The prixe-fixe multi-course meals, which start with an aperitif and canapes, are served at communal tables in Stella’s clean-lined wood, steel and concrete space, which extends onto the patio in warmer weather. Guests are encouraged to meander around the open kitchen, equipped with a wood-fired oven, and chat with Burton, who now devotes a large portion of his time to Stella Culinary, his cooking website. If the culinary planets align, grab a seat here for one of Jacob Burton’s pop-up dinners with themes such as Bombay Spice, An Evening in Spain and Ode to Seafood.

Look for the Summer Winemaker Dinner Series, which sets up spectacularly on the restaurant’s back terrace. Goodies from purveyors like Grass Valley Grains and Larson Apple Barn find their way onto the menu, which includes a year-round Sunday brunch. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame forested views, though culinarians can keep an eye on the open kitchen from the tasting counter or chef’s table. Launched by San Francisco celebu-chef Traci des Jardins, this mountain modern dining room occupies a prime position at the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, sitting slopeside at Northstar California Resort. Singer-guitarist Luke Stevenson is a longtime lounge favorite. Master sommelier Kristi Snyder oversees the Wine Spectator–recognized list as well as Wine on The Water, an annual summertime sellout. Chef Shane Hammett, a California Culinary Academy grad, did stints at Blackhawk Grille in Danville, Étoile at Domaine Chandon in Napa and Zinnia in San Francisco. Hyatt Regency Resort Spa and Casino, Incline VillageĪn Old Tahoe–styled spot with soaring ceilings, panoramic lake views, a private beach and popular fire pit are on the menu here, as are game offerings like bison tenderloin with bone marrow butter.

Run by talented chefs who take pride in cultivating personal relationships with area purveyors (often via the Tahoe Food Hub) and curating seasonally changing menus, these signature eateries are worth seeking out not only for their culinary offerings and winning wine lists, but equally for their stunning settings and soothing decor, seasonal outdoor dining and special events. Tahoe has its share of handsome, earth-toned, oft-awarded hotels, many of which happen to house some of the region’s top restaurants. No need to check in to check out these dining spots

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