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Wolfdale's Cuisine Unique
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
640 North Lake BlvdTahoe City, CA 96145
(530) 583-5700
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 5 pm - 9:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
63 reviews for Wolfdale's Cuisine Unique
Review Highlights
"Happy hour is Wed-Fri from 5:30 to 6:30, at the bar."
(in 7 reviews)
"Extensive wine list~slighly pricey."
(in 10 reviews)
"The smoked trout: excellent."
(in 5 reviews)
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63 reviews in English
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Review from diana l.
Emeryville, CA
10/22/2011
ALWAYS SPOT ON
I come here every time I'm in the North/West Lake Tahoe area and have never had a bad anything...from a large pour of fine wine to a salad, entree and dessert it's memorable and thoughtful.,,in fact it's the best restaurant in Tahoe (in my humble opinion).
The dishes are original twists of an Asian/California style. Recently I've had a Thai Seafood dish with coconut curry cooked to perfection and Shrimp Tempura that tasted like lobster - fresh and tender. The portions aren't huge but enough to satisfy...just right. The ambiance is romantic, tasteful, comfortable and intimate.
Love it when restaurants really get it! A very special place. -
Review from Uncle C.
Reno, NV
2/1/2012
Wolfdale's is a great restaurant with a cozy vibe. Service is always good and the food is fantastic. Get the Pork Belly appetizer, it was so good we had seconds! The place is small, so be sure to make a reservation.
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Review from Brett P.
Marin, CA
1/20/2012
Tried it. Will never go back. Dirty lettuce on hand rolls with tasteless "stuff" ( the waiters description of the filling). Sent back; still charged for it. Tuna "cones" were filled with mealy frozen mush. Yuck. Scallop needed a microscope for viewing. And the $15 goat cheese salad was lame. This is an old restaurant with a weird, confused vibe and WEAK FOOD.
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Review from Michelle A.
Silicon Valley, CA
8/3/2011
How does Wolfdale's get their Sashimi so fresh year round you ask?
Well, last I checked it was flown up from Maui or Kauai FedEx overnight every day. Yes they do have the freshest fish and none of them are from the lake,
no matter what Jake's on the Lake told you! :))
The chef prepares a new menu everyday, so the menu is continuously changing as the mouthwatering savoring flavors of each dish with each bite will remain individually unique and unforgettably deliciously orgasmic. European cuisine with an Asian Flare. This is the only restaurant I go to where I don't order the same dish twice, except for the Sashimi of course.
Don't forget to stop by the bar on your way out for a night cap, I recommend
a Grand Manier heated straight up... Perfect way to end the night. -
Review from Maria M.
Novato, CA
Updated - 8/3/2011
I have been back here twice this vacation in Tahoe. First for a romantic dinner with my husband, which was lovely. I especialy liked the fried chili relleno app - which was enough to split. The filet mignon was so tender and delicious.
Another night I went for drinks and apps with my sister at the bar - lots of fun, always a gregarious ( often notably tony ;) ) group. The soft shell crab app was awesome. Poke cones are always delicious. Sashimi plate is generous. I think we ordered one of everything. We were lucky to have wandered in at happy hour so our bill was a fraction of what I thought it would be. Never disappointed here.Listed in: Top Restaurants
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/16/2008
This is one of our favorite restaurants anywhere. Great for date night in Tahoe. Amazing view. We… Read more »
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Review from Raul D.
Berkeley, CA
10/28/2011
Top Notch happy hour, excellent service, creative presentation, delicious food all around. Highly recommend, get there early.
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Review from Meredith O.
Mountain View, CA
3/31/2011
Made an OpenTable reservation and was seated promptly at our table when we arrived.
This restaurant is located on the main strip in Tahoe City and has a small parking lot so you may need to take park a bit far away.
From the moment you walk in you don't really understand what look they are trying to go for here. Part Asian inspired, the other half California cuisine.
The wine list was just ok, not great. Fresh hot bread was nice with butter to start with. Really great service though. We started off with the ahi tuna tartar wasabi cones which were absolutely delicious. I had the lamb shank and he had the seafood chowder. The lamb was cooked well but I did not care for the watery juice and the huge amounts of the big white beans. The seafood soup was just ok as well. Nice place to have dinner and an overall pleasant experience. Food just ok not great. -
Review from Thomas D.
