featuring free appetizers and drinks.
Patrons were invited to check their coats just inside the entrance, as the double glass interior doors swung open, welcoming them in.
Circulating trays of complimentary appetizers and gratis drink tickets mingled with several hundred guests as the public sampled, tasted and toured the new facility.
”I’ve been coming to this location to dine for over 35 years,” Paul Eapier, 49, of Princeton, said, above the pulsing beat of club music. “From Good Time Charley’s to Charlie Brown’s and we’re thrilled to have a new restaurant here with parking.”
The Pind is located at the site of the former Good Time Charley’s and Charlie Brown’s restaurants. The latter closed in 2010 after it’s parent company declared bankruptcy and the location in Kingston was auctioned off.
According to its website, The Pind offers “contemporary cuisine with globally inspired influences” with an emphasis on “high style and comfort.”
Manager Sebastian Font said its name – The Pind – means “the village” in Punjabi.
It was thus named because it is located in the Village of Kingston, but also because the layout is very much like a village, with different areas offering different experiences for patrons.
What ties The Pind together, he said, is 5-star Ritz-Carlton-like service.
While Good Time Charley’s brought out the locals and drew people from neighboring towns, Charlie Brown’s didn’t inspire the same type of reaction from the community, according to Frank DiGiovanni, 40, of Kingston.
Mr. DiGiovanni said he thinks The Pind will bring a variety of people out from the surrounding areas.”It’s a nice mix of Princeton and Montgomery,” Mr. DiGiovanni said. “We need something that pulls from all different areas.”
With more than a dozen high definition TV screens in the KIXX Sports Bar and ballrooms available for private parties and events, Mr. Eapier said he thinks The Pind will be an asset to the community.
”It’s a great benefit for the area to have this,” Mr. Eapier said.
Jessica Murphy, 35, of Princeton, heard about The Pind’s grand opening from her husband, James Neilson, who is employed there.
”I think it’s great,” Ms. Murphy said. “It’s a fantastic atmosphere, it’s really beautiful and the renovations are great.”
Ms. Murphy’s friend, Corey Ederly, 22, of Princeton, said he likes where the “dining complex” is conveniently located.
”It’s kind of like a club type atmosphere but also like a high class lounge, which is great because we really don’t have anything like that here,” Mr. Ederly said. “You have to go to New Brunswick (for something similar) so it’s great to have something like that here in Princeton.”
The Pind is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and for dinner from 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Dinner is served until 11:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The KIXX Sports Bar at The Pind is open until 2 a.m., everyday, according to its website.
