Anthony Foti Reopens Tavern On Black Lake

BLACK LAKE - The owner of the Black Lake Tavern - formerly the Lakeside Restaurant, located about seven miles outside of Ogdensburg on county Route 6 - can remember when this stretch of road "was a pretty fun place."

Today, Anthony Foti, who is attempting to resurrect the once proud and happening establishment, says the atmosphere around Black Lake has changed.

"Everything has closed along the lake," Mr. Foti said, adding, "There used to be something like 13 bars along the road in this area."

It hasn't stopped the New Jersey native and former car dealer from pursuing his goal of opening a restaurant. He purchased the property about two years ago and has spent time and money refurbishing the place. The doors opened only a month or two ago.

"It was way out of code," he said. Since acquiring the property, he's installed a new septic system, kitchen set-up, coolers, interior layout and decor. "Top to bottom, everything you see in here, I've done."

What you see is an eclectic collection of memorabilia, sports, antiques and otherwise, covering nearly every visible space, both inside and outside. Colorful signs adorn the exterior, as well as a huge wooden bear and an antique sleigh.

Inside, the cluster of items is vast and includes something for everyone to appreciate, from team jerseys, helmets and other memorabilia, to antiques of every kind and old artifacts of every nature.

For about 30 years, Mr. Foti says, he has been coming to the North Country and enjoying the area. After getting out of the car business in New Jersey, he decided to open the Black Lake Tavern (BLT).

"Eventually, the goal is to make this a sports bar," he says, but for now, without a liquor license, he is focusing on the restaurant.

The BLT is currently open five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday, from 3 to 9 p.m. Mr. Foti is offering specials every day, as well as Angus burgers, eighteen inch pizzas, pastas, steak, and barbecue chicken and ribs.

"We're still searching for an identity," Mr. Foti said, noting that for now, "Getting the word out is the most important thing."

On Valentine's Day, he hopes to accomplish just that, by offering a prime-rib dinner for only $12.99.

"You can't beat that," he said.

Daily specials at the BLT include pasta on Wednesday, pizza on Thursday, fish fries on Friday and combinations of prime rib and barbecue chicken and ribs on Saturday and Sunday. Pizza is one thing that Mr. Foti says the BLT definitely does right. Starting at $9, his menu boasts about 15 varieties of his catchy, homemade, eighteen inch pizzas, including pies entitled, "The Big Tony Pepperoni," "The Godfather," and Mr. Foti's personal favorite, "The Mission Impossible," a 17-topping beast that throws everything at you but the kitchen sink.

"The trick is getting that one out of the oven," Mr. Foti says, adding, "I've made some big pies."

While getting a liquor license and surviving the cold and quiet winter months are the priority for now, Mr. Foti says he's using the slow start to establish his reputation and to attract a "good family crowd."

"People are not complaining," he said. "The plates are coming back empty and the bones are clean. And," he added, "People are coming back." Mr. Foti says he anticipates receiving his liquor license by summer-time.