Most residents in Reno and Tahoe felt the impact of the spring COVID-19 shutdown. And as anyone who frequents the local food scene knows, restaurant owners and employees were some of the most adversely affected by closures and quarantines. Though it seems that tourism has quickly rebounded to the Tahoe region (after all, who wouldn’t want to get away from San Francisco for a weekend after being socially distanced in a city apartment for a few months?), restaurants still are feeling the economic impact. If you’re able, it’s a wonderful time to support a new restaurant or spring for dessert during your next meal. It’ll be much appreciated by Lake Tahoe restaurant owners hoping to make up for a slow spring with a successful summer and fall.
However, Tahoe restaurateurs didn’t just close up shop and wait until they were allowed to once again open their doors. Many restaurant owners found creative solutions to stay in business, such as offering take-away groceries and fresh vegetables or packaging their most popular dishes into ready-to-cook meals to take home. Others took the extra time to create outdoor seating and patios or to prepare complimentary meals for community members, as with the Sierra Relief Kitchen. And several new restaurants opened their doors immediately after the shutdown on both the north and south shores. If you haven’t been to the lake in a while, consider heading to Tahoe for an evening meal or hearty brunch after an early morning paddle. With the summer crowds starting to thin out, it’s an ideal time for locals to find a new favorite restaurant.
Co-working on the South Shore
Locals in South Lake Tahoe still working from home will be pleased to know there’s a new co-working space available on the south shore — and it’s inside the brand-new Cuppa Tahoe coffeehouse and bookstore. Owner Sandra Santané, originally from the Netherlands, was told she had to study something “serious” in college, so she chose international business. She’s putting that education to use at the new bookstore-meets-coffee-shop, which houses a roomy and modern co-working space.
Cuppa Tahoe coffeehouse and bookstore
“Cuppa Tahoe is created out of our need for human connection, whether that connection is over amazing books for all ages, great coffee or tea, specialty baked goods, or co-working together,” Santané says.
She hopes the new co-working space will draw visitors who may be feeling a bit of cabin fever due to working from home since March. The space costs $3 an hour to access and includes two outlets per seat, private rooms for conference calls, a live plant wall, standing desks, and high-speed WiFi.
In addition to the cafe’s coffee menu, Cuppa Tahoe serves baked goods from Cake Lady Tahoe’s Caitlin Thomson, as well as sandwiches and light bites made with locally sourced and seasonally rotating ingredients. Bagels have been the most popular menu item so far.
“Caitlin is originally from New York, and it’s been mentioned by some of our customers that (hers is) the best bagel they’ve ever had,” Santané adds.
New Venture from Lone Eagle Grille’s Former Chef
Locals and guests looking for breakfast and brunch on the north shore are in luck, thanks to the opening of Sage Leaf. Opened in June, Sage Leaf is the latest option for breakfast, brunch, and lunch in Incline Village. Owned and operated by Shane Hammett, former chef de cuisine at the luxurious Lone Eagle Grille at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, Resort, Spa & Casino, Sage Leaf has more of a casual atmosphere than Hammett’s former workplace. The restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating, a full bar, and food and drinks made with ingredients sourced from the Tahoe Food Hub and other local places whenever possible.
Shane Hammett, owner/operator of Sage Leaf in Incline Village
“I loved my time at Lone Eagle Grille,” Hammett says, “and I’m excited to bring the same creativity and high-end cuisine to Tahoe locals and guests looking for a tasty breakfast or lunch.”
Hammett is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Program at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. He worked at several distinguished restaurants in the Bay Area before moving to Incline Village in 2011, including the Michelin-starred L’ Etoile Restaurant. Sage Leaf currently is open only for breakfast and lunch, though Hammett plans to offer evening buyouts for small parties and private functions.
