Ahoy Captain: Seafood Ahead

Picture: A Banh Mi

In a hat tip to our fine Lake -- and those able body boaters who cruise our fine waterway  --  several area restaurants will be offering special “Captain’s Menus” as part of the Opening Weekend festivities.

The menus are primarily seafood based and our local chefs have thrown out a long line and caught some fine and delicious dining options indeed.

Among the non-seafood specials is the Banh Mi, being offered by Mr. P’s Mountain Smokehouse. It’s a Vietnamese sandwhich served on a baguette. It’s typically filled with a choice of meats with a spicy chilli sauce and accompanied with vegetables which may include fresh cucumber slices, cilantro and fresh or pickled carrots.  Mrs P.’s version is served with smoked chicken, pork or tofu and of course can be ordered on a Gluten Free roll.

And don’t forget the scrumptious pancake breakfast being served by Schroon’s very own Cub Scout Troop at the Fish and Game Club on Sunday. It goes from 7:00 am to 12 noon. $6 adults, $4 for kids 12 and younger.

DeCesare’s Pizzeria 

Fried Haddock Sandwich on a toasted Kaiser roll, served with home made French fries, cole slaw and tartar sauce.  Available for lunch or dinner. $9.95

938 Route 9, Schroon Lake. Opposite Dollar General (518)532-9200

Drake’s Restaurant 

The Captain’s Plate featuring large steamed snow crab cluster, jumbo fried shrimp, fried calamari with coulis sauce, cconut onion Rings, cole slaw, salad, rolls & butter, spinach dip $22.95

1295 US Route 9. (518) 532-9040.

Morningstar Bistro

$1 off either the Atlantic Salmon Filet Sandwich, served with cusabi dressing, lettuce & tomato, Terra Chips and cucumber or broccoli salad or a Savory Crepe filled with Smoked Salmon, cream cheese, capers, and red onion, served with mixed greens. $8.95

1079 Main Street. (518) 532 0707

Mr. P’s Mountain Smokehouse

New and for a limited time! Smoked Turkey Leg (GF) $5

Smoked salmon filet served with rice crackers and chipotle cream cheese (GF) $8

Banh Mi sandwich with smoked chicken, pork or tofu, served on a hoagie roll with cucumbers, carrot & radish slaw, soy sauce, mayo and fresh cilantro (GF available) $9.50

1106 Route 9  --  opposite the Grand Union just up from The Strand Theater. (518) 532-4300

Witherbee’s Carriage House

Loft Menu: The Captain’s Sliders. Crispy Haddock sliders topped with lettuce and tomato, comes with our famous crispy American fries. $8.95

Dining Room Menu: Grilled Salmon with Bubba’s own Maple Syrup and mustard glaze, comes with homemade soup or fresh artisan green salad, fresh potato and vegetable of the day. $17.95

581 US Route 9  Schroon Lake, NY 12870  (518) 532-9595

And be sure to check out our other eateries

In Town:

Alpine Pizza 1104 Main Street (518) 532-0545

Higher Ground Coffee Shop 1072 Main Street  (518) 532 9092

Stewart's Ice Cream 1068 Main Street (518) 532 9095

Flanagan's Pub 1067 Main Street (518) 532 0175

Timberwolf Pub 1071 Main Street (518) 532 9586

Pitkins 1085  Main Street (518) 532  7918

Shirley's Diner 1081  Main Street (518) 5329449

Outer Schroon:

Paradox General Store 759 NYS Rt. 74. Paradox, NY 12858 (518) 532-7462

Adirondack Cafe 8015 State Route 9, Pottersville, NY 12860 (518) 494-5800

Adirondack General Store 899 County Road 15, Adirondack, NY 12808 (518) 494-4408

Black Bear Restaurant Route 9, Pottersville, NY 128601 (518) 494-9972

Treats For Mom

We’ve got the highlights from several of our area eateries who’ll be serving up some fine Mother’s Day Fare. Let us know about other restaurants with Specials in comments or email us at schroonlaker@me.com

Adirondack Café

Mother’s Day Brunch. All your favorite Cafe brunch buffet items will be offered: fresh fruit, P&E shrimp, slow roasted beef and chicken, home made mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, bacon & sausage, home made salads, peanut butter pie, cakes, and more!

