Waterfront dining at Beaver Island: V'Randa kicks off season May 20

By Karen Carr Keefe

Senior Contributing Writer

Growing up on a farm in Quebec, Cyndy Montana’s favorite memory is sitting on the veranda with her family, enjoying peaceful moments as a reward for hard work.

“We always used to sit on the porch and look at the view and have a glass of wine and just relax,” Montana said.

When V’Randa kicks off its new season on Wednesday, May 20, at Beaver Island State Park, the goal is to serve up not only fine dining, but that essence of comfort and reward Montana felt back home.

“That’s what I want people to feel when they’re here.”

And the V’Randa – with the apostrophe – came about “because my dad was an auctioneer, and he talked really fast.”

The restaurant in Beaver Island State Park has a view that gets rave reviews, and a dining experience that draws customers back for more.

The Montana International website says, “The stunning view of the Niagara River is unparalleled, providing a beautiful backdrop to your dining experience at the V'Randa.”

That website is https://www.montanainternational.us/the-vranda.

Cyndy Montana, owner/operator of the V’Randa waterfront patio restaurant at Beaver Island State Park, holds the state contract to manage guest services at all state parks on Grand Island. In addition to Beaver Island, the contract includes Big Six and Buckhorn state parks. Her company, Montana International, manages a golf course, two marinas, a beach concession and a special event center, The Falconwood. (Submitted)

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The season begins

There are big plans for the kickoff.

•For opening day only, it’s a half-off sale on prime rib, beer, and wine by the glass, Montana said.

•There’s a season kickoff pop-up event at the V'Randa on Saturday, May 16, with live music by the Welcome Distraction Band.

“We are going to have some pop-up events on the V’Randa when we don’t have it booked for a special event. It would be kind of simpler menu and a bar. Some nights we’re going to have karaoke – and the silent disco, which is a crazy thing.”

Managing guest services at 3 parks

In 2019, Montana won the bid for a 20-year state contract to manage guest services at all state parks on Grand Island. In addition to Beaver Island, the contract includes managing Big Six and Buckhorn state parks. This is the eighth year of the contract and the seventh year for the V’Randa.

Her company, Montana International, operates:

•A golf course and driving range at Beaver Island, as well as Bogey’s restaurant at the golf course.

•Two marinas, one at Beaver Island and one at Big Six.

•An event space, the Falconwood.

•A beach concession called the Sand Stand, at Beaver Island.

Camping was at one point considered for a portion of the 1,000-acre Beaver Island State Park. However, the state couldn’t find a space for it due to the wetlands and species that were going to be damaged by that activity, so the plan was scrapped.

Montana said she has been told that, when the original Beaver Island Casino burned down on Oct. 29, 1992, the state wanted to keep a similar look to a new building, going forward.

She said that, over the winter, the Falconwood is the only part of the guest service offerings that stays open, when it’s rented. That requires about 12 staff members.

“At our peak, in June, July and August, when everything’s running full steam, we go to almost 100 staff,” Montana said.

“I would say the V’Randa has about 20; the golf course, about 20; the event center, probably 20 main staff, floor staff; and then the marina staff, at six or seven. And then I have managers, a handy man, and different people like that.”

It takes a village

Montana is proud of the company employees, and wants to give credit to her key team members. “I would be lost without this team,” she said.

They are:

•Amy George, who manages both marinas, the golf course and Bogey's at the golf course.

•Haley Barnes, the newest team member, who oversees the whole catering and event division. “She stepped into Tammy Papia's role after Tammy followed a lifelong dream and opened a bridal shop, Bridals by D in Williamsville.”

•Haley Brooke Latchford manages the V'Randa

•Chefs Luke LeMay and Dennis Garver

•Sarah McEvoy is the sales specialist

•Chuck Berlinger, who is head maintenance/fix-anything guy

A sampling of the food served at V’Randa outdoor patio restaurant at Beaver Island State Park. (Submitted)

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Special events, brunch and prime time

“We’ve had so much interest in doing events here, we need more event space,” Montana said. That led to a schedule change to accommodate demand.

