Summary: A Most Romantic Destination in its Own Right, the Food and Wine at Friends Lake Inn Make Any Occasion Extraordinary!
 |
The Inn from outside |
Perhaps best known for its extensive wine cellars, Friends Lake Inn is one of the premier restaurants in the Adirondacks. This award winning restaurant has over 25,000 bottles of wine, and won the prestigious Wine Spectator Grand Award and the distinguished DiRona Award for fine dining.
Our trip to the Inn coincided with a four foot snowstorm, which made us quite happy. Friends Lake Inn is just a few minutes from Gore Mountain, and we love the snow! The Inn draws people from all over the world, but we are fortunate enough to live in New York’s Capital Region. The Friends Lake Inn is the most romantic of getaways and just over an hour’s drive away.
Upon arriving we were warmly welcomed by owners John and Trudy Phillips. The Phillips take great pains to make sure every detail of their guests stay or dining experience is flawless. They seated us near the large stone fireplace in the main dining room where the lighting and the atmosphere is romantic and tranquil. We were then handed “the wine list”, a massive leather bound book that is larger than an epic novel with over 2200 different types of wines.
 |
Salad served with cranberries, pecan and pistachios |
Using only fresh, organic and local produce whenever possible, this restaurant offers new American cuisine with international influences. If you are looking for value we recommend the MAP meal plan with an overnight stay. If you do take advantage of the meal plan, as John says, “save room for dessert”.
 |
Crepe with Vanilla Beure |
Crepe with a vanilla beure blanc reduction ($15). This was absolutely the best appetizer that I’ve ever had. This alone is worth the trip. If you are traveling to North Creek with the intention of going skiing and with no time for dinner, at least stop by for this appetizer and a glass of wine as this is something everyone should experience!
 |
The Artisan Cheese plate |
My dining partner enjoyed the artisan cheeses ($12) featuring some of the award-winning cheeses for which the Friends Lake Inn is well known. I then tried the tasty mixed greens which are locally grown and served with sun dried cranberries, pecan and pistachio praline and crumbled blue cheese ($8).
For the main course I ordered the grilled black angus filet of beef. Certainly, most restaurants can prepare beef to perfection, so what sets Friend’s Lake apart? The accompaniments! With a rich, tangy
 |
Grilled Black Angus |
zinfandel demi glace the meat was transformed into a heavenly dish, this served with porcini potato dauphinois, and brown butter sautéed asparagus and grilled Vidalia onions… well, you get the picture, it’s anything but ordinary. When you come, expect to try things you have never tried and delight in the unexpected. My dining partner ordered the grilled venison strip loin and elk bratwurst served with a portwine and chocolate demiglace, roasted fingerling potatoes and acarmelized mirepoix ($32). He was as impressed as I and told me that his
meal was exceptional.
Of course, if you are just traveling through or if you choose stay over and select the meal plan you can’t skip the dessert - this is not a time to count calories but rather to indulge your senses! I highly recommend the Triple chocolate delight; it was a chocolate lovers dream!
|
