We really enjoyed the ribs!! They were tender and had lots of flavor. For someone who has a husband who smokes ribs often we both agreed these were on point. We tried all 4 of the homemade sauces and they were all very different and had tons of flavor. I liked to dip my delicious steak fries in the white sauce. The side of corn and macaroni and cheese were a hit also! I had the Kentucky Maid cocktail and wow!!! I want that recipe! I would definitely recommend this place. read more

The Gem - American Near Me - Bolton, New York

Just passing through town, saw this place with a little bit of outdoor seating. Figured we'd try our luck. It was fantastic. Great cocktails, excellent food, wonderful service, even had a bonding moment with the owner, since he's southern too. Next time we pass through town, we'll come back here. read more

The Gem - Barbecue platter - American Near Me - Bolton, New York

This is a place where quality shines. The cocktails. The meats. The service. While the dining experience may not be exactly typical- you'll be thankful for it. Everything about this place is conscientious. Everything is well prepared, and yet- they are oh-so casual about it. The servers are knowledgeable, yet very friendly. We brought our toddler here, and it was a fine place to eat, unwind, and drink in some good vibes. This place could define itself as elevated dining, but they're just too down to earth. I hope they remain a staple for years to come. read more

Great mai tai! But service is very slow. Didnt get food, only drinks. They could maybe benefit from an extra set of hands behind the bar. read more

The Gem - American Near Me - Bolton, New York

We went as 2 couples July 4th weekend so I think it was day ~13 for them (give or take), which meant I had middle of the road expectations. We were definitely pleasantly surprised by the experience - the cocktails were delicious and they had a good beer selection for my husband who's not so much a liquor drinker. For food we got the family dinner for the 4 of us so that we could essentially try everything on the menu...everything was really good, it was PLENTY of food, and for $89 to feed 4 people it was great price-wise too. Being a smokehouse, it's casual in both atmosphere and serving style, so keep that in mind - they use the plastic baskets instead of plates which is fine conceptually my only complaint is the paper liners got soggy and ripped as we were cutting our food. Not a huge deal at all, just something that they could potentially look to adjust. Overall a good meal and would definitely recommend! read more

The gem is my new happy place! It is clear that every detail of the gem has been carefully thought through. We have visited twice within the last two weeks and ordered the family bbq platter both times. It's been a hit for us and our kids. The margarita and mai tai are a must have. The overall ambiance, outdoor seating and games are the icing on the cake. I'll be adding this to my Lake George /Bolton bar/restaurant rotation. read more

We loved The Gem. Probably the best drinks in all of North Country. Food was excellent and service was very fast. I got the pick 2 meat platter. Brisket, pulled pork, potato salad, pulled pork beans. They have 5 homemade sauces/dressings sitting at each table which they give you a thorough breakdown of everything in each. This place is in tune to every detail from the design, outfits, music. Can't wait to go back. read more

The Gem - Brisket, pulled pork, potato salad and potato bread. - American Near Me - Bolton, New York

The Gem is appropriately named. Excellent spot in Bolton Landing. Great care has been taken with regards to every element. The food is prepared by a second generation pit master. The cocktails have been researched and scouted through time. The staff is impeccable. Plus it's cool. In an area that already has a number of notable places, The Gem raises the bar! read more

Wow - the ambiance! They totally transformed the backyard into a gorgeous setting. The blackberry bramble (substituted vodka for the gin) was absolutely delicious (with the best ice EVER). The brisket sandwich & pulled pork were so good. All 4 of the BBQs sauces were great - nice to change up each bite. Great set up with games for kids & cornhole for adults. I wish I went inside to see the wallpaper but I'll save that for next time! Ps - the hell or highwater melon beer is the way to go after a day on the lake!! read more

The Gem - Blackberry Bramble - American Near Me - Bolton, New York

The drinks were amazing, I would stick to them. We've tried the food 3 times, different meals each time, the bbq was just ok. I wanted to love it but I've had much better . It's a great atmosphere, great drinks and sides. Bbq not so much. read more

