I asked Lauren Shearer, Moonshine Ink’s graphic guru and 20-year vegetarian, about an edible love in Truckee/Tahoe and she immediately thought of Nik-n-Willies’ pesto zesto pizza. The white and fluffy crust has the perfect crispiness, she said. And the pizza’s toppings — thinly sliced lemons, pesto, tomatoes, and basil — are a unique, simple, and zesty combination. Always on the lookout for a good veggie option, Shearer’s recommendations are tried and true. Call ahead to place your order, and pick it up 15 minutes later. Bake your pizza on your own time at home, so that it’s hot when you want it, or have them bake it for you. Open six days a week, Wednesday through Monday, for lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner, 3 to 8 p.m. Info: 11429 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, (530) 587-0421, niknwillies.com ~ Julie Brown/Moonshine Ink
Bite in Incline Village is not your typical Tahoe eatery. The tapas restaurant features a chic lounge atmosphere that is reminiscent of downtown San Francisco and is a nice break from the rustic (and may I say artificial) feel of some restaurants in Tahoe. Sip one of their artisan cocktails and order a couple tapas to share with your table. The last time I visited Bite, I ordered their Ahi sliders ($11). Sliders are every bit as trendy as this restaurant, so it’s not surprising to see a nice selection of tiny sandwiches on the menu. The ahi sliders are served with sushi-grade ahi tuna seared to medium rare, arugula, pickled ginger, and wasabi aioli. The other great part to Bite is its daily happy hour from 5 to 6 p.m. and its happier hour from 10 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, both offering steals on beer, wine, and food. Open seven nights a week at 5 p.m. Info: 907 Tahoe Blvd, Incline Village, (775) 831-1000, bitetahoe.com ~ Julie Brown/Moonshine Ink
Have you experienced the ‘food truck revolution?’ Red Truck proprietors use the words sustainable, organic, and eclectic to describe their unique menu — not the usual words that come to mind when thinking of eats from a portable kitchen. I had wanted to try something from Red Truck for some time, and was happy the experience lived up to the concept. I enjoyed their popular naan sandwich ($9), which was served on naan bread, smothered in homemade hummus, included made-from-scratch falafel drizzled in homemade tahini, topped with fatoush (Lebanese salsa), homemade labneh (Lebanese cheese), and finished with crispy quinoa. Did I mention that nearly everything was homemade? Oh yeah, I did. They also have fabulous tacos ($6), burritos ($7) and naan dogs ($7) for the kids. The menu goes on. Find Red Truck parked at many local events, in front of Ace Hardware in Truckee or downtown Truckee. Season runs from May through November. Info: (530) 386-0257, redtrucktahoe.com.
~ Emily Dettling/Moonshine Ink
