Water Lilly's Waterside Cafe, New Ownership with Old Recipes and Live Music
Written: Jan 28 '05 (Updated Oct 30 '05)
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Pros: Give it four stars for the fun times in the summer with live bands.
Cons: Not for fine dining or romantic atmosphere.
The Bottom Line: This is a hopping summer place with live-music and an "older" yet very-lively crowd. During the winter it's a simple place with some ol' time recipes and seafood specials.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Water Lilly's |
While walking along the Nautical Mile in Freeport on a warm summers night, more often than not, you will pass a raised deck with a live band playing classic rock and roll and more contemporary sounds. Many people, in the 35-55 age bracket, will be packed in this place with drinks in hand, having a good time. This active summer hang out is Water Lilly's Waterside Cafe. Not only does it attract crowds in the warm weather, but it is one of the very few places on the canal that is open all winter.
Firemen, All Hands Report!
This place gives a 10% discount to firemen on the food portion of the bill. Good deal! I may be wrong but I believe some firemen have their hand in this business. You must have your badge. Just be sure you have a few extra beers to make up for the loss of revenue. Please be sure to have designated drivers.
Atmosphere
This place is under new ownership since May of 2004. It seems to me that the new owners are making some changes so they can to make this place more successful. The outside deck area has been closed-in for the cold winter months so they can still have crowds and special events. Every Thursday is Karaoke Night. During the summer this deck is open and all the action on the street is available to be seen and viva versa.
This larger deck area has a bar with perhaps a dozen stools and is generally four or five deep at peek times. Two TV monitors are inset into the walls above. Besides people in the place, you'll notice strollers on the street catching scores or watching an inning or two of a game.
This restaurant has two other areas. You walk into the smaller bar that has a few small round wicker tables and chairs. This is where the winter crowd hangs out during the day for lunch. A couple of ceiling fans help keep the temperatures comfortable.
The other room is much more finished and furnished. A beautiful oak mantle surrounds an electric fireplace that does have a natural look to it, including burning embers. This is a cozy room with a huge model ship on the mantle. The room has a nautical feel to it. The atmosphere is somewhat spoiled by an office cubicle in the corner. It's my feeling that if they must have the office, it should be closed in. Unfortunately the office area also disrupts any view of the canal.
But all the same, this place seems to do business to a crowd that wants to hang out, drink a few bottled beers and listen to some good live music. Though the place has some special recipes, I feel that food is a second thought at night during the summer. Lunch time and very early evening is a great time to go for food in the summer. You can go anytime in the winter months.
The restroom is clean.
The Menu
Water Lilly's serves a mixed menu of seafood dishes like steamers, scallops, shrimp and fillets along with inexpensive noshes like burgers, dogs, fries and much more.
They also have some noted recipes, that are favorites of the locals, that have followed from place to place along the canal. I couldn't get all the facts when last there. The waitress didn't know. We asked what the chef knew and hoped he would come out and give us some back ground, we weren't expecting the recipe. Instead the chef sent out a message saying their is a little information on the menu. I was disappointed he couldn't come out especially that business is very slow during the winter months.
The Bowl of Freeport's Famous Chili has a story behind it. The menu states, The Chimeri family has been guarding this recipe for more than fifty years. All meat, no beans, and a kick that'll make you sweat. ($2.75/cup:add cheese for $.50 ). The meat in it is excellent and tasty. Unfortunately there was no "kick" they mention on the menu. It still is very good and well worth trying. You can spice it up yourself if need be.
Then there is their "Special Burger" that they describe as This is the famous "special" that has been a favorite in Freeport since 1949. A hamburger with cabbage, tomato and onions and a mayo sauce that will have you hooked in no time. Better get two, they're small. $3.00(With Cheese $3.50) This is the one I would have liked more information about. It tasted much like a favorite of many that ceased to exist when another place closed down years ago that was called "the Ranger Burger" That burger had a history too.
In any case the special burger, though small, is a tasty treat. It's sloppy and darn good eatin'.