4/1/2011
Not really sure what characterizes Wolfdale's as a restaurant. Not sure to call it european, american, asian or asian fusion. I'll go out there and called it Asian CONFUSION.
Spent the weekend in Tahoe and ate at some of the most popular restaurants the city has to offer.
Was happy to see that they have BASS on draft, which, paired with the homemade bread and butter made for a good start.
Ordered a bunch of small plates and there were some ups and downs.
Pork Belly Spoons- Tiny piece of pork belly on top of guacamole and teriyaki sauce. The pork was way too small and the guacamole was completely unnecessary and shouldn't be paired with pork belly unless it's wrapped in a taco. Disappointing dish.
Ahi Tartare Cones- Pretty good. Creme fraiche on the bottom was a nice touch.
Truffle Fries- Tiny portion but hard to mess up fries with parmesan on top. Good.
Caesar Salad- Pretty standard caesar.
Filet Mignon Burger- Man what a disappointment. First of all, a burger should not be made out of filet mignon. The meat had absolutely no flavor. I missed the flavor of fat and a beefy flavor you get from most great burgers. Accompaniments did not add much at all. Overall a pretty average burger, but truly disappointing.
For dessert we got the chocolate souffle and the poached pear. Dessert was probably the best part of the meal.
Hard to mess up a chocolate souffle and this one didn't disappoint. Tasted like every other souffle which is delicious.
Poached pear- Was very difficult to cut and eat, but good flavor.
Overall, when I am in town, I will not be in any rush to come back. The service was good, but the overall menu felt really uninspiring to me. The only steak was a filet and the asian dishes were just confusing to see on the menu. I will be back to try some other dishes, but overall not my favorite restaurant in the city. I recommend you try it out for yourself though.Listed in: BURGERS!
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Review from Karen G.
9/25/2010
I love dining out. I also love trying new places to dine, especially when I find a new favorite. Wolfdale's has officially been added to my list of new faves.
We had dinner reservations here last Friday evening. The parking situation is not the best, but fortunately we were able to find a spot in the front. As I entered the building, I immediately noticed the artwork. I certainly am not an art connoisseur, but I love looking at paintings. Nice!
Since we arrived about a half an hour early for our seating, we noticed a few stools were opening up at the bar. Pre-dinner cocktails? But of course! I ordered the Pimm's Cup. My cousin makes a wonderful traditional Pimm's Cup for us every summer during our annual family get-togethers in Tahoe. When I saw this on the drink list my decision was made. The drink was a little more minty than my cousin's version, but it was quite refreshing after a loooong trip.
The hostess came to find us to tell us our table was ready. I ordered the Zen Plate which featured multiple veggies each prepared in a different way. My favorite was the green beans with some sort of a glaze. The presentations of each of our meals was lovely and all of the plates were different. Service was top notch throughout our meal. The chef even gave us a complimentary dessert shooter of coconut sorbet with toasted coconut on top. I love coconut so this was the perfect way to end a meal. Loved it.
I hope to dine at Wolfdale's the next time I'm in Tahoe! -
Review from Korin B.
Yerington, NV
9/25/2011
We have been here a few times and love it!!! The service has been quick, attentive, and very helpful. The flavors are incredible! We love the appetizer sampler, everything is very fresh and delicious. My husband absolutely loves their steaks, and I have to agree, they are possibly the best I have ever tasted, perfectly cooked and wonderfully seasoned. I have had halibut and paella (although non-traditional, still great) and both were delicious. We've sampled a few deserts and never been disappointed. Wish that we lived closer so we could visit more often!
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Review from Steve Y.
Danville, CA
11/25/2011
I have to give them a five star because they were so wonderful on customer service - from taking reservation calls to greetings, seating, serving and saying good bye. It was on the night before Thanksgiving that I went to Wolfdale's with several other people. All of us loved the people there and we will definitely come back next time we're in the area. The food was also great. We felt this place is good not only for friends and families, but also for couples and larger groups.
