Park Road Pancakes, Whiting Lane Waffles and Effie’s Eggs at Celebrity Breakfast

The usual stacks of pancakes and waffles and mounds of eggs were served up Tuesday morning at on Park Road. But it was hardly a typical breakfast. Hungry diners arrived as early as 7 a.m. to support the annual “Celebrity Breakfast,” held each year at Effie’s with local and state “celebrities” serving as Effie’s wait staff.

There was Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra, gliding through the packed dining room while deftly balancing plates of eggs and home fries on his arms. Not to be outdone, West Hartford Mayor Scott Slifka displayed smooth table waiting skills of his own, while Probate Judge Sydney Elkin walked up and down the aisles, refilling diners’ cups with pots of hot coffee.

Sponsored by the Park Road Business Association, with the food donated by Effie’s, the breakfast is held annually to raise money to support the Park Road Parade, which this year is scheduled for Oct. 1.

“We come every year to support this,” said Sister Mary Anne Roddy of the Sisters of St. Joseph, who smiled as Richard Chiarappa, music director of the West Hartford Symphony Orchestra, filled her mug with hot java.

“It’s a lot of fun,” agreed Chiarappa, looking dapper in a black tuxedo and tails.

Dr. Karen List, superintendent of West Hartford schools, enjoyed volunteering so much last year she signed up again.

“My work is to serve the people … usually it’s those in the school system,” she said. “It’s nice to serve the broader community.”

Dave Austin, owner of Fresh Ink on Park Road, brought his 6-year-old daughter Caroline to breakfast and was excited to find List as his waitress.

“Dr. List was my principal at Norfeldt School 20 years ago,” he said.

Slifka served Marilyn Neri “Whiting Lane Waffles” with strawberries and whipped cream. Neri was one of several volunteer women from the Faxon Library who decided to attend the $10 breakfast (which included coffee and juice) to support the community event.

Radio personality Brad Davis broadcast his popular morning show from the restaurant. While waiting to be interviewed, Segarra joked, “I really like doing this. … I think I might not go back to City Hall.”

Many in the crowd were eager to greet former Connecticut gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont, who was invited to the breakfast by Segarra.

“I just love the outpouring of neighborhood support,” said Lamont, a first-time guest at the event but not a first-timer at Effie’s. Lamont is now a Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Philosophy at Central Connecticut State University.

Chris Dobbs, executive director of the Noah Webster House, donned an apron and served customers with a big smile. He said he is a “huge diner fan” and spoke of his lectures on the subject of diner architecture. Volunteering to serve breakfast “gives me a chance to actually experience running a diner — it’s a tough job,” he laughed.

While paying their bills on the way out, customers bantered with Charlie Paindiris, owner of Effie’s Restaurant. Paindiris said each year the event draws some 200-250 people.

Event organizer Richard Patrissi, the self-described “Mayor of Park Road,” said the event typically raises about $3,500. This year, he noted, the breakfast was the busiest it’s ever been.

“People are starting to come out of the recession and will spend the $10 to support the breakfast and parade,” he said.

Other celebrities who waited tables and volunteered at the event included State Commissioner of Revenue Services Kevin Sullivan, West Hartford Town Manager Ron VanWinkle, Town Clerk Essie Labrot, University of Hartford Men’s Basketball Coach John Gallagher, and several owners of businesses on Park Road, including Catherine Denton, owner of A.C. Petersen.