Haven Diner now serves dinner with new ownership

Jessica Parks
Alex Molina, formerly of Williston Townhouse Diner, reopened the Haven Diner in Port Washington last Monday. (Photo by Jessica Parks)

Port Washington’s Haven Diner is now serving dinner along with a change of ownership and an updated space. 

Alex Molina, who formerly cooked at the Williston Townhouse Diner in Williston Park, opened his debut diner last Monday after about a three-week transition from its previous owner. 

Molina said he was drawn to the area by the sense of community and the friendly atmosphere that Port Washington provides. He said he also sees a lot of potential for the diner, which is located on Haven Road across the street from the Port Washington train station. 

His biggest change since taking over was the addition of dinner service when previously the diner had only opened for breakfast and lunch. The Haven Diner is now open until 9 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday and until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. It opens at 6 a.m. every day of the week. 

Anyone visiting the diner who is familiar with Molina’s previous workplace will recognize the chickpea salad, a signature dish given to customers before their meals at the Williston Townhouse Diner. 

The new dinner menu features low-cholesterol meals and Molina’s sauteed specialties, which include chicken Francaise with lemon-butter sauce and chicken Galante, a dish sauteed with scallions and artichokes, among a larger variety of other dishes.

Molina suggested the broiled seafood combo platter, which features filet of sole, shrimp, scallops and stuffed clams cooked in olive oil, fresh garlic and cooking wine. The stuffed clams are filled with crab meat. 

And with the addition of dinner to the menu comes dessert, with everyday favorites from chocolate mousse and lemon meringue cakes to blueberry and apple pies. 

The updated scenery in the diner includes a change in the color of the walls, new booths and an added vibrancy to the mural that is situated above the diner’s front counter. 

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