Charming for cocktails on the banks of the Saranac River.. the food was astonishingly lukewarm. At the price points here...that's really a flub. The staff seemed a bit overwhelmed that evening...maybe cause for the food. I love the eatery setting though... will come back for a drink. read more

I've been coming up to the Adirondacks for how long and I'm only just hearing about this place? I clearly need to get out more. The only reason this isn't a five-star review is that we had something unfortunate happen with one of my drinks that did not sit well with any of us, but otherwise it was a fabulous experience. Creative fare, unexpectedly varied and interesting drink options, some whimsy in the decor and menu design. Absolutely would come back. . We came here as a party of four at 8pm on a Saturday night. It was good we made a reservation because all the tables were full when we arrived. Food-wise, Fiddlehead Bistro has a diverse menu with eclectic influence. If the preparations seem ambitious for a little Saranac restaurant, the presentation presentation was equally impressive. I've been coming up to the Adirondacks for decades and while I've only been a self-proclaimed foodie for one of those decades, sophisticated presentation is not the first, second, or tenth thing I expect at restaurants up here. Don't believe me? Ask the dishes (Disney kids and their parents get it). Grilled Spanish octopus w/ fingerling potatoes, wild garlic, piquillo pepper, nduja mayo: A A solid octopus dish with sauces that elevated it to a high rating for me. The mayo plus romesco is a divine combo, great with both the octopus and the slightly crispy potatoes. Grilled asparagus w/ crispy poached egg, truffle dressing: A- The only reason this is an A- and not an A is because for $15 I'd expect more than four asparagus spears. The egg in part made up for it and the dish as a whole was delicious and thoughtfully conceived of, but given that I was splitting this with my partner it didn't really feel like enough. Miso black cod w/ shiitake, spring veggies, yuzu beurre blanc, crispy sushi rice, shaved radish: A+ My favorite dish of the night. Beautifully cooked, perfectly savory black cod prepared in the way it's meant to be prepared. The yuzu beurre blanc was heavenly, somehow both light and decadent. Tour de lamb w/ herb crusted loin, yogurt braised lamb dumpling, braised shank, creamy polenta, broccolini, red wine jus: A This was a fun mix of lamb preparations (a "tour" of lamb, if you will) with a lot of solid accompaniments. There's a restaurant on my block in NYC that makes yogurt braised lamb dumplings so I was excited to see them here. There was only a small amount of each type of lamb preparation so you can try it all without getting stuffed. All very tasty in the red wine jus, a natural pairing. Though I didn't think I was coming here for an exciting cocktail menu, I was surprised to see a lot of creative options in additional to some unique flights. For my first drink, I got the weirdest one on the menu as I like to do, but also because it seemed like a really tricked out dirty martini. It's not on the current online menu but I remember it had sake and umami brine so as expected it was salty and savory. The issue arose with the second drink. I ordered what clearly looked like an Old Fashioned variation. The only three ingredients listed were bourbon, smoked maple syrup, and black walnut bitters. I even asked the server if it was indeed an Old Fashioned variation and he said yes. What came was in no way the correct drink. The flavor profile described and what I received were completely different. It tasted like a whiskey sour and not even a good whiskey sour. My partner and my dad tried it and they agreed that it was bad and a mistake had been made. Now I really hate sending stuff back and feeling like a Karen but my dad has no issue being direct so he told the server what happened and the server looked very uncomfortable and I said I'd just get wine instead which was, as it turns out, a great decision because I had a delicious rose. When the bill came, my undrinkable cocktail was still on there and that didn't seem right. My dad asked the server about it and he said there was nothing he could do about it which is the first time I've ever experienced that at a restaurant read more

I have been back a half dozen times and had dessert at the bar and dinner once. We know the owners so maybe not 100% objective. That said, they clearly have the bugs out and the one big problem is getting in. Please make a reservation. We have been unable to get seated a couple of times which has been our own fault. The chef has worked hard to make the staff excel. As I said, the chef knows his craft. This is excellent food. read more

What a treat!! While staying in Lake Placid we took a 15 minute drive to this amazing establishment and wow we were impressed. I highly recommend this place for dinner. Candidly, it is exactly the type of establishment I would have expected to have found in Lake Placid proper. Food outstanding. Owner was delightful and the inside was just so darn cute. Tom loved his Manhattan and they had a good wine selection. We will definitely be back and we highly recommend it! read more

