Country Inn Dining Menu

Summer Dining in the Adirondacks with Friends…

Originally known as Murphy's Friends Lake Inn, this landmark Inn was built in the 1860's. It provided a “home away from home” for men working in the local tanneries, a primary industry of early Chestertown. Logging in the Adirondacks was at its peak in the early 1900’s and the tanneries used the bark of trees, a by-product of the logging industry, to soften hides.

By the Prohibition Era, the Inn had become one of a number of popular Adirondack summer retreats, particularly for New Yorkers looking for a break from the hot, crowded city. Horse-drawn carriages transported guests to the Inn, who disembarked from the New York-North Creek train at the “Glen” rail stop (now Route 28.) Guests arrived for the summer laden with trunks to enjoy quiet days at the lake and nights of dancing and revelry at the “Grill” (as the Bar was fondly known) which used to be across the street. There was camaraderie between the different Inns on the lake, inter-Inn baseball games, dances, etc. Guests took three square meals a day at the Inn, at “their” assigned table. Dinner was an especially extravagant affair. Ladies and men would dress in dinner attire, start with cocktails at the “Grill” across the street, come back to the Inn’s Main Dining Room for dinner, and often return to the “Grill” for dancing afterwards. A “House Band” was employed each summer season to play nightly.

As car travel became a way of life, motels became the preferred lodging for vacationers in the Lake George area, ending the glory days of the Adirondack grand hotels. A victim of the times, the Inn closed in 1969 and was vacant for 14 years. In 1983 the inn was purchased and a the massive renovation project began. Over the next 20 years there were many significant and dramatic improvements to the Inn. John & Trudy Phillips the innkeepers continue with the never ending process of maintaining and improving this wonderful old property.

Our Chef is  pleased to offer you a menu representative of our mutual philosophy on gastronomy. Only fresh, organic and wherever possible local ingredients are used in the culinary preparation and we all strive to live up to the credo of "perfection without pretense".

 Innkeepers, John and Trudy Phillips

APPETIZERS

Artisan Cheeses please choose three from our selection of local and international cheeses served house made chutney &  baguette
Scallop and Lobster Stuffed Corn Crêpe with vanilla bean beurre blanc, pecan and pistachio praline with chopped scallions
Morel and Black Trumpet Ravioli  truffle and spinach alfredo
Bloody Mary Gazpacho avocado foam and lemongrass poached shrimp
Slow Roasted Rabbit Loin apple risotto and green grape sauce
Butter Poached Brazilian Lobster Tail mango salsa and dill crème frâiche
Duck Confit Cake grilled pineapple relish and frisée
Braised Wild Boar Belly peach barbeque sauce, potato bacon risotto
Prince Edward Island Mussels diablo escoffier sauce
Pan Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras crisp duck prosciutto, marble rye toast and bourbon glaze

SOUPS and SALADS

Soup Du Jour   
Watermelon and Cucumber Salad frisée with mint champagne vinaigrette
Summer Corn Cob Soup

Greek Salad smoked trout, spring mix, feta, olives and tomatoes with lemon Tzatziki dressing

Mixed Greens sun-dried cranberries, pecan and pistachio praline, crumbled bleu cheese and a balsamic vinaigrette

ENTRÉES

Grilled Angus  Filet of Beef  bordelaise sauce, herbed potatoes and grilled broccoli

 

Grilled Honey Glazed Wild Boar Chops herb infused farro, grilled fennel, bell peppers and sautéed spinach

Hickory Rubbed Pork Chop  whole grain mustard apple demi glace, German bacon potato salad and tri-colored carrots

Cast Iron Seared Bison Tenderloin strawberry demi glace, sweet & spicy polenta fries and grilled summer squash

Oven Roasted Statler Chicken Breast  filled with Madeira marinated lump crab, with herb mash, tomato bruschetta and béchamel sauce

Sesame Encrusted Yellow Fin Tuna blood orange soy beurre blanc, saffron risotto and steamed broccoli

Chef's Vegetable Creation Du Jour

Pan Seared Sturgeon pineapple thyme infused  fumet, lobster & squid ink ravioli, roasted fennel, bell peppers & pickled red onions

Grilled NY Strip Steak and Blackened Sea Scallops red bliss oregano mash and grilled corn off the cob

                                                                                                                                                                     
       CHEESE COURSE

Choose three Artisan Cheeses from our cheese cart of local and international cheeses served with assorted crackers                                                                                                                        

 

Inn Guests, please note: Your meal plan includes
soup or salad, entrée, dessert, coffee or tea.

Parties of more than 8;  for your convenience,
an 18% gratuity will be added to your check.

If you have any allergies at all please let the Chef's  know before ordering. Thank you!

Chef, Matthew Bolton                                   Sous Chef, Scott Dewar

 

 



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Friends Lake Inn • 963 Friends Lake Road • Chestertown, NY 12817 • 518 494-4751 • Fax: 518 494-4616