Le Bistro du Lac

Don’t be put off by the snobby French Canadian snobbery. Great place for a swank cocktail in a fairly rural, lake community. Be warned, people roll up in fabulous boats. Wonderful apps: seared scallops, escargot and great bread! Annual tradition.

We came over from Vermont via the Charlotte/​Essex ferry. It was a fantastic summer night and the ride over was lovely. I didn’t think this restaurant would offer much since it is only open seasonally, but I was very pleasantly surprised by the offerings and view. Three of us, in our party of four, ate the special of the night, «Arctic Char». I have never had such well prepared fish! My mouth is still watering at the thought of it! We are hoping to get back before the summer ends to enjoy it once more. Clearly one of the better dining experiences we have had. My very fussy husband had the veal and desperately wants to return. Very relaxed, great location, good service, and fantastic food! Do bring your wallet, but worth it in every way!

My husband and I have a gluten allergy and the chef was very accommodating. We ordered onion soup for appetizer and veal with mushrooms for entrée. Both dishes were excellent and very tasty. Based on previous reviews, we asked our waiter to bring out the food once it was ready so the service was really good. Waiter was very friendly and helpful.

Fabulous location
Attentive waitstaff
Surly management (actually just plain rude)
Poor wine offerings by the glass — mediocre/​overpriced
Slow kitchen
And the gift that keeps on giving… All night long, and into the next morning
We stopped for a nosh and were made to feel unwelcomed very quickly. The ensuing dining experience was unremarkable.

Started out so promising. Beautiful setting, attentive staff, delicious soup (really amazing). Then the entrees arrived. Meat was all overcooked. My boyfriend’s medium steak came well done and crunchy on one side. My roast duck was a disaster. The breast was burnt on one side, which was face down on the plate. Someone knew it was bad when they plated it. Totally overcooked, dry, and unappetizing. Just a disappointing experience. When it got busy we were largely ignored.

Good tasting food but beware the hidden costs.

Great combination of French bistro classics and a killer view of Lake Champlain. Located in a marina, the outdoor dining area offers spectacular views. The kitchen is first rate. Give me a steak tartare and a bottle of Beaujolais and color me happy.

Le Bistro du Lac may be THE best restaurant in the Adirondacks, certainly the best on Lake Champlain.
A superb little French restaurant on the shores of Lake Champlain. Owners Rose and Bernard will see that you have a nagnificant lakeside table at which you can marvel at the world class food; from ris de veau to Article Char to country pâté and on and on! We have brought dozens and dozens of house guests and EVERY ONE raved about it.
Do not miss this «gem» in Westport, NY. On weekends, ask for Brian, the best waiter this side of La Tour D’Argent !!
Clint Allen

Located on the New York side of Lake Champlain –the views are exceptional. We arrived by boat as did many of the other patrons. We are fans of Chez Henri at Sugarbush, VT and came for the delicious French bistro cuisine since the menu is the same. We were greeted by the owner who knew us all from VT. Our first time guest proclaimed the French Onion Soup the best she ever had-​dense and rich and not salty. My quenelles did disappoint as I thought Lobster sauce was pink, delicate and creamy and this one was more of a stronger tasting brown sauce. The quenelle was tender though and my husband liked it. I liked his escargot and the wonderful garlic butter sauce– served out of the shell and easy to eat. Unfortunately I deviated from the duck I usually order and went with the special bouillabaisse that was filled with seafood but no flavor. I asked for hot sauce that did help. The duck was so good with the strong peppery sauce that I shared it with my amiable husband. The steak was acceptable but not the best ever. The salmon with leeks was served with a delicate sauce and of generous size. The vegetables were awesome; served in a side plate mashed potatoes, Ratatouille and snap peas. The veal a hearty portion was also well received– tender slices in a complex wine reduction.
Desserts of vanilla ice cream with a chestnut purée was interesting and decadent– reminding one of caramel flavor with an unusual but pleasant texture. The crème brûlée was not as creamy as I would have preferred but nice. Don’t bother getting the Cappachino– its a fake and must be from a mix not real.
A real plus was the live chamber music– it made the evening magical as we watched the sunset and were transported by the beautiful sounds of the instruments.