Fiddlehead Bistro - Halibut - New American Near Me - Saranac Lake, New York

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What a great find. The ambiance is very comforting, warm and inviting. If you go by the facade you wouldn't know this was excellent dinning it is very quaint. The service was outstanding. Our dinners were fantastic. The food was well prepared and the sides were very well thought out. I had the duck breast it was one of the best I have had it was done perfectly and was served with sweet potato purée and a sweet potato formed into little cakes also had creamed leeks yum. My wife had the beef tenderloin done perfectly medium rare hers came out with charred carrots and herb roasti potato. Don't forget to get the tuna & salmon tartar it was fantastic. read more

5/5! The food here is phenomenal!! I got the eggplant steak that was hands down one of the best dishes I've ever had. They have a creative menu and they change it frequently. Also the service was 5 stars and our server was constantly checking up on us and refilling our drinks. I will definitely be coming to this restaurant a lot more often!! read more

Fiddlehead Bistro - Dessert - New American Near Me - Saranac Lake, New York

We love the food to table movement and always try to support local businesses. So, this was our choice for a Friday night dinner when in the area. We had a nice window seat near the river that flowed through town. However, it was rather chilly and we kept our jackets on for the meal. The drinks menu was massive with a lot of choices for wine, cocktails & mocktails, and beers. There were also several interesting spirited flights. We both ended up ordering the seared halibut which came with squash puree and asparagus for our entrees. We also ordered soup and the pate plate. Everything was fresh and well prepared, but the portions (except for the fish and the soup) were small and didn't warrant the prices. All in all, a mocktail, a glass of wine, two draught beers, two appetizers, two entrees and a digestif flight came to about $250 with tip. We won't be able to afford another visit next time we are in town. read more

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I've dined here many times and never had a meal that wasn't superb. The presentation, flavor and parings are unbelievable. Chef Craig has extremely high standards and recently I specifically ordered Moules marinières in a Paris Restaurant to compare to his. Craig's were better. read more

Genius at work here. Absolutely superb meal and service. A very memorable meal worth every dollar read more

Fiddlehead Bistro - Trout with mushrooms and some kind of voodoo magic of a topper. Yums. - New American Near Me - Saranac Lake, New York

The food was well prepared and fresh. By far the best meal I've had in the North Country. If you're looking for something different compared to most local restaurants, this is the spot to go. I have very high standards so 4 stars for me is 5 to most. As far as service, we had a dairy restriction and the server seemed somewhat annoyed although accommodating. Seems like he made some mistakes at the table over and instead of fixing them, asked if they were okay for the guest then brought it up multiple which seemed awkward. The ambiance was very nice and clean. The open kitchen was a nice touch and they keep it organized and clean as well. The chef was very nice to talk to. If you don't mind a higher price point, I highly recommend giving it a try especially due to their comparatively unique menu and offerings to most places in the north country. read more

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Really amazing food and cocktails! I got the lobster ravioli (read: huge singular ravioli stuffed with lobster and mushrooms), which was amazing. The only thing I'd say is that it was quite pricey, but generally I'd say it's worth it! read more

Truly excellent food: the Philippine Ceviche of the most tender hamachi, the Bangs Island mussels, plump as little pillows and perfectly cooked, the crusted seared tuna -- it was perfect. The service was just fine and friendly. The ambiance was a bit noisy but we were in the back, booth by the bar. It actually might have been quieter in the front. Highly recommended! read more

The owners do a beautiful job of sourcing local meats, cheeses and produce. Margo, the bartender, loves concocting interesting drinks with unique flavors. We had dinner there 2 nights in a row! read more

Excellent food, best experience ever! Well prepared using the freshest ingredients and presentation was outstanding!

