Skip to main content
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
  • See & Do
    • See & Do
    • See all
      • See all
      • Seasons
        • See all
        • Spring
        • Summer
        • Fall
        • Winter
      • Accessibility
      • Arts
      • Attractions
      • Downtown
      • Health & Wellness
      • History
      • Live Music
      • Parks
      • Shopping
      • Stories
      • Weddings
  • Outdoors
    • Outdoors
    • See all
      • See all
      • Hiking
        • See all
        • Nature Walks
      • ADK Guides & Tours
      • Birding
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Cross-Country Skiing
      • Cycling
      • Downhill Skiing
      • Fishing
      • Golfing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Mountain Biking
      • Paddling
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
    • Eat & Drink
    • See all
    • Cafés & Coffee Shops
    • Craft Beer & Cocktails
    • Restaurants
  • Events
    • Events
    • See all
    • Adirondack Snowshoe Fest
    • ArtWorks ArtMarkets
    • Can-Am Rugby Tournament
    • Celebrate Paddling ADK
    • First Night Saranac Lake
    • Plein Air Festival
    • Winter Carnival
    • 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
    • Stay
    • See all
    • Cabins & Cottages
    • Camping
    • Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
    • Resorts, Hotels, Motels
    • Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
    • First Time Visitors
    • See all
      • See all
      • Accessibility
      • Downtown
      • Getting Here
      • Greater Region
      • Stories
      • Seasons
        • See all
        • Spring
        • Summer
        • Fall
        • Winter
  • Local
    • Local title-header
      • Live Here
        • See all
        • Meet the Locals
        • Real Estate
        • Town of Harrietstown
        • Town of North Elba
        • Town of St. Armand
        • Village of Saranac Lake
      • Do Business Here
        • See all
        • Chamber Job Board
        • Essex County IDA
        • Franklin County Economic Development Co.
        • Professional Services
        • Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
      • Community Initiatives
        • See all
        • Arts & Culture Master Plan
        • Downtown Revitalization Initiative
        • Saranac Lake Brand
        • Village Community Development Department
What can we help you find?
  • See & Do
      1. See & Do
      2. See all
        1. See all
        2. Seasons
          • See all
          • Spring
          • Summer
          • Fall
          • Winter
        3. Accessibility
        4. Arts
        5. Attractions
        6. Downtown
        7. Health & Wellness
        8. History
        9. Live Music
        10. Parks
        11. Shopping
        12. Stories
        13. Weddings
  • Outdoors
      1. Outdoors
      2. See all
        1. See all
        2. Hiking
          • See all
          • Nature Walks
        3. ADK Guides & Tours
        4. Birding
        5. Boating
        6. Camping
        7. Cross-Country Skiing
        8. Cycling
        9. Downhill Skiing
        10. Fishing
        11. Golfing
        12. Ice Fishing
        13. Mountain Biking
        14. Paddling
        15. Snowmobiling
        16. Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
      1. Eat & Drink
      2. See all
      3. Cafés & Coffee Shops
      4. Craft Beer & Cocktails
      5. Restaurants
  • Events
      1. Events
      2. See all
      3. Adirondack Snowshoe Fest
      4. ArtWorks ArtMarkets
      5. Can-Am Rugby Tournament
      6. Celebrate Paddling ADK
      7. First Night Saranac Lake
      8. Plein Air Festival
      9. Winter Carnival
      10. 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
      1. Stay
      2. See all
      3. Cabins & Cottages
      4. Camping
      5. Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
      6. Resorts, Hotels, Motels
      7. Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
      1. First Time Visitors
      2. See all
        1. See all
        2. Accessibility
        3. Downtown
        4. Getting Here
        5. Greater Region
        6. Stories
        7. Seasons
          • See all
          • Spring
          • Summer
          • Fall
          • Winter
  • Local
      1. Local
        1. Live Here
          • See all
          • Meet the Locals
          • Real Estate
          • Town of Harrietstown
          • Town of North Elba
          • Town of St. Armand
          • Village of Saranac Lake
        2. Do Business Here
          • See all
          • Chamber Job Board
          • Essex County IDA
          • Franklin County Economic Development Co.
          • Professional Services
          • Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
        3. Community Initiatives
          • See all
          • Arts & Culture Master Plan
          • Downtown Revitalization Initiative
          • Saranac Lake Brand
          • Village Community Development Department

Breaking resolutions with a smile

Watch Video
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
ADK Blogger
February 01, 2017

Resolutions are made to be broken, right? I mean, they're basically just a list of things people want to do but feel like they can't, which is why I've never subscribed to them. So as I thumb my nose at the tradition of resisting temptation, allow me to be the devil on your shoulder. I know you want to break that food indulgence resolution. Doesn't a heaping platter of chorizo sausage and plaintains topped with an enormous dollop of sour cream sound irresistible? Follow me, I know the way.

Start things right

I'll keep things light. This Saranac Lake indulgence tour only includes two of my favorite resturants in town, but there are plenty of others to choose from. Let's start with breakfast at Blue Moon Cafe, which is somewhere between a greasy spoon and fine dining. I love the atmosphere here, especially after their recent remodeling job, and the food is always interesting and top-notch.