The Chili Special combines the Famous Chili and the Special burger. This is how the menu describes it. This is the favorite of the "regulars". It's the "special Burger" drenched in the Chimeri Family Chili. Eaten with a knife and fork, it's a meal you'll come back for. $4.00 ($4.50 with cheese)
One item on the menu is the Bucket of Steamers. I was disappointed when after ordering them, I was told they didn't have them in stock. My daughters and I were laughing because the menu states, These fresh steamers are dug locally and were probably sleeping peacefully in the bay this morning. You'll get no fresher steamers anywhere. The girls and I supposed the steamers were still peacefully sleeping along with the clammer who should have been out getting them.
The fact is, their not having any to serve showed me they do serve only fresh items. With all the snow and bitter cold weather of the preceding days, I don't think there was a lot of action on the bays. I'll have to try the steamers another time and I'll update.
More On the Menu
The four of us ordered a few burgers, some chili and we shared a fried clam plate. The clams were good. The batter wasn't too bready and you could taste the tender clams inside.
The regular burgers and cheese burgers were over-cooked. These are small things that are a just bit larger than a White Castle and go for just two bucks, fifty cents more with cheese.
One of my daughters had "Ashley's Chicken". This was a winner sandwich described as Fried "buffalo" style chicken breast on a bun with blue cheese dressing. ( the dressing was on the side)This one was invented by "Awesome Ashly", one of our favorite (hot) waitresses.
Just a quick note on the waitresses. they are a good looking and very friendly bunch. Not just to the guys but genuinely friendly with my grand daughter one afternoon too. She told my grand daughter that she was the cutest little girl she had ever seen and then introduced herself as "Anna Banana". I'll have to find out if all the gals have these little catchy names.
Back to "Awesome Ashleys" Chicken. I had a taste of this one and here they weren't bashful about making it hot. The blue cheese dressing was better than the usual stuff you get elsewhere too.
We ordered some sides of fries. We had the regular that are deep fried to a very crisp outside and tasty inside. The gals shared a basket of Spicy Fries. These are the curly ones with a hot spicy taste to them. I thought they were good too.
Next time
I do want to try their steamers. I was also drawn to the Captains Feast and Broiled Salmon. The Soft Shell Crab sandwiches (that are subject to availability) are something I happen to love.
Unless I suddenly decide to lose a couple of ....hundred pounds in the near future, I will probably not have anything from their "Low Carb Corner". I'm much more likely to try one of their desserts like the Brownie and Ice Cream Temptations, Italian Cheesecake, or Tiramasu.
In Closing
This place takes on a different atmosphere depending on the time of year. This is by no means a fancy place or a place of fine dining. It's more of a place to hang out and have some good basic foods at great prices.
In the winter, when I first put together this review, the place is quiet with a few locals. This is the first winter the owners are going through. With more than a foot of snow on the roof, there are a couple of dripping leaks in the place. It has a rustic feel but the waitresses I have had all make the place a bit cheery with their friendliness.
This place is hopping and crowded on summer nights, but its worth squeezing in to get a bottle or two of beer. No draught here. The music happens to be rockin', the beer is cold, and the waitresses, like the menu says, are hot.
Freeport's Nautical Mile A wonderful summer destination!!
Freeport's South Street Seaport annex museum
Freeport's Nautical Mile Eateries
The Crab Shack
Rachel's Waterside Grill
Cafe By the Sea Dining and wonderful desserts. Some fun entertainment too!
Otto's Sea Grill Fine dining or partying on the canal
Bracco's Clam and Oyster Bar Eating on the canal with live music under a palm tree
Pier 95 A very fine Portuguese-Mediterranean Restaurant on the Hudson Canal just minutes from the Nautical Mile
Montana's pizzeria and restaurant Good Italian food in Freeport near Nautical Mile
Ralph's Famous Italian IcesThey are on Freeport's Nautical Mile and elsewhere across the Island
Recommended:
Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations For a more intimate dining try the small room with the fireplace.
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