Staten Island Restaurant Tour, Part XXXIV: The Veranda (Silver Lake Park)

That is Silver Lake Park but not The Veranda.

One of the Tour’s most beautiful lunches was in a restaurant perched in the middle of Clove Lake. Just to the north of Clove Lakes Park, separated by Clove Road, is Silver Lake Park. While the restaurant there is not actually on the lake — that structure you see is a bridge over the lake — it does offer views of the adjacent golf course. My inner voice said, let’s go. Also, I was hungry.

Silver Mount Cemetery.

As I stepped off the S61 Victory Boulevard bus, I couldn’t help noticing the local cemetery. It has operated since 1866 via the Hebrew Free Burial Association. Apparently sensitive to discrimination, the place is “open to persons of all faiths and origins.” I’m rarely averse to a cemetery walk; the dead are such relaxing company. Instead of stoking my anxieties, they ease them. But I had my heart set on a stroll in the park.

Entrance to Silver Lake Park.

So I entered on the other side of the street. It wasn’t long before I had my first glimpse of the lake. Unlike the three interconnecting mill ponds in Clove Lakes Park, Silver Lake Park features an actual lake.

Overlook at Silver Lake.

Here we are at the south end of the lake. It originated as a spring-fed body of water and from 1917–71 served as a reservoir for the Catskill branch of the city water supply.

NYC drinking water used to win awards.

The ducks were out having a good time.

They didn’t mind me zooming in on them.

Formerly known as Fresh Pond, Silver Lake was probably named after Mark Silver, formerly Marks Silva, founder of the cemetery above. Silva is both an Italian and Portuguese name. (Apropos of nothing, Daniel Silva is my favorite thriller novelist.)

Should we call it Silva Lake?

Before the land was obtained for use as a park — in pieces, between 1901 and 1961 — it had hosted a saloon, a casino, and an ice-harvesting company using its potable water.

This lake provided drinking water AND ice.

The shore was not directly accessible but I could hear the waters gently lapping against it.

It was a soothing sound.

Approaching the bridge that crosses the lake at its midpoint. The pair of structures in the middle are gatehouses formerly connected with the reservoir system.

One on each side of the bridge.

An enterprising soul got inside and wrote about the gatehouses for the local paper. They have no function now.

Except to add to the lake’s scenic and historic character.

Crossing was a temptation, but for this first trip, I wanted to do a full perambulation of the lake. So I walked on by.

Bridge over Silver Lake.

But not before walking to the middle of the bridge to grab a beauty shot.

Bridge looking north and west.

Here’s where I was walking, at the eastern end of the lake. Audre Lorde was an LBGTQ writer, mother, activist, native of Grenada, and during the 1970s and ’80s, a Staten Islander along with her partner of 21 years. Before her death she took on an African name that means “she who makes her meaning clear.”

Her adopted African name was Gamba Adisa.

I must confess I cribbed a lot of the information for this blog from the sign directly below that one, so thank you, Parks Dept. historians. Farther east of that spot was the Silver Lake Dog Run. These are probably geese.

Not dogs, obviously.

Rounding the bend at the north end of the lake.

Another tranquil vista.

Dude catching the big game on the radio, presumably. He graciously granted permission to shoot the picture.

A better shot with the aerial aimed over the lake escaped me.

Here at the top of the lake, the bridge was visible.

Only just.

Benches for quiet contemplation on either side of the forking path.

I might come back with a book and occupy the one at left.

The lake was there, but lost in the foliage, as I headed down its western flank.

Faint glimmer of Silver Lake.

On the west side is Silver Lake Park Road, which connects Victory Boulevard to the south with Forest Avenue to the north. Beyond the road is the golf course. That speck at center left is a golf cart. My first thought about the fence was that it was designed to keep out the riffraff. But it also prevents golf balls from getting onto the road.

Better shots of golf carts later, I promise.

I was counting on using the restroom in the field house associated with the golf course. It seems to be a public course, which would make the restroom a public facility. Perhaps some other parkgoer had the same idea.

You will not fence us out! We need to pee!

But I opted not to join the rebellion, knowing the restaurant was nearby. I must have stood in the road to take this shot.

What kind of fool does that?

Golfers young…

With bag o’clubs at left.

…and old. I noted that the fence ended here, allowing access to the course.

