Located in the center of the Village at Northstar, Rubicon is a family-style Italian Restaurant serves hand-tossed pizzas, fresh salads, pasta and sandwiches. Rubicon also offers daily pizza specials and serves the full menu at the bar.  $$-$$$  (530) 562-2199

   Great sushi in a spacious restaurant also located across from the skating rink at the Village at Northstar.  Enjoy their great food provided on an innovative menu and great setting.  $$$   (530) 562-2188

  The Chocolate Bar offers gourmet desserts, appetizers, small plate options, wine, spirits, and their very own Chocolate Bar cocktails.   $$$   (775) 337-1122

TCs Pub  This spot was remodeled a few years ago with an updated cozy apres ski feel when it was formerly Timbercreek, and now it is a sports bar.  It is located on the lower level of the Village near the roundabout shuttle pickup area. $$  (530) 562-2250

Cottonwood is easy to get to, about 5 miles west from Northstar.  As you head into Truckee on Hwy 267, turn left at the traffic light that would take you over the highway overpass if you were to go straight.  As you head toward downtown Truckee, turn left into Cottonwood before you go down the hill into the downtown area (just up from the railroad tracks, which if you get to, you have gone too far).  Here you will find they have a beautiful lodgelike setting overlooking historic downtown Truckee.  Cottonwood is located within one of the oldest ski lodges in the U.S., where you can see vintage photos of Truckee.  The food is excellent, and the atmosphere is cozy with a unique view of the lights of Truckee at night.  Call for reservations.  $$$-$$$$  (530) 587-5711

  This intimate restaurant is located in a small space above the shops of old historic downtown Truckee.  The food is really very good with a menu that is an eclectic blend of Thai, Japanese, Indian & Malaysian influences.  They are open 7 days a week for lunch & dinner.  Reservations are recommended.  $$$-$$$$  (530) 587-0557

Moody's Bistro & Lounge is located at one end of historic downtown Truckee, just past the train tracks as you come into Truckee from Northstar, across the street from the 76 gas station.  The food is excellent California cuisine, and Moody's has a trendy, cosmopolitan atmosphere.  They usually have music on Wednesday through Saturday nights, but call ahead for details.  $$$-$$$$  (530) 587-8688

El Toro Bravo is on the opposite end of historic downtown Truckee from Moody's, on Donner Pass Road.  In the summer, the outdoor patio and bar area are open on the side.  Inside, the restaurant is small with a less than updated decor, but the Mexican food is authentic and very good...don't miss out on their great margaritas, too.  $$  (530) 587-3557

Zano's is on the opposite end of Truckee on Donner Pass Road near Hy 80 westbound.  This is a great family place with a diverse menu of Italian dishes and very good pizzas.  $$-$$$  (530) 587-7411

If you are coming from Northstar or Truckee, go toward Lake Tahoe on Hwy 267.  At the bottom of the hill where Hwy 267 ends in Kings Beach, turn RIGHT onto North Lake Blvd, or Hwy 28.

Lanza's is located just past Safeway in Kings Beach.  This is a very popular spot for locals and visitors alike, so try to get there early or call ahead for reservations.  They have excellent Italian food in a classic Italian restaurant setting with fast service.  $$-$$$  (530) 546-2434

Gar Woods is a very good restaurant, if you're up for venturing a little further into Carnelian Bay, about a 5 mile drive along the lake from Kings Beach.  Gar Woods is an especially great place in the summer where you can enjoy lake views from inside or outside on the deck.  They have more casual bar fare available in the cocktail area (with happy hour specials on food & drinks in the off season), as well as meals in the main dining room.  $$$  (530) 546-3366 or (800) BY-TAHOE

Instead of turning right onto Hwy 28, turn LEFT to go into the main part of Kings Beach.

