NORTH LAKE TAHOE CULINARY SCENE HEATS UP THIS WINTER
NORTH LAKE TAHOE CULINARY SCENE HEATS UP THIS WINTER
(NORTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nevada) –Some come to North Lake Tahoe to rip down the slopes while others find their escape in a fireside massage, but everyone who makes their way to this winter wonderland counts on a good meal to make their getaway complete.
There are even more dining options on North Lake Tahoe’s culinary front this winter. The Crystal Bay Club recently opened the doors to Bistro Elise. The popular casino and nightlife hotspot continues to up its offerings after a multi-million-dollar renovation in 2003. Touted as an eco-friendly bistro, Bistro Elise serves up an impressive array of organic dishes, including innovative paninis on completely recycled dishes with potato-based utensils.
The après-ski scene at the Village at Northstar gets a little bit hotter (and sweeter) as the resort welcomes a trio of new eateries this December. The creators of Moody’s Bistro and Lounge in Truckee (JJ Morgan and Mark Estee) are set to open Baxter’s Bistro and Lounge featuring a menu of contemporary American cuisine in a lively atmosphere. A regular lineup of live music from some of the country’s top jazz acts will undoubtedly make the bistro a favorite for après ski cocktails.
The Chocolate Bar will offer village guests a one-of-kind menu that specializes in the highest quality of chocolate. Destined to be a favorite among sweet-toothed skiers, the bar serves appetizers, desserts, wine, spirits and a signature Chocolate Bar cocktail. Euro Gelato will curb cravings with gelato, ice cream, specialty chocolates, cookies, desserts and beverages. Indoor and outdoor seating will be available and a walk-up window allows for quick goodies to go.
Estee, who has become a prolific and culinary standout in the region, is also behind Truckee’s Burger Me, which opened late summer. The low-key, high-quality downtown “joint” raises the bar for other burgers, using 100-percent, all-natural beef from Five Dot Ranch, Diestel Ranch turkey and Niman Ranch hot dogs. Additional menu highlights include kids’ servings, house-made or sweet potato fries, caramelized onion toppings and decadent shakes made with Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and organic milk. Caprese, venison and buffalo burgers are among a number of weekly and daily specials offered.
Lone Eagle Grille at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe in Incline Village is seeing a subtle rejuvenation of flavors from Mark May, the new chef de cuisine. Chef May, who joined the Hyatt in May, has more than two decades of culinary expertise and has worked at Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotels around the world. He brings a diverse culinary background in Mediterranean, Japanese and American cuisine. Echoing Lone Eagle Grille’s devotion to game, Chef May also loves foraged products and has already established relationships with numerous regional foragers.
Sugar Bowl’s Four Peaks Restaurant in Truckee also welcomes a new chef. Executive Chef Alan McKenzie joins the resort from Rainbow Lodge, where he served as executive chef and general manager for 12 years. Chef Alan infuses contemporary practices with French cuisine, allowing him to be versatile, creative and flexible in menu concepts.
For guests who would rather enjoy their culinary experiences on the snow, there’s Last Tracks at Diamond Peaks in Incline Village. Late-day skiers and snowboarders can enjoy appetizers and wine tastings at the mid-mountain Snowflake Lodge before riding down the mountain on freshly groomed trails. The gatherings begin at 4 p.m. every Saturday from February 7 through April 11.
The Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area satiates cross-country skiers and snowshoers Sunday, March 8 at the 8th Annual Gourmet Ski Tour. The popular event features the creations of North Lake Tahoe’s finest chefs and restaurants accompanied by live music.
North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. For lodging reservations, recreation and event details, call North Lake Tahoe at 1-877-949-3296 or visit www.GoTahoeNorth.com. Visitor information centers are located at 380 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village. The North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureaus, Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, work together to promote North Lake Tahoe as a premier, year-round destination.
