Northstar at Tahoe: Dinner and a movie

ONE OF OUR FAVORITE summer activities activities at Northstar Village is dinner, a free outdoor movie and— the pièce de résistance (with the kids or not ) — purchasing a s’mores kit and roasting marshmallows over the fire pits.

Baxter’s Bistro serves top-notch cuisine that attracts locals and visitors alike.

Some of the entrees include roasted Alaskan Halibut (with artichokes, fava beans and romesco); Steak Frites (grilled local grass-fed beef, fries and tarragon aioli); and smoked Pork Rib Chop (with bacon-braised greens and peach bourbon sauce).

The dishes are created using fresh, sustainable ingredients. Chef de Cuisine Michael Plapp and Executive Chef Mark Estee have close ties with local growers and ranchers. The wine list is extensive and desserts are to die for (including “The Chocolate Circus,” made of chocolate,
caramel and “NYC egg cream”).

Besides Baxter’s, the Chocolate Bar offers an elegant cocktail for chocolate connoisseurs: A Chocolate martini. Check out the Chocolate Bar’s small plates, too, which include cheese fondue, seared ahi tuna, herb marinated flat iron steak, blue lump crab cakes, house-made
soups and salads.

For Asian cuisine, Mikuni Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar is among the best around. It was rated the top sushi restaurant in the Sacramento-Tahoe region in 2009 in the ZAGAT Guide.

Mikuni, which also operates restaurants in the Sacramento area, guarantees the highest quality fish delivered daily—60 tons per month.

Its menu features more than 300 original sushi creations. Sushi chefs prepare the meal right
before your eyes.

For Italian food, go to Rubicon Pizza Company, a family-style restaurant that serves pasta dishes, hand-tossed pizzas and gourmet salads. It also has a take-out menu.

Other choices include a picnic dinner from Earthly Delights, a burrito from “North of the Boarder” (as in snowboarder), or a “Frog Dog” (a hot dog on a French baguette) from Euro Snack.

After dinner or with your “to go” order, head to the movies, just steps away in the Village. Wooden chairs are “on the house.”

The movies are rated “PG-13” or lower, including “Up,” “Anchorman” and “Never Ending Story.” The are shown on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

No alcohol is allowed but you can BYOB (bring your own blanket).

For shopping, the Village at Northstar also has jewelry stores and art galleries. The choices include Bolam Gallery (featuring regionally inspired artwork) and Spirits in Stone (art from Africa and other beautiful art and jewelry).

At the Bolam Gallery you will find an eclectic mix of original oil paintings, limited edition prints and fine art photography. The gallery also features the studio of artist and owner Andrew Bolam, who enjoys painting Lake Tahoe.