Peter and Vanessa LaPlante recently opened The Gondola Bar & Bistro on the right side of Judson’s. (BJ Bangs photo) CARRABASSETT VALLEY — Peter and Vanessa LaPlante have a lot of plans for The Gondola Bar & Bistro, located on the right side of Judson’s.

They opened in December and are going full-steam ahead to create a niche in the Valley.

“We’re the only place in the Valley that offers breakfast and late night light fare,” she said.

With the capacity to seat 45, they hope to become a favorite for locals. In addition to breakfast, they are open for lunch and offer entertainment on weekends. They also have Wii games and other activities for the kids.

“It’s a great place to bring the kids, that is before 9:30 or so,” she said. “The parents can come in and get a drink, or have a bite to eat, and the kids can have fun at the same time,” she said.

The Gondola Bar & Bistro is open Mondays from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Tuesday through Friday, from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 1 a.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. And with the exception of some help from a few friends, they are doing all the work themselves. That includes the cooking, bartending, cleaning, fixing walls, etc.

Their kids, Austin, 4, and Gabrielle, 11, are frequently seen at the restaurant, especially Austin who isn’t in school yet.

The bar sits in the corner away from the main dining area. A grand piano and full-stage offer a lot of opportunities for future plans. On weekends, they have live entertainment, with venues ranging from bluegrass to classic rock. And there’s no cover charge.

They offer specialty nights. Thursday is poker night, Wednesday is 25 percent off for Sugarloaf employees, and Fridays are ladies night with plans for a locals’ night once a month. While there’s not a night designated as open mic, people are invited to bring in their instruments. The pub, offering late night light fare, is open till closing.

LaPlante said they offer a good hearty breakfast, good quality food at a low price.” The menu includes homemade corn beef hash, eggs benedict, omelets, pancakes, sausage, gravy and biscuits, and smoked salmon bagels.

“We offer traditional foods with a different twist,” she said.

Being located adjacent to a major snowmobile trails, they cater to them, as well, offering hot soups, chili, a gondola Rueben, Juddies chicken sandwich, crabwich and more.

Vanessa has been in the restaurant business for over 20 years, having run a restaurant in Chicago. Peter was the head chef at The Double Diamond at Sugarloaf’s Grand Summit Hotel for three seasons. With that experience they have knowledge of the food business. They hope to work towards taking over the motel side of the business, within the next few years.

“This was a good opportunity. There’s a lot of potential here. This place is an institution,” she said. “We’re constantly hearing old stories about various goings-on. People in the Valley tell us they really missed this place. It could do well again,” she said. She was working in the Stratton Diner, and head about it. Her boss said, go for it.

The Gondola Bar & Bistro held its grand opening last Wednesday, Feb. 1 with an all girl band, the Pussy Willows. “It was a party for the people,” she said. “Everyone could come in and see what the place looks like, check out the food, and tell their friends to come check us out.”