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Review from Tony S.
Truckee, CA
Updated - 7/7/2010
Kudos to Douglas and Kathleen Dale, their front line staff: Zack (at the bar), JB and Ming (servers) and the unnamed (but we should know them by name, also) kitchen crew!
The ingredients that go into Wolfdale's daily menus are ingenious. Couple that with the Tahoe area's equally unique saviour fare - a balmy summer evening, seated outdoors, family and friends and others of similar raport: how can you not appreciate every morsel, every moment and somehow recollect the next morning to put pen to paper?!
I remain wantant for more.
Reservations a must. Appreciate the years of devotion by Douglas and Kathleen. Mastercard. Priceless. Thank you.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/10/2010
Douglas and his bride do an amazing job. Word. Spot on. This is 'the hub of town!"
Douglas has/will… Read more »
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Review from Danyell K.
Tahoe City, CA
5/20/2010
Wolfdale's is goooooood. Really good.
I've had a decent amount of fine dining in my life, and Wolfdale's does the whole thing exactly as it should be.
Happy Hour here is a killer deal. We saddled up to the bar and had a beer each and our tab was $6 total (not including tip). We glanced over the happy hour bar-only menu and were blown away by the reasonable pricing and GREAT selection, but opted out (we were planning on dinner there). The food menu for the bar looks fantastic, though...it's got sushi, crabcakes, truffle fries, etc, and all for under $9, wine for $4 or $5, well drinks for $4, and two beer selections (one draft) for $3. The beer on draft last night was Blue Star. While not our normal style, we loved it. Happy hour is Wed-Fri from 5:30 to 6:30, at the bar.
After we sipped on our beer a bit, we opted to move to a table. Since we were there early enough, we were able to secure a great spot in a corner by the windows. Our server was an older fellow - super friendly. We were the first diners of the evening, so our rolls were piping hot out of the oven. They are served to you individually and you are given a pat of butter for the center of the table. You also get a shot-glass size bit of miso soup prior to your meal.
I opted for the Seared Diver Scallops, served with veggie ravioli, chopped portobella and a roasted red pepper tomato sauce. He chose the portobello cheeseburger and truffle fries. Both entrees were FANTASTIC and totally different. The "burger" was grilled to perfection and the tomato and fresh veggies were deliciously juicy. The truffle fries are seriously addicting and in no WAY do you need the ketchup served as a side. The aioli is PERFECT enough! My scallops were immaculate and I ate every last bit of the dish - right down to the broth it was served in.
Everything was great - seriously superb. This is one of the better overall restaurants I've ever been to. A lot of places are either good at atmosphere or gourmet food - but usually lacking on one or the other. That's not the case with Wolfdale's. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, is great. We had a 2-for-1 coupon we clipped from the local paper (I know, we're so classy...) and our bill was $31, before tip, for our food only. Compare that price for a meal like this to ANY other place in Tahoe!
The only downfall (and it's a small one, comparably) was the lack of a full-on CHOCOLATE dessert. We were craving something deliciously decadent and the only chocolate on the dessert menu (that wasn't alcoholic) was the ice cream in the sundae, and we just couldn't justify $9 for a sundae.
We're going to come here for the Happy Hour only, sometime. It's way too good to pass up. Wolfdale's is doing everything right. -
Review from Amy H.
Oakland, CA
9/8/2011
This is a tough one for me to review. I am a Tahoe City regular for over 20 years. We have had many great meals at Wolfdales's including my parents 40th anniversary. We have always enjoyed great food, good service and an amazing view.
I just went to Wolfdale's last weekend and was expecting the same level of food and service I've come to expect over the years. I was seated promptly at 6:30. I had a reservation. My two friends were running a little late. I sat at my table for 15 minutes alone. My tardy friends finally arrived. After 10 more minutes, I flagged down a server to get a wine list. It was 7pm before I had even met the waiter. Bear in mind that it was not a packed house. He offered no explaination or apology for taking so long to get to our table. Even made a flip comment or two. The service continued to go down hill and never made any attempts to improve. The manager made lipservice but never did anything to improve the experience.
