Kane’s restaurant: The best new lounge in the Sierra Foothills

Kane’s Family Restaurant in Grass Valley is one of the most inviting spots to gather for food, live music, Monday Night Football and fireplace dining, thanks to its expansive new lounge and bar.

The elegant new space includes an expanded bar area with a 30-foot-long bar top (the longest in Nevada County); seating for about 50, skylights and a fireplace. A new front door reads, “Kane’s,” in handsome wood design. It’s the best new lounge in the foothills.

Kanes — which celebrated its seventh anniversary in November — has grown into a dining institution in the foothills. It is the latest of a growing number of local restaurants that have expanded, such as Lefty’s Grill in Nevada City.

Kane’s is patterned after Original Joe’s in San Francisco, where founder John Kane worked and ate regularly. As with Joe’s, Kane’s food is served in an open kitchen with a friendly atmosphere.

The extensive menu includes juicy steaks, chops, roasts, fish, chicken, seafood, salads and vegetarian disches.

Kane’s has redesigned its menu, making it easier to read and adding enticing photos. It also highlights some of late Chef Kane’s favorites: a fitting tribute.

We like the Maui prawn salad, with Hawaiian-herbed prawns, grilled mandarin orange pieces, sliced hearts of palm and cherry tomato medley or mixed greens, with citrus vinaigrette.

The hand-cut, charbroiled steaks; hand-folded, thin-crusted pizza; roast leg of lamp; and Italian classics such as Chicken Cacciatore also are standouts.

Joe’s Special (American Kobe chuck sauteed with fresh spinach, three eggs, diced onions and herbs) and the burger on crunchy French loaf with French fries are Original Joe’s standbys.

The restaurant also serves breakfast all day and night (try the Molinari Italian sausage and eggsm with fresh fruit and potatoes).

Tribute to John Kane

We were deeply saddened when owner-chef John Kane passed away in July. Hundreds of people attended a memorial to honor him, including well-known chefs, and family and friends from all over Northern California.

Kane’s is becing managed by John’s life and business partner, Maria Ramos, longtime owner of Maria’s Mexican restaurant. “Anyone who knew John would want us to carry on and continue his legacy with Kane’s,” the Ramos family says. We couldn’t agree more, and Maria is doing an excellent job.

Kane’s Restaurant
120 E. Main St., Grass Valley
530-273-8111 KanesRestaurant.com

(Photo: Rick Tracewell)

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