Right in the middle of downtown Truckee sits this charming northern Italian restaurant. Outfitted with a full bar on the lower level and a dining room on the mezzanine, Pianeta offers several dinner options. For a more casual meal, dine on appetizers like eggplant bruschetta at the bar; alternatively, the main dining area offers an upscale atmosphere and entrees like linguine with shrimp, mussels, and clams, or double-cut lamb chops in a minty pesto sauce. The wine menu is excellent and the menu includes an amazing selection of Double Malt Scotch and Bourbon. Lots of exposed brick and stone lend a comfy, rustic feel.
Recommended for Romantic Dining because: The booths on the main floor of Pianeta are cozy for couples.
Christina's expert tip: The Caesar salad is to die for. Don't be afraid, ask for the whole anchovies on top.
Tahoe's Le Bistro offers some of the best dinner deals in the area. They have an a la carte and tasting menu option Tuesday through Saturday. Since the chef uses only fresh, organic ingredients that he finds in the local markets, the menu changes on an almost daily basis. Past French-inspired dishes have included winter truffle soup en cro—te, grilled artichoke and asparagus in red bell pepper dressing, and braised venison osso buco with port wine and green peppercorns. Desserts can include a trio of small sweet offerings or a cheese plate. Servers are friendly, knowledgeable, and able to suggest appropriate wine pairings.
Recommended for Romantic Dining because: Le Bistro serves some of the finest French cuisine in the Tahoe area in a cozy atmosphere.
Christina's expert tip: Try the $65 per person "prix-fix" menu with appetizer, soup, salad, choice of main course and dessert.
Located in the center of Tahoe City, this restaurant offers excellent food and one of the best views on the lake. It's a small restaurant and reservations may be required during the high seasons, but the staff is friendly and very accommodating. They serve up a nice selection of wines by the glass and the bottle and the menu is small but it revolves around the changing seasons and the availability of fresh ingredients. The entrees include pork, lamb, seafood and pasta using fresh, local ingredients. For a starter, the Caesar Salad is huge and very delicious and the various Ravioli dishes are a great entree. For dessert, try the Affogato with cranberry biscotti.
Recommended for Romantic Dining because: Christy Hill offers great views of the West Shore from both inside and on the spacious deck.
Christina's expert tip: Christy Hill has earned rave reviews by the Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal and Bon Appetit.
Jimmy's Restaurant is located at The Landing Resort & Spa in South Lake Tahoe. This contemporary and cozy restaurant serves distinctive, wood-fired Greek seafood and locally sourced California cuisine. They also have an impressive wine list. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served and the fine dining dinner menu features items like Kataifi Wrapped Feta with raisin, oregano, honey ($10), Pulled Lamb Burger with beetroot tzatziki, feta, watercress, brioche ($20) and Berry Limoncello Sabayon for dessert. Jimmy's Restaurant features several private dining alcoves�each with its own fireplace. The restaurant's deck has five outdoor fire pits where guests can enjoy before or after dinner drinks while overlooking the lake.
Recommended for Romantic Dining because: Couples can reserve one of the private dining alcoves with fireplaces for a romantic evening out.
Christina's expert tip: In both winter and summer, get to Jimmy's early to enjoy the patio fire pits.
Sophisticated and stylish, Restaurant Trokay strives to create beautiful food from fresh, local ingredients. This hip downtown Truckee restaurant serves dinners which includes unusual items like Baby Corn, Fresno Chili, Celery, Maryland Soft Shell Crab Tempura, Salt Cured Torchon of Humanely-Raised Foie Gras, House Brioche and California Peach Ice or the Lousiana Crawfish Salad with Nasturtium, Celeriac Mousse and Horseradish. Desserts can be ordered with international coffee and teas and include Coffee and Ice Cream Affogato, Buttermilk Panna Cotta, Coconut Pavlova, and Bourbon Maple Pecan Tartlet. The presentation of each dish is a work of art that needs to be photographed by each customer.
Recommended for Romantic Dining because: Trokay is for romantic foodies who love to experiment with unusual flavors and textures.
Christina's expert tip: Trokay is best for couples or singles and the dishes will be available with seasonal ingredients.
