Former Basil's Owner Opens Windsor Grand Cafe

Written by: Megan Malloy

Two years ago, Basil Karakatsanis decided to retire after running local favorite Basil's for 17 years, but the retirement did not last for long. Karakatsanis has returned to the restaurant scene with new endeavor Windsor Grand Café and he is trusting his loyal customers will follow.

“I’m hoping I will have the same friends that I used to have come and visit again once they know that I’m here and try my food once again,” he said. “It’s a new adventure for me because I’m not the young guy I used to be.”

Karakatsanis took over the Clairmont Diner, located on Route 130 in East Windsor, in January and the building has since undergone serious renovations.

Karakatsanis began working in the restaurant business at the age of 14 when he began working on cruise ships in his native Greece. In the 1970s, he began managing diners in Central Jersey, along with various Italian and French restaurants. He opened up his own business at the flea market on Route 18 in East Brunswick in 1977, selling Greek specialties like souvlaki, spinach pie, and Greek salad.

Karakatsanis was overwhelmed by the success. “I was so embarrassed because all the other vendors were sitting and I had lines,” he said. “Everyone was waiting for my souvlaki. It was crazy.”

Windsor Grand Café is similar in concept to Legends, with a Mediterranean American menu curated by Karakatsanis himself. The menu is physically thick and diverse in its selection, featuring dishes from octopus, to roasted cauliflower, to Greek lamb burgers. Karakatsanis personally prepares the 38 different sauces featured on the menu, and each main course comes with a salad and two of the 20 side dishes offered. The large variety of cuisine offered is intended to satisfy the wide-ranging tastes of all customers, according to Karakatsanis.