Baltimore, if you've been missing the Mt. Washington Tavern since it burned down on Halloween, I have the perfect roadtrip for you. For that historic building atmosphere, top quality-powerful cocktails, classic American cuisine and preppy/club feeling, Saratoga Springs' Olde Bryan Inn will fill the bill beautifully. I'm glad I got to try it.
The building itself has an interesting history. It's across the road from a natural spring that was visited by Native Americans as early as 1300. Caucasians discovered the area around 1750 -- 450 years later -- and an inn was built in 1774. Revolutionary War hero Alexander Bryan bought the inn to have something to do in his retirement and lived to the age of 92.
The bar area has timber beams and pewter steins. They serve a wide range of high-end scotches and there's a fire in the hearth. Classic rock plays in the background and I'd describe dress as casual/horse set. I understand that the place is always bustling and popular.
The wine list is quite extensive.
With the cooler weather, I judged it the perfect time to try the Captain's Spiced Cider, which is Captain Morgan's spiced rum with hot apple cider.
They have a new appetizer: duck drums. The drumsticks are cooked crispy with an Asian sauce and Asian veggies, plentiful, large and juicy. You could do that and a salad for a quite substantial dinner or share them with friends.
They serve homemade biscuits with dinner: soft whole wheat. If you've only had Southern-style biscuits, these are "Yankee" style -- very tasty.
At a classic place like this, I think the correct way to go is with a classic dinner, with a twist if you like. I went for a Delmonico cut steak, after the classic restaurant in "the city: garlic pepper Prosciuto Delmonico. It was their choice, hand cut, well marbled seasoned Delmonico steak, grilled to to your liking and served in a roasted garlic pepper prosciutto cream sauce with an array of fresh steamed vegetables and choice of potato. It was a tender, juicy steak with a savory, flavorful sauce.. The green beans they served with it were nicely cooked.
