There’s Good Eats This Marathon Weekend in Schroon

Just because the summer is over -- doesn’t mean the good eats in and around Schroon are gone -- not be a long shot. But many restaurants have new hours to accommodate the decrease in crowds since the summer folks have largely packed up and retreated south.

Mr. P’s Mountain Smokehouse, has new fall hours, kicking off today. The new hours are 11:30 am to 8 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. And to celebrate the Fall, there’s a new, featured sandwich (pictured above), “The Cubano”. It’s a pressed sandwich of smoked pulled pork, ham, dill pickles, Swiss cheese and a touch of spicy mustard. And that, dear readers, has my name written all over it.

At Witherbee’s Carriage House – one of the official sponsors of the marathon – they will be carbo loading their guests all weekend with their special pasta station. Their regular menu is also available.

And Friday night, the rocking Willie Playmore Band – will indeed by playing more, rocking out in the loft.

The new improved Drake’s will have special marathon hours this weekend. Friday: 4pm – 10 pm and Saturday and Sunday: 12 pm – 10 pm. Chef Lorenzo is cooking up a special pasta on Saturday night.

At new comer Sticks and Stones, there are new Fall and Winter hours. Monday to Thursday  4pm - 10pm and  Friday & Saturday  11:30-11:00pm.  Sunday hours are 11:30-10:00pm.

Scallops and deep fried fettuccine at Sticks & Stones

Decesare’s Pizza will have their full menu all weekend, with hours on Friday and Saturday, 4pm  – 9pm and on Sunday from 11am - to 8pm.

Breakfast options abound this weekend, including the all you can eat buffet at Joanies Baked Goodies, crepes at Morningstar Bistro, and hearty egg and waffle dishes at Higher Grounds and traditional breakfast fare at Shirley’s Diner.

And Flanagan’s Pub, Pitkin’s, Alpine Pizza, The Timberwolf Pub and  El Mexicana will be open for lunch and dinner this weekend.

A Chicken And A Lobster, Walk Into A Bar

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

It’s that time of the year – when the Kings of the Ocean take on the cluckers from the barnyard!

Or more precisely, the rivalry between the cooking teams at the annual Chicken and Lobster Bake or Lobster and Chicken Bake  – depending which team you are on – this Saturday at the Fish and Game Club.

The good-natured rivalry boils (pun intended) down to this:

The guys who throw the lobsters into boiling water for a few minutes, versus the barbecue masters, who lovingly rub hundreds of chickens, tend the coals for hours and make sure the birds are roasted to perfection. (If you sense a whiff of bias you are right – yours truly has been invited to join the Chefs on “Team Chicken” aka the Bullet Pond Boyz.

For a primer on the rivalry, read our post here, where Chicken Chief Joe Steiniger lays out the history.

And if you are planning on going – you literally only have a few hours to get your tickets: the club has to order an exact number of lobsters and chickens, and the deadline to get yours ends tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.

To grab your ticket call Tracy Hanchett at (518) 532-7953 ASAP!

If you miss the deadline there is plenty of food for sale on the day: hot dogs, burgers, sausages and peppers.

This year the hungry masses will be entertained by the a cappella Doo Wop group Flipsydz  (Flipsides).

So come on out on Saturday – and see The Chicken and Lobster boys and gals in action!

Where and When: Schroon Lake Fish and Game Club, Hoffman Road. Schroon Lake

The Lobster Crew

Food, Glorious Food: And Drink

In no particulare order, Witherbee’s Carriage House kicks off the long Labor Day Weekend of 2013 tonight (Thursday) with a  Jack Daniel's steak and mushrooms special, part of their regular Thursday Steak Night specials. Eat your cow while listening to the talented troop of Open Mic performers.

For fan’s of the world’s best BBQ  -- that would be Mr. P's Mountain Smokehouse --  a few of their seasonal menu items will soon be gone, making way for some fall specials. From Mr P:

So get your salt potato fix, try the Bahn Mi featured sandwich, nibble on some smoked salmon or have some grilled asparagus with your dinner, 'cuz come Labor Day, they'll be gone!

And Mr P’s fans -- check out a special offer in the Mr. P’s ad -- to the right of screen, to make your dining experience 10 per cent better!

Down the road at Joanies Baked Goodies they’ll have their all you can eat weekend buffett brunch for $5.99, which includes egg strata, bacon, sausage, home fries, fresh fruit, pastries, muffins, fabulous french toast, belgium waffles and much more! They also are open in the evenings with Mexican fare at their new El Mexicana Restaurant.

At the Paradox Brewery -- where you buy your beer in growlers -- they are happy to introduce to the thirsty public their new “Growlette”,  still a $5 deposit, and $5 to fill (It equals around two pints).

We are just back from getting our Big Boys filled ($10 a piece) with their Pils (spectacular), IPA (double spectacular) and their Summer Ale (yummy).

The other new comer in town, Sticks and Stones is also getting in on the growler scene with their own Grab n’ Go Growlers, which you can have filled with Paradox offerings, and those from Switchback, Davidson Brothers, ADK Brewery and Sam Adams.

And while it’s not printed on the menu or always on their specials board, Drakes can make you what’s turned out to be one of our favorite dishes of the season: Zuppa Langosta!

And we have fallen in love with the Asian Salad from DeCesare's Pizza. We order ours with the Balsamic Vinigerette.

Meanwhile in outer Schroon, The Owl at Twilight, starting the week of September 5th, will only be open Thursday through Sunday  -- until Columbus Day weekend.

Got foodie news to share? Tip us via email at schroonlaker@me.com.

Breakfast in Schroon In the 1960s: Anchovies, Anyone?

This is what was on offer at the famous Scaroon Manor -- in the 1950s-1960s era. Who knew seafood was such a popular breakfast item  but only if you got to the dining room before 10:30 am. For those sleepy-heads, all you were offered was fruit, cereal, butter rolls and coffee. Do any of our readers remember eating at Scaroon Manor? Tell us about your experience in our comments section.