Each year that we return to Cooperstown, NY and the Glimmerglass Festival for our always memorable weekend of operas, we have a quandary as to where to dine on our nights free. As we attend four operas and a concert this year, one brunch and two dinners are arranged for patrons through the company and their superb caterer, The Horned Dorset. This year we have two free evenings and our last will be spent with a dozen and a half opera singers at The Rose & Kettle in nearby Cherry Valley, which we have deemed the best food in the region. Some of the places in town and out go up and down over the years, so we decided to return to the Blue Mingo where we have not been for sometime, in its placid setting on the lakeshore several miles north of town.
We had a beautiful view from our table(check the FB photos) and settled in with a Mingo Margarita and a Cooperstown Cosmo. Will learned a lesson by ordering the former frozen and it came loaded with way too many small chunks of just ice, rather than a smoother slush, while mine was nice, if a bit too loaded with cranberry juice; at least I got the extra from the bar in a small adorable container(see photo).
Bread was warm and delicious and came in brown and yummy mini corn muffins with soft butter.
Samuel had his eyes on the starter of SRIRACHA FRIES with Cilantro, Green Onion, Lime & Garlic Mayo and they looked great as he devoured the monstrous plate(please read on for my opinion). Will tried the TUNA NACHOS with Crispy Wontons, Seared Sesame Ahi tune, Wakame, Pickled Ginger and dipping sauces of Ponzu & Wasabi Crema. If the ordering of the ingredients on the menu has any meaning, then we should have noted that wontons are listed first as the dish was piled high with dozens of the fried tasty dough triangles, but sadly the less than a dozen tiny bites of ahi were negligible. The dish was tasty, but needs reordering of its ingredients and priorities. I fared best with the COCONUT SHRIMP featuring 6 plump pieces beautifully battered and fried with a sweet chili sauce, lime, ginger and a spoonful of Napa Cabbage(it was really a cabbage mix) underneath.
We ordered a bottle of Chateau d'Escalus Whispering Angel Rose which we knew and was crisp and refreshing as the weather cooled to below 70 and the sun set; it was a perfect evening. I noticed at this point the flowers(well on stem) in the vase on the table were wilting and needed some freshening, but at least that can't mar the beauty of the lake here.
Main courses were all decent, but still could use some minor improvements. Faring tops was Sam's QUINOA BOWL (the only veggie main option on the entire large menu!) made with Broccoli, Chickpeas, Zucchini, Squash, Sauteed Spinach, Sundried Tomato all dressed up with a delicious homemade Thai Sauce. Again it was huge, but truly varied and tasty. His friend's BAR STEAK was explained as a Sirloin on large roll with Maple Bacon Bourbon Jam and fries and it was just that and quite delicious as she raved about the tasty meat and sauce.
My LOBSTER ROLL was tasty but needed salt and pepper as it was barely seasoned, although the large chunks of lobster were delicious. It normally comes with a side of fries, but for $3 I upgraded to the Sriracha Fries. DON'T! They were truly the gummiest batch of fries I have ever had in my life, even if deliciously seasoned. The accompanying Garlic Mayo was perfect to add flavor to the lobster roll.
Will chose the SLEEPING LION BURGER, a gorgeous hunk of Grass-Fed beef on a bun with Arugula, Goat Cheese and that yummy Maple Bacon Bourbon Jam. Sadly the latter tow ingredients were barely in attendance, and I told him to ask for more, but he just ate on. A glass of Mountain Door Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina was a bit wimpy for the burger(oh, you Europeans might get that wimpy joke!).
The portions are huge and despite our seeing the totally fun looking dessert of "Grill you own Smores tableside" at the next table, we headed back to our cottage on the lake, very full, but wishing the Mingo took a bit more notice to its menu when delivering the dishes.