Wow! Have been coming to Lake George and Bolton Landing for years, and although there's some great local spots, you have to know where to look to get the kind of quality you're accustomed to seeing in NYC or neighboring Hudson Valley. The Gem delivered, both in ambiance and quality of food and cocktails. Delicious smoked meats, craft cocktails with artisan ice (when you know, you know good ice makes a drink :) and a really cute and cozy retro meets mountain town style and decor. Is this true Southern fixins/Texas bbq or the best i've had? No. But it is delicious, high-quality food and perfectly mixed drinks on par with any premium bar or speakeasy in NYC, and unexpected for Lake George. Look forward to returning on next summer's lake trip! read more

The Gem - American Near Me - Bolton, New York

This was my second time in lake George and my first time at the gem. This is by far my new favorite place to eat. We had the smoked wings as an appetizer and they were amazing. We got the pulled pork, half rack of ribs, Mac and cheese and yams- it was all SO good! Our waiter couldn't have been nicer and we accidentally knocked over one of our cocktails and they were so kind by covering the next cocktail. I would recommend this place to anyone visiting lake George. Loved the ambiance as well!! read more

The Gem - American Near Me - Bolton, New York

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Excellent cocktails and fairly good food. Would return for drinks but would skip dinner

What a gem! Got lucky and had the brisket. So delicious! Beautiful venue out back and friendly and attentive staff. Highly recommend.

Drinks and food were delicious. I had a Caperal Spritz, my wife a Mai Thai, and my mother an amaretto sour. The food came out quickly and our platter filled the table! Phenomenal wings, all the BBQ was delicious, and I even enjoyed the salad. Great spot. read more

The Gem - American Near Me - Bolton, New York

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This place was cute! The meat portions were amazing. The barbecue sauce however was too spicy for me, I wish there was a milder version. The ribs were cooked to perfection. The steak fries were amazing. The Mac and cheese and potatoes salad was ok. The decor was nice but the tables were super uneven and wobbly. I don't drink and wish the server didn't try to press alcoholic beverages at every point in our meal. I said I didn't drink a few times but then even at check out urged us to check out the liquor store. read more

Our town needed The Gem's delicious craft cocktails, super yummy BBQ food, & warm presence more than I could ever put into words! Their professionalism, innovation, & dedication to their craft is unmatched. Pro-tip: the frosé & wings are the perfect combo after a long day. Thank you for being here! read more

Food was very good; service was exceptional; loved sitting outdoors. Wait person was very helpful in our making choices.

Finally a place to eat in Bolton Landing where I can enjoy food again. When I moved here 6 years ago from the restaurant-rich environment of DC, I was so horrified by the local cuisine I had to learn how to cook. Now I have a wonderful place just down the hill from me and I don't have to schlep all the way to GF for a decent meal. The outdoor eating/drinking/playing area is perfect for families; the bar is perfect for singles; and the Gem is truly a gem. read more

This place is so good! The smoked wings are incredible! I usually put sauce on wings but these are so tasty you don't need sauce! They do have good sauces but Wow! Thumbs up! ! read more

Best cocktails near Lake George with a Brooklyn vibe. The bartenders are awesome and the Barbecue is on point.

Love the interior decor! /Check out their outdoor area too! The wait staff is great! Table games made for family fun while waiting :) Food we had.... *Elote corn 10/10 *Watermelon salad 10/10 *BBQ Shrimp 10/10 *Chicken sandwich 12/10 *Portobello sandwich 15/10 *Sticky Pudding 100/10!!!!!!!! Loved the cucumber water :) SO happy to have the GEM in Bolton. Thanks for the great meals & excited for the new take out option. :) read more

Was excited for my first visit as full time resident of BL and the place didn't disappoint. Obv spent a lot of time and money creating a beautiful space. The bar is on point and the food was excellent. Love when something like the pickles and pickled red onion sides surprise on the upside. Hope they continue to do well as the summer progresses. read more

The Gem - American Near Me - Bolton, New York

This is my new favorite restaurant in the lake George area. We went twice in a week. Best food and highest quality cocktails. Can't recommend enough. read more

