Sorry to say after going here several times the staff still needs improving. After a 30 minute wait we finally got our main course, with nothing more then an apology due to back order... Â although there was no one else waiting. They did bring us a dessert, and a 'No" split charge, but simple honesty would have been better... such as, Â "we screwed up your order" .
Review Source:This restaurant was absolutely amazing. We made a reservation, but didn't get seated for a while because the last party was slow to leave. Our server apologized for this repeatedly and was extremely courteous, pulling tables from around together so they would be able to seat us. I had the Seattle Bay scallops which were to die for. Both that and the salmon main dish were cooked to perfection. Luckily, I went with family and had an opportunity to try a variety of dishes. They were all wonderful. I would definitely recommend and go again next time I'm in the area.
Review Source:We just finished a delicious two-hour dinner at The Rustic Lounge. This place is a real gem around Tahoe. I will elaborate...
They started us with a beautifully baked loaf of Italian bread with a special parmesan pepper butter. We chose a prosciutto flatbread as an appetizer--first great decision of the night. It was really flavorful and a much more interesting app than the standard fare you usually see. We both selected the roasted chicken breast for our entrees--second great decision. Both the chicken and its accompanying root veggies and potato purée were bursting with flavor. The veggies were seasoned with a honey garlic sauce, which blended really well with the savory jus. We had seen the s'mores sundae on the dessert menu and had watched several of them carried by our table, so that was an obvious choice for ending our meal. Heavenly! Overall, one of the best meals we've had in a while, and very reasonably priced, to boot. Make a reservation; this place seats only 24, which is probably part of the reason why they're able to do such great work.
Not kid friendly. Â Menu items around $30.00. Â Nice decor but very loud. Â Host was very nice but when we asked for Mack and cheese from appetizer menu for our son but asked for peas to be left out, the waitress suggested our son just eat the peas because they were good for him. We decided to finish our $12 glass of wine and found a more family friendly restaurant.
Review Source:The best. Â Reservation a must, only a few tables. Â I can not say enough about the food or more than previous reviews. Â Had truffle Mac and cheese. Enough for 4 people in one order. Â the potatoes with entree were so silky and flavorful. Â Not starchy at all. Â They were amazing. Â Scallops appetizer is small but taste in exquisite. Filet mignon cooked perfectly. Â Corkage fee is normal and they decanted our 15 yr old bottle of wine. Â prices are fair. Â Don't miss desert. Â Casual meets gourmet chef and you get the rustic lodge. A treat. Â We were there months ago and I remember this meal in such detail because it was that good. Â We will be back
Review Source:This is a great, small little restaurant in Tahoe Vista. It just opened in July...brand new place! Only seats about 30, but is cozy and has great food. I would highly suggest the gazpacho...one of the best ive ever had. I had the flank steak salad which was delicious and also tried a bit of salmon...fantastic. The service was great and the owners were very friendly. This place deserves every bit of the five stars and I see success in their future. I would also suggest making a reservation since it has a small dinning area.
Review Source:Finally got to try this new-ish little place last night and was very impressed all the way around. The service was excellent and the food delish! It is VERY small inside the restaurant (maybe 8 tables) and the table we sat at was in the middle of the room (not truly optimal as every time this drunk guy would get up "to roam" or make a phone call he would hit my chair leg with his foot) so try to get a table by the window - which were taken when we showed up a bit late for our reservation.
ONTO THE FOOD:
My husband had the seared scallop app and the filet mignon entree. Â EXCELLENT
(the seared scallop will be my next entree - it melted in my mouth when I tasted it)
I had the shrimp and grits app and the flank steak salad entree - The shrimp and grits were good and the flank steak salad was excellent. I loves me my shrimp and grits - but I love the southern style better than the French cousin that they serve here. And not to brag - but I make one of the best versions of southern style shrimp and grits that I have ever had outside of Charleston or Savannah!
Our "adult" son had the bacon flat bread app and the meatloaf burger for an entree.
He gave them both 2 thumbs up, but for me, the flat bread was too "doughy". The bacon and goat cheese, etc, topping was excellent, however. My son is a burger aficionado and gave this burger a 9.0 rating (with 10 being the top). Â
The Rustic Lounge also has an excellent wine list, I might add. We shared a dessert and picked the chocolate tart with strawberry crème fraîche ice bream and mac nut brittle. VERY VERY GOOD! Â
I hope this little gem can remain open as I cannot wait to return with a friend and try some other items on the menu.
The Rustic Lounge is an awesome hidden gem! We had driven by many times seeing people in the windows and finally stopped in for a drink and snack. We were not disappointed!
As we walked in, we were warmly greeted by the front desk. The decor was rustic, modern, impeccable, and impressive. In the lounge area, could choose from high top tables in the window, or the comfy leather couch by the fireplace.
While we didn't have a full meal, my husband was very pleased by the BIG bottle of Newcastle he was brought, and my wine was quite good too. We shared the seared scallop appetizer, which was really, really, good. A perfect mix of savory and sweet, and of course a little bacon is always good :)
We're looking forward to going back and trying more form the menu... the Black Bean Hash sounds insane, as does the filet mignon and chicken.
What a wonderful place! So happy to have a new favorite spot.
We went to the happy hour twice and sat by the window having wine and a few of the small offerings. The food was OK and the service was friendly. I cannot judge the main dinner since we did have one.
The reason we will not return is I am not convinced it is a good value.
The one thing that really annoyed me was the wine pour. Check the internet and one will see the average pour is 5 to 6 ounces maybe more in some cases. The Lounge uses mini carafes to measure out the wine and if they are more than 4 ounces at best I would be surprised. What really did it was when the wine guy emptied a bottle into a carafe and saw that it was not quite filling the carafe and then just shrugged, not opening a new bottle to top off.
One star means we will not return.
A new gem in Tahoe, every aspect of my meal was fantastic. Reservations recommened though, the dining room is petite, we ate in the bar which is lovely but the stools in the bar a bit rustic. Appetizer, salad, main, dessert, every course was great , and with a nice wine menu as well. Service was easy going, and attentive. Best of all, friends live in Tahoe Vista, walking distance of the restaurant, I will be returning. Don't miss this gem.
Review Source:We had an excellent meal at The Rustic Lounge last night. Â We have a cabin nearby and are so excited that such a great place is nearby. Â The building is a lovely, classic Tahoe lodge style -- huge granite stone fireplace that opens to both the bar and restaurant area, lovely huge beams, cozy leather chairs and couch -- like being in a private lodge! Â We had a number of dishes - the flatbread (bacon, goat cheese, pinenut, onion marmalade -- to die for), the amazing black bean hash with homemade corn chips, truffled macaroni and cheese -- and the molten chocolate s'more served on a brown sugar pound cake. Â There was not a miss in the bunch, and the service was friendly and understated - they hit exactly the right notes!
This is a much needed addition to the Tahoe dining scene -- great tasting, elegant dishes in a lovely stylish rustic space! Â Make reservations and go!
Yesterday morning we came down to enjoy the continental breakfast offered in the lounge before heading back home. Linda came over to greet us good morning and made sure we were finding everything okay, or if we needed help with the selections. Side note: When I first met her in the lobby the morning after we checked in, she was delightful--overall just cheery, friendly, considerate and took the time to show us the map with her suggestions on where to enjoy our time while vacationing here. I can tell she really values the people who stay here but just is very kind person in general.
After breakfast yesterday morning, we came over to the front desk to see Alan and Linda because I wanted to tell them what a wonderful time we had there at the lodge. I wasn't planning on mentioning the restaurant experience because I didn't feel it was necessary to do it again...but of course, Alan, being the caring manager/owner he is, inquired on my experience during dinner last night and even apologized for it. We can't tell you how much we appreciated it. We weren't looking for an apology, because I know that one person who wasn't so kind doesn't necessarily mean that everyone else there wasn't kind. I try not to generalize based off one person's behavior. But what struck me was that it seemed more important for him to give me an apology and to make things right and I didn't realize until afterward how much it really meant to me too. Alan and Linda truly care about your needs as a person. They sympathized, listened, and were completely genuine, I left the lodge feeling a sense of peace and happiness afterward.
We also received an email from Martha (whom I didn't get the pleasure of meeting during our stay) yesterday morning apologizing for the experience as well! They all really do care and are so respectful and humbling. Thank you so much for your understanding and kindness Rustic Lounge/Cedar Glen Lodge.
This place was great. Â The first thing the waiter asked us after a friendly greeting was if we had any food allergies. Â As someone with a couple of food allergies, that is an amazing question to hear. Â The home-made bread was yummy. Â We didn't ask but it had a subtle black pepper flavor and it was light and airy, which I thought was good rather than having dense, super filling bread right before your meal. Â To start we shared the Orchard Salad and it was really fresh and crisp. Â For entrees, we ordered the Wild (we asked if it was Wild) Alaskan Salmon and the Free Range Chicken Breast. Â Both were excellent. Â The Salmon was hot - as if the chef literally scooped it out of the pan and dropped it on the table, very nice. Â For dessert we had truffles paired with a dessert zinfandel. Â This was not on the menu - our waiter told us it was a special. Â The restaurant was warm, cozy and the lighting was nice. Â We brought our own special bottle of wine, but the wine list was impressive and priced well. Â If I could say one critical thing (and this is not going to keep me from ever going back), I would suggest a partition to block where the coffee and hot water is made. Â Perhaps the restaurant transforms into a breakfast buffet since it is a hotel, but my seat was facing that directly and I usually see that kind of stuff blocked in a restaurant. Â Will definitely go back. Â Rumor has it they have an awesome happy hour...
Review Source:Absolutely fabulous!! You would think there would be many marvelous restaurants up here at the lake. Sadly, that is not the case. However...the Rustic Lounge makes a very short list! From the starters to the salads, entrees, sides and desserts, each dish was perfectly prepared and exquisitely presented. It is hard to single out any, but the scallop starter, chicken entree (yes...chicken!) and fritter dessert were simply to die for! But...so was everything else .The staff is marvelous; servers are friendly, attentive and knowledgeable, and the atmosphere cozy, comfortable and inviting. Don't miss it!!!
Review Source:Finally made it to this newish restaurant after several locals recommended it. Â We were not disappointed. Â The small restaurant (only seats 24) is newly remodeled with a warm and cozy lodgy feel. Â The chef is Le Cordon Bleu trained (as is her husband, the pastry chef). Â Did I mention the chef is the daughter of the Cedar Glen lodge where the restaurant is located.?
I had the chicken which had a to die for honey something (mustard?) sauce. Â Delicious.
My husband had the salmon which was also very good. Â Menu is a little bit limited, but everyone in our party loved his/her meal.
 Do not leave without trying the desserts.  We had the pot de creme (chocolate), the caramelized apple tart, and the chocolate truffles with a glass of port between six people.Heaven....
delicious food, superb service and friendly owners..it doesnt get any better than this! Â filet mignon melted in my mouth, salad was amazing and dessert-omg! truffles matched with a port. Â honestly, the best kept secret in tahoe and after living here almost 19 years, the best restaurant in tahoe!
Review Source:Their fireplace lounge is cozy and awesome: <a href="http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=aJFOoGp0qA9b0EVJRi0uwQ&userid=wG9d5TxOKKgbd8O08-kntA">http://www.yelp.com/user…</a>
The flatbread on the main dinner menu is phenomenally good.  Go for the bacon and goat cheese: <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-rustic-lounge-tahoe-vista-2?select=aJFOoGp0qA9b0EVJRi0uwQ#hmOh1PoQ5WYDzk3TXQuHog">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a>
The happy hour is Wed-Sun, 4-6.  They offer a smaller version of the flatbread for happy hour, which is not so great: <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-rustic-lounge-tahoe-vista-2?select=gJ3x-yjDYfsSf727Kpnflw#gJ3x-yjDYfsSf727Kpnflw">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a>
It's better to order the bigger version from the dinner menu, even if you show up for happy hour.
The Caesar salad is good: <a href="http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=IEHlQegAU-l9z7Omd37h1g&userid=wG9d5TxOKKgbd8O08-kntA">http://www.yelp.com/user…</a>
But I recommend not asking for extra ground pepper: I think either the dressing is already very pepper-y, or the ground pepper is super pepper-y, so it will totally overload the salad.
They bring out complementary house made potato chips, which are good.
Skip the "caramelized apple tart":  there is just not much flavor involved: <a href="http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=7Xj7bBD0WvZ8DrnzB07G-w&userid=wG9d5TxOKKgbd8O08-kntA">http://www.yelp.com/user…</a>
I was expecting it to be *caramelized*.  I was hoping that it would be more like this, a tart tartin from Coffeebar: <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/coffeebar-truckee#TowlyWGwVSQ-hBVHFC3iJw">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a>
That is what I call *caramelized*
Great little place, reasonable prices, cozy. Â Food was amazing although a limited menu. Â chairs and bar stools are very unconfortable so I wouldn't plan on spending an evening there unless you plan to stand up most of the time. The shrimp and grits were delicious as was the wonderful soup.
Really very nice.  Parking can be a problem. Suggestion:  Spruce up your Happy Hour  Menu and put some cushions on those chairs!
One of my new favorite restaurants. Why does it have to be so far?! Sigh I guess I'll have to make more trips to Tahoe (: haha
For the food that they serve, rustic lounge definitely deserves more recognition!
It's attached to a motel so its SUPER easy to miss... I know because it happened to us too. This place is all about service and cooking fresh seasonal ingredients. We called and asked if we could go in thirty mins before closing and they graciously arranged a table for us. We ended up staying there almost an hr after closing. Couldn't leave. The food was just too good! Â
While you have your drinks to start, you can smell and watch your food being prepared in the kitchen. Everything seemed clean and organized (it's a given but not all restaurants are up to code. Yuck)
The menu was very concise and well thought out. They eve have GLUTEN FREE dishes for all those who struggle with celiac disease. We had lentil and orzo salad, meatloaf burger (might sound pedestrian, but it's not the easiest to make a non greasy, moist, medium rare meatloaf to order?), and truffled Mac n cheese. All I can say is YUMMM... I love when I get good fresh food.
Sure the dishes might not sound so exciting but it's the quality that I want to stress. Rustic Lodge lives up to its name, not by chopping food in big proportions and adding whole herb stalks calling it rustic, but by using the basics to highlight whatever is incorporated in the dish. I will surely come back!
The Rustic Lounge offers high end comfort food, with a California cuisine flair.
We dined here about a week ago after a rough day checking out of a vacation rental that was not working for us. Â The owners were extremely welcoming, we checked into the Lodge, and made reservations at the Lounge.
We ordered the shrimp and grits with a lemon sauce, the macaroni and cheese with English peas for our toddler daughter, the meatloaf burger and the salmon with fennel and orange. Â Homemade bread with herbed and peppered butter was offered as well as housemade potato chips as a gluten free option.
We ordered a Sonoma Coast Pinot, which our waitress was well versed in talking about. Â She knew the wine list well.
The food was delicious, the portions were generous and the wine hit the spot.
The restaurant was also very knowledgeable about preparing the food gluten free (as needed - i.e. the shrimp and grits and salmon), which was appreciated. Â
Overall, a lovely and fulfilling dining experience on a beautiful winter's night.
The food is amazing, but their staff is in need of a reality check as they are terribly rude especially the maitre d on New Years Eve. As a Lake Tahoe local I have eaten at this restaurant a few times since it's opened, it has been delicious every time. But, the maitre d has a way  of making you feel incredibly uncomfortable. Because of this one man I will no longer eat at this restaurant or recommend it to friends and family.
Review Source:Small and cozy, great atmosphere and romantic. Great for a date or special occasion.
Food and service was excellent. Pricing is good and you won't be disappointed. Had the filet and it was cooked(med-rare) and prepared to perfection. The balsamic mashed potatoes were out of this world
Homemade deserts as well were rich and hand crafted.
Highly recommend and will go again...good wine selection too. Â
First tried their food at the Passport to Dining event in Kings Beach, thrown by the North Lake Tahoe Business Association.
Make a reservation. This is a small place and it fills up fast!
We thoroughly enjoyed the food. It was outstanding! One of the better meals we have had in the area.
One thing we learned - the portions are hearty - particularly the appetizers. You might ask for a half portion (not sure they would do this - but if only two people it is worth asking) We really liked everything we ordered - it was just a lot of food....
I was so delighted to find a real restaurant with the most amazing food in all of Lake Tahoe. The lodge is already amazing, and adding this restaurant to this special place was the find of the century! The food was so well crafted and presented like a five star restaurant in any big city. I will definitely eat there every time I travel to Lake Tahoe! I cannot wait to go back. A touch of rustic"ness" and gourmet food tasting like I was in Toscana! You must try the shrimp and grits! Yum! Two thumbs and 10 toes "up!" you will NOT BE disappointed!
Review Source:We were staying in the Cedar Glen Lodge and tried out The Rustic Lounge for dinner before going out for the evening. Â Turned out the be the best meal of the trip!
We started with the Malt Vinegar Chips and Black Beans and Chorizo hash. Â The hash was served with tortilla chips, and was the highlight of the night. Â Complex flavors, subtle, not overpowering, but very tasty. Â Gazpacho was a cool treat, and very nicely presented with little chunks of cucumber. Â My wife had the Flank Steak Salad and I had a Cheese Pizza. Â We finished it off with a chocolate sampler that contained the best "peppermint patty" that we've ever had. Â
If you're looking for a high-end, classy meal in North Lake Tahoe, give this place a shot. Â The lodge and the restaurant are all family run, and it shows in the customer service and the way they take care of the place. Â We loved the north side of the lake, and we will certainly be back.
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