Lanzi’s on the Lake in Mayfield is part of long family tradition

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MAYFIELD — May marks 27 years since Lanzi’s on the Lake Restaurant and Marina began serving customers on the Great Sacandaga Lake.

“When we opened, we only offered traditional Italian dishes, but we have seafood and steak now too,” said co-owner Chris Lanzi.

Chicken Parmigiana, Eggplant Florentine and Chicken Cosentino—chicken parm topped with eggplant, sautéed roasted red peppers and spinach under mozzarella cheese—dot the menu along with Dill Salmon, Lobster Ravioli and the restaurant’s signature dish, Vodka Ala Penne, a playfully named take on the classic.

The menu at the Lake Restaurant and Marina changes twice annually with the seasons.

“We add lighter, more health-conscious fare in the summer and heartier dishes in the winter,” Lanzi said. “We always keep the signature dishes on the menu too.”

Lighter entrees include London Broil, a 12-ounce New York Strip, Broiled Haddock and Shrimp Scampi.

Lanzi’s on the Lake owners Chris and Lawrence Lanzi.

If you’re in the mood for an appetizer, the Lake Restaurant and Marina has plenty of classic options including chicken wings, spinach artichoke dip and calamari, as well as blackened yellow fin tuna served over baby greens with teriyaki sauce and Bourbon Street Shrimp – Cajun spiced steamed shrimp in butter and garlic, served on toast points.

Seafood is also prominent on the sandwich menu as there’s a Maine Lobster Roll and Stump Alley Fish Sandwich—deep fried haddock topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and tartar sauce.

Despite the seafood and steak options, Lanzi said the menu is largely Italian due to his family’s roots.

The Lanzi family has a long history in the restaurant business as Luigi Lanzi owned Lanzi’s Restaurant on Amsterdam’s southside and his son, Lawrence, went on to open Lorenzo’s Restaurant on Union Street in Amsterdam in 1956 before it closed more than 40 years later.

Lanzi and four brothers—Joe, Lou, Larry and Anthony—grew up working in their father’s restaurant and sought to continue the family business. Not only do they own the Lake Restaurant and Marina, but they also own Partner’s Pub in Johnstown, Sport Island Pub in Northville and the Lakeside Tavern and Marina in Gloversville.

Lanzi’s on the Lake’s signature dish: Vodka Ala Penne.

“It’s a tradition our parents instilled in us,” Lanzi said. “Family businesses are lacking nowadays, and we want to keep it going.”

The Lanzi family is gearing up to pass the torch onto the next generation as five of the Lanzi’s sons will be opening a new restaurant—Lorenzo’s Southside in Amsterdam—within the next few months.

“We wanted to get back to our roots and the opportunity was there,” Lanzi said of the family’s decision to revive their grandfather’s restaurant. “We haven’t been in Amsterdam in a while and people are excited for us to return.”

The new Lorenzo’s Southside restaurant will boast approximately 200 seats both in the indoor seating area as well as on the outdoor patio. The menu will feature Italian dishes as well as brick fired pizza and their well-known salad dressing—their take on creamy Italian, which was created by Lanzi’s brother, Lou, in 1957.

More from Dine 2019: Montgomery, Fulton and Schoharie Counties

• Chef and owner of Broadalbin’s SALT cooks outside the box
• Craft beer and craft food at Broadalbin’s Project 29 Pub
• Grapevine Farms in Cobleskill offers comfort food, wine — with an unexpected twist
• Glen Falls’ Morgan & Co. offers fine cuisine in a historic Adirondack home
• Authentic Italian at Parillo’s Armory Grill in Amsterdam

Lanzi said he’s looking forward to opening the family’s new venture.

“Our parents always told us if you work hard and keep a good name that good things will come,” Lanzi said. “It’s been really rewarding.”
 

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Categories: Business, Food