I enjoyed the food but was so disappointed and angered by the service I don't know if I'll go again. -
Review from Diane M.
El Dorado Hills, CA
7/31/2011
This is a very nice restaurant. Wonderful food. Lovely service. The lobster dinner (on the daily special) was perfect. Delicious chocolate cake dessert.
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Review from Val V.
Santa Clara, CA
7/25/2011
Great food, great location! Steak was cooked perfect which rarely happens...even at the best steakhouses! View is incredible from the back deck, but we had to move inside for dessert because there were too many bugs!
If you are looking for a nice dinner(not cheap), I'd recommend Wolfdale's. -
Review from X Z.
Oakland, CA
1/3/2009
You might remember a few years back when it was all the rage for hotels to sell their room furnishings to guests. The Westin started it with the whole Heavenly Bed thing. You could go online and order up an exact duplicate of the bed you were sleeping on. Then the W Hotels took it a step further and started selling lamps, clock radios, desk sets, robes, dressers, art....really just all kinds of crap in the room was for sale.
I was at the Seattle W with a business colleague a few years ago - a guy who is an even bigger smart-ass than I am, if you can believe that. We were both getting a kick out of all the items for sale in the room when he decides to get cute and call downstairs to the front desk.
Smart Ass: "Hello. I was wondering. How much for the smoke detectors?"
Front Desk Clerk: "Excuse me?"
SA: "The smoke detectors. In my room. How much for them?"
FDC: "I'm sorry sir, they're not for sale"
SA: "No, no, you don't understand. I've already removed them. They're in my suitcase. I just need to know what it's going to cost me."
I don't quite recall how long this went on before the Clerk most likely just hung up on the Ass, but it was pretty funny at the time......(Ok, I guess you had to be there.)
Wolfdale's is another place where just about everything really is for sale. Even the cool bowls in which they deliver your soup (seriously). They always have an interesting art collection on the walls, usually local artists, and if something interests you, it can be yours.
Six or seven years ago, we were here waiting for a table and admiring some of the fresh new art on the walls. The interesting bench we were sitting on in the waiting area was made of a very rough hewn teak, with what looked like an old wheel spindle on each end. Apparently, it had been made entirely from an old Thai ox cart. Half-joking, I asked the hostess, "How much for the bench?" Without hesitation, she replied, "I'm not sure, but I'll be happy to find out for you."
Oh yes, I forgot. This is a restaurant review. We were in here the night before New Year's eve. Since, as usual, we failed to plan, we ended up at the bar. The two bartenders were as helpful and friendly as you'd expect in a place like this, and let us taste the wines before ordering. We shared the Kabocha Pumpkin Soup, which was spectacular and came in the most amazing ceramic soup bowl. We also shared the Portobello burger, which was good but not as satisfying as it would have been with real beef, instead of a mushroom pretending to be beef (New Years Resolution: Embrace my carnivorousness).
But the stand-out was the cone of french-fries, coated in truffle oil and manchego cheese. After the third time the helpful bartender tried to whisk them away during one of my breaks in scarfing them, I practically smacked his hand. "Damn it man. Can't you see there are still some burnt remnants of french fry and cheese at the bottom of that cone?"
And the Thai ox cart bench? It sits in my front entrance hall, and is the one thing we have that gets a ton of admiring comments from visitors.
But no one has yet been crass enough to try to buy it off me.Listed in: Squaw Valley Resource Guide
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Review from Erich N.
San Francisco, CA
5/20/2010
I've previously observed a few complaints regarding the service being haughty, or the food not up to the price; both in person and online...and I have to say: I have no idea where they are coming from.
In the few months I spent living in Tahoe, I came here multiple times. Once on a date, once with company from out of town and once as a treat on my own. Each time equal or better to the last.
May I suggest the pheasant? It was fantastic. The atmosphere was also superb. Service was efficient and unobtrusive. When I was finished with a dish, it was whisked away without a word. My ice water was refilled similarly. The sommelier was well educated on their selection of wines, and made great recommendations to pair with our orders. What more could you want?
Highly recommended. -
Review from Gil S.
