Lake Hopatcong Restaurant Guide

"Good food, comfortable drink" is the mission, but at Alice's, it's about much more than that. With a broad deck that overlooks the main stretch of Lake Hopatcong, fresh produce from nearby Halsey Island, and a naturally simple (but rustic ) decor, Alice's is a place that celebrates lake living and good company.

Lake Hopatcong resident Alice Szigethy opened Alice's in June 2009 to expand the selection of lake destinations. In this reinvention of a building that has been a series of eateries over several decades, the space features vaulted ceilings, reclaimed-barn-wood walls, comfy booths, and a full bar that extends from the airy interior to the breezy desk. A mahogany seating bar runs the length of the deck so guests can sit and enjoy a clear panorama of the water, and an austere mental awning gives outdoor diners a shady place to enjoy the view, the breeze, and, of course, the food.

The fare has evolved into a mix of healthy dishes and comfort food, with a regular selection of innovative specials. A mainstay of the menu is produce picked fresh from just a few hundred yards away on the Szigethys' Halsey Island farm: tomatoes, corn, and other items are literally taken off the boat everyday to be freshly prepared.

Altogether, the final product is Alice's: a place where couples, families, and friends can dock ( or drive) and be a few steps away from an exquisite meal in a charming and casual setting, seven days a week.

With low lighting, walls upholstered with leather and lined with natural beadboard, weathered mirrors, leather seating, and a marble bar, the Big Fish Lounge has the feel of going below deck in a luxury yacht. A swanky-but-comfortable counterpoint to the casual scene upstairs, the lounge is a place to relax, to tell stories, and to enjoy a drink and good company.