Schroon Lake Foodie Round Up

Picture: Courtesy Shelby Davis. Mr. P's Mountain Smokehouse

There’s a boat load of terrific eats  -- and deals -- in Schroon Lake this week.  Here’s a quick round up of what’s new.

Mr. P’s Mountain Smokehouse and Shelby’s Kitchen Therapy

Cup Cake Speacial Flavor of the day:  Orange Creamsicle. With citrus whipped cream frosting and garnished with orange zest. On this hot day they'll be chillin' in the fridge. As always, they are yummy and #glutenfree

Flanagan’s Pub

Drink Special: Cool off on this hot day with one of Penny’s very  cool  -- in fact frozen -- Pina Coladas

Witherbee’s Carriage House

Thursday Specials.Their first shipment of Maine Lobster is on the menu tonight. $14.95 – no frills style – served with drawn butter. Or do a Surf n Turf, combining it with a Sirloin steak dinner  – done one of seven ways --  with salad, veggie and desert for $24.95.

Drake’s Restaurant

Thursday Specials. Broiled Scallops (8 ounces)  $24.95, Baked Haddock $19. Veal Parm $19. Served with a choice of soup or salad and pasta, potatoes or rice.

Got Foodie News? Leave us a comment below or shoot us an email at schroonlaker@me.com

Good Bye Paradox Store

For Jean Scalise, it was a dream come true when she and her husband purchased the Paradox General Store and Cafe four years ago.

Jean, a Massachusetts transplant, who had a camp here for years, remembers the day in March of 2008 when she had husband sat in the cafe and dreamed big.

"We counted the cars as they passed on Route 74," Jean recalled today. "And we said to ourselves, we could make a go of this."

Fast forward four years. While the summer seasons have been kind to the business, it was the winters that ultimately lead to the shuttering of the store.

"We didn't have the business in winter to keep us going year round. The numbers simply didn't add up." Jean said she did everything she could to keep the business going.  They expanded the menu, had daily specials and offered catering services.

But above all, Jean is extremely proud of the business and the sense of family and community she built around it.

"I fell in love with ths place the moment I set foot in here. I loved to cook and thought I'd gve it a shot," said the former postal worker. "We did a lot of renovations to bring it to where it is today."

"I have no regrets about what's hapened. Of course I'm disappionted that we couldn't come to some arrangement with the current mortgage holder.

"But I'm very proud of what I've created here, the atmosphere, the sense of family that peple feel when they come in here".

It's that atmosphere that will be missed most by long time customer Dora Mueller, an 89 year grandmom who has called Paradox Lake home since 1984, after summering here most of her married life.

"I've known all of the owners  and she's the best one we've had," Dora said. "She's made this place a very family, friendly place. It's like my second home. The food is wonderful. I feel like Jean is part of my extended family. She doesn't deserve what's happened. It breaks my heart."

Early this morning, a stream of customers said their good-byes to Jean.

"Enjoy your retirement," said one. "Are you kidding?," said Jean. "I've got a lot of life left in me and I've got bills to pay."

Friend and co-worker Tracey Whitty said she hopes that with the closing of the restaurant, it's a sign that another door and opportunity will open. "We really hope that something positive will come out of this."

Jean said later that if the opportunity arose, she'd love to continue in the restaurant business.

"But the truth is this has taken a huge financial toll on me. We'll see what happens."

Today could be Jean's last day, depending on "how long the food lasts". Jean has to be out of the restaurant by June 4. After that she'll move back to her camp in Paradox.

Got a memory of Jean and the Paradox Store?

Share it with us in comments.

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