Jason's has a warm, pub-like atmosphere which usually gets crowded on weekends.  If you are in the mood for a salad bar or a great burger, Jason's is the place to go.  You can sit at a table or eat at the bar.  It's a great place to take the whole family, and they do take reservations.  $$-$$$  (530) 546-0371

Las Panchitas is a great place located across from Jason's (in case it's too long of a wait there, or if you're just in the mood for Mexican).  Las Panchitas is rarely crowded, but they always serve very good Mexican food.  Get there before 6pm weekdays and get half off a second entree.  This is another great place for the whole family.  $$  (530) 546-4539

Peluso's Pizza  If you're in the mood for pizza, this take-out only place has excellent thin crust pizza.  It can be pricey if you split your toppings on a pizza, so be aware of that.  Call to see if they will deliver.  $$  (530) 546-2301

Bridgetender  This restaurant was a Tahoe mainstay for years, located near the dam (and only water outlet on Lake Tahoe) in Tahoe City.  The site was reclaimed for a park, so they built a better and just as cozy Bridgetender across the street.  With a location right on the Truckee River, you can eat inside or outside by the water, but in the summer only.  They have excellent burgers and is definitely the place to stop for casual fare if you're in Tahoe City or on the west shore of Tahoe.  $$-$$$  (530) 583-3342

Sunnyside is hopping in the summer with it's lakeside location on the west shore, it's a popular spot for tourists and boaters alike.  The restaurant is a fairly large place with a good variety of California cuisine.  $$$  (530) 583-7200

Located between Kings Beach and Incline Village (just over the Nevada border).

Soule Domain  This is the place if you want an intimate dining experience for two.  You will have a unique, romantic dining experience in a log cabin setting with a cozy fireplace.  And the food is top-notch.  Soule Domain is tucked into a little side street behind the Biltmore Casino...call for reservations and directions.  $$$$  (530) 546-7529

Tahoe Biltmore's Conrad's Grill & BBQ and Crystal Bay Club's Steak & Lobster  I've heard good reviews on both restaurants located in these north shore casinos.  $$$-$$$$

Incline Village, Nevada is located about 5 miles east of Kings Beach.

Austin's offers excellent food if you're craving home style cooking.  They serve cornbread with their entrees, and our favorite meal is the "chicken fried chicken."  The trout is another recommendation, and their salads are also excellent, served in family size bowls.  Austin's is located across from the Hyatt in Incline, and near the Lone Eagle Grille.  $$-$$$  (775) 832-7778

Lone Eagle Grille  The food here is excellent, but very pricey.  If you would rather not spend a lot, Lone Eagle is a great place to go for a cocktail before or after dinner.  The atmosphere is like the inside of a grand ski lodge with vaulted ceilings, and great views of Lake Tahoe.  During certain times of the year, they have outdoor firepits to enjoy the great outdoors. $$$$   (775) 886-6899 

TRUCKEE

Coffee And is conveniently located in historic downtown Truckee.  If you want to get a real sense of where the locals like to eat, this is it.  It feels like a diner but yet has a lot of old charm.  Coffee And serves pretty standard breakfast fare, but if you want a hardy breakfast, go here.  $$

CRYSTAL BAY

Cafe Biltmore  Located in Tahoe Biltmore Casino, you can no longer get a cheap breakfast of eggs, bacon or sausage, bread & hashbrowns for only $1.99.  $$

CARNELIAN BAY

Old Post Office Coffee Shop is located across the street from the Sierra Boat Company, and just down the street from Gar Woods.  This is a great place for a traditional breakfast at reasonable prices.  If you have to wait, it shouldn't be for too long.   $$

TAHOE CITY

Firesign Cafe  We consider this the best breakfast place on Lake Tahoe.  The Firesign is located just past Tahoe City by following the road along the lake (take a left at Albertson's, and it's a couple miles down the road on the right before Sunnyside...don't blink, or you may miss it).  Get to Firesign early because this is a very popular place.  It's probably best to avoid Firesign on busy weekends because you may have too long of a wait.  The inside is very cozy, and in the summer you may even be able to sit outside on the deck.  If you're in the mood for excellent huevos rancheros or eggs benedict, it's worth the drive.   $$ - $$$