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Does anyone have any recs for St. Lawrence River area, TIP, Welsley Island, A. Bay? Going for a weekend trip and would like to try some "houndish" spots. Nothing too fancy, a nice view would be good. nothing touristy.
kloomis
Aug 08, 2006 05:01PM
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The chowhound mecca of the Thousand Islands is, without rival, Kingston Ontario. Chez Piggy is an upscale (really mid-scale) choice, but there are also numerous really good ethnic places downtown near Princess Street. This is about a 45 minute drive from Wellesley Island if you do not get held up at the border (big if!)
The only real choice on Wellesley Island is the Wellesley Hotel in TI Park; worth a visit for the ambiance and the view (if you sit on the porch.) Have ice cream for dessert across the way at the Guzzle.
Venerable waterfront place is Foxy's in Fisherman's Landing on the NY mainland. Legend has it this was a speakeasy and it still had a louche reputation when I was growing up. It has changed hands several times and now serves decent Italian food. But the views are magnificent, especially at dusk. From 81 take Route 12 toward Clayton and look for the turnoff to Fisherman's Landing after a couple of miles.
Alex Bay is very touristy. Clayton is nice but quiet.
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I agree that Kingston is the spot for food, if you want to take the time to go there (there's a ferry from Cape Vincent, if you don't want to drive).
I was at Foxy's once a few years back and had a decent piece of fresh fish there. The main attraction there was that you can arrive by personal boat and get free "parking" right at their dock.
My sister lives in Clayton, so I know Clayton pretty well. The Harbor Inn or whatever it's called has a good view and the food isn't bad if you stick to the basics (fresh fish). It's popular for brunch. The Koffee Kove in downtown Clayton has very good hearty breakfasts, if you like a classical ham 'n' eggs or the like. If you're lucky, you'll hear some ancient "River Rats" swapping rum-running stories at the counter.
Probably the most Chowish thing to do in Clayton is to go to the Gold Cup Farms store and get a brick of Three-year-old River Rat Cheddar and a jar of Hot-as-Hell Mustard. Just down the street is a liquor store/deli which has usually has a couple of great Quebec aged cheddars (really aged, 6 years +) at a bargain price compared to big city prices.
If you have any "River Rat" friends in Clayton, have them take you over to Gananoque, there are a few more restos there to choose from, some with great views.
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We love the Clipper Inn in Clayton.(dinner only from 5:00PM on and closed from around 11/1-4/14 each yr.)
We think this is the best food on the U.S side of Lake Ontario in the North Country.
The chef/owner spends several months each yr.in Europe bringing back new recipies to try out.
The sauces he uses are delicious and make any of the wonderful dishes he prepares all that much more outstanding.
The bar is full of locals and long-time summer folks who shares jokes and laughter with anyone there.
The barmaid(Mitzi) is an outstanding lady who makes everyone,locals and strangers,feel like they've been coming there for years.
On the Canadian side one of the previous posters who told you about Chez Piggy is right about this being one of the best places in Kingston to eat at.
Catnip
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I agree the best food is in Kingston. If you go, try a Tues, Thurs, or Sat, they have a fantastic farmers market. There are a great many good restaurants, one French and another Indian - sorry I can't remember the names right now. Chez Piggy is a classic their bakery around the corner on Princess is excellent. If offers luch with a lighter fare.
I would suggest Sackets Harbor as another town in the area that has good food (take 81 south to the Watertown exit with the Salmon Run Mall, turn right at the light and follow the signs - about 5 miles from exit). Here the restaurant to go to is the Tin Pan Galley. The food is quite good, it rivals Chez Piggy in many respects. There's no view however. A few doors down is the brewery. Nice view, pub type food (order safely), but the beer is quite good.
On Welsley Island, I agree that the best is probably the Welsley Hotel. But you can also get a credible meal (and quite a bit less expensive) at the . . . sorry my memory really is horrible this morning . . . head down to the Thousand Island Club on the opposite side of the Island from TIP, near Westminster. You will see the golf course on your right and then the pro shop. The restaurant is above the pro shop. Again, it is best to order safely. There is a view of the marina (not great compared to say Foxy's, but the food is much better).
There is a restaurant near Clayton, turn right at the traffic light at Rt. 12. It is on the right, I don't know, a mile give or take some, it used to be a nunery. The menu is way too large to have great food, though what I ate was good (some pork chop something as I recall) however the view is spectacular. Another great view is at the restaurant at Pine Tree Point Hotel in A-Bay. Food is over priced and only ok.
Have a great time at the River.
Sue.
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Chien Noir in Kingston is a contemporary French joint in Kingston (on Brock Street)...which is a real gem. Chez Piggy is more for the atmosphere..Zal Yanofsky (deceased) of the groovy band The Lovin Spoonful was the original owner...beautiful courtyard setting...decent food, nothing extraordinary. Next to Chez Piggy is the Toucan Irish Pub. About as authentic as they come (great spot to meet the locals). They have Creemore on tap..which is a great Ontario lager that has limited distribution).
Smugglers in Ivy Lea (Ontario) is also great spot (river view next to the 1000 Islands bridge) for a cocktail and some fantastic PEI mussles.
Wellesley Island Hotel varys with the folks who run it (that changes often). Hackers at the TI golf club on Wellesley is overpirced pub grub (and not very well done). TI Golf Club Hotel has the famous (famous for Syracuse...) Joey's. Never been..I eat enough italian in Connecticut.
Alex Bay is probably avoided..except if you want a cocktail at Capt. Thomsons floating eatery. Great view of the channel and a television that has an undewater camera (below the joint) to capture the northern pike in action.
Clayton is a quiet town...I'd say Harbor House. They ride the funky at times too. Clipper is ecclectic as well...just pricer than the Harbor House.
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Foxys..if you have grown up in the NYC area is truly awful. Italian food it might be..but edible is another issue. Like most of the 1000 islands eateries, mediocre.
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I have to agree about Foxys. I was there last night for the 3rd time in the past year. Was not good. Nice panoramic view of the river if you can stand the fly sh1t on the windows. I know its rustic and sometimes that's charming but the chairs....oh my aching arse! At $170 bucks for three never again.
I live just across the river in Canada and have noticed a precipitous decline in food on the NY side. Some of these places had great eats years ago. It may be the original families that started these eateries are gone. Mostly italian immigrants. It may be there offspring don't have the same appreciation for food. Or in the case of Foxys it's been bought by a group that specializes in mediocre restaurants.
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Alexandria Bay/1000 Islands NY side has a few accepable places:
PJ River Rat Cafe...nothing haute, but they have a good blackened walleye and the best wings in the region (along with the Wing Wagon). Menu is actually quite interesting.
Riveredge (Jacque Cartier room). Expensive..and they had their troubles a few years ago, but last trip was quite good.
Harbor House (Clayton)..creative
.
Sushi (Alex Bay). Good sushi, although since its a novelty here..very expensive relative to what we pay in Connecticut.
Clipper (Clayton). Even if the food was bad, I like Simpson...good dude. He actaully comes out to the tables to check on how your meal is. See if the Bonnie Castle does that. Clipper is good with many familiar favorites..nothing out of this world...but its good.
Breakfast: Hudsons on Route 26. Not touristy..
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