with a view. Anne Alsina, a partner in Saranac Lake's Le Bank
Café, an authentic reflection of café life in Paris, highlights her
experiences in France, where she learned her cra. Chef Gregg
Michaud, who developed his skills working with Fred Richards
decades ago and spent twenty years in the kitchens of the Mirror
Lake Inn, opened Farmhouse Café near the speed-skating oval
in Lake Placid. ere is no better breakfast menu to be found
anywhere in the Park.
When asked "What was it like to fulfill that dream of ownership,
that moment when the keys to the shop were in your hand?" the
responses were quite similar:
"Terrified and exhilarated."
- Chef Vargo
"I was so excited."
- Chef Andrea
"I was very excited — too young to know what I didn't know."
- Chef Levitz
"Elation and nervousness. We were taking over a local iconic
business, not just a restaurant."
- Chef Bromley
From Saranac Lake to Lake George and Tupper Lake to Old
Forge, chefs have been testing their mettle for decades — opening
restaurants that carry their names and reputations, places
that reflect their personal history, vivid food experiences, and
connections with the beauty of the Adirondacks. Each season,
menus are adjusted to accommodate ingredients at their peak,
stories are told through the hands of seasoned chefs, and guests
are welcomed into operations that are a reflection of the people
who own them. Many other restaurants (too extensive for this
article) in the Park fly under the banner of chef ownership, a fact
that serves the region well. ere is no shortage of food diversity
and unique restaurant experiences to lure locals and visitors alike
to the wonders of the Adirondacks.
A sampling of chef-owned restaurants
currently operating in the Adirondacks:
BLUE MOON CAFÉ
https://www.bluemoonadk.com/
SALT OF THE EARTH
https://www.saltoheearthbistro.com/
PURPLE SAIGE BISTRO
https://www.facebook.com/saige1996
TOP OF THE PARK
https://www.topohepark.bar/
FIDDLEHEAD BISTRO
http://www.thefiddleheadbistro.com/
LEFT BANK CAFÉ
https://lebankcafe36.com/
CASA DEL SOL
https://www.facebook.com/CasadelSolSL
THE LODGE AT LAKE CLEAR
https://www.lakeclearlodge.com/
FARMHOUSE CAFÉ
https://www.facebook.com/Farmhouse-
Cafe-1446770352208591/
MR. MIKE'S PIZZA
https://www.facebook.com/
MrMikesPizzaandItalianRestaurant/
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