Hopefully you’ve already heard the great news: Linda and Ray Faville, who also ran the Essex Shipyard last summer, will be opening a new restaurant at the shipyard this summer! If you’re as excited as we are, then you want to know more. Well, we at the Essex on Lake Champlain blog have checked in with Chef Linda Faville for updates and have more information to share with you!

She assures us that they are hoping to open on June 1st and do not expect any delays. Some of the projects that they are working on right now and projects they plan to begin soon include:

Ray will be in Essex next week renovating the bathrooms in the restaurant. Other things we are working on now include ordering equipment & supplies (coffee machine, dishes, glassware, cutlery, etc.), finalizing the menu and wine list and having a couple of new signs made.  In May we will be cleaning and setting up the restaurant, hiring & training, advertising, and hopefully start cooking on June 1st!

From Rudder Club to Rudderless

The most recent restaurant occupying the Essex Shipyard was called The Rudder Club. You may be wondering why the new owners decided to change that familiar name. If so, here is your answer:

From our understanding, the restaurant was named “The Rudder Club” for three summers. During that time, there actually was a huge ship’s rudder on the premises. When the restaurant closed in 2011, the rudder was donated to a museum (Shelburne, I think). So it was relocated. We briefly considered naming the restaurant, ” The Rudderless Club” (a friend’s suggestion), but decided on “Chez Lin & Rays.”

Special Dietary Requirements

For those of you who have special dietary requirements, you will be happy to know that Chez Lin & Rays will work to accommodate you! Their vegetarians options sound delicious.

Regarding dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, we will do our best to accommodate our guests requests. Most of our menu items and sauces are prepared to order, so we can certainly tweak them if asked. For vegetarians, we will have several options like pesto & summer veggie flatbread, ravioli topped with roasted veggies, and a large version of our house salad. We plan to have a couple of “specials” each night, which will include vegetarian dishes like mushroom & sweet pea risotto and a roasted asparagus, tomato & goat cheese salad.

Also, the new restaurant will be serving beer and wine paired with their scrumptious menu options.

Thank you Linda and Ray Faville for this undertaking, and we look forward to enjoying your delicious food this summer! Find sample menu items and more on their blog. Call 518-963-4024 to make reservations.

Related articles

• Summer Restaurant to Open at Essex Shipyard (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Vintage Brochure: Visit Essex on Lake Champlain (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Essex-Charlotte Ferry: Early Spring Schedule (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Full and By Farm CSA in Essex, NY (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)