A Yummy Favorite Returns

After a short winter hiatus, The Morningstar Bistro opens it's doors today at 10 am. Owner Myriam Friedman says during the break she was able to spruce up the restaurant, refinishing the floors and give it an early, deep Spring Cleaning.

"We enjoyed the break. It was the first time we'd taken some time off in the winter," Mryiam told Schroon Laker today. All of the restuarant's yummy crepes, soups and sandwhiches are back, and Myriam says she plans on expanding the menu with occassional specials this year.

One of the new items rolls out this week: a smoke salmon crepe, served with smoked salmon, cream cheese and capers.

'I got the inspiration when I had something similair. I liked it it, so I decidd to give it a try here.

The Morningstar Bistro, 1079 Main Street, Schroon Lake, 12870. 518 532 0707

Chili Cooks Up Some Big Bucks

Picture: The chefs of the 2012 Great Schroon Lake Chili Cook Off

By any measure, the first ever Schroon Laker Chili Cook Off was a huge success. The incredible offerings from the home cooks and area restaurants were simply delicious. But the best part was the incredible amount of money raised to help support the Schroon Lake EMS Squad: $550!

And a huge congrats goes to organizer and local restaurantuer Shelby Davis. By her sheer tenacity and will power to make this event the success it was, the EMS squad and the community at large were able to benefit. Time and again, the folks of Schroon and surrounding towns have come out, dug deep into their pockets, to help local charities, organizations and families in need.

Shelby -- and her partner Chris Palmatier (from Mr P's Mountain Smokehouse and Shelby's Kitchen Therapy), have been here a little over 8 months. Yet they have whole heartedly embraced their new community and given back to it in spades. They are not alone. Many of our restaurants, other businesses and residents -- without hestitation -- are always there to step up to the plate and help out. We salute you all.

Here is a full list of all of the winners and runners up:

Best Meaty Chili

1st Place Trophy – Witherbee’s Carriage House, Witherbee’s Buckboard Chili
2nd Place TIE – Paradox General Store and Cafe, Paradox Beef Chili and Paradox Turkey Chili
3rd Place – Linda Gomes, Nat’cho Grandma’s Chili

Best Veggie Chili

1st Place Trophy – Witherbee’s Carriage House, Carriage House Vegetarian Chili
2nd Place - Fred Pospisil, Winter Trekkin Vegetarian Chili  

People’s Choice Award

1st Place Trophy – Ruthie Peterson, Hot Stuff  21
2nd Place – Mr. P’s Mountain Smokehouse, Mr. P’s Award Winning Chili
3rd Place – Beth Buell, Nat’cho Grandpa’s Chili

Schroon Lake Getting Ready For Big Blue

When the sun sets on this glorious, sunny, Winter’s Day   -- and If you’re looking for a place to hang out and watch Big Blue tackle the Pats  -- all three pubs in town are showing the game.

Downtown, Flanagan’s and Timberwolf’s will have all of their sets tuned to the game, serving their regular menu.

Across the street, check out the special’s at Mr. P’s Mountain Smokehouse featuring wings and ribs cooked up by Chris Palmatier. Next door, Alpine Pizza is having their own wingfest (A dozen for $8.95, 30 for $19.45 and 50 for 30.95 includes celery and carroty sticks and blue cheese dressing).

Heading south down Route 9, Debbie at DeCesare’s Pizza is also serving up wings as part of their Super Bowl Specials.

And a tiny bit further south at Witherbee’s Carriage House, all eyes will be on their huge projection screen with surround sound. And they’ll be serving up Beef and Brew specials throughout the game. For $10 you can get a burger and a beer, or a cheese steak and a beer.  And there’s their regular Sunday Prime Rib Special, 12 or 14 ounce cut, salad, mashed potatoes, veggie and dessert ($17.95 or $19.95)

Schroon's Super Bowl Of Chicken Wings

 

Picture: Ribs from Mr P's Mountain Smokehouse

In one corner we’ve got Deb DeCesare and her baked wings. In the other, Chris Palmatier, who is gonna smoke ‘em.

Having tasted each of the offerings, we’re huge fans of both styles of wings and we are happy to report that both DeCesare’s Pizza, and Mr. P’s Mountain Smokehouse, are serving up special deals that include wings this Super Bowl Sunday.  Remember to place your orders early.

“We bake our wings. We send them through our pizza oven. We don't fry our wings. Last year we went through 7 cases of fresh wings just on Super Bowl. On a normal night we sell any where from 1 to 2 cases a night,” says Deb. The wings are served with Blue Cheese Dressing

DeCesare's Pizza. 518-532-9800

Have got two specials. 2 x 12 cut cheese pizzas with 24 wings for $34.95. They also have an 8 cut cheese pizza with 12 wings for $15.95. Toppings on the pizzas are extra.

Picture: DeCesare's Wings

Mr. P’s Mountain Smokehouse. 518 532-4300

Tailgate #1
  1 dozen wings, smoked and grilled, tossed in your choice of Mr. P’s sauce,
 1 rack of ribs, 13-14 bones 
and 1 bag Mr. P’s kettle chips 
$25

Tailgate #2
  1 dozen wings
, 1 rack of ribs
, 1 dozen pulled pork sliders and 
1 bag Mr. P’s kettle chips
 $50

Tailgate #3  
2 dozen wings,
 2 racks of ribs
, 2 dozen pulled pork sliders, 
2 bags Mr. P’s Kettle chips 
$95

Fishing For Pasta

Picture: Dennis Cooper,  Joe Steiniger,  Dr. Frank Mayle and Bob Gray.  

Schroon Lake’s famous chicken cookin’ crew  -- aka The Bullet Pond Boyz --  are getting ready to feed hungry fishermen and women at the upcoming Schroon Lake Ice Fishing Derby.

But there won’t be a bird in sight. Instead, the Boyz will be donning their Itaian chef's hats, and serving up a Penne Pasta Dinner, served with either a Bolognese meat sauce or little neck clams, with olive oil and white wine. Yum!

The pasta is served with a tossed green salad, homemade Italian dressing with fresh baked bread and butter. All for $10.

Throughout the Derby, the crew will be serving up $2 hamburgers, $1.50 dogs or the North Country Rambler's famous chili for $2.

This is one of the few fundraisers that the club runs each year and we wish them well.