Able to grab a table, no reservations but probably a good choice to do so. Wait staff went out of there way for us. Everything home made, local, farm to table. Had the homemade read more

What a nice evening! The owner is very friendly and loves to chat with her guests. The Arancini was remarkable and the cheese plate was outstanding. I ordered the salmon with the smoked salmon ravioli on the side and it was spectacular. My wife ordered the chicken vindaloo and it was spicy and scrumptious. read more

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Food is exquisite, served in a perfect atmosphere. This place manages to be fun and sophisticated at the same time, no easy trick. Victuals and beverages are top shelf, and the prices reflect that, but it is well worth it for an elegant and unique night out with someone you love. Service is amazing, too! read more

Yummy fried green tomato appetizer and mussels in cocoanut cream broth with baguette for dipping in the broth. Both were quite good. My friend had the stir fry and pronounced it excellent. Menu is varied and provides lots of fresh choices. Definitely recommend a return visit here. Had a very noisy large group at table next to ours which dampened our review. Wanted to try a few of the many cheese offerings, but didn't have room. Server was attentive without being intrusive. read more

Fiddlehead Bistro - Mussels in cocoanut cream broth-plump and delicious! - New American Near Me - Saranac Lake, New York

I classify myself as a foodie. There are many establishments that have very good food and service that I am happy to frequent. Fiddlehead Bistro is not one of them. This place is so far above the very good restaurants! My meal was absolutely exceptional, as was the service. Our waitress, whose name escapes me, was so pleasant, knowledgeable, and professional workout being stuffy. She was spot on with her recommendations. I tried the ricotta tortellini in a smoked butter brodo. There was a beautiful herb oil in the broth that added a light brightness to the dish. I would go as far as saying this meal was on my top 5 all time. If you're in the saranac lake area, you need to eat at this exceptional restaurant! read more

An extraordinary dinner experience with great attention to detail. Jenn the bartender was warm, knowledgeable and a great host for a remarkable dinner. Beer choices are wonderful. My favorite is the Collective Arts. The menu changes daily but there's no bad choices. My favorite choice for dinner in Saranac Lake. Call ahead for reservations. read more

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We had a lovely dinner at Fiddlehead Bistro during our stay in Saranac Lake! We made a reservation over the phone in advance and were seated almost immediately upon arriving. Service was great. Our meal was terrific. We started with the potato and leek soup, which was definitely a winter soup and yet had a nice citrusy kick that brightened the dish. The mix of some crunchy and cool bits in the soup was quite nice as well. We then turned to the local cheese plate, which was nicely decorated and comes with your pick if 3 local cheeses. We ordered all creamy (and in hindsight might've switched one to mix it up!) and they were all great. The ibérico supplement is worth it; not much meat, but it adds so much flavor to the mix. We then had the ricotta and spinach lasagna. It's standard enough to satisfy more traditional fans, but interesting enough to satisfy those looking for a twist. The restaurant itself is very cute. It's overlooking the Saranac River and right off of the main drag in town. It's also quite quiet (though a gaggle of men sitting behind us did their best to change that) and has a romantic vibe. If we're back in Saranac Lake, we'll eat here for sure! read more

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Very quaint spot , with a creative menu using locally sourced food . Service and quality of food were all outstanding. You won't be disappointed. read more

What a welcoming place! You will likely be greeted by the owner, who is warm and charming. We started with the cheese plate (so many great choices). You MUST order the "pig balls" arancini; possibly the best I have ever had, nice and zesty with sharp cheese. I ordered the salmon with the smoked salmon agnolotti; the former was cooked perfectly and the latter was to die for. My wife had the chicken vindaloo and it was spicy but not crazy. She is not a big fan of Indian cuisine but she loved it, combining the spicy chicken chunks with the cooling yogurt on the naan bread. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Lake Placid; only 15-20 minutes away. read more

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Very nice restaurant and service was great. 1st time visiting this restaurant during our visit in Saranac Lake Village. Food was fresh and tasted great and the food presentation was impressive. Local product used in there food menu items and interesting menu choices that we are told rotate daily. Will definitely come back to this restaurant the next time we are up in this area. Call ahead for reservations as they are not a large place but well worth a visit. read more

I do not understand the overwhelming amount of 5 star reviews other than to say maybe there is an upstate New York curve. It was OK at best, and if it was cheaper I might be nicer, but the prices do not justify the price. So let's start with the good, and there was good. The place was small, nice, comfortable and the service was good. We ordered the cheese plate which was good and presented well. My wife returned a drink she did not like and they took it off the bill. My wife ordered the scallops and they were good. The wine list by the glass was limited. Where the restaurant fell of the rails was the Rib Eye. The onion straws were so over salted that they were completely non-enjoyable. The steak was very subpar for $55.00. It was not terrible, just have had just as good in an Applebees. Not to mention the cut was small. I would definitely not recommend anyone order this dish. All in all this might be a good place for the area (Only place Ive eaten here), but it would average at best down state. read more

Perfect location on the banks of the river. Dessert was spectacular! Wonderful environment inside. Pricey, but worth it for a special occasion. read more

Very nice atmosphere but food is mediocre and overpriced. I had stew and it was very salty.

Amazing place - best duck ever - awesome desert of chocolate Chili Mousse - staff incredibly friendly - great beverage selections both alcoholic and non-alcoholic wife had mushroom stew - also excellent - best meal in a long time - highly recommend- special place with special food read more

Wow. The special duck liver pate could be my dining experience for a very long time! The spicy mussels total turn on. The potato leek soup was outstanding. No words for how great the steak was Holy cow... dessert just told chef Craig it's pot de crime too good to even share! Hello espresso martini. This is living. Service outstanding thanks Jen! read more

Fiddlehead Bistro - Mocha pots de cream. Espresso martini awesome - New American Near Me - Saranac Lake, New York

My brother and his wife took me to this lovely restaurant when I was visiting them. This bistro has a festive yet intimate vibe, delicious food that both familiar/comforting and innovative, and outstanding service. The cocktails, wine list, appetizers, entrees and desserts were all superb. Truly a gem. Don't miss this spot if you happen to be anywhere near Saranac Lake. read more

Definitely recommend making a reservation as this place does get busy. We waited at the bar to get an outside table and our cocktails were very good. Margaritas have all fresh ingredients and the golden lurch was a perfect summery grapefruit drink. Apps came out pretty quick but the dinner took what seemed like forever. We ordered the steamed pork buns which were good but the pork was little on the chewier side. We also ordered the fried mozzarella which was made fresh and had a very good sauce with it. For dinner, we ordered the sockeye salmon and sirloin. Salmon was very good, the mustard lentils it came with, I was not the biggest fan of. The sirloin was decent and tender but didn't have a lot of flavor. The sauce and potatoes it came with were very good though. The server never came back to check on us after we got our dinner and was very slow through-out the service... For dessert, we ordered the fried donuts with a melted chili chocolate sauce which was absolutely amazing. It was one of the best things we've had BUT one of the donuts were undercooked and was full of raw dough in the middle... since our server never came back again, we didn't bother saying anything and just tried to eat around it as best we could. The food was good but could have been better, and so could have the service. Maybe I am being a little harsh but we were expecting more because of the rave reviews and pricier items. In the end, we had a good time though and I would come back, especially for those donuts. read more

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Unique menu with careful attention paid to ingredients and local sourcing. Sweetheart bartender with chill local crowd. Had the masaman curry and green salad. Both well seasoned and large portioned. Can't wait for the vegan carrot cake! read more

Fiddlehead Bistro - Masaman curry - New American Near Me - Saranac Lake, New York

The food is phenomenal. Coming from NYC we don't have high expectations and were pleasantly surprised. The staff is very attentive and friendly. We had the oysters, sushi, salmon and spaghetti with meatballs. I'm not even a fan of salmon - but this was one of the best I had. Would definitely recommend making a visit to this cozy restaurant. Please note while there is no kids menu - my child loved spaghetti and meatballs (and he is extremely picky). read more

After always wanting to come to this restaurant and hearing so many great things I've been recommending this restaurant to people without have ever going myself. I was far from disappointed the cheese plate was absolutely delicious with the local cheeses, as was the red curry skirt steak and The black fish and chips. The drinks were 10/10 as was the service. Got the mascarpone cheesecake to go which was heavenly. Check this place out you won't be disappointed. Must try! read more

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Great spot in Saranac lake! Wonderful cozy vibe with unique and delicious menu choices. Make sure to call the restaurant as the times of operation on Yelp are clearly incorrect. read more