Nestled halfway up the mountain just minutes from the bustling casinos of downtown Stateline and the Heavenly ski resort, this cliffside restaurant offers a spectacular view of the entire Lake Tahoe basin. The Chart House has been in the Lake Tahoe area since 1961 and serves excellent seafood, succulent steaks, salads, soups and decadent desserts as well as elegant cocktails and wine. Several entrees include Snapper Hemingway, Shrimp Fresca and the slow-roasted Prime Rib. They also offer a daily selection of fresh fish, an extensive collection of fine wines and whiskeys, and decadent desserts like the famous Hot Chocolate Lava Cake with Godiva Liqueur.
Recommended for Romantic Dining because: The Chart House is well known for its amazing views of the lake and extensive wine menu.
Christina's expert tip: The Chart House also offers a plant-based and gluten-sensitive menu.
The Manzanita restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton at the Northstar ski resort not only embraces the natural surroundings with its name (a manzanita is an evergreen shrub that graces the Tahoe mountains), but it brings the beauty of nature into its dishes. The stylish restaurant sources many of its food from local farms and ranches and displays them in a natural and beautiful way. Start off a romantic dinner with a Beet & Burrata salad with local beets, apples, celery, hazelnuts and honey-rosemary vinaigrette, choose from 12-Hour Bordeaux Braised Shortrib or Hand-Made Tagliatelle with heirloom eggplant and fresh ricotta and finish up with a Pumpkin Souffle with spiced Anglaise and butter pecan ice cream. Manzanita also serves breakfast and lunch and has an extensive wine, beer and cocktail menu. If you are not hungry enough for a full dinner, the restaurant offers a bar menu with items like Pomme Frites, the Durham Ranch Burger and the Drunken Goat Cheese and Prosciutto Pizza with rocket greens.
Recommended for Romantic Dining because: The view of the mountains and the ski resort from the restaurant is amazing.
Christina's expert tip: Manzanita sources organic, sustainable and locally grown meat and produce when possible.
This marvelous restaurant is located in the clubhouse of the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. The views of the lake and golf course are outstanding from any table. First-class food and service make for an enjoyable dining experience. As with most restaurants at the lake, seafood is always a specialty. However, this eatery also serves exotic dishes such as Roast Loin of Elk and an excellent Ostrich Medallion appetizer. The wine list has a bountiful assortment with prices in the moderate range. The Edgewood is available for special events including weddings, rehearsal dinners and receptions. They also cater local events and parties.
Recommended for Romantic Dining because: The Edgewood Restaurant has romantic booths with lake views for couples and special events such as anniversary celebrations.
Christina's expert tip: Edgewood is on a golf course and private beach and has one of the best views on the lake.
This is the perfect romantic spot for a special dinner. Decorated with white linens and glimmering candles, this cozy Italian restaurant is furnished with only seven tables for an intimate atmosphere. During the summer, you can enjoy your meal outside beneath the towering pines. For a hearty meal, try the Cappellini Bocconcini made with meatballs, fresh tomato and basil. Bistecca alla Veneziana is medallions of filet mignon a green peppercorn cream sauce. For dessert, try the homemade white chocolate ice cream. The Cafe Fiore has been featured in As featured in- The San Francisco Chronicle, The Sacramento Bee and Best Places To Kiss In Northern California book and has been awarded the "Wine Spectator Award of Excellence" since 1992.
Recommended for Romantic Dining because: Café Fiore is consistently rated on of the most romantic places to dine on the lake.
Christina's expert tip: This is a small restaurant with only seven tables, so early reservations are important.
Consistently topping local lists of the area's most romantic restaurants, this family-run Tahoe mainstay has become the go-to place for diners seeking to impress first dates and enjoy a great meal in the bargain. Fresh, organic ingredients heighten the flavors of French-influenced dishes like pan-roasted chicken with mushrooms or champagne-poached sea scallops. Desserts include the decadent Queen of Sheba flourless chocolate double torte cake with fresh whipped cream filling for only $7. An appealing collection of appetizers, salads, and desserts showcase the same dedication to fresh foods and classic preparations. Reservations are requested. The restaurant is Zagat rated and has won several awards for the chef's creations.
Recommended for Romantic Dining because: The Soule Domain is located inside a cozy and warm mountain cabin perfect for romance.
Christina's expert tip: The Soule Domain has been voted the "Best Place to Take a Date" by the North Tahoe Truckee Action Guide for thirteen years running.