Absolutely the BEST restaurant around! Amazing food, great bar, classy and  elegant atmosphere, wonderful service.  I recommend the Monte Vista to everyone for  anything from birthdays, anniversaries, first dates, to random Monday night dinners:) also, the bar is great.  Low prices and heavy drinks. I had a bartender named Amy.  She is the BOMB! This restaurant will not disappoint.
Review Source:It was the first time to have dinner here. I was here last week and brought my wife ----and 2 friends. Our orders: 1 Prime Rib, 1 steak sandwich, and 2 bbq pulled pork sandwiches. Everyone seemed happy with their choices. I had the Prime Rib, but the steak sandwich looked pretty good to me.
--- also I ordered wasabe fries with furakake- it was good (I'm sure it's a Hawaiian influence- read on...)
This is a nice little spot on the way to the sierras. Â We were there on a Thursday evening and there was no wait, but there were alomost a dozen others in there (it's a good sign) Service was nice and it had a log cabin feel, but we also noticed Hawaiian quilts on the wall- the owners like to go to Hawaii:) The Hawaiian quilts gave it a type of Big Island/Hilo feel.
I got the Dutch Apple Pie which was a bit disappointing because it wasn't warmed when I got it to-go. Many people raved about their pies, but I just didn't see what all the fuss is about.
The entrees are a bit on the pricier side which surprised me a lot from this hidden little restaurant. I got the "Steak sandwich" and my boyfriend got the burger. Both were alright, but not amazing. I wasn't really a fan of the New York Steak on sourdough bread. I ended up just eating the steak without the bread, lettuce, and tomato.
Despite the average food, I thought that the decor and atmosphere was beautiful. I really love how they have decorated the restaurant and there's even live music. (We were listening to a great acoustic guitar player. If you're in the Tahoe area I think that this is a great place to go for a romantic dinner. My boyfriend and I walked in on a Saturday night with no problem of getting a table.
The atmosphere was welcoming and quite romantic with candles on the tables and such.
The burger was great and it satisfied my carnivorous self because the patty was a fat piece of mouthwatering meat. The fries were excellent with that satisfying crunch in every bite. The dutch apple pie was delicious, but it was cold.
Kind of pricey, but I think it's worth it since there are no other restaurants nearby and the environment is great!
A family restaurant. This place feels like home. I don't necessarily mean your own home, but the home of that special family or friend you fondly remember visiting. For me, childhood memories of our cabin at Lake Tahoe immediately came to mind the first time we came here for dinner. Warm and inviting. Staff is ultra friendly and they serve up more food than you can shake a stick at. We always laugh about having to be happily wheeled out of this place! Don't miss their daily selection of fresh baked pies and cakes. Stunning selection. Too full? Buy one to take home! Â Food is good, prices are good and the restaurant is kept clean. Reservations are a good idea Fri-Sun. Give yourselves about 10-15 extra minutes upon arrival as the kids will want you to join them in a game of checkers on the giant checkerboard they have in the front room.
On your way to or from Tahoe and looking for a quality bite to eat that will warm your body & soul? Pull off and go for it . . . you will be so glad you did!
What an amazing place. On our way back from Black Rock City we were looking for somewhere welcoming, charming and with good food to get back into the real world, and we stumbled upon Monte Vista Inn. Everything was perfect, great menu plus fresh dishes of the day, super friendly and smiling people, cosy vibe and decor. We felt at home and would definitely recommend to stop by whether you are locals or just passing by. A perfect place for a lunch or dinner with friends or family. The meat was particularly good and the desert choice was remarkable! We ordered them to eat for breakfast the day after!
Review Source:We stopped by this place coming back from a trip to Soda Springs and we were all pleasantly surprised by the food. Â I grew up only about 30 minutes away in Loomis, but we had never taken the exit to Dutch Flat for all these years.
The restaurant is nicely decorated with an informal lodge-like feel. Â It's maybe not quite as nice as the Rainbow Lodge, but it is still cutely decorated. Â
Contrary to some other reviewers claiming issues with the wait staff, our waiter was very nice, courteous and attentive. Â There was a slight delay between dinner and desert, but our waiter warned us in advance about the delay and apologized (being a holiday weekend, they apparently got hit with a large group of people coming in and our waiter had to set up a table for them). It was only about a 5 minute delay, so it was no big deal, and we were not in any hurry.
We were impressed with the food. We ordered the steamed clams for an appetizer and they were very fresh and served in a nice white wine, garlic, and lemon sauce. The bread was absolutely awesome--baked fresh onsite and brought to the table still warm and moist--great for dipping in the sauce. To me it is a definite plus when a restaurant bakes their own bread.
My dad got the house salad with the spicy blue cheese dressing, and he loved it. I tried a taste, and they were not kidding when they said it was spicy, as it had a definite kick (the waiter said they add some cayanne to it). My husband and I ordered the smoked 1/2 chicken. It was nice that they offered free-range chicken, and we loved the smokey flavor. Â What really stood out was the raspberry chipotle BBQ sauce it was served with. Â It was also quite spicy, but had a great balance of tartness, smokeyness, sweetness and heat. They serve it on the side so you can decide how much or how little you want to eat with the BBQ chicken. The mashed potatoes it came with also were quite good, with a nice homemade texture. My mom ordered the prime rib and said it was quite tasty. My dad ordered elk, which was a special. He liked it, and gave me a bite. Â While I am not big on game meats, it was actually pretty good. It was served in a peppery raspberry sauce that nicely complemented the meat.
They also bake their pies fresh onsite. Â We had the raspberry pie (I think fresh raspberries must be in season as it was featured in several of their specials as you can see!), and we loved that it was tart with just the right amount of sweetness (I hate when fruit pies are overly sweet). Â
We will definitely think of trying this place again. To sum up: This restaurant's best qualities would be the fresh baked bread and pies, and the wonderful homemade dressings and sauces featuring seasonal ingredients which complement their entrees.
We love the Monte Vista Inn! Â We try to time our drives over the Sierra so that we can be here for dinner, which is always lovely. Â And of course, the pie is a delight. It is cozy as can be, with a fire going all winter long, and great holiday decorations... next time you are hungy on I-80, give this lovely local gem a try.
Review Source:The place is a wonderful delight! It's about an hour drive from my home in Rocklin and worth the time and gas to go visit! While there one can imagine that you've "gone back in time" Â when America was truly America! It's being in a Norman Rockwell painting, the atmosphere is very comfortable with a large stone fireplace in the entry, dim lighting and a cabin styled decor and the servers are sweet, friendly and attentive.
You just have to try it, I promise ya that you'll love it!!!
"Don't bother."
My lady and I are going snow hiking up there this weekend and when I told her where I was going to take her for dinner she flat refused. Every time she went there it has been an unhygienic and overpriced disappointment with a racist asshole on top. Seeing as Dutch Flat has no black people and like 2 latinos, it's lame to embrace that and instead of inviting in a limited demographic that appreciates the company and cuisine catering to "white people only." They could compete with themselves in the absence of real competition to improve the quality of the food (you are less than 6 hours away from free-range ranches and organic farms! WTF!?), the cultural awareness and attitude, and most importantly, the hygiene. I will go check it out myself one day, when I am rich and white, but until then I will take my lady's word for it and find a finer experience in Auburn, Davis, or somewhere she'd appreciate.
I love love the Monte Vista. Not only is the food the best on I80 but the people are so fun. Â I especially like the calamari, sourdough (big) prawns, steaks and prime rib, oh the snapper yummy, brie or wasabi fries. Steamers and burgers and the French dips. That's just to name a few of their yummies. But let me tell you then a desert selection that just blows you away so many options have 2 or 3. Currently girl scout honor they are offering a thin mint ice cream pie...no words can explain how GREAT this pie is. The setting is amazing old fashioned coolers log cabinesque big fireplace and yes even a large checkers to play on. Good music Devine food Great people.
Review Source:Happily surprised. The six of us loved this mountain flavored roadhouse built in 1929. I'd bike by it many times and a couple of times peaked in a window to see if the place was still operating. The Monte Vista is open 7 days a week from 5 P.M. The bar opens earlier on weekends. I think 3 P.M. It's a 40 minute drive from our home in Grass Valley. What convinced me to visit the Monte Vista and take my friends is a conversation I had with a woman who lives in Dutch Flat near the restaurant. I asked her if she'd ever eaten there. She said, "Many times and the food is wonderful."
We loved the woodsy atmosphere. Our server was top notch. The menu had a wide selection ranging from sandwiches to sea food, pasta, steaks, chops, and prime rib.
My wife had the parmesan crusted snapper. I had beer battered shrimp with a petite steak. Another person had St Louis Style Ribs and I forget what the others had. Everyone was very pleased with their food. The prices for full meals ranged from $16 to $25. After dinner a tray of wonderful looking desserts was brought before us. We bought three to share with the group.
The atmosphere lends itself to intimate conversations with good friends. If it wasn't for the 40 minute, the Monte Vista would be our "go to restaurant" when we wanted to grab some great food in a warm, cozy atmosphere.
My boyfriend and I went to the Monte Vista Inn for our anniversary dinner...and we will definitely be going back! Â They don't start serving dinner until 5pm, so we went to the bar area and ordered drinks with some of the locals! Â Then we got the most delicious meal I have had in awhile.
Calamari appetizer, potato-bacon-cheese soup, 14-oz rib eye steaks and a mocha pie for dessert! Â The waitresses were very friendly, kept our drinks filled and they worked together to provide excellent service. Â
Also, the atmosphere is very comfortable with a large stone fireplace in the entry, dim lighting and a cabin styled decor.
Love, love, love this place. Â I would go there just for the ambiance of the log building, warm, family atmosphere, fabulous decorations during the various holidays, and a good cocktail. Â
During the winter we love to go up there to just sit by the fire place, on the couch, listening to some local talent, with a good cocktail in hand.
But that said, their food is excellent. Â Good prices for what you get. Â Great fish and meat entrees. Â Not a great vegetarian selection. Â
Good salads and pie to die for. Â
We went to their mother's day brunch for the first time last year, and it was excellent. Â It felt very much like we were home with a fabulous buffet spread. Â
I highly recommend this place!!!!
Last night, my wife and I had dinner with friends at the Monte Vista Inn. Â We were warmly greeted upon entering the restaurant, which was decorated with garlands of fall leaves. Â We enjoyed drinks, before dinner, in front of a warm fire, and then proceeded to have lovely dinners of Rib-Eye Steaks, Swordfish, and Filet Mignon done in Steak Diane preparation. Â Finished up with Mixed Berry Pie and Bourbon Walnut pie ala mode. Â The service could not have been more attentive. Â We had a wonderful evening.
Review Source:Been there four times and felt all over the place with staff. Â Bar Staff is rude and not customer friendly, Â No full time person to greet you when you come in and be seated in the dining room. Â Food seams good but the customer service stinks. Â I always give the benefit of doubt to the establishment before making a final decision!!!! Â I WON"T GO BACK !!!! Â Rainbow Lodge is just 20 minutes up the road from this place and is way better!!!
Review Source:Just had our annual Christmas party and wow what a wonderful meal--everyone ordered something different and they all were great! Â Their special if Elk medallions was outstanding! Â The restaurant and bar were decorated to the hilt--so Christmasy and charming. Â Ali, our waitress, was so friendly, helpful and fun. Â We've already decided this will be the place for our annual Christmas parties and maybe sneak a meal or two throughout the year.
Review Source:Some of my favorite times have been spent here. Whether it is stopping in for a drink on the way up or down the mountain or making the quick 40 min drive to have dinner, the Monte Vista Inn does not disappoint.
Located right off the freeway in a historic Inn, the restaurant is a favorite of locals and travelers alike. You have a mix of local miners/lumberjacks, to families and business parties. Often there will be a local artist playing something mellow next to the large fire. Here people can sit on the couches for hours reading and having a glass of wine or coffee.
They have a little bar area with a reduced menu and reasonable drinks. The restaurant is spacious but still cozy. Their menu changes but has a little mix of everything from salads to burgers to a variety of steak choices. Their food is cooked perfect, with no complaints from our party of 9 and their dessert selection is out of this world. They had over 15 choices for dessert in everything from their famous oatmeal pie to Tiramisu.
I would a minus a 1/2 of star for their wine list. They don't offer any local placer county wines which I think could really sell here. Their other wines are just so-so as well. No real thought behind what they list.
The staff is friendly and a family run affair. On this occasion, the 17 year old grandson of the owner's presented our 15+ choices of dessert in a humorous way and then proceeded to play his ukulele (on our insist) to current and past hit songs. This was by far one of the highlights of the night.
If you have not been here, you need to come try one of the most unique and cozy restaurants in placer county.
Definitely one of my favorites! Â There's nothing that beats the atmosphere of stopping here for dinner on a weekend night when they have live music.
The food is great quality comforting american fare, and the atmosphere is very rustic and cosy. Â Don't miss the spicy blue cheese dressing.
I am truly shocked on how low the rating is! I feel an obligation to boost this place up! I really really like this place!
I have a been a few times with a large group of family and have always enjoyed it. Â Makes me feel like we are in the middle of the woods in a nice cozy cabin with a huge wood burning fireplace.
This is a true family run restaurant. The decorations are over the top in a good way. Try to visit this place on a trip up to Tahoe and make reservations as it can get crowded! They have themed holiday napkins which make me smile and live music. I think a lot of local people hang out here since there isn't much else in the area.
The food is a little on the pricey side, but its homemade and comforting. Big portions and great service!
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