3.5 stars, really, but they have the potential. Cucumber water (which I LOVE) is served in little metal cups, which, while super cute, made our water taste metallic & undrinkable. We had the pulled pork & pulled chicken sandwiches. Portions were generous. Not much flavor to the meats; we had to use a LOT of sauce. We were constantly re-saucing after every bite. (Their house bbq sauce is great & has a nice kick). Chicken was dry. I love potato rolls, but they couldn't hold up to the meat. Perhaps toasting would help. The sides are okay, but lacking something that should be on every bbq menu: mac-n-cheese. The baked beans were so-so. Again, no flavor/under-seasoned, & many of the beans were under cooked or boarder-line. Not sure what meat (meat purée almost?) they put in them, but it added nothing in terms of flavor, so that is a waste & added odd texture. Yam fries were good, but they refused to serve the sauce on the side, so we didn't get to try that- just the fries. (We weren't sure if we'd like the sauce & didn't want to waste the food). I was so excited for the cheesy corn but while it looks awesome, the corn was tough. May have just been a bad batch. They have a fire pit & corn hole outside, so I can totally appreciate the vibe they are going for. No menu online anywhere, which is why our party of 8 skipped it our first visit to LG a month ago. Gotta fix that. Overall, average in terms of food, but promising & I hope they succeed. If I was a local, I wouldn't rush back but I will try again in a year during our next trip. Oh, & our waitress referred to my daughter as picky because she asked for no pickles anywhere on the plate, so that was not the best first impression. Bbq is so personal & it's impossible to please everyone. Best of luck! read more

Seriously legit cocktail bar-- my go to is an army and navy and wes and graham make it beautifully and perfectly every time. Nice cozy bar atmosphere, less so in the dining area. And dining is where it gets a bit more challenging-- bbq and brat and such that isnt that compelling. Except! The smoked wings are pretty awesome-- the Alabama white flav is outstanding. Will keep coming for the bar and hopeful the food progresses read more

After being welcomed warmly by the staff at the entry steps, the experience only got better and better. The food was delicious and perfectly prepared using only quality meats and ingredients. The staff was attentive, polite and knowledgeable. The cocktails were very good, and the atmosphere was airy and upbeat. This spot although I hear it's new is game ready, worth the time, and the very reasonable money. Borderline loved it. Two comments on the downside: Don't serve sandwich bread with those really tasty entrees and open up the menu just a tad. Now get to this place and drop it into your restaurant rotation. read more

5 stars is hard to come by but this place deserves it! The details of this place is what sets them apart. The hand-crafted drinks were delicious. The Caperol Spritz was so refreshing and the Dominicana is the perfect decadent dessert drink. The food also did not disappoint. I had the pulled pork, cole slaw, cheesy corn which comes with a side of potato bread, pickles, and pickled onions. On every table comes 4 different homemade sauces -- a mayo/horseradish sauce, mustard sauce, ketchup-based sauce, and a Carolina sauce. The service was very fast. We sat inside but there is a really charming patio with picnic tables in the back as well. read more

One of the best food establishments that I have ever eaten at... food was delicious and the ice in our drinks brought forth loads of conversation!!! read more

Excellent wings and fried chicken sandwich. Decent draft selection. Enjoyable low key casual lunch in a smart and comfortable setting. read more

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Stumbled upon this "gem" of a place while visiting Lake George with my sister. As soon as we stepped in we found the decor incredibly charming. The food was phenomenal and the sauces provided on the table were incredibly flavorful. The sticky pudding was out of this world and my sister and I regretted not getting our own when we realized we'd be forced to share this insanely good dessert!! The staff were so kind and friendly and offered great recommendations. I couldn't recommend this new spot enough! Will definitely be recommending to anyone visiting Bolton & Lake George! read more

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It is well named ...it is a gem! Outstanding from the moment we were greeted by our hostess to the very end. Extensive cocktail menu. We ordered the family style dinner and everything was perfectly prepared and delicious. Our server was terrific! Finished with the sticky pudding and apple cake both are served warm and were exceptional. Highly recommend this little gem! read more

