Article and Photo By Justine Parkinson
I recently had the opportunity to meet with the ownership team of Doc’s on the Water, the tenant restaurant at Treadwell Bay Marina, north of Plattsburgh. John-Mark Ford and Mark Titherington met while working at Harmony Golf Club in Port Kent, New York. “It was a perfect match” they joked in unison. The duo compliments in a true Ying Yang fashion. Ford was born and raised in the North Country. Titherington found his way here from across the pond – the UK — when he was just 13. Ford graduated from Le Cordon Bleu and plied his talents throughout the United States, Montreal and Paris. Titherington cut his culinary teeth on the line at a Plattsburgh pub owned by his extended family.
Ford is the Executive Chef at Doc’s. Titherington works full time at Clinton Abstract, but helps the restaurant’s service team of 30 or so on the floor, in the bar and the kitchen. While there are extended family ties, the marina and restaurant operate independently. The partners enthused, “Our landlords have really been supportive of us. Opening during a pandemic was tough, but they couldn’t have been more understanding.” The property manager empowered the Doc’s team to make whatever cosmetic changes they wanted and even saw to some much-needed upgrades and renovations to the space. Ford explained, “I was never adamant about wanting to have my own place, honestly, but looking around this place now I couldn’t be happier.”
What’s in a Name?
Ford’s father owned and operated a bar, a popular local hangout back in the day. Ford shared, “It had charm and patrons loved it. The place was named Doc’s Last Call. Ford attributes his culinary and hospitality aspirations in part to his dad so it seemed only fitting that he pay homage to his inspiration when he was ready to open the door to his own place.
Doc’s menu seems to be a perfect combination of fine cuisine and accessible local fare with a focus on seafood. It is open seven nights a week for dinner and brunch on Sundays. The bar, which has been expanded in both seating and beverage selections, offers a variety of mixed and frozen drinks to embrace the waterside atmosphere. Guest can choose to imbibe in the restyled interior or on the deck overlooking the marina and Treadwell Bay.
The menu continues to evolve with little tweaks. Diners are invited to try loaded lobster fries, crab dip in a bread bowl or a salmon BLT. Not wanting to disappoint the land lubbers, they offer an authentic Cuban pressed sandwich with house roasted pork, a Mediterranean style lamb burger with house made tzatziki or a freshly grilled prosciutto and pear sandwich.
Happily, the brunch menu isn’t just an afterthought. The pairing of Hollandaise sauce with eggs is a match made in heaven. Guests can enjoy lobster or classic eggs benedict and a whole host of other dishes that range from hearty to lighter options You can wash it all down with a fresh made Bloody Caesar or a mimosa. You will find traditional offerings on the menu for diners who might not be feeling adventurous. But we’ve had to play it safe for a while now. Why not go out on a limb? That’s where the fruit is!
Doc’s on the Water 214 Bouchard Drive Plattsburgh NY 12901 (518) 536-3107 Facebook.com/docsonthewater
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