The
Poconos is an area of Pennsylvania that conjures up “second homes” and
“timeshare vacations”. Hit the eastern
portions and you’ll take in the Delaware River.
Head northwest and you’re close to Lake Wallenpaupack…or as I simply
call it, “Lake W”.
We
headed from Queens over the G.W. Bridge to catch Route 80 on our way to The
French Manor Inn and Spa, located atop Huckleberry Mountain in the town of
South Sterling. www.thefrenchmanorinnandspa.com. This is one elegant Bed and Breakfast country
inn and probably the most romantic place in the Poconos. No, you’re not going to find a room with a
private pool shaped as a champagne glass.
Nor will you encounter even a tiny mass of people. You will see old stone chateaus and
accommodations such as one newer building that houses six romantic suites each
with a fireplace, Jacuzzi, frig and a private balcony with a view of the
Northern Pocono Mountains. I was able to
stay in one of these.
Of
the two rooms, I chose the one that had a bed…less high. Laurie and I are both short to begin with but
her being a bit more spry got the one with the stepstool. The room also came with a plate of cheese
and apples along with a carafe of sherry.
Turndown gave us some Godiva chocolates. Idea was great but I don’t like either the
brand or milk chocolate.
The
main building houses the formal dining room, complete with a fireplace and baby
grand piano, which leads to a balcony overlooking the gardens of some flowers
and perfectly trimmed grass.
If you
walk down the hill you can see the vegetable garden that the Executive Chef
takes advantage of when preparing his meals.
There is a second much less formal dining room dubbed the “café” where
you can still enjoy the same menu as well as stopping by for afternoon
tea. (I noticed that there was a rooibos
tea in their selection…one that was mixed with vanilla and mango). There are some rooms in the main building as
well as other buildings that housed accommodations.
Lunch
is not served here. However, it can be
part of a spa experience. The spa, pool
and fitness room is located just behind and down the hill from the spa suites.
We
had a cup of lobster bisque with truffle oil and salad…that had one of the veggies
from the garden…by the indoor poolside.
After a bit of relaxing it was time for the spa. A facial and foot massage was much
needed.
More
relaxing before tea time. It happened
that Laurie and I were the only ones in there at the time…so I guess we had
“Tea For Two”. Loved the artwork in the
room.
It is soon time for
dinner. The menu gives enough options
and is changed on a seasonal basis. A
both fresh and refreshing amuse bouche is a strawberry champagne shooter topped
with a mint leaf.
As an appetizer I
chose the Les
Coquilles Saint-Jacques de Plongeur avec la Noix de Coco: Pan
Seared Diver Scallops, Caramelized Pineapple Compote, Coconut Beurre Blanc
. Diver scallops are the largest and
most flavorful.
A salad was in order as
one component came directly from their garden.
Jeune
Roquette Organique, Feta, Fruits, Noix à la Vinaigrette Framboise : Organic
Baby Arugula, Macerated Strawberries and Kiwi, Feta Cheese, Candied Walnuts,
Raspberry Vinaigrette. It was certainly
a delicious combination.
I believe that
at this point, we were given a house made sorbet to cleanse our palate for the
entrée as I opted for Canard Rôti à la Poële, Gastrique de Cérise et Gingembre : Pan
Roasted Duck Breast, Sweet Ginger and Cherry Gastrique, Pickled Black Cherry
Rhubarb Salad, Toasted Pistachio Powder.
I had
requested that the duck be cooked so that it was pink and it came out perfect and quite savory.
Who’d a thought to a pickled black cherry rhubarb salad?
I
have to admit that I was quite full from both the portions and “nursing” each
bite. However, a few desserts sparked
my chocoholic taste buds. We shared a
triple chocolate layer cake and a chocolate, mango, and Kaulua soufflé. That
Rooibos tea with vanilla and mango ended the meal.
During
dinner I had noticed a woman coming over to a table where she was taking photos
of a couple and talking with them.
Being a journalist I inquired from the wait staff. It certainly caught my attention and just
had to interview Merle (yes, here name is Merle) and Dave.
Picture
it. 1965, the beginning of the War in Vietnam. Merle, a native to the Philippines, is
visiting Guam having completed her college education. She is 19 years of age and Dave, a member of
the U.S. Navy, is stationed in
Guam. He is 21 years of age. They meet, fall in love and Dave proposes to her. Dave approaches the navy chaplain to tell him
that he wants to marry Merle. It appears that Dave has a very top clearance and
sensitive job. The navy finds out that Merle was not at that time an American
citizen so they ship him out within 72 hours. Although letters are exchanged
they were not delivered and after some time, they each go their separate ways,
eventually marrying another.
Merle
had been married for 40 years when her husband died in 2009. In 2011, she found
Dave’s name on Facebook and got in touch to learn that it was the same person
from many years ago. “At that time he was married and was taking care of his
wife who had terminal cancer. He told his wife about me as being someone he
knew from long time ago - so his wife knew about me but as a friend from the
past.” His wife, eventually hearing the full story, told him that she wished
for him to be with someone rather than being alone, just prior to passing away.
