Why is there only one Yelp page for the inn, dining room, and bar combined? Kind of makes it…read moreuseless. I notified Yelp but I don't think it can be changed now, with many reviews already. Oh well. I've tried the dining room and bar so I'm reviewing 2 out of 3 here.
First the bar. I've been here several times now. Spectacular view, ok food, not great drinks. Now to the details.
The setting is spectacular, on a grassy peninsula jutting out into Lake Champlain. Water on 3 sides, the Green Mountains across the lake. Sit outside at the tables on the lawn or under the roof, which is still outside because it has open sides. It can be very windy here! But that's part of the fun.
Under the roof, where I sat, you can choose the high tables down the center, the benches to the sides, or at the bar itself, which was either repurposed from, or built to resemble, a classic wooden motorboat. (See photo.) I've always sat at the high tables which aren't that comfortable with their noisy metal stools, but I wasn't into the bar seating and the benches are reserved for groups of 3 or more.
I've tried the fish and chips and the fish tacos. Both are ok. The fish batter tends to be slightly overcooked and a bit greasy but the fish is fresh and the portion size is good. The fries are decent. The main problem is the usual one with fried seafood dinners: the coleslaw is an afterthought, hardly more than a thimble-sized serving. It was ok but I'd prefer less coarse texture, less mayonnaise, and sweeter dressing.
For some strange reason they serve their food on wire baskets with legs and lined with fake newspaper. Maybe ok for finger food but try using a fork: it plunges through the paper and goes through the basket! Kind of dumb.
Drinks: avoid the mixed drinks. They are very weak and overly sweet. Surely from a mix. And served in disposable plastic cups, not even quality ones, more like flimsy Dixie Cups. Not festive at all.
The first time I went I had a margarita on the rocks. Next time, a frozen daiquiri. Big mistake. It came with a dollop of whipped cream on top! What? The? Hell? I hope I wasn't too rude when I noticed this travesty, stopped my waiter from walking away, and demanded a replacement. In my defense I was pretty incredulous when I saw it. Is this a thing now? It better not be. Do I have to remember to request no whipped cream on my daiquiris from now on? Up to now it wouldn't have occurred to me, just as it wouldn't occur to request no anchovies! Strange new world.
On my most recent visit I tried the sangria. This I actually did like. Tart and tangy, fruity, and plenty of wine. But still served in the cheap plastic cup.
On all my visits I've never been offered dessert. I didn't really want any but it's normal to ask. Do they not have dessert or did they just forget? I'm not sure, but come to think of it I don't recall seeing any on the menu. That's unusual.
On to the dining room. I guess this is the closest thing to "fine dining" on the Champlain islands but it falls short. The food is competent but undistinguished. I had scallops with risotto. The scallops had a maple glaze and were nicely seared. The risotto was cheesy rather than creamy and I appreciated that for its lighter quality. But the portion size was off: Not enough scallops and too much risotto. Yes they were very large scallops but three is just not enough no matter how big.
Having prior experience with undersized scallop entree portions elsewhere I asked the waitress before I ordered how many it comes with. She replied, "I don't know, maybe 4 or 5?". Well that's not an answer but I let it go. As I said above, the actual number was 3 (very large ones). That's not the response I expect from my waitress; if you don't know you find out and get back to the customer. All in all, our waitress was satisfactory, though not particularly personable. Other than the host who greeted us when we entered she was the only person we dealt with during our meal.
We shared an arancini appetizer that we both enjoyed.
Dessert was a flourless chocolate cake. That's all it was: a slab of cake. Good for what it was but boring without add-ons like a sauce, some fruit, or whatever. It fell far below my expectations for this level of restaurant.
As for ambience, I think they were going for a country home feel on the enclosed porch, with its white walls and blue wood chairs. Too bad it is across the road from the Lake and there aren't really any views - go over to the bar for that.
Bottom line: nothing wrong with the place but undistinguished and not really worth another visit.
