Lake Tahoe in January?

We'll be flying to Lake Tahoe in January (okay, Reno, and renting a car); it's a surprise anniversary present for the Lovely Dining Companion. Our last visit there was far too brief (one night) and the dinner we had (Le Petit Pier), while pleasant-ish, was not something I want to repeat. I've done my research (such as it is) and can't seem to settle on a place. We're staying in King's Beach but we'll have a car, so we can go a ways. (That said, having just driven in from Reno in the pm, I'm not eager for a long drive.)

The reviews I've seen tend to name the same (relatively small) list of places over and over, which is both helpful and not. Thus, I gather that my short list should include the Big Water Grill, Le Bistro, Frederick's. And perhaps Plumpjack's, Wolfdale's and Soule Domain. Opinion seems more divided on Lone Eagle. (River Ranch, while well spoken of, doesn't sound like LDC.) My problem is that few of the discussions have talked much about food and service of particular meals; they've been more like "recommended" lists. Why should we go to Big Water Grill and not Le Bistro (or vice versa or something else)?

To the extent it helps define special for the purposes of this request, price is more or less irrelevant; I'm thinking upscale, on the quieter side. No specific preference as to cuisine which is less critical than the quality--both food and service. So...where should we go on a nice (hopefully) snowy evening in mid-January?

GypsyBoy, first of all, if it's a nice snowy night you aren't going to be travelling far unless you've got a 4 wheel drive vehicle, which I'd highly recommend in January, unless you want to mess with chains to get up over the pass to Tahoe. That being said, I would offer 2 recommendations, based on weather and road conditions.

My 2 favorites restaurants in Tahoe are Moody's Bistro and Plumpjack Cafe(of Plumpjack Winery fame). Moody's is in Truckee and serves up regional American cuisine. It's located in an old, historic hotel in a warm mountain setting with lots of wood. Service is very good. Truckee is about 15 minutes from Kings Beach, however you need to go over Brockaway Pass, which I wouldn't recommend with inclement weather. Plumpjack is in Squaw Valley and has California cuisine. It's located in the Plumpjack Inn. It's more of a modern room. The wine list is fantastic and prices are unbelievably fair at 10-15 dollars per bottle over retail. Squaw is about 20 minutes away, but you would drive thru Tahoe City and avoid any passes. However, in bad weather, I wouldn't make the trip. I just dined at Plumpjack a few days ago and the meal was great.

Closer to home, and your easiest drive would be Big Water Grille in Incline Village, 10 minutes away. Nice view over the lake with a contemporary menu, modern decor, and a very talented chef. Good staff. I just happened to eat there last week with the famous GWiv himself and the always wonderful MsWiv and we all agreed that dinner was fabulous.

If the weather is really bad Spindleshanks is 5 minutes away serving solid American food in a nice log cabin environment. Old Range is the best steak house around, but can't quite compare to the best Chicago has to offer. It's also a 5 minute drive. Soule Domaine has a great setting but I found the food to be inconsistent.

Also in Incline Village are Le Bistro, which is very good French cuisine at a reasonable price and Frederick's for fusion. I recommend both.

Peluso's, in Kings Beach, has pretty good thin crust pizza for takeout only. Le Petit Pier has closed.

If we were here in January, I would've loved to meet up with you, but alas we'll be stuck in Florida. Such is life.

http://www.moodysbistro.com/?pg=menus
http://www.plumpjack.com/cafe6.html
http://www.bigwatergrille.com/

RevrendAndy wrote:My 2 favorites restaurants in Tahoe are Moody's Bistro and Plumpjack Cafe(of Plumpjack Winery fame). /

How come you've never taken me to your two favorites? When I visit, the only place we go to is Miguel MacGomez' Taco & Haggis Shack in Stateline.

Andy's Better Brother wrote:
How come you've never taken me to your two favorites? When I visit, the only place we go to is Miguel MacGomez' Taco & Haggis Shack in Stateline.

If you would ever remove the fishooks in your pocket we could dine at something better than a shack.

RevrendAndy wrote:Closer to home, and your easiest drive would be Big Water Grille in Incline Village, 10 minutes away. Nice view over the lake with a contemporary menu, modern decor, and a very talented chef. Good staff.

LTH,

Big Water Grille not only has a an incredible view, but the chops, in this case lamb lollipops, to go along. Andy and his lovely, actually very lovely, wife Lana have entwined themselves in Tahoe's food and wine community and Chef Jay C. Veregge let out all the stops for a stunner of a meal. Highlights include Lamb Lollipops with Thai curry, duck ragu cannoli, insanely delicious sauteed foie gras with black truffles and half pour of sauterne and house baked flat bread with Cambazola cheese, wine marinated figs, roasted grapes and micro greens. Tomato soup tasted like the very essence of tomato and Lightly smoked local Lake Trout Salad burst with flavor.

Little touches like 100 tomatoes, the name not the amount, in the risotto that popped like sweet tomato candy elevated the experience. Duck Cannoli (same as app), Airline breast of duck with basil risotto and kernels of fresh -creamed- corn and a drop dead gorgeous Elk Chop were were highlight entrees.

Bar, restaurant, setting, space are stunning, our waiter, Erik, knowledge of both menu and food and wine in general was impressive, and Chef Veregge's talent shows through in each and every bite. There is a very cool private dinning cellar room downstairs, which is reached through the kitchen and down a twisty flight of stairs, with high tech media options available.

Overall a dining experience I remember fondly, though each evening with the Rev, Lana and the other Blooms is memorable in and of itself.

Enjoy,
Gary

The Big Water Grille
341 Ski Way
Incline village, NV 89451
775-833-0606
Jay C. Veregge Executive Chef