If you're a coffee drinker, you'll definitely get to scope the place out because the java here is self-serve, meaning you'll never have to wait for a fill up. Insider's tip: I love coffee, but I'm not a big fan of the flavored varieties. That said, the Bavarian chocolate coffee at Blue Moon is one of the best things I've ever tasted. Seriously. Give it a shot.

It's all about atmosphere at Blue Moon Cafe.
It's all about atmosphere at Blue Moon Cafe.

On your way to the coffee carafes, be sure to check out the specials board. As much as I like the regular menu items, which include a whole slew of omelettes, scrambles, and lumberjack-breakfast delights, the specials are always interesting and worth trying.

Feeling special?
Feeling special?

I ordered the Mexican stand-off on my most recent trip, and my wife, Anna, ordered the fried green Benny. Both were as good as they sound.

The fried green Benny.
The fried green Benny.

Yes, that's two poached eggs served on two fried green tomato slices instead of English muffins. Delicious. But if you prefer English muffins, do try Blue Moon's —  their breads are made from scratch.

The Mexican stand-off didn't stand a chance.
The Mexican stand-off didn't stand a chance.

My order consisted of rice, beans, eggs, and a slice of grilled turkey, all over a bed of spinach. And yes, that's a mug filled with Bavarian chocolate coffee behind the plate. 

If you're not into breakfast food, stop by Blue Moon in the afternoon or evening — they also serve lunch and dinner, and it's just as good as their morning offerings.

End the day with a bang

Feeling inspired by the deliciousness of the Mexican stand-off, Anna and I visited Casa del Sol for dinner. This Mexican restaurant serves a bunch of common dishes like enchiladas and tacos, but that's not even half the menu. You'll also find duck adobo and frijoles, plancha style pescado, and carne asada. I haven't tried everything yet, but what I have had was delicious.

Everything at Casa starts with homemade chips and salsa, which never lasts. This was our second bowl of chips.

Just keep those chips coming!
Just keep those chips coming!

It's never long before the food arrives, though.

Service with a smile at Casa del Sol.
Service with a smile at Casa del Sol.

Before I get into our main courses, I should say don't let the above photo fool you. We got there early, around 5 p.m., and the place was absolutely packed by the time we left. 

Anna ordered huevos rancheros, a dish that includes chorizo sausage, refried pinto beans, sweet potatoes, red salsa, and two fried eggs. It didn't disappoint.

Huevos rancheros
Huevos rancheros

 I went for chorizo, batata, and plantain tostada, and as always it was amazing. If you order this, do squeeze lime over everything, and do make sure there's a gob of sour cream in every bite. It's there for a reason, after all.

Chorizo, batata, and plantain tostada
Chorizo, batata, and plantain tostada

It's worth stopping by Casa del Sol frequently, as they have regular food and drink specials. And when summer hits the outdoor bar and seating areas open up, creating a party-like vibe every night of the week.

There's no need to feel too guilty about indulgence in Saranac Lake. Instead, simply strap on a pair of snowshoes and climb one of the 6ers, or grab your skis and hit the trails. You can work off that hearty dinner and besides, there's always next year, right?


This week in related break-your-resolution news:

Tappin’ our reserve

Again and again

Taking one for the team

Just one little piece

Sweet confections and warming libations

Stay at home — not!

Poutine and a cold one

It's all about atmosphere at Blue Moon Cafe.
It's all about atmosphere at Blue Moon Cafe.
Feeling special?
Feeling special?
The fried green Benny.
The fried green Benny.
The Mexican stand-off didn't stand a chance.
The Mexican stand-off didn't stand a chance.
Just keep those chips coming!
Just keep those chips coming!
Service with a smile at Casa del Sol.
Service with a smile at Casa del Sol.
Huevos rancheros
Huevos rancheros
Chorizo, batata, and plantain tostada
Chorizo, batata, and plantain tostada

Related Stories

Decidedly Sweet, Authentically Delicious
Farm-to-table in Saranac Lake
Fall Flavors
The Taste of Community: Saranac Lake
Bar Flies and Fish Stories
A Decidedly Different Culinary Experience
Get Up and Get Down(town)
New Lodge, Classic Charm
Sweet Indulgences - Saranac Lake's Coffee Hotspots
A Fall Vacation with Hot Sara
Lake Kushaqua, A Beautiful Place to Rest
A Week’s Worth of Nightlife in Saranac Lake
Food has a story: Fiddlehead Bistro
Saranac Lake: Foodie Destination
4 Ways to Enjoy Music and More in Saranac Lake
Pick Your Poison
Healthy Eats, Tasty Eats
Bacon Like You've Never Seen Before
Breaking resolutions with a smile
Bring on some Bitters and Bones!
Oh cool, it's finally football Sunday!
Home is where the beer is
Three fun places - all day gourmet
So many options for delicious indulgence!
Brew-Filled Weekend
Tri-Lakes Brewery Tour
What can we help you find?
Sign up to receive more information.
Enter Email
Do•Stay•Eat•Shop•Events
Work Here•Contact Us•DEI•Media Kit•Privacy Policy
39 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983
Powered by the Regional Office of
Sustainable Tourism
THERE’S MORE TO EXPLORE
We’ve got the best ideas for things to do on your next Adirondack adventure, and we will deliver them right to your inbox! THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING! Your next adventure awaits you in your inbox! Tell us more about what interests you, and we can help you plan your next trip.
MANAGE YOUR PREFERENCES