LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk 29 Treat yourself! We recommend dining at KANU at the Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid. LOCALadk team mem- ber Paul Sorgule and his wife enjoyed a delicious meal, excellent service and pure Adirondack ambiance. He shared their thoughts and impressions. It was January and 14 below zero in Lake Placid at 6pm as we parked our car and crunched through the snow-covered walkway to Whiteface Lodge. The evergreen trees and stone partitions outlining the property were alive with tiny white lights welcom- ing those brave souls who were compelled to deal with the elements of winter. Cars were lined up with guests checking in for the weekend and bellman were busy accommodating newly arrived visitors. Every employee we passed offered a sincere "good evening, welcome to Whiteface Lodge". The bitter cold began to melt away as real Adirondack Hospitality kicked into high gear. It had been some time since we walked through this entranceway, but just as in the past we were surprised by the warmth of the architecture and the aroma of active fireplaces and deep scented pine beams. This place is exactly what you would expect from a trea- sured Adirondack Great Camp. Moving up rustic stairs to the second floor we came to the entrance of Kanu, their full-service restaurant. Once again, every person along the way offered their greetings. The room is spectacular! Vaulted ceilings easily thir- ty feet at their peak were supported by massive, hand hewn, polished logs, two incredible floor-to-ceiling stone fireplaces, and custom camp style chandeliers that accented the room. The fires were crackling, sending out their perfume, and the far wall of win- dows looked out on a snow-covered porch with vistas that were blocked by night sky, but would certainly reveal views of Adirondack High Peaks and forests during daylight. Tables and chairs were a cross between rustic and elegant with polished wood and fabric, natural twig work, and tabletop appointments that married well with the feel of the room. Service throughout the meal was exceptional: friendly and polished. Our server was helpful, knowl- edgeable, and sincere. There was no doubt that staff at this property are well trained and empowered to add their personalities to the environment. The menu, although not overly extensive, was rich and very well prepared. Reminiscent of a masculine, woodsy retreat, it featured large steaks and chops, a few traditionally influenced French dishes like Con- fit of Duck and Navarin of Lamb, two seafood items: Artic Char and a Red Snapper feature both with unique twists, and a pasta dish with winter truffles. The chef, born and trained in Quebec, was strongly influenced by his father who was also a chef spending time in Manhattan practicing his craft. He visited our table and gladly spoke of his background and style of cooking. We received a perfectly prepared first course (not on the menu) of foie gras terrine with figs and brioche and enjoyed beautiful salads as an introduction to well prepared fish entrees. The wine list was quite extensive, and I was pleased to see a balanced variety of wines by the glass. Each wine was presented in its most appropriate glassware (something now found in many restaurants). I chose a Pinot Noir from the west coast, and my wife a food-friendly red blend. Both worked well with our chosen courses. As a finale the chef presented a chocolate Bavarian dish that was impossible to ignore even though we were quite full. Even the coffee was exceptional, something that many restaurants tend to ignore. Leaving Kanu, those same staff members offered us safe travels and a word of thanks for visiting White- face Lodge. Even the General Manager went out of his way to thank us for spending time with his staff. It was even colder out as we sat in our car wait- ing for the windshield to defrost (on the inside) and turned onto a dark Adirondack road in route home. It had been some time since we had ventured out to a restaurant, something that we had done frequently in years past. We were both glad that we did and were grateful for the experience that Whiteface Lodge and the staff of Kanu Restaurant provided.

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