Eggs Benedict at Sage Leaf. Photo by Ian Von Herbulis
Speaking of Lone Eagle Grille, guests who prefer more luxurious surroundings now have the option of stopping by this beloved establishment for breakfast. Immediately following the Hyatt’s reopening in June, the lakeside restaurant began offering breakfast and brunch service. The morning menu includes light items such as avocado toast with microgreens as well as more decadent favorites such as blueberry lemon ricotta pancakes.
Moody’s New Patio and Market
Truckee residents and repeat visitors are sure to notice a significant addition to the exterior of Moody’s Bistro Bar & Beats — a covered patio that Moody’s managing partner J.J. Morgan estimates seats about 40 people. Added in response to concerns about COVID-19 and the desire to create more outdoor seating, the new area should be available until mid-October, depending on California’s COVID-19 restaurant regulations. Because the partners of Moody’s own an events company and had staging and décor available from postponed weddings and festivals, the raised seating came together in just two days. According to Morgan, the outdoor space’s atmosphere and look are based on the Moody’s aesthetic.
“We were able to capture the vibe inside Moody’s and bring it outside,” he says.
Outdoor seating at Moody’s Bistro Bar & Beats in Truckee. Photo by Justin Swett
Also recently opened is Moody’s Market, located directly next door beneath the Truckee Hotel, where Moody’s fans can shop for their favorite restaurant items and dishes. The original plan for the space was an upscale cocktail bar, but in response to the pandemic, the area instead will offer pre-made items and meals to go from the Moody’s kitchen, as well as wine and pre-mixed cocktails. Customers will pick up to-go orders at the market, which Morgan says is part of the restaurant’s ongoing commitment to health.
“We took [COVID-19] very seriously before we were even asked to shut down,” Morgan says. “Our goal is to keep employees and customers safe, always.”
New Grocery Stores for Truckee Shoppers
Moody’s Market isn’t the only new grocery option in Truckee, however. The town welcomed two food markets over the summer, including a Raley’s and a Grocery Outlet. According to Raley’s Corporate Director of Public Affairs Chelsea Minor, the new store is a Raley’s O-N-E Market, which blends a traditional grocery store with educational and nutritional offerings such as an in-house dietitian to consult with shoppers. The store also includes three outdoor fireplaces, décor and paneling made from the Jeffrey pines cleared from the site during construction, and a beer and wine bar named for the late local ski legend Steve McKinney.
McKinney Loft, a beer and wine bar at Raley’s O-N-E Market in Truckee. Photo by Connie Saint
“McKinney Loft is a beautiful space to meet friends, enjoy a cup of coffee and read the paper, or enjoy a glass of wine or beer in the evening,” Minor says. “It has a gorgeous balcony to enjoy the views as well.”
Locals Ryan and Shannon Parrish own the new Grocery Outlet on Donner Pass Road. The Parrishes have both worked in the grocery and restaurant industries for years and jumped at the chance to be their own bosses by opening the store. Shannon says that they’re able to keep prices low by buying items from non-traditional channels, such as purchasing products with out-of-date packaging or surplus items from production overruns.
Grocery Outlet on Donner Pass Road in Truckee
“Items could be here today and gone tomorrow,” Shannon says. “So if you find something you love, grab a few!”
What Tahoe’s food and restaurant scene will look like for the rest of the year may be uncertain, but readers can rest assured that owners and chefs around the lake are prioritizing health and safety. And if the stop-and-go spring and summer have had a silver lining, it’s proving that Tahoe’s culinary creativity can’t be put on hold. Autumn is an ideal time to spend a day or weekend at the lake, with warm days, brisk nights, and much smaller crowds than the summer months. And remember: Tahoe restaurateurs are looking forward to welcoming diners back to the lake for a happy hour, full dinner, or spicy autumn-inspired cocktail (on the outdoor patios, of course!).
Suzie Dundas is a Tahoe-based freelance writer who specializes in active travel, outdoor recreation, and the mountain lifestyle. Her work has appeared in Forbes, Fodors, Playboy, TripSavvy, SkyLife magazine, and many more. When not working, she loves getting outside to bike or ski on Tahoe’s trails. You can find more of her work at Suziedundas.com.
