Martini's and more in Truckee Tahoe
As a former big city gal living out her small town dreams, every once in a while you get a hankering to put on jeans and a nicer-than-average top and go out to have a martini and gab with your friends. This is one of the things I adore about Truckee's location.
You are never far from great things. Whether that is hanging out in the 'Biggest Little City in the World' of Reno, cruising to Sacramento for decent shopping (they have an IKEA and a great Nordstrom's), heading to San Francisco for their museums, driving to wine country for relaxed and sophisticated food and drink, Truckee offers a location that offers easy access to 'bigger city things' that few mountain towns benefit from. I know. I used to live in Big Sky, and the nearest IKEA was hours and hours away.
I've lived all over the world, from London to New Orleans to San Francisco, with some other spots in between. And I love the small-town life of Truckee. But every once in awhile, I like a good night out, and the spots below are where I go.
Moody's has great music more or less weekly. The bar is vibrant. You can walk in here in an outfit that is more than denim and people won't look at you too weird. They also have my favorite martini in town. And every now and then, I really like a great martini. My favorite at Moody's is the dirty gherkin. It isn't always on the menu, but they usually can make one for you if it isn't too busy. Their cocktails and wine list are pretty fun.
What else do I like to order? That's easy. Their deviled eggs are delicious and I also love their Truffle Parmesan fries. Everything is good, though it isn't the cheapest night. But still cheaper than New York City, maybe. The bar is my favorite spot to sit, though with a large group, you may want to sit in the dining room and make a reservation ahead.
This is another spot that brings in locals, weekenders, and tourists. It's a cozy Italian spot. The bar, like that at Moody's, is a fun place to sit, chat, and meet other folks. The dining tables and indeed the whole space feel intimate. This is another spot where a reservation is recommended or go early to grab a seat at the bar. The pastas are all made in-house. I like their martini with gorgonzola olives and any pasta.
This restaurant burst onto the scene in Truckee a few years ago boasting delicious Italian food. This isn't surprising given that some of the folks behind this restaurant came from Flour + Water in San Francisco. The aesthetic leans industrial, but the pastas and pizzas are comforting after a long day in the great outdoors. Their wine list is heavily Italian and also features some trendy varieties you may find in LA or further afield. I like their pizza and cacio e pepe, which is hard to find in mountain towns. My favorite thing to do here is to share with others and have little tastes of everything. They don't have hard alcohol so if you are hankering for a well-made cocktail, try elsewhere.
This spot began in Reno before making its way 'up the hill', quickly becoming a favorite for many folks in town. It is in The Old Lumberyard, a newer development for Truckee. I adore their pizza, though I have also indulged in their pasta after a good ski day. They also have a fun, mostly Italian, wine list as well as a full bar and cocktails.
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