The 19th Hole - Caroga Lake

4th time in One year that we have been turned away when we arrive. We are doing a deal that we could sit down and we would like but it would be a very, very long wait. We totally feel not wanted to know when this happened today, there were two tables in the restaurant. Ridiculous. Go to the Pine Lake Inn!

What an ordeal! My good buddy and I were looking forward to sitting at the bar for a drink and an order of raw Oysters. I had been there a few weeks before and greatly enjoyed them. On the way we called to see that if they indeed had Oysters but were surprised with the responce asking if we had reservations. Although we told her we would sit at the bar, she all but said NOT TO COME, because there was no room. This is a place that has most of there early business from the Nick Stoner Golf Course, as it is called the 19th Hole. Knowing this we pressed on as it was only a little after 5 PM and expected that room would open up when the golfers left. And we were right. Upon sitting, there was a definite air of indifference from the bartender , Trystan. She apparently was the same one my friend had spoken to on the phone. (She obviously did not wish to work for her pay, so the fewer people she had to serve the better for her. After 20 or 30 minutes she finally took our orders, a gin and tonic for me, tonic for him, and our anticipated two dozen raw Oysters. After asking if we wanted them fried or raw, she went on to say that the kitchen was very busy so, if we wanted anything else we should also order it then, but only from the appetizer menu, (of which there were several items not available. Strange. Therefore we also ordered a basket of homemade potato chips and the bacon wrapped scallops (both of which were pretty good, by the way, except the chips needed salt . Much as I was afraid of, both the chips and Scallops came in a few minutes. But no Oysters. In fact a server came out to the bartender shortly later to tell her not to order Oysters from the bar. Parties on our left and right were served their Oysters, but we waited. An hour later I asked what happened to our order. She went back to the kitchen and returned with our Oysters that were swimming in melted ice, but worse, they were covered with a minuet sauce (vinegar and shallots , when we objected she said that 's how the kitchen made it and we should have known. Huh, when was that told us, I said to her. I then told her to take these back and deliver what we ordered. She became very defensive AND abusive saying, she doesn 't take orders from a GrandPa and further used every four letter expletive from the gutter to describe just how she felt. I asked to see the Owner and she brought over her lawyer friend instead. We paid for what we ate and drank and left. She told us don 't come back . Not likely, but then again I may want Oysters again.

Had seating for our group of 8 and service was average. Food had a good price to portion. Appetizers were good and easy to share with a large group. We had the crawfish, clams and , pretzels all cooked perfectly and tasted very good. The entrees were mainly steaks and seafood with a small selection of both. There a lot of specials and they are always changing. Today i got the rainbow trout stuffed with crab dressing. It was cooked to perfection and it was a huge portion that came with vegetables and rice, it tasted amazing and was very rich in flavor. All 8 of us really enjoyed our food and plan to come back. The restaurant over all has a nice rustic look with very well maintained bathrooms. There is also a bar and seating for all ages.

We made the drive up to listen to some music and have some of the seafood they have been advertising on social media for weeks. We got there and the weather was beautiful. Low 80 's. A touch humid but we can deal. We ask if we can sit anywhere and the waitress says sure, are you planning on ordering food ? I don 't think we are taking any more orders . She goes in the kitchen and sure enough, they aren 't taking any more orders. This at 2:30. Not at 10 and they are trying to close the kitchen. In the middle of the afternoon. The waitress did say we could drink, but we sat around for over 30 minutes listening to the band warm up and she never came back. This wasn 't our first experience here. We were coming here several times a summer for a few years then their prices went through the roof. My recommendation ? Go someplace else !!!! ANYPLACE ELSE !!!!! There 's a couple other good places up that way. And a couple in Amsterdam and Gloversville. And I 'm only giving even one star because it 's required by Yelp.

I was very impressed with the 19th hole! Absolutely awesome lunch. Everything was homemade and delicious. Huge portions and fantastic quality! I never write reviews, but had to for this little gem! Please eat here...you won't regret it. BRAVO to the owners and please keep up the great work! I will be back many times