Vandeline’s Italian Cuisine
By Shelley D. Zajaceskowski

         Bears, bears everywhere! No not real ones! Bears adorn the cover of the menu at Vandeline’s as well as being an apparent focal point of décor. My husband and I grabbed lunch there the other day rather late in the afternoon. We were the only patrons in the whole place. Our waitress seated us in a knotty pine booth near the front entrance. On the wall was a huge poster of a chart titled “Adirondack Animal Tracks,” which was interesting. The waitress was pleasant as she handed us the menu, which is filled with various salads, fish and seafood dishes, chicken and veal, steak, pasta and Italian dishes. There were also burgers, sandwiches, pizza and our favorite-grinders. Beer, wine and beverages as well as a dessert menu are also offered.

          I believe a place that has a good ambience about it enhances your eating experience. Vandeline’s is decorated with hunter green walls with a deer head, bear rug and a real canoe hanging from its ceiling with, yes, stuffed toy bears in it. Each booth had a faux pine tree with plaid ribbon entwined in it adorning the top of the knotty pine booth seat. In one corner was a full sized faux pine tree decorated with the plaid ribbons. It was pretty inside.

         I noticed on one side of a booth was a small poster that said, “I love NY smoke free.” I agree. It is so much more pleasant to eat your meal without the smell of cigarette smoke altering the taste of your food. It is also nice to go out and be able to come back home without changing your clothes and doing more laundry. Thanks, Vandeline’s, even though it is now a law.

         My husband and I ordered an appetizer of onion rings. They were steaming hot with a light, crunchy batter that satisfied our taste buds. For our main lunch meal, we both ordered grinders, one small ham and one large roast beef. The small ham grinder looked like a large one to me and the large roast beef was large. They both were excellent as usual as we are regular patrons. Why not stop by Vandeline’s Italian Cuisine at 101 West Main St. as you enter the village of Broadalbin for a nice meal? They are open Tuesday through Thursday: 11:00-9:00 and Friday & Saturday: 11:00-10:00 and on Sunday’s: 4:00-9:00. Call 883-4746 for more information.

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