My husband and I have been raving about this new South Lake Tahoe restaurant and brewery for weeks! So much so that we’ve wanted to escape mid-week from work to drive there and eat, darn that 4.5 hour commute! Our mouths water just thinking about the sumptuous meals we had and the appetizer to end all appetizers, we’re looking at our calendars daily to find the next available weekend to head back!
Cold Water Brewery and Grill is located on Lake Tahoe Boulevard in the Swiss Chalet Village, an all-grain brewery featuring hand-crafted beer brewed on site and California comfort food. Open 7 days a week with music on the weekends and a Sunday brunch, Cold Water has a full service bar, 5 huge TVs and late night dining options. We entered the restaurant to a packed house on a Sunday evening with excitement coming from the bar, happy chatter from the tables, and live action football on tv, the atmosphere was fun and relaxed. 
The beer list came first atop the menus and we checked out some great brews and decided on a light amber Mr. Toad’s Wild Rye, a play on a local mountain bike trail my husband has ridden quite a few times during the summer! Delicious choice for sure! Perusing the menu, we decided on the Tahoe Loaf appetizer that includes a kale artichoke dip or beef cheddar fondue. Now, the menu says to “start OR share” and when the food hit the table our eyes widened with shock! Yes, out comes a complete LOAF of french bread stuffed with our choice of kale artichoke dip! Good thing we only ordered one, we were definitely going to share this one.
The bread was warm, the dip was warm and creamy and we never thought something so simple could be more addicting! 
We literally crave this and can think of nothing else some evenings, it is that good! Before we knew it the loaf was gone and we had a slight fear we wouldn’t be able to finish our entree let alone dessert!
I ordered the Lemon Shandy Roast Chicken for dinner and in order for the perfect dish, the menu states that it needs a 20 minute cook time. No worries for me, I was happily digesting the appetizer and was ready when it came out with my husband’s 10 oz Rib Eye. 
The portions are large, I’ll tell you that right off the bat. Fall veggies accompanied my meal and my husband’s mushroom demi-glazed steak came on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes and veggies. Sometimes you think, “I’m on vacation, no worries in the world, food just tastes better” and maybe that’s true, but this food was out of this world, seriously cooked to perfection. With enough to take home with us for lunch the next day we sat completely sated a vowed that our next trip would just include the Tahoe Loaf and something off the dessert menu.
We spoke with the owner, a former restaurant employee, and found her passion to start this new Tahoe hot spot was just amazing. Our experience was hosted, but there’s no exaggeration in how we feel about our new favorite location in South Lake! We love that it has a variety of beers, a full bar, great meal options and a kid’s meal to make it family friendly! For more info, visit http://www.tahoecoldwaterbrewery.com/.
My goal in life is to find the best salsa outside my dad’s kitchen. There was a Mexican restaurant in Davis, CA where I went to college and I was there no less than 3 times a week. The food and the salsa were to die for and after graduating my husband had a friend drive some down for me for my birthday! It was probably the best I’ve ever tasted but unfortunately the restaurant has since closed down and I’m still on the hunt! I found more great salsa just this side of the border…well the border of California and Nevada that is, just right off Lake Tahoe Boulevard in Heavenly Village called 
Inside you get a great feeling, great aromas from the kitchen, and the bar area was lively and fun! Dining and drink specials are in colored chalk on the columns and you’ll find great food, farm, and cultural artwork around the restaurant.
After being seated we were served chips and a red salsa. Oh I couldn’t wait to taste that salsa and to my glee, it was so good. Fresh and bright with a citrusy tang, I couldn’t stop once I dipped my first chip! 
The chips are not free like you’ll see in many Latin restaurants, but they are worth trying and they also offer a green salsa and a jicama-pineapple! The vibe was great in the restaurant, super great music playing but not too loud you’re yelling at eachother from across the table. 
Unique side dishes like cucumber salad and cinnamon cranberry quinoa will have you curious, I opted to share one of my favorites, a beet salad! Not too many people I know enjoy beets, I have and always will. Dill, mint, red onions, spicy pepitas, (minus queso fresco for me) blended with golden beets was such a refreshing bite before my main course. 
So for the main meal you have a choice of tacos, enchiladas, stir-fry, flautas, soup, quesadillas, burritos, basically what you find traditionally. My husband and I wanted tacos and there were so many great choices! For about$12-13 you can get a plate of 3 mix or match. Here are mine, I have to list them like the menu so you get the gist of what’s in them, they’re chock-full of great ingredients!
My husband’s plate:
Enjoy the beauty of winter in Tahoe from Heavenly Ski Resort, the views are truly incredible when riding the Gondola! Located in the center of downtown Lake Tahoe steps from most major hotels and casinos, the Heavenly Gondola holds eight passengers on its way 2.4 miles up the mountain. Panoramic views of snow-capped mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe will leave you in awe!
The 12 minute ride includes a stop at The Deck, a 14,000 square foot observation platform. The deck, at 9,123 feet, provides breathtaking views of Carson Valley, Desolation Wilderness and views of Lake Tahoe. 
Here you can take your time and relax, take photos, have a snack or a drink (cocoa, latte, wine, beer), buy a Heavenly souvenir at The Gondola Sports shop, and take in the beauty in every direction!
Growing up my family used to go to Lake Tahoe annually in the winter. I’d ski with my dad while my mom would cozy up by the fire in the lodge admiring the beautiful snow-capped mountains. As I’ve gotten older, skiing gives me some fear and I generally want to be like my mom, somewhere cozy and warm while I watch others brave the chill on the slopes. Apparently I’m easily swayed, as an opportunity to visit Tahoe again in December was too hard to pass up, great food, amazing resorts, and a Gondola ride without having to ski down the mountain sounded like bliss! Bonus, it was a getaway for my husband and I to get some R&R before the holiday rush so we packed and headed north!
I get a good feeling about how our stay will be just minutes into checking in at the lobby. The staff behind the desk were very nice and the lobby was decked out in holiday decor and I was immediately warmed by the roaring fire. I was asked if I wanted a hot drink from their Keurig machine aside the fireplace and I soon obliged as it was a brisk 39 degrees outside, coffee, tea, and hot cocoa was abundant.
Grabbing the keys to the room we were immediately taken to the pool area and bi-level steaming hot tub, wine and a soak was first on our to do list after checking out the room!
Our King Great Room was just that…great! It was so roomy, the bed was comfy after our traditional flop down on to the comforter. I loved the extra seating areas, the modern love seat was unique and we appreciated the desk as my husband had some work to finish on his laptop (wireless internet is free and available throughout the property). 
The bathroom was enormous with a vanity, closet, and ironing station separated by a door to the toilet/shower/tub area. 
Thoroughly sated, we dried off and made our way back to the room. We stopped in to admire the game room which would be perfect for families. Board games, foosball, air hockey, along with books and a mounted television make this room fabulous to keep kids busy as you work out in the room next door.
The fitness center (seen during the day) has an amazing view of the lake for added inspiration!
Even as we’re close to Lake Tahoe Boulevard, the room was quiet all night and in-room coffee, a newspaper delivered to our door, and a lovely view from our balcony had me at peace.
Spectacular as expected.
Yes, I also wanted to glide back into that hot tub, I still am thinking about it weeks later!
Last weekend we spent a few days in South Lake Tahoe and the weather was pretty phenomenal as was the sunsets captured. We stayed close to the marina at Ski Run Blvd. so the photos include the Tahoe Queen and the beach right outside our resort doors.
