What would a golf trip be without memorable 19th hole and dining experiences? Here are a few of my favorite watering holes and restaurants in the Lake Tahoe area:
STATELINE, NEV.
Brooks’ Bar & Deck, Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course: Rated by Golf Digest as one of the 50 best 19th Holes in America. Half-pound sirloin burger with pepperjack cheese, guacamole, applewood smoked bacon and grilled onions, please.
Ciera Steak & Chophouse, MontBleu Resort Casino: Only four-diamond restaurant on South Shore. I recommend black pepper-crusted Steak “Au Poivre” strip loin with white cheddar scalloped potatoes and, of course, the chocolate soufflé.
TRUCKEE, CA.
P.J.’s Bar and Grill, Golf Club at Gray’s Crossing: Named after course designer Peter Jacobsen, this 19th Hole offers indoor-outdoor dining. Philly cheesesteak was outstanding, which the chef said was direct result of a mixture of cheeses in the sauce.
Moody’s Bistro and Lounge: All you need to know about this unassuming restaurant in downtown Truckee is that Paul McCartney dropped by unannounced a few years ago – twice – and joined the band. Loved the behemoth Berkshire Farms pork chop over blue cheese polenta.
CLIO, CA.
19th Hole, Whitehawk Ranch Golf Club: You are tempted at the turn, or after your round, when greeted by the aroma of burgers and hotdogs cooking on the outdoor barbecue grill.
Wigwam Room, The Dragon, Nakoma Golf Resort: Everything tastes better in the 23,000-square-foot clubhouse designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, featuring a 60-foot four-sided fireplace in the middle of the restaurant, with windows offering spectacular views of the High Sierras.
INCLINE VILLAGE
Lone Eagle Grille: Located in an alpine lodge right on the beach across the street from the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe. Seared foie gras of duck, surrounded by dollops of chocolate; French onion soup, beef tenderloin with Bordelaise sauce. Incomparable. I’m 2 for 2 at this restaurant, with seven years separating visits. Wasn’t surprised to see Annika Sorenstam, part-time Incline resident, having dinner here last month.
RENO
The Chocolate Bar (95 N. Sierra Street downtown): Great wines and mouth-watering hors d’ouevres such as bacon-wrapped lamb chops, lemon and avocado-infused crab cakes and Kobe beef sliders.
CARSON CITY
Adele’s Restaurant and Lounge: Located in a historic 1864 home on North Carson Street, not far from the state capital buildings, this is a must-stop every time I come to town. This year I stopped for breakfast and had Eggs Benedict with salami and homemade biscuits. Dinners are equally creative and delicious.
Red’s Old 395 Grill: Great Nevada-style barbecue, slow-smoked chicken, hand-made sausages, cornbread, “Mom’s coleslaw,” “prairie-fire beans” and a plethora of beers on tap. Perfect stop after any of the local “Divine Nine” golf courses.
– RANDY YOUNGMAN
