Après-ski activities can be just as memorable as the time spent on the slopes, and North Lake Tahoe is offering even more options for posh cocktails, cold brews and unforgettable flavors.
Northstar-at-Tahoe
Located mid-mountain, Manzanita (530-562-3000) at the Ritz-Carlton Highlands is helmed by Traci Des Jardins, the James Beard award-winning chef behind San Francisco’s Jardinière and Mijita Cocina Mexicana. Skiers and snowboarders can end their day with Des Jardins’ signature French-inspired cuisine infused with mountain flavors created with organic ingredients and sustainable, locally grown meat and produce. Menu items include Liberty Farms duck meatballs with mission figs and Lucques olives and Dungeness crab sliders.
The masterminds behind Moody’s Bistro will also be celebrating the one-year anniversary of Baxter’s Bistro & Lounge (530-562-3200) in the Village at Northstar. Chef Mark Estee and JJ Morgan welcome hungry skiers and riders with live jazz and comfort food created with farm-to-table ingredients in a hip atmosphere. New this winter is an outdoor patio with fire pit and couches where revelers can keep warm with seasonal cocktails, such as the Naughty Cider.
Truckee
FiftyFifty Brewing Co. (11196 Brockway Road, 530-587-2237, fiftyfiftybrewing.com) opened in 2007 and is the place to head for an authentic taste of Sierra-brewed beer. The menu features pints of Rockslide IPA, plates of nachos, Belgian mussels and frites or bourbon-grilled shrimp over sweet potato fries.
The Village at Squaw Valley
New this winter is the Cornice Cantina (530-452-4362, serving until midnight). Located in the old Red Dog, the Cantina serves authentic Mexican food and margaritas. Twenty-Two Bistro & Bar (530-584-6170) celebrates its one-year anniversary this December and basks in the glow of KT-22. The eatery serves up small ‘social’ plates of New American cuisine as well as substantial entrees for skied-up appetites. The owner of Uncorked opened Soupa (530-584-6190) last year, which features affordable, house-made comfort foods from organic, sustainable ingredients.
Tahoe City
Tahoe City recently got a taste of Thailand when Thai Kitchen (255 North Lake Boulevard, 530-583-1784) in early September. The city’s Cobblestone Center is also home to a new wine bar, Corkscrews Wine & Cheese Bar (475 North Lake Boulevard, 530-581-1106), with a sleek, modern look, boasting an impressive selection of boutique wine labels and cheese, including Cowgirl Creamery’s Mt. Tam goat cheese.
Fat Cat Café (599 North Lake Boulevard, 530-583-3355) re-opened its doors last May after an extensive remodel. Guests can pick their poison from an extensive martini and cocktail menu at the cherry-wood bar and enjoy ‘share plates’ with friends. Try the Alley Cat, a dirty martini with blue cheese-stuffed olives, Thai lettuce wraps, and Fat Cat Mac, a four-cheese macaroni and cheese with smoked bacon, crimini mushrooms and truffle oil. Live music is featured Friday and Saturday evenings with an open mic night on Tuesdays.
Incline Village
Incline Village welcomed Bite (907 Tahoe Boulevard, 775-831-1000, bitetahoe.com) in December 2007. The lounge-style bar and restaurant specializes in small plates and American tapas. The bar creates artisan cocktails from scratch, using premium spirits, house-made infused syrups and fresh herbs and fruit. Check out the Lemon Ginger Zinger and the Lime Basil Gimlet, or the Ahi Sliders with arugula, pickled ginger and wasabi aioli.
These are just a few of the newer options for your après ski taste adventures. Visit gotahoenorth.com for more information, and complete restaurant listings.