$16 Adults. $14 Seniors. $8 Kids 7 – 12. $5 Kids 4 – 6.  Free: Kids 3 and Under.

Where and When: 10 am - 2:30pm. Reservations a must. 8015 State Route 9  Pottersville, NY 12860 (518) 494-5800

DeCesare's Pizza

All moms get a free, home-made dessert.

Where and When:  938 US Route 9. Schroon Lake, NY 12870 518-532 9200

Drake’s Restaurant

Mother’s Day marks the much anticipated Grand Re-Opening of Drake’s  -- now under new management. The restaurant will offer two pricing options for adults at $19.95 and $26.95. Theere’s a Kids Menu for $7.95

Choose an appetizer:

Clams Casino, Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Seafood Stuffed Mushrooms,Stuffed Eggplant, Seafood Bisque

Cream of Broccoli Soup

Main Course $19.95 Option:

Honey Baked Ham, with rum raisin sauce

Fresh Roast Turkey, with stuffing and natural gravy

Chicken and Eggplant Parmesan, with your choice of pasta

Stuffed New England Sole, with seafood stuffing and hollandaise sauce

8 oz. Choice Top Sirloin, with burgundy mushroom reduction

Main Course $26.95 Option

12 oz. Boneless Prime Rib

6 oz. Filet Mignon

Poached Atlantic Salmon, with hollandaise sauce

Fresh Maine Lobster boiled or baked with seafood stuffing

Surf & Turf . 8 oz Choice Top Sirloin with Seafood Stuffed Shrimp

Finish with a fresh made dessert:

NY Style Cheese Cake, plain or fresh strawberry

Sweet Potato Pecan Pie, with Chantilly Whipped Cream

Carrot Cake, with cream cheese frosting

Chocolate Mousse, with Chantilly Whipped Cream

Children’s Menu $7.95

Includes choice of entrée, beverage and dessert

Spaghetti,  4 oz Choice Top Sirloin, Chicken Fingers, Chicken Parmesan w/spaghetti.

Honey Baked Ham, Fresh Roast Turkey.

Children’s Dessert Selection

Brownie with Ice Cream and Chocolate sauce or Chocolate Ice Cream Sundae

Where and When:  1 p m – 8pm 1299 Us Route 9 Schroon Lake, NY 12870. (518) 532-9040

Shelby’s Kitchen Therapy

Gluten Free Delights inside Mr. P’s Mountain Smokehouse, is offering a Mother’s Day gift special.  It’s a Flower Pot Cupcake Bouquet, which comes with 6 floral cupcakes (gluten-free of course) in a reusable planter, with a packet of flower seeds for planting later. $25.  All are made to order. The deadline for ordering is Saturday, May 12 for pick up on Mother’s Day

Where and When: 1106 Us Route 9  Schroon Lake, NY 12870. (518) 532-4300

Witherbee’s Carriage House

Reservations are recommended for this Schroon Lake tradition. Mother’s Day Fixed Price Menu $22.50. The Fixed Price Menu includes home made Seafood Bisque or Tossed Green Artisan Salad, Fresh Mashed Potato, Vegetable of the day and Mocha Madness Cake or Fresh Berries and Cream

Entree Choice:

Prime Rib

Freshly Roasted Certified Angus Prime Rib of Beef served hot and tender

Witherbee’s Angus Steak topped with Lump Crab

Fresh 8 oz Certified Angus Steak topped with Lump Crab meat and Béarnaise sauce

Salmon with Mango Salsa

Grilled or Poached Salmon Filet topped with our own Home Made Fresh Mango Salsa

Fresh Home Made Chicken Marsala or Chicken Picatta

Fresh Hand Pounded Chicken Breast sautéed and finished in either a Marsala Wine and Mushrooms or

Lemon Sauce and Capers

Seafood Ciopino (Fisherman’s Stew) Fresh  Steamed Clams, Mussels, Jumbo Shrimp, Scallops and Haddock in a light Herbed Red Sauce and Clam Juice served over Pasta

Their regular menu is also available.

Where and When 581 US Route 9  Schroon Lake, NY 12870  (518) 532-9595

Drake's Is Back

Drake's Restaurant --- serving locals and summer people for more than 70 years --  is set for a Mother's Day re-opening, ending months of speculation about its future.

