The diner serves Eureka residents and Global Dynamics employees, acting as something like a cafeteria or canteen. Its freezer, which provides food for the community, is powered by a fusion reactor (a goof on the part of the writers, as it runs on fusion rather than fission). The name, a play on the phrase carpe diem (“seize the day”), is a reference to the fact that the fusion reactor does not run on coal or oil, but on a new-fangled fuel, globidium, which is said to be safer and more efficient than either fossil fuels or nuclear power.
It seats a couple dozen at square, lacquered wood-grain tables and is bright with sunshine streaming in through the wide windows. It is run by a staff that seems to want you there, including a helpful young manager who goes out of her way to make sure your needs are met.
This being a breakfast and lunch restaurant, the menu has an emphasis on those meals. There are chicken lettuce wraps, oats and overnight chia pudding, and a number of salads such as Greek, Caesar, chopped Cobb and a Diem salad of mixed greens, grape tomatoes, English cucumber, shallot, kalamata olives and shaved Parmesan with homemade seasoned croutons and red wine vinaigrette. There are also six varieties of Sun Coffee Roasters coffee, including espresso and cold brew, and a full range of teas.
There is a savory side to the menu, such as a corned beef hash and eggs or smoked salmon toast with cream cheese. The restaurant also makes a good number of pastries, including strawberry cream rolls, cinnamon rolls with candied walnuts and scones made with local ingredients. It also offers pre-packed, healthy salads and a few sweet desserts. A small ca phe trung ($3.75), an Asian coffee drink consisting of espresso, condensed milk and sugar, is particularly worth trying. There is a nice variety of vegetarian options, and all the dishes are labeled as to whether they contain gluten.