That’s more like it.

Senior bladder, your salvation is at hand.

The field house was now accessible but the restaurant was closer.

I had arrived at The Veranda.

With outdoor dining in the front yard.

To give the full name, it is The Veranda Restaurant at Silver Lake Golf Course. Note sentry left of the door.

The Veranda, main entrance.

What’s your pleasure, indoor or outdoor dining? Note that there were three outdoor options: the tent at right, the front yard above, and the veranda in the back.

Shaded outdoor dining.

The Grill Room was empty today. The painted ceiling was beautiful, but when you can have the real thing, you go for the real thing.

You might dress up, just a little, for this room.

Old-fashioned phone booth, no phone inside, though you could probably step in for to take a call on your mobile and pretend you’re back in the 1930s.

Operator, could you help me place this call?

Here’s the veranda after which The Veranda was presumably named.

The eponymous veranda.

It includes a view of the golf course. No fence! We’re all friends here.

We are the golfing elite.

Golfers setting out or coming back.

Not sure which.

Zooming in on the action.

Will he make the shot?

Zooming in on the golf carts.

I promised you golf carts. Here they are.

Enough zooming. It’s time for lunch. Here’s the romaine, red onion, and beefsteak tomato salad. The glass table reflects the trees overhead, gently shading my lunch spot.

With Italian dressing. It feels wrong to have any other kind on Staten Island.

A group of teenage golfers took up residence a couple of tables away, talking golf. I recall the term bogies (or bogeys, if you prefer that spelling). Have I mentioned that I had the veggie bogey, I mean burger? Always a good sign when the tap water comes with a slice. I was even asked about it. One of the most careful and conscientious servers of the Tour.

Tout ensemble in mixture of sun and shade.

The onion rings were voluptuous.

Onion-ring porn.

The veggie burger was graced with a touch of curry. Definitely tastier than any I’ve had before. Flecks of red bell pepper gleamed.

They were a bit subtle for the camera in the shade.

I picked ketchup (of course) from the shoeshine tray of condiments, and added relish. Because it was a day to relish.

Let no pun be left behind.

See you in New Brighton.

Previously on the Staten Island Restaurant Tour:

Part I: Angelina’s (Tottenville)

Part II: Fina’s Farmhouse (Arthur Kill)

Part III: Laila (Richmond Valley)

Part IV: Il Forno (Pleasant Plains)

Part V: Breaking Bread (Prince’s Bay)

Part VI: Woodrow Diner (Huguenot)

Part VII: Il Sogno (Annadale)

Part VIII: Riva (Eltingville)

Part IX: Marina Cafe (Great Kills)

Part X: Do Eat (Bay Terrace)

Part XI: Canlon’s (Oakwood Heights)

Part XII: Prince Tea House (New Dorp)

Part XIII: Inca’s Peruvian Grille (Grant City)

Part XIV: Colonnade Diner (Jefferson Avenue)

Part XV: Baci (Dongan Hills)

Part XVI: Chinar on the Island (Old Town)

Part XVII: Cinco de Mayo (Grasmere)

Part XVIII: Phil-Am Kusina (Clifton)

Part XIX: Lakruwana (Stapleton)

Part XX: Pier 76 (Tompkinsville)

Part XXI: Chang Noi Thai (St. George)

Part XXII: Mike’s Unicorn Diner (Bulls Head)

Part XXIII: Melt Shop (New Springville)

Part XXIV: Da Noi (Travis)

Part XXV: Big Nose Kate’s Saloon (Rossville)

Part XXVI: The Manor (Manor Heights)

Part XXVII: Luk & Bart Homemade Food (Mariners Harbor)\

Part XXVIII: Rinconcito Paisa (Graniteville)

Part XXIX: New Dinette (Port Richmond)

Part XXX: The Stone House (Clove Lakes Park)

Part XXXI: Hitto Ramen (Castleton Corners)

Part XXXII: Primo Pizzeria (West New Brighton)

Part XXXIII: Don Roberto’s Classic Italian (West Brighton)

If you’re enjoying the Staten Island Restaurant Tour, please follow my blog by clicking follow next to my name at the top. Then subscribe to get emails on new episodes. You can also subscribe to the SIRT channel on YouTube. For offline reading, the first 21 episodes of the SIRT are available as an ebook. See you soon!