Restaurant veteran Carl DeSantis Jr., signed a 12 month lease on Sunday, promising to breathe new life into the Route 9 landmark.

"We will be ready for a Mother's Day opening, we'll close for a few days to review how things went, then be opening for the season on Friday, May 18," Carl told Schroon Laker.

"I want to return the restaurant to where it in once was. I've heard it had a rocky couple of years. I'm going to draw on my many years in the business to make this a success."

Carl is no stranger to Upstate New York or the food business. He grew up in the kitchens of several of his father's restaurants.

At one time his father owned 9 eateries, including several Howard Johnson franchises in Lake George, Clifton, Glens Falls and other well-known upstate restaurants including Carl R's, The Red Coach Grill and the Copper Kettle.

"I've been working in restaurants since I was a teenager. I eventually owned and ran my own restaurants, The Old Country Buffett and the Seven Steers Steakhouse in Long Lake."

Carl left the business, moved to North Carolina and took a career detour that landed him in the computer industry for 13 years. 
"I've been looking to get back into the business in this area for a couple of years now."

A Craigslist search lead him to Drake's. "I walked in and I thought this is it. The terms offered by Buddy (Nelson - the current owner) were favorable. This is a turn-key operation. It's ready to go."

Before signing the lease, Carl's first priority was finding a chef who could help him bring the restaurant back to its glory days. 

"The chef came to me highly recommended. He is very well respected by many people I trust. He and I both have high standards. He's very excited".
Carl declined to name the chef pending him getting out of his current gig.

As for the menu, Carl will build on and tweak the current line-up, which is known for its prime rib, tenderloin, fresh lobster and Italian fare.

"I want to take it a little upscale. The new chef has some very good ideas. Maybe a bit less Italian. I also want to add to the menu comfort food priced a little lower.

"I want this place to appeal to everyone. Locals, tourists, second home owners. I'm looking forward to becoming part of this community."

As for any immediate physical changes to the restaurant, Carl says he will keep the nautical themed dining room decor the same. 
"What it needs is a good going over with elbow grease. There are more important things than a re-design".

Carl says he speaks daily with former owner Tony Bartolomeo, who has provided valuable insights into the restaurant's history. "Tony ran this place for 30 years. He is a great source of knowledge for me."

Carl is looking forward to a busy season and hopes to welcome back the many locals who have supported the restaurant in the past.

"I want people who come here to feel comfortable and welcome and glad they came."

Carl says the motel side of Drake's will be operated by the family of the current owners of the complex.

The restaurant is now interviewing candidates for all positions. To make an appointment call 518 532-9040.

Drake’s Restaurnt and Motel. (About one mile north of downtown)  1295 US Route 9,
Schroon Lake, NY 12870

Spring Spruce Up Shutters Two Eateries

We are sad to report that Flanagan’s Pub and Witherbee’s Carriage House (pictured above) will be closed for their yearly Spring cleaning starting this week.

But the good news is that Flanagan’s will re-open this Thursday, April 12, and Witherbee’s will be ready for business on Thursday, April 19.

And mark your calendars for Saturday, April 21^st, for the return to Witherbee’s of our favorite ADK country rockers, The In-laws, who will be sure to shake loose any dust particles that may have escaped the eagle eyes of Amanda and Patty.

Got local restaurant news? Tell us in comments or shoot us an email at schroonlaker@me.com

Cajun Country In Schroon Lake

We can almost smell the crawfish boil from here! And that means it’s the annual Witherbee's Carriage House Bayou Bob Crawfish Boil, starting today and going through Saturday.

Bill and Patty have had thousands of pounds of crawfish flown in from Louisiana for this special event, which memorializes Louisiana native and long time Schroon Lake resident Bobby Matchutas.

Bob taught Bill and Patty all of the secrets to a traditional Louisiana Crawfish Boil, including a dizzying array of spices and the precise timing required to achieve that authentic Cajun taste

Schroon Laker Joe Stieniger has the terrific back story behind the Boil on his North Country Rambler blog. It's a fun read.

 For $12.95 you get a pound of crawfish, corn, potato and assorted veggies.

Tonight  there's Cajun music by 2 Guys DJ and The Adirondack Bluegrass Band performs on Saturday night.

Witherbee’s Carriage House 581 US Route 9. 518-532-9595