9/1/2006
One of very few restaurants in Lake Tahoe that holds its own against the best in San Francisco or New York. Upscale. Food is artful, perfect. Service, way professional. Specialty is seafood but you can find duck, steak. Decor is solid.
If you're at my house and I cook elk chop, now you know where I got the idea . Subtle and delicate as the best fillet mignon, not gamey at all. Makes you grab a spear, run into the woods, and stalk some big game.
Tip: order soup and it comes in a beautiful bowl. You see a nice bowl in my house? Wolfdale. Put it his way, if you like your dinnerwear you can buy it. Serious. Right off the table or out of the kitchen. Chef has been getting handmade ceramics from his old art instructor as long as he's been open, 29 years and counting. And he's happy to sell it to you.
For food trivia buffs Douglas Dale, the chef, is related to Russ Dale (started Emerald and Pearl vodka) and Tim Dale (GM of Le Colonial and owns Yoga Tree) of San Franciso. He is not related to the famous Chef Dale from Aspen, Co. -
Review from Eli N.
New York, NY
12/26/2008
I've been watching top chef a lot and my mouth drools every time i see those yummy plates. Well This restaurant made me feel like a judge in the show for some reason. Their menu was sophisticated, yet homey and the food was delicious in general.
The seafood stew was unbelievable. I wish I ordered it, instead I had the scallops with "cuscus" (more like munition pasta) and tomato sauce, with the right amount of onion and garlic. If I was Tom Colicchio I would be like "this sh*t is fcuking good!"
There was a big group seating next to us. No big deal with that except the guy was drinking his beer with ice. WITH ICE!!!!! WTF?!?! That's a huge NO-NO, don't you know? pshhh some people should watch more TV these days...
Anyways, come here for special occasions, birthdays or a romantic date *sigh*... It is a bit pricey. Oh and the warm chocolate cake so rich and tasty, best way to end a perfect meal. -
Review from Aly V.
Los Angeles, CA
9/28/2009
Helped make a milestone birthday even more memorable. Went up to Lake Tahoe for my boyfriend's birthday and wanted to take him somewhere special to celebrate. Honestly, I didn't do much research beforehand. We ended up taking a leisurely evening drive along the lake until we reached the town of Tahoe City. We came upon Wolfdales and stopped to look at the menu. Several patrons who were leaving recommended the restaurant to us highly. Now, I've had diners give a place the thumbs up before and been burned-- I think we all have, but walking into Wolfdale's and seeing the number of repeat customers greeting the staff was a good sign. Even though we didn't have reservations, we were given a great table overlooking the lake.
Overall, excellent food and some of the very best service my boyfriend and I have ever encountered. Attentive without being overwhelming or cloying. Original and tasty appetizers and entrees, an extensive wine list and yummy desserts. Perfect birthday dinner and a perfect evening. Bonus points: the owner's wife came over to ask us if we had enjoyed our meal as we were leaving. Nice final touch. -
Review from Darrell M.
Orinda, CA
1/15/2010
I had such high hopes for Wolfdales, but was sorely disappointed with my visit.
Ambiance and decor get good marks and met my expectations upon entering the restaurant. Warm and cozy, dimly lit though not too dark. Tasteful art and furnishings that didn't feel like it was trying to create a "theme." Everything I'd come to expect from a restaurant with price points at this level. However, it didn't get better from there.
We arrived at about 7:15 p.m. on a 7:45 p.m. reservation, thinking that we'd get a drink at the bar and then get seated. The hostess said that we could be seated immediately, so we took advantage and grabbed a table.
My wife is the seafood eater of the family, so this visit was more for her than me. However, I saw some non-seafood dishes on the menu that looked intriguing and "unique," specifically the Chicken Cordon Bleu with a mole sauce and saffron rice. Unfortunately, our waiter immediately told us that they had run out of the dish (at 7:20 p.m.) on a weekend -- leaving me with the standard filet mignon dish (or the cheeseburger from the "kids" menu).
We ordered truffle fries as an appetizer, but were overall disappointed at the lack of flavor. Fries were prepared perfectly, but did not exude that rich and deliciously pungent flavor expected from truffles.
