The Favorites

Wednesday night we went out to dinner at one of our favorite places in Saranac Lake, Casa Del Sol. (our other favorite is Eat 'N Meet which deserves its own story). We've been coming here for a decade (joe longer). It's one of the places that feels like home. The owners, Harry and Diane (yikes, I think it's Diane) are always there and seem to know everyone. The food is always good, with mixes of ambitious stuff and standards. Don't expect fancy new ideas or lots of changing menu items but it's always solid. The margaritas are stellar and the prices are great and the service is always lovely. I sometimes have the baked tortilla soup which is a twist on french onion soup. I also like chipotle shrimp, which is really simple, just shrimp in chipotle sauce with fresh tortillas. Joe always has chimichangas, and Clarke is all over the menu (which is quite extensive), depending on how STARVING he is. They accommodate Oscar's finicky tastes too. The decor is just great with open windows and great art. There is a patio with picnic tables for waiting and drinking margaritas (sometimes the wait can be extensive). The owners are Mexico enthusiasts, have travelled there often, and have brought back flavors and art...and the laid back attitude. It is one of those places where we go when we are all in a great mood. I'm kind of smiling just thinking about it, as we've had so many memories there over the years. (after we hiked Cascade and Porter, we showed up freezing, wet, dirty, starving and dehydrated. We chugged gallons of water and then gallons of margaritas and the boys had appetizers, entrees and then a few side dishes. Is it hyperbole to say that Casa saved our lives?!)