Former Pond owners back at it

ANCRAMDALE— Linda and Larry Marrish have returned as owners to The Pond Restaurant in Ancramdale after taking some time off.

Their son, Eric Marrish, took over the business for a year but has moved back to eastern Connecticut, where he formerly cooked.

Linda, who functions as chef, is bringing back her menu (and prices) from before Eric’s term, adding a few new features.

In addition to the regular menu, which Linda pridefully describes as “good ole’ home style cooking,” there are special offers different days of the week.

On Wednesdays and Thursdays, customers can opt for a barbecue/clambake platter with chowder, a pulled pork slider, barbecue chicken, steamed clams, baked beans, cole slaw, corn on the cob and a baked potato all for $16.95.

Every Friday, patrons are offered the seafood platter, which includes chowder, fried flounder, scallop casserole, steamed clams and mussels, a skewer of char-broiled shrimp, cole slaw and a cheddar cheese biscuit. The deal is $23.95.

Finally on Sunday, customers can buy the $19.95 family buffet: mussels marinara, fettuccine alfredo, chicken parmigiana, penne a la vodka, a slow-roasted pot roast, potato and vegetables, roast pork, rice pilaf, chicken marsala, flounder francaise and assorted desserts.

Linda’s meals are made from scratch and sourced locally when possible.

The chef has a history in food service; the couple also owns the Hearthstone Inn in Copake and the Hillsdale Diner. 

Larry’s role is at the front of the house; he greets customers and makes sure everything runs smoothly on the floor. The owners employ 10 people on staff.

“Everybody likes Larry,” said Linda, who met her husband while she was fixing up the Hearthstone. 

“I think we compliment each other,” she added. “He’s very good at what he does, and I’m pretty good, too.”

The couple originally purchased The Pond property and building — 7.5 acres and 8,000 square feet, respectively — in 2004. After a lot of renovating, they opened in 2008. The building was built in the 1800s as a farmhouse and was first used as a restaurant in the 1960s by Mike and Marilyn Demchuck. Before that, it had a cider mill and was used to produce alcohol during prohibition. 

The Pond now seats 80 people. A banquet hall adds 130. Three fireplaces keep things warm in winter, as the restaurant stays open year-round, with only Christmas Day off. Easter, Mother’s Day and Thanksgiving offer “incredible buffets” and average 200 to 275 customers, Linda said.

“We are people who greatly appreciate the customers,” Larry said.

Regular hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 4:30 to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 2 to 9 p.m. The business is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

The restaurant officially reopened Wednesday, Sept. 2. The owners celebrated with an open house Sunday, Aug. 30.

The Pond is located at 711 Route 3, nine miles from Pine Plains, nine miles from Millerton and nine miles from Hillsdale. Call to reserve seating at 518-329-1500