For the entree, I was content with ordering the filet, since a well-prepared filet (of good quality beef) is always enjoyable. However, I really wanted to try the saffron rice (that came with the chicken dish) and asked if they would substitute that for the standard potato side. They agreed -- great, right? Not so much.
My dish arrived with a beautiful filet that was prepared precisely as ordered. No complaints with the beef. However, the saffron rice came in a preformed wedge that was dry and flavorless. Now, I've had my share of saffron rice -- usually homemade -- and this wasn't even palatable. In fact, the rice was so poorly prepared that it distracted from the well prepared filet and made the entire entree disappointing.
To cap off the visit, we finished our dinner and were immediately told that the kitchen had run out of the molten chocolate cake. Of course, this sealed the deal on NOT wanting to order dessert and we cut our losses with a $161 bill (including tip and $20 corkage).
Our waiter and his service were fine -- again, what is expected from a restaurant with these prices. However, the restaurant's inability to serve a full menu during "normal" dining hours (it's not like we rolled in at 10:00 p.m.), and failure to put out a quality product may have convinced me to not give it a second chance -- there are plenty of other restaurants in the North Lake Tahoe area that I'd like to try. -
Review from Rusty M.
San Francisco, CA
7/19/2008
Wolfdale's has slipped big-time. We used to enjoy coming here for a special meal (birthday, etc.) but we are crossing it off our list.
You know those restaurants that are priced for perfection? $36 for short ribs? $11 for a side of french fries with truffle oil? This ain't SF, so there needs to be execution to justify the expense. That is where Wolfdale's falls down.
When we dined last night, they did not seat us until 20 minutes after our 8:15 reservation. When we inquired about our reservation when we noticed that they were seating walk-ins ahead of us, they finally set a table for us. By then, we were starving, which set the tone for the evening. Getting my martini took 10 minutes. My wife's glass of wine did not arrive until after she was almost done with her salad. There was a 20 minute wait between courses. My wife's salmon was lukewarm. My filet mignon was fine, saving Wolfdale's from a 1 star review.
The place was packed, and several of the people leaving were commenting on how good the food was, so maybe my standards are too high? I just know that in the 3 or 4 times I have gone to Wolfdale's in the last 2 years each time has been a little worse than the time before. I think we'll just drive to Moodys in Truckee next time... -
Review from Eric B.
Tahoe City, CA
3/21/2010
Truly a standout Tahoe restaurant experience. Been in many times with family and friends over the years.
My wife recently took our 10 year old son there for a special night out. He can't stop raving about the food. At only ten, he's got quite the taste buds.
So, since she got to go to Wolfdale's, then I lined up for the next date - a quick out and back for happy hour. It was absolutely superb. Sat at the bar, and had excellent service as always from bartender Bob. We sampled a variety of the apps and smaller dishes and almost couldn't stop.
We'll be back again soon for another happy hour, or longer. -
Review from Nick L.
Sacramento, CA
Updated - 10/8/2011
The ambience is wonderful. The food is consistently superb. Staff is friendly and if you visit regularly you feel at home. I think it is the best restaurant on the lake!!
1 Previous Review:
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8/25/2011
Food is fantastic and a bit pricey. Happy hour is a great deal. Either way a terrific experience.
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Review from Stephanie N.
Davis, CA
5/17/2009 3 photos
Really a 4.5 but I bumped it up for the great view from the deck and the nice hostess who called us and changed our reservation so we could get a table with a view.
The food was mostly great. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the edamame appetizer, which was literally cooked plain edamame without any seasoning, not even salt. Bleh.
Our entrees made up for the lame appetizer though - the green thai seafood stew was full of scallops, crab, prawns and mussels in a delicious thai broth with purple rice. The crab stuffed mahi mahi was a somewhat small portion but full of huge pieces of fresh crab and came with well seasoned snap peas and garlic mashed potatoes.
Call ahead for reservations (after 3pm or leave a message before and they'll call you back) and ask for a table by the window or outside on the deck. The view is beautiful but there aren't many tables with a good view unfortunately. -
Review from Joe G.
San Francisco, CA
8/9/2006
Divine dining in Tahoe City. Upscale and worth it !!!
