Seasoned restaurateurs, famed for their management of two favorite Aroostook eateries, have taken over ownership of the Lakeside Restaurant on the shores of Nickerson Lake in New Limerick.
Life partners Sam Foster and Zoe Gerakaris of Houlton had long thought about using their combined years of food service experience to run their own restaurant, and last week that dream became reality.
“After years of opening and managing restaurants for others, we shared a dream of creating something of our own, so we took the leap,” Gerakaris said.
Located at the Houlton Community Golf Course, the revamped Lakeside Restaurant boasts more seating, more food and menu offerings rarely found in Maine’s northern eateries.
Patrons have already commented that it reminds them of what is more traditionally found in Portland or Augusta dining spots, Gerakaris said.
“We wanted to offer something different that nobody else in the town has,” she said.
Foster is the head chef, supported by two sous chefs. His love of pairing fresh herbs in creations first tried at home led to a menu that offers everything from weekend brunch, to casual fare for golfers and fine dining for special nights out.
After an almost “too busy” soft opening on May 7, word-of-mouth and social media praise for the couple’s tasty creations is already creating a buzz. Along with a steady dining crowd, they have also already booked several large events including two wedding receptions and some golf events for 100 people, they said.
Popular menu items are the Haddock Ladolemono over homemade Maine mashed potatoes and the Greenside Bowl, grilled chicken, roasted cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, pickled red onion, olives, and feta cheese, finished with a drizzle of tzatziki sauce and balsamic glaze over jasmine rice, which is served with crispy pita chips on the side.
“I love fresh ingredients,” Foster said.
The couple each managed separate Houlton restaurants up until the week they opened the Lakeside.
Foster started out as an assistant regional manager with Dunkin’ in Millinocket, working in various locations. For a while, he moved to Florida and opened several Chipotles for a different company. He returned to Maine to open the Houlton IHOP for the Connecticut-based Great American Real Food Fast two years ago and stayed on as the general manager until last week.
Gerakaris was the front-of-house manager at the beloved Vault Restaurant in downtown Houlton. That spot is now closed and up for sale after the head chef, co-owner David Craik Tucker Wells, died last week.
Wells was helping Foster and Gerakaris get their restaurant up and running, she said.
The Houlton Community Golf Course owns the building and the couple owns the restaurant, said Daniel Peabody, acting board president.
“They operate it on their own. They brought their own multi talents between the two of them together and here they are,” Peabody said. “It looks very promising and we are very excited for the future for them.”
The Lakeside Restaurant is located at 6 Country Club Drive, New Limerick. Hours are:
Monday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; closed Tuesday and Wednesday; Thursday and Friday noon to 8 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday brunch 10 a.m to 2 p.m. and dinner 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Reservations and takeout orders are accepted.
The restaurant now seats about 125 people, with room for 40 to 50 on the patio. Several of the employees from the closed Vault Restaurant are now working at the Lakeside, Foster said.
Later this summer they are also considering adding catering and larger events.
“It’s very exciting because you don’t know what’s ahead, but it just feels like it’s going to be good,” Foster said.
