Country Inn Dining Menu

Winter 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
Pan Seared Sea Scallops  turmeric infused celeriac, pickled red onions and beet lemon vinaigrette
Potato Gnocchi   Marsala thyme sauce with spinach, slow roasted tomatoes and parmesan
Prince Edward Island Mussels tomato chorizo sauce and steamed leeks
Pan Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras ver jus reduction and wild berry French toast
Cast Iron Seared Veal Medallions  rosemary scented demi and  creamy polenta

SOUPS and SALADS

Soup Du Jour   
Hearty Lamb Stew  

Port Poached Pear  with spring mix, shredded duck confit, herb croutons and creamy brie dressing

 

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

ENTRÉES

Grilled Beef Tenderloin rosemary demi glace with wild mushroom potato dauphinoise and steamed cauliflower

 

Slow Braised Lamb Shank wild mushroom au jus, Yukon parsnip mash and grilled juniper dusted asparagus

Cast Iron Seared Venison Tenderloin Dark berry chocolate sauce, with toasted quinoa and sauteed spinach

Oven Roasted All Natural Chicken Breast Nettle Meadow goat cheese infused pesto, rissole potatoes, oven dried tomatoes and carrot honey purée

Pan Seared Wild Striped Bass ginger beurre blanc, sautéed asparagus and shrimp saffron risotto

Vegetarian du Jour

Winter Seafood  Bouillabaisse mussels, scallops and rock lobster tail in a crushed red pepper leek, and white wine broth with potatoes, slow roasted tomatoes and pickled red cabbage

Grilled Elk Chop  huckleberry chocolate demi with baked sweet potatoes and arugula

                                                                                                                                                                     
       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

 

 



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