Call for a reservation and request seating with a view of the lake.
The seafood is always delish. Extensive wine list~slighly pricey. -
Review from Michelle S.
San Francisco, CA
9/5/2006
Excellent cuisine, luxury dining, art gallery, gorgeous views. We were a picky party and all raved about the entrees. The appetizers left somewhat to be desired, but the cocktails and desserts made their mark. Our server, JB, delivered some of the best service of my eating out career. He made us feel like we were in his dining room at home. We liked him so much he had to keep our questions at bay and do his job. He's an accomplished photograhpher (on view in the restaurant), and super professional.
Pricey but a definite for special occasions. -
Review from Kevvy K.
Menlo Park, CA
11/24/2007
I would give it 3.5 stars if I could. The place does seem overrated. I'll start with the pre-appetizer tasting "Teaser" menu. It comes with a slightly smoked edamame; smoked trout; seared scallops dressed with a light aioli, seaweed flakes, and sesame seeds; and sesame oil/soy sauce-infused (ever so lightly) beets. It was good, but not fantastic. Everything was subtle, but not uber-nuanced. In short, "Teasers" disappointed in not really delivering what the restaurant purports to specialize in: focused, spectacular flavors.
Instead, while it's billed as an Asian (particularly Japanese)-influenced Californian restaurant, the "Asian" flavors are really more adornments for what, to me, is a bed of Californian ingredients done up in a way too Americanized fashion. That is, too much oils and butter. They overpower the palate with a bludgeon, when what you'd expect from a Japanese chef-trained place is much more precision, delicacy, and, yes, even artistry in taste and presentation. You leave with a heavy, sinking feeling in your stomach, rather than the light, ethereal, yet satisfied feeling that is the trademark of, at least to me, the ideal restaurant experience. When I want grease, I head to KFC's. No, really.
Bottom line, solid, but not spectacular. You're looking at around $90 per person, including a medium-priced wine bottle and tip for the attentive service.
The pumpkin creme brulee was great though, as was the service, and the view, if it were not pitch-dark in November, full moon and all. Just don't expect a mind- and stomach-blowing gastronomic experience. -
Review from Steve L.
Reno, NV
2/9/2011
I wanted a special evening at the Lake for our tenth anniversary. I made reservations at Wolfdales for dinner to start the evening off. We arrived and was greeted warmly by Kathleen and then taken to your table and introduced to our waiter. The owner Douglas was not in that evening. Our waiter was excellent, very attentive without being over the top. The food was superb. An overall first-class dinner experience - excellent food, good service and pleasant atmosphere. How could I forgot the wine list, great selection.
Thanks Wolfdales, we just may make it another ten years!
Steve L -
Review from Scott F.
Mountain View, CA
3/16/2010 7 photos
I arrived for happy hour, which is 5:30-6:30 Wednesday-Friday. I tried a few things (see my photos):
- The smoked trout: excellent. It's a very tiny amount, but very intensely flavored and a good value at $3
- The Deschutes Porter beer is really good: the happy hour price is $3.
- The chocolate "trifle" is a really good chocolate cookie, sort of like a very dense brownie inside: interesting texture. and it's only $2.
Sadly, everything went downhill from there:
- the Malaysian spring rolls were really bad: the wrapper was soggy, and the stuff inside was flavorless. $6 and not worth it.
- the seafood chowder is meh: it's nothing special. $3 for a cup.
- sticks: fried polenta sticks, and portobella mushrooms fried in a blue-cheese infused batter. It comes with a very intense blue cheese dipping sauce. Only get this if you are a big fan of blue cheese. $5. -
Review from Angie C.
1/31/2008 1 photo
Four stars considering its location in Tahoe City, and probably three stars if this restaurant was in SF. The presentation was fantastic and somehow the beets in the salad were delicious. Same goes for the bread and butter (were we just ravenously hungry?!).
As for the entrees, they are good but not great. The blizzard outside made the nice restaurant all the more comforting and a better dining experience than I imagine a normal day would be. -
Review from Shayne H.
Redwood City, CA
3/11/2008
This restaurant made me think about food in a completely refreshed way. I shared a few entrees with my eating pals, and so I was able to taste four of the main dishes -- each one a homerun.