“We’ve had weddings here, we’ve had showers. It’s really pretty, because it’s already got a little bit of ambiance. The terrace on the other side (of the Falconwood building) is the exact same space, but completely empty, and a bride can make it whatever she wants it to be,” Montana said.

V’Randa is open from 5-10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. It is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, for brunch only.

Also, as the website points out, “We have a food allergy and gluten-friendly kitchen – and we take it very seriously! … We take pride in sourcing the freshest and highest quality ingredients to ensure that every dish is delicious, satisfying and pleasing to the eye.”

Among weekly specials:

•The special for Wednesdays is “Prime & Wine.”

•Thursdays feature is 10 wings for $10 and drink specials.

•Friday is “Fish Friday.”

•Kids eat for free on Saturday morning.

•There is live music on Friday nights and on Sunday for brunch.

“We have a lot of regulars that have a favorite day,” Montana said.

Luann and Art Pelletier enjoy a meal at the V’Randa. The bartender in the background is owner Cyndy Montana’s daughter, Kaylee Montana. (Submitted).

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V’Randa’s unexpected start

In 2019, COVID was just around the corner. To stay afloat in the devastated economy of 2020, some plans were sidetracked, but V’Randa was fast-tracked. A Small Business Administration loan and the COVID-era Payment Protection Program loan helped ease the financial hit for Montana, but it was a tough time to begin the new venture. She said the seed money she brought to the table “just went to us surviving.”

“But we made it through, and I’m really proud that I was still able to employ people,” she said.

Montana noted the pandemic really slowed her down on some renovations she wanted to do.

“According to my business plan that we created for those 20 years, the restaurant was only supposed to open in 2023, and then COVID hit, and people needed outdoor dining. And so, we had the space, we knew we were going to do it, so we just did it – and in eight weeks!” she said.

Pointing out certain dining area features, barn wood – even 200-year-old barn wood – was the recurring theme. In benches, bar backdrop, and much of what’s unique and special about the V’Randa décor.

“It’s a tribute to my parents and the farm that I’m from. And all the decorations are from the barn,” Montana said. “In 2020, I couldn’t go home to Quebec; so, at first, we didn’t have much decoration. But I finally made it home and I found all that on the barn floor.”

This is the veranda at Cyndy Montana’s family home in rural Quebec that inspired the idea of the V’Randa waterfront restaurant she now owns and operates at Beaver Island State Park. (Submitted)

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Love of Grand Island

Before Montana’s 20-year contract began, Delaware North and Rich Products Corp. had contracts at Beaver Island State Park for concessions and guest services.

Montana was asked if she thinks it makes a difference in the level of services with a Grand Islander at the helm. She answered, “I’ve only been on Grand Island for 21 years, but I just love it. I ran for office. I’ve done everything – P.T.A. – and I want to see Grand Island be the best it can be.

“Taking on this bidding on this project was part of that, because I think if I make Beaver Island better, it’s only going to help Grand Island. I think with me leading this, there’s a lot more feeling and heart to it than probably if a big corporation had it.”

Montana said when she first moved here and her parents visited from Quebec, she brought then to the Beaver Island golf course.

“Then when kids came along, I’d come and walk the carriages in the park, and then when the kids got a little older I’d bring them to the beach,” she said. “And all of this, experiencing this park, appreciating it, and never knowing that one day I was going to manage it. It’s crazy how life can be full circle like that.

“Now, because it was so special to me, I think – I hope – that I relay that to every guest that comes here.”

Her kids now work at the park, too. Kaylee, 21, will graduate from SUNY Niagara this year. She has worked at the Sand Stand and as a food runner. Now she is a bartender at the V’Randa and at Bogey’s. Jaxen, 19, a college student, is working at the golf course for his third year.

Montana said she and her management team have won awards for the guest experience at the Falconwood.

“I’m pretty darned proud of where we’re going, and we’re only going to get better” in managing Grand Island’s state parks, she said. “I really want us to be one of Western New York’s event destinations. I want people to talk about wanting to be at the Falconwood.”

V’Randa is located at 107 Beaver Island Park Road, right across from the Beaver Island Golf Course.