First, I’m in a rush – I have a massage to get to. YEAH! I apologize in advance for all the mistakes in this post. But make sure to look at the food. YUM!
Today started with some good exercise for all of us. Ted wanted to walk so Shane and I walked for just over 1 1/2 miles before leaving Ted to go on our run. I just couldn’t get my running rhythm this morning. I had to walk and run. We ended up with a total of 7 1/2 miles but it was a rough one.
Last night, we DID get our eating rhythm going at Delta Lake Inn.
It was a few months ago when I received an email from a friend alerting me to the future opening of The Delta Lake Inn. He said the Grand Opening was going to be sometime in October. Finally, we saw an advertisement in the paper. I remember the excitement of my friend telling me about the Chef and the restaurant so we decided to give it a try.
The Delta Lake Inn is on Fish Hatchery Road in Rome, New York. It was about a 30 minute drive for us. We arrived at 7:20 pm and there was absolutely no parking. The restaurant was packed. “Uh Oh. We should have made reservations.” Sure enough there was a 30 minute wait but we decided since we had come that far, we would enjoy a nice glass of wine and wait it out. We were seated about 35 minutes later.
After a Busy Evening, Tables Become Available
Our waiter’s name was Fred. Such a pleasant person but he wasn’t the only one. Every staff member we met and who served us was so friendly. The bar tenders, the hostess, another hostess, one of the warmest most considerate and attentive group we’ve come across in a long time.
Dinner did take a while but, as I said, the restaurant was so busy. From the appetizer to the main course, there wasn’t a morsel left uneaten. It was THAT good.
The wine menu was my dream come true! So many good options by the glass…
Our appetizer: Crab Stuffed Portobello herb encrusted Portobello mushroom stuffed with crab meat and served over Alfredo sauce. A few considerations on this one: Ted chose our appetizer. I don’t eat battery-fried items nor do I like Alfredo sauce….all that changed after taking a bite of this dish. The batter was light. The Alfredo sauce was so light, it was hardly detectable as a sauce but added such rich, creamy flavor to the mushroom and crab. All the herbs, vegetables and seasonings came together in the most beautiful waltz on the tongue.
The warm, fresh bread was served with this choice of parmesan, herb and garlic infused olive oil and whipped, creamy herb butter.
If I had to find fault with anything (and it was a struggle) it would be the salad. It tasted delicious with fresh mixed greens, cucumber and an assortment of other salad vegetables, BUT…there was crumbled egg on top. We were not told that egg would be on our salad and if I was a Vegetarian in the strictest sense, this would have caused an upset.
Both of us had the Eggplant Encrusted Sea Bass. Broiled Eggplant Encrusted Sea Bass with Light Veloute Sauce served over Risotto. I requested no risotto but extra vegetables. This was not even a special of the evening. This item is on their regular menu.
The Sea Bass was so light and delicate. It had a tender crisp outer coating and the center was soft and velvety. The flavor was butter sweet and the vegetables were fresh and vibrant. There were cherry tomatoes, yellow squash, eggplant, asparagus…my favorite mix. Well worth the wait.
Even Ted was too full to consider anything but coffee after dinner. Smooth and hot – just the way I like it.
When you experience Delta Lake Inn for the first time, I suggest trying during the week or for lunch. Friday and Saturday nights are so busy and once you go and get your feet wet, you won’t mind a little wait or the crowd because you know that a five star meal awaits you.
Joanne
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Ooh, a massage! Hope you had a great, relaxed day 🙂
Batter fried and Alfredo – sometimes you need to take a chance. I’m not a huge fan of batter fried food either, because when they’re poorly executed, they’re just plain ghastly. There is a fish fry bar near here and the cook there is a master fryer. I’ll always have the fried fish at that place, but can barely tolerate elswhere.
Same deal on Alfredo. I’ve had it at a few places where it is just muck. But if you get a cook/chef that knows how to execute, there’s the difference.
Have a good Sunday 😉
Thanks Liz: I did relax but was nervous I would fall asleep since I put too much garlic and onion on my morning omelet before leaving for my massage. If I dozed off with my mouth open, she would never have me back again!
Libby: Never fry and never alfredo. I was shocked I enjoyed that appetizer. But as you say, a good chef can make anything taste good.
Everything looks delicious! Thank you for sharing…I haven’t been able to get out to do much dining lately so at least I can live vicariously through my fellow bloggers!