I had the pleasure of enjoying an excellent meal at the Fiddlehead Bistro recently. I'm a frequent business traveler, and often find myself in small towns. Saranac may be a fairly large sized town by Adirondack standards, but as a culinary destination; lets just say that Saranac does not have much to offer. That said, I'm happy to report that the Fiddlehead Bistro did not in any way disappoint this seasoned traveler. From decor/ambiance, to cocktails, to the food offerings; Fiddlehead Bistro earns a solid 4 stars from a guy who rarely gives 5. Beginning with ambiance, Fiddlehead occupies a quirky and whimsically painted building on Saranac's main drag. Step inside and you find yourself in a clean, uncrowded space with lots of simple charm. There is a lovely back patio overlooking the river. The weather was a bit threatening, but my waitress was very friendly and happy to indulge my (somewhat) screwy desire to sit outside in spite of the threat of rain. In the end, i gave up the porch for the safety of the bar area where there was a nice table right next to the door; so I sort of had the best of both worlds. I started with a wonderfully crafted cocktail, a whisky sour featuring a locally distilled bourbon mixed with a sweetened tamarind and lemon "sour" base. It was great. And I got to enjoy it on the patio, thanks to a cooperative sky! Following my drink, I began my meal w/ the "Tempura Shrimp". Wow, this was excellent. Three tempura dipped jumbo shrimp sitting atop a thick slice of fried green tomato, a few tempura dipped green beans, and a delicious mayo-wasabi sauce. All garnished beautifully with fuchsia colored amaranth sprouts. I might complain that the mayo sauce was layered a bit heavy, but that would be a quibble. The dish was first rate. My main was Paprikash Duck. This dish featured a whole duck leg, and half a sliced duck breast, both sitting on a layer of spinach and bed of savory egg noodles, awash in a smooth cream sauce with a good dose of smoked paprika for the main flavor element. The heavy cream sauce paired with the duck made this dish a little on the heavy side. I couldn't finish all the noodles; but it was very tasty and the duck was cooked to pink perfection (as per my instructions to the kitchen). I didn't have room for desert, but enjoyed a reasonably priced glass of house red back on the patio. I wasn't rushed, and the waitress, who had been attentive throughout my dinner, left me alone to enjoy the evening and my book at my leisure. If your in Saranac, this is the place to go. I'd even drive over from Lake Placid, which has a much more vibrant downtown. Saranac is only 10 minutes down the road from Lake Placid, and the Fiddlehead Bistro beats any restaurant I've eaten at in Lake Placid. If you're anywhere in the neighborhood and looking for a good meal, this is the spot. read more

Absolutely stunning experience on a temperate Monday evening. We started with the green curry mussels that had strong hints of cilantro and galangal. The showstopper was the bluefin tuna, which had a hard char and was placed on top of a wasabi mouse and a crispy black rice cake. Drizzled on top was a soy yuzu sweet glaze. The dish was perfectly balanced. read more

One of the best dining experiences I've ever had! We were visiting Saranac Lake with friends for the weekend and I had called earlier in the week for a reservation after reading prior reviews. A lovely woman called me back and I was already impressed with the service. Everything just got better from there. All 6 of us loved our food. The large plate of mussels that I ordered as an appetizer was huge and fairly priced. It was enough for everyone at the table to share. They were delicious and the sauce left at the bottom of the bowl (after we had used every morsel of bread to soak it up) was good enough to eat as a soup! I had the Tuna steak with forbidden rice as an entree. It was perfectly cooked and I don't think I've ever had better prepared tuna. Everyone else enjoyed their selections as well. If you are anywhere close to Saranac Lake, try to get a reservation here. You will not be disappointed. read more

So good! So welcoming. Good fantastic. Can't wait to sit on the back porch. Service is friendly, gets busy after 7 so go early if you don't like noise. read more

Really deserves 4.5 stars. Most tourist regions offer a lot of good options; not so the Adirondacks, for some reason I have never been able to puzzle out. For that reason, I am always on the lookout for the standout. Fiddlehead Bistro makes the grade. Very nice vibe. Hostess, waitress, and even the chef were all incredibly nice and engaging. And the food -- an appetizer of mussels in green curry sauce was out of this world: rich tasting, flavorful, perfectly seasoned. Really excellent. I didn't get to taste the empanada appetizer, but it was eagerly consumed. The vichyssoise was fine, but not remarkable. A steak entree was delicious. A salmon was perfectly prepared, as were accompanying fingerling potatoes. Even an entree of tofu -- which I don't particularly care for -- was delicious. Saranac Lake is an interesting place at the moment; it feels like a place poised on the precipice of an upward swing in terms of economic activity (whether that's a good thing or not, I leave to others to decide). Fiddlehead Bistro seems an augur of a more prosperous future. This place is a keeper. Recommended. read more