Table Talk: Shoreline Restaurant
There is no better way to end a beautiful holiday weekend in Lake George than with a dinner by the lake. Such a weekend was Memorial Day 2012. This particular Memorial Day boasted magnificent weather, huge crowds, wonderful parades in honor of our service personnel and smiles all around.
My holiday weekend consisted of having spent Saturday on the lake and a bar-be-que with my family, joined by Lady Fireworks and her close friend. On Monday I again enjoyed our glorious lake while celebrating Companion’s friend’s new promotion as president of a capital district college with a day in Sandy Bay and a choice of dining options by the lake (we hoped).
One restaurant suffered a propane failure, another wouldn’t open until June 21 and another, unbelievably, was closed on Memorial Day. Undaunted, we set out for one of our favorites; Jim and Ginny Quirk’s Shoreline in Lake George Village.
Tucked in behind a row of Canada Street Shops, behind the Post Office, it is sometimes an out-of-sight, out-of-mind place. But it’s perfect in many respects, with great views of the Lake, the Village’s walkway, cruise ships and has on-site parking. There are covered and open decks, as well as two levels inside affording everyone views through large picture windows.
The small bar inside overlooks the lake and mountains and is hosted by Mike DeMeo, a baseball guru and devoted Boston Red Sox fan. The fresh popped popcorn is a must, as well as pirate hats for the children.
The Quirks have brought back Chef Eileen Arnet for another year and have introduced a new menu that is sprinkled with some old-time favorites including steamed clams, mussels, lobster salad, lobster Reuben and their great corn and crab chowder.
There is also grilled salmon salad drizzled with an orange ginger dressing and oysters on the half shell. Lite diners will find a veggie wrap, steak sandwich, Cajun chicken wrap and a New England style fish fry.
The Shoreline features many lobster choices. With those critters flown in daily, patrons are treated to wide varieties of soups, salads, sandwiches and entrees. Selections include lobster bisque, lobster salad, lobster roll, lobster and asparagus quesadilla, a single or twin and surf and turf with a 12oz. sirloin, and of course the new, hot menu item; lobster macaroni and cheese with aged white cheddar, Romano and shredded gruyere.
Landlubbers or other seafood fans have a choice of haddock, baked stuffed sole, shrimp, prime rib, St. Louis ribs, and chicken cordon bleu or Florentine.
The Shoreline offers an above average list of several wines by the glass including some wonderful untamed Toasted Head blends, both red and white.
We three chose the open deck with unobstructed views and were seated promptly by the friendly hostess. The restaurant deck was almost completely full, again making me wonder about other restaurants that were closed on this gorgeous, huge weekend.
We drew Jessica as our waitress and were graciously greeted by the Quirks, dining at another table.
Companion opened with a very generous house salad of mixed greens, tomatoes, red onions, grated carrots, cukes and house-made croutons anointed with balsamic vinaigrette. She also topped off the weekend with a wonderful glass of Bella Sara Pinot Grigio from Italy, a very delicate, dry and crisp white with floral accents.
She chose a heaping tureen of freshly steamed mussels served with melted butter. A true one-pound offering. They were perfectly done and declared dee-licious!
College Pres. and I each opened with a goat cheese salad that most definitely could feed two. Crisp sliced apple, toasted nuts, carrots and cucumbers over fresh mixed greens and dotted with four huge lumps of pan-fried goat cheese in a berry vinaigrette dressing. This was a great combo on a warm evening.
Lo and behold, we both selected the same entrée, an appetizer portion of the Shoreline’s coconut shrimp that could easily fill the entrée slot with accompaniments. A half dozen jumbo tender shrimp, hand breaded with real coconut and served with an orange marmalade dipping sauce. They were tender, moist and absolutely fresh. The sauce was a bonus but not necessary for such succulent shrimp.
That’s it! College Pres. had to drive back to Albany. No desserts, no more beverages, just great company and good friends on a beautiful weekend in Lake George.
By the water, outside dining, excellent service from Jessica, a Red Sox flag flying from the deck, Mike, the view and the hospitality of the Quirks, topped off one of Lake George’s most memorable Memorial Day weekends.
Try it. I promise you will love it!