Food was excellent. It was a pub type ambience, and the service was good. I would definitely recommend. The Gem

The absolute worst dining experience of our lives. Although the food and service was great there was no control of the behavior of a group of rude, inconsiderate, offensive, entitled, loud, obnoxious patrons. There was a table of at least twenty 20 something's hooting, hollering, screaming all evening with no regard for anyone. At my table we could not speak to each other without screaming. Even then we could barely converse. We saw the dismayed, annoyed and mortified look of other customers who ran out as quickly as they could. Unfortunately, I think the staff were intimidated, overwhelmed and not sure what to do. Under no circumstances should a place of business tolerate behavior like this. Anyone of the staff could have politely and quietly asked them to keep it down, sit in their seats and be mindful of the other diners. I will follow up with ownership and write a follow up review. I have no desire to be in the company let alone dine with a bunch of barnyard animals who think they are at the zoo. If the ownership does not care to address this then I have had my last meal and attended my last event at this establishment. Nothing short of disgraceful, embarrassing, offensive and a frightful look at the future if these people are representative of their generation. I am following up on my review. I was contacted by the ownership who apologized sincerely I believe. They offered some compensation which was a nice gesture. As the food is great, I will return and I am confident this will not occur again. Give them a try. read more

Great food and service and without question the best pour anywhere in Bolton Landing.

Top notch BBQ and excellent cocktails, all served in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. This place is a must!

The restaurant is aptly named! The Bbq chicken is amazing and I'm not just saying that. It's covered in an array of spices not doused with gobs of sauce. If you are in Bolton Landing and don't try it that is a mistake. Also, have Wes mix up on of their signature drinks. read more

While staying in Bolton for a weekend, we decided to try The Gem for dinner on a Sunday evening. The menu lookEd good and it is known as a smokehouse. I made reservations and clearly stated that we were four adults and three children. When we arrived we were quickly seated, but the place was not too busy. We were given menus, and given drink menus, and asked if we wanted drinks before we had a chance to look at either menu. The drinks we ordered were small, expensive, and had a huge block of ice in the small glass very much limiting the quantity of drink. We were not told anything about what the restaurant did not have, and as their menu was a little limited to begin with this would've been very important. There was is no brisket left, no macaroni and cheese and only one rack of ribs. The children with us were very disappointed. They did order fries with their meal, but these were very peppery, and the kids could not eat them. We did not want the kids to have soda, but wanted them to have cranberry juice and seltzer, but there was no plain cranberry juice. Instead we got them Orange or pineapple juice Which was poured into a tall glass that was completely filled with crushed ice. One sip from the straw Emptied the glass. The food itself was nothing to write home about. The pulled pork was tasteless and the pulled chicken was mushy and tasteless. One of us got the last rack of ribs, and though they were tender, the rub was vinegary. The sides were only OK. The wait staff was pleasant.. for that I will give 3 stars, but she should have been more informative before we even ordered drinks. read more

Wow! Stopped here just as they were opening for dinner. Our family of 4 planned to get a quick bite to share. We ordered a 1/2 rack of ribs with the corn and Mac and cheesse. I love good BBQ and often cook my own at home on the smoker. When the ribs came out, I was not expecting the level of bark on they had. They were tender with a perfect smokey flavor. They didn't need any suace, but they had four homemade sauces which were all phenomenal. We also had a couple cocktails - Kentucky Maid and a Bourbon Mule. Both excellent. Don't underestimate this place. read more

Food was very good. However, the brisket platter showed up with only 1 thin slice plus 2 sides for $24. When I saw that amount of meat, I asked the waitress if I could add 5 ribs and pay the extra to make it the 2 meat platter on the menu. She said let me check. She came back a few minutes later and said the chef would not allow that. I'd have to buy the full 5 rib dinner. Absolutely crazy and just awful customer service by the chef. Spent almost $400 and will not return. Also, our group had many $15 specialty cocktails. Had a former bartender as part of our group and when she lifted the very large ice cube from her Old Fashioned, she said that it was about 1/2 of a normal drink. read more