After
her recent death, Merle and Dave decided to meet for a “first date”. Merle was living
in Delaware, Dave in Illinois. Merle
searched for what would be the perfect romantic place finding The French Manor
Inn and Spa, and were more than pleased with her choice. It was “love at first
sight”, again!
Update: I received an email from Merle telling me that they recently married. Here is a photo of when they met and now.
It’s
the following morning as we have a hearty breakfast beginning with a combination of two juices,
cranberry and pineapple. A fresh fruit cup and coffee cake square are presented
as I order the Eggs Benedict. Eggs
poached requesting spinach vs Canadian bacon, as bacon is another choice served
with breakfast. The Sherry Hollandaise
sauce compliments the poached eggs as I cut into it and allow the egg yolks to
ooze into the English muffin. The
cottage fries are perfectly seasoned.
Rooibos tea, of course. I think I
have the staff hooked on it, now.
We
then meet with the Executive Chef to talk about the menu, local foods,
sustainability, and his passion for cooking. He tells us how he stays awake at
night conjuring up recipes and his developing them at three in the
morning.
Laurie walks down to the newly developed garden with him as he
points out the various vegetables and herbs. I take in the serene atmosphere.
We
get on the road and head north. Coutt’s Paupack Blueberry Farm and Bakery is
sort of on the way. This family owned
and run farm and bakery is noted for their being able to pick your own
blueberries as you go out to the fields. The store features home made baked
goods, jams, jellies, relishes, fresh honey, and of course fresh or frozen
blueberries. I get to sample two of the blueberry spreads. One is made with the
usual amount of sugar, while the other has less than half that amount. I
personally found the low sugar spread to taste much better due to the sweetness
of the ripe blueberries. In fact the regular one actually annoyed the back of my
throat…kind of the way milk chocolate does. Oh, yeah…then there is the fresh
made ice cream. I sampled the blueberry as well as their coffee. You can really
taste the coffee!
On
the road and heading towards Hawley and Erhardt’s Waterfront Resort at Lake
Wallenpaupack. We check in to each of our Lake front suites. www.erhardts.com
The resort also
offers other accommodations including cottages, rooms, and family units. As I
look around, the resort is reminiscent of a more than bungalow colony located
on a lakefront. I view an outdoor pool,
and families interacting with each other.
In fact I hear that one family has its fifth generation coming back for
70 years.
Dinner
is scheduled for this evening at Grehsam’s Chop house in Hawley as we join a group
from Pocono Tourism. We shared various appetizers of: Coconut Battered Shrimp served with a tangy
pineapple dipping sauce; Tomato and Fresh Mozzarella; and Spicy Tuna
Bites. A 12-oz New York Strip was my entrée
choice. We all shared a piece of chocolate cake as dessert.
Perfect
timing for popping back over to the lake to catch the sun setting.
The
following morning commences with an early Continental Breakfast as we are off
to the lake. Canoes, row boats and paddle boats are free to those staying at
the resort. What’s up dock? You can go fishing either on a boat or off of one
of the docks. However, you must obtain a
fishing license in PA if you are over 18 years of age, even if your locale is a
dock.
One
certain way to get the “lay of lake” is by water skiing. With the lake being
downhill, it was already difficult getting to the dock. Let’s add my panic of walking along a dock
that is totally open on both sides and getting in the boat is not easy. With the help of a few, I make it in and take
a seat. Craig Erhardt will be showing
off his skills while Sarah O’Fee, the resorts Marketing Director, and Keith…from
tourism join Laurie and I giving us the scoop about Lake W. Laurie then takes her turn on “the slalom”,
while I take photos and video.
It
is noon and Wednesday, when a free bbq lunch is cooking for all of the
guests. This is just something that
Erhardt’s does. We head for Erhardt's
Waterfront Restaurant, where Sarah brags about more of the resort’s history as
well as which family members are part of the staff. We also get to learn how this facility
provides special events at the both the restaurant and its Banquet Center,
including group day trips. In fact, there was a day trip group taking in lunch
at the time.
The
main restaurant is upstairs as I order a beer that is similar to Blue
Moon. A tomato and crab bisque with lump
crab meat sets my taste buds into play. A
section of the menu reads, “Downhome Cookin’”, recipes that have been passed on
for decades. I order the Meatloaf
Platter. The meatloaf is stuffed with
honey baked ham and swiss cheese. It is
served over Yukon gold mashed potatoes, and topped with crispy onions. No wonder it’s a favorite!
Our
day has ended at Erhardts as we begin our travel back to Queens, but not
without stopping at Antler Ridge Winery and sampling several of their low sulfite wines. White wines for me
and done the “smell, swish and spit” method. Thank goodness, because I tasted at least a
dozen wines. They have over 25 wines and the tasting is
free, but for only up to three. It just
so happened that Coutt’s Ice Cream Store has a location
right next door which forced us to stop in and partake. I had a malted milk shake with that same
wonderful coffee ice cream from before.
I didn’t realize how well malt goes with coffee. Tummy
full and homeward bound.
To read Laurie's Point of view of this trip go to www.lauriekatzadventures.blogspot.com/