Wolfdale's is a little pricier, but SO worth it. The service was great and the atmosphere surprisingly mellow.
Give this place a try -- you won't be disappointed. -
Review from Jennifer M.
Orinda, CA
1/15/2010
My husband and I finally tried Wolfdale's In December 2009 after hearing many wonderful recommendations from friends. To be fair, there were elements of the meal that were absolutely fantastic--some of the most flavorful amuses bouches I've had: one, a fresh and ginger-laden miso soup, and another a coconut ice cream that was to-die-for. Also, the service is impeccable. But, there were downsides. First, when we arrived around 7:45pm, they were already out of one of only two non-seafood dishes and one of their desserts. Secondly, I ordered scallops in an heirloom tomato sauce, and when it came, the scallops were already bordering on being overcooked and simply kept cooking as they stewed in the steaming hot tomato sauce--not a well-planned dish!
I will absolutely give Wolfdale's another try because I've just heard too many good things about it to write it off as mediocre after only one try. But, for the cost of the meal--over $150 for two people (and we brought our own wine)--it was definitely not the meal or experience it should have been. -
Review from Tony H.
Potter Valley, CA
3/18/2011
Good service and very good food! Nice happy hour too!
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Review from Doc D.
Eastern, CA
11/29/2009
The menu here has been described by my best friend as "schizophrenic." That said, some of history's most brilliant folks were schizophrenic. Such could be said for Wolfdale's.
The menu is a fantastic yet incomprehensible menagerie of asian, continental, and local tastes. Well conceived, prepared, and plated--all with fantastic taste (with one minor exception, see below).
I gave Wolfdale's only 4 as opposed to 5 stars because after mentioning to the wait staff that my halibut cheeks fish and chips had a slightly ammonia-like air about them the waitress said she would mention it to the chef. She later said Dale, the man running the show, was preparing an order to test it. She never reported back to me, as I was curious if it was a taste trait of halibut cheeks (my fisrt time eating such). Seeing Dale on the way out, I asked what he found. He reported that, indeed the halibut cheeks had an ammonia-like taste to them and such was not a characteristic of that cut of fish. Rather, he said their distributor washes them in some sort of solution and that they are "hit or miss."
Had Dale apologized it would have been a 5. But to no avail, despite the price of the meal.
Nonetheless, Dale has a great thing going here, and he can count me as a solid supporter. -
Review from Mark S.
Soquel, CA
8/10/2011
Probably the most dependably good restaurant in Tahoe City year after year. Really fresh offerings of seafood, along with unique presentations and sauces...often with an Asian flair. The service is friendly and good, never rushed, but attentive. Because of the popularity there is sometimes a brief wait for your reserved table...their bar is not a bad place to have to bide your time. The wine list is a little light on varietals from wonderful California locales.
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Review from lynn l.
Pleasanton, CA
2/1/2011
Where do you go once a year for 32 years, and love every meal. Douglas Dale started the blend of Asian/California cuisine. He doesn't disappoint.
Smoked Trout amazing. Curry seafood stew....mm good.
Thank you for making this our favorite Tahoe destination.
Lynn and Bob -
Review from Daniel L.
Carnelian Bay, CA
1/9/2011
What an amazing view and the food is superb. We had one night to get a nice dinner and chose Wolfdale's. The service was phenomenal and from appetizer to entree to dessert, my mouth was drooling. One of my favorite places to eat while I'm in Tahoe City.
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Review from Lisa R.
Updated - 8/11/2010
This has got to be one of my favorite restaurants. I love the small seating area, because it makes the dining experience more intimate. Everything on the menu is absolutely delicious, and puts you in a food coma. I especially love the baked oysters, they seem to get better every time. Last night I had the the mussels and halibut cheeks, which knocked my socks off because I'm not a big fish person, but the hailbut cheeks was the best I've ever had. My other favorites are the baked rolls...wow....and last night I had my favorite dessert ever....S'more cake...I would come back just for that.
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8/10/2009
I saved my 100th review for the AMAZING dinner I had last night. So amazing that I didn't even want… Read more »
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