In a little more than a year of operation, Foxfire Mountain House in Mt. Tremper has made a name for itself as a weekend escape and a popular wedding destination, with well-appointed guest rooms, luxurious common spaces and a woodsy setting. Last month, proprietors Eliza Clark and Tim Trojian plugged in one of the biggest pieces of their plan, opening Foxfire Bar Room as a weekends-only restaurant.
The dining room and bar embody a distinctly Catskillian vibe, rustic and modern at the same time, with a poured concrete bar and a combination of DIY design and thrift-store furniture finds. The look and feel are consistent with the rest of the inn, which Clark and Trojian bought in 2013 and have renovated and refurbished themselves.
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As the chef of the pair, Trojian has overseen the catering side of the business since it opened as an event venue, but the restaurant’s launch is the realization of a long-held dream. He’s put together a selection of small and large plates that showcase Catskills-sourced ingredients ranging from local chicken roasted in Awestruck Cider to Beaverkill Hatchery brook trout served two ways: as smoked fritters for an appetizer or a cast-iron grilled main dish.
A veteran of Whiteface Lodge in the Adirondacks and the InterContinental in Toronto, Trojian is mixing it up in the cuisine department. There’s a stuffed pear that riffs on a traditional Québécois dish. Lamb kufta — meatballs in sumac broth and cardamom yogurt sauce — pays homage to his Armenian heritage. You’ll also find Vietnamese-style stuffed grape leaves, a steak and mushroom pie and French lentil stew.
Prices range from $7 for nosh like “fireside snack mix” to $25 for a lamb shank entrée, with lots of options in between, including vegan and vegetarian-friendly dishes. The farmer’s platter is a beautifully presented display of local cheese and charcuterie, and the hearty burger comes with fries and a delicious onion honey marmalade.
On the beverage menu, you’ll find specialty housemade cocktails with fresh ingredients, along with local ciders and beers.
One of the nicest features of Foxfire’s new restaurant is its setting inside the inn — you can sink into the sofa in front of the fireplace with your after-dinner drink, or play a game of cards next to a window overlooking the pond that doubles as an ice skating rink this time of year.
Next up on Clark and Trojian’s to-do list, now that the restaurant is up and running: turning the pond’s cabana into an outdoor spa, with a wood-burning hot tub and sauna, and a whisky bar next to the bonfire pit.
Find Foxfire Mountain House at 72 Andrew Lane, Mt. Tremper (just off Route 28). The restaurant and bar open at 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with dinner served until 10:30 p.m. Please note it’s also a private event venue, so it’s a good idea to check for closings on the inn’s Instagram.
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