Fireside dining in the Sierra and foothills

“OH THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL, but the fire is so delightful.” Winter is the time to enjoy fireside dining, and the foothills and Sierra offer some of best places. Here are some of them:

Kane’s Fine Food There’s a big fireplace in the dining room, a modern-looking design with a stylish “K” on the front. Tables and chairs are sitting near the fireplace. Kane’s, celebrating its fifth anniversary, offers a variety of favorites including steaks, chops, roasts, fish, chicken and seafood.
120 E. Main St., Grass Valley
530-273-8111 KanesRestaurant.com

The Old 5 Mile House A stone fireplace in the dining room is surrounded by dining tables. “After you shred the slopes, chill by the fire” is the slogan. The Old 5 Mile House features roadhouse food from around the world. Winter specials include Coque Au Vin, Beef Bourguignon and crème brulée.
The Old 5 Mile House
18851 State Hwy. 20, Nevada City
530-265-5155 TheOldFiveMileHouse.com

Rainbow Lodge The fireplace at the Royal Gorge’s Rainbow Lodge is iconic: A big stone fireplace in the dining room in a perfect mountain setting. Diners are surrounded by stone walls, historic photos and ski posters, redolent of the Alps. The dining room offers exceptional French and California cuisine, made with fresh seasonal ingredients. The French Onion soup is delicious.
Rainbow Rd., Big Bend exit off I-80
Soda Springs
530-426-3661 TheRainbowLodge.com

River Ranch Lodge The dining room features a river rock