The Peru Gazette

Brandon Way and Teresa Larsen

Main dining room

Just a touch of the beautiful view

Bar dining area

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Word of mouth travels fast in the North Country. On November 6, 2019 The Mariner Bar and Grill opened its doors. There wasn’t a sign outside, but customers started coming through the door. Owners Brandon Way and Teresa Larsen still haven’t advertised, but they say business has been very good, so good that If you plan on dining at the restaurant on either Friday or Saturday evening they advise making reservations.

Dana’s Rusty Anchor operated at the same location on the Lake Shore Rd. at 4016 Route 9 until January 8, 2019 when a fire devastated that restaurant. Following an extensive rebuild and total renovation The Mariner opened featuring a large, modern dining room, a smaller dining area, an attractive bar and an open kitchen. Both dining areas and the bar have an expansive view of Lake Champlain and Valcour Island.

Brandon Way and his wife, Teresa Larsen, worked as computer app developers for several years before having second thoughts. Brandon explained, “We asked ourselves. Do we really want to keep doing this? We love the restaurant industry more than anything we’ve ever done in our lives. Believe it or not, I love waiting on tables. I don’t know why, but I love it.” Way and Larsen have many years of restaurant experience, beginning in high school.

Teresa explained, “I love the hospitality part of serving good food. When I go out, I want to relax, be entertained, and have a good time. I want the same thing for others.”

Brandon describes The Mariner’s menu as having French, Spanish and Portuguese influences but still a hometown classic. Teresa added, “Our chefs are out of this world. Lonnie Furnia is our executive chef and Kevin Perrone is our sous-chef.” All foods are cooked to order; the kitchen doesn’t have a microwave. Brandon went out of his way to acquire a Montague steak broiler specially designed to sear a steak so that it retains its juices. Coquille St. Jacque has been the restaurant’s most popular seafood. Burgers are made to order and there’s a kids menu.

As the climate transitions into warmer weather, The Mariner’s atmosphere will change from cozy to more casual. Teresa said, “There will be a summer vibe here on the marina. There are 15 transit day slips making it easy for someone to pull up outside. A little further out there are 120 sailboat moorings, plus hundreds of boats are typically around Valcour Island. Customers will be wearing sandals and shorts.”

Both Brandon and Teresa say they want customers to come to a place where they find quality food and hospitality. When Brandon’s not supervising every dish that leaves the kitchen, he says he’ll be shaking hands and listening to what people are saying.

This winter, The Mariner Bar and Grill is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Hours will change in the summer. Call 518-565-8511 for reservations. If the parking lot in front is full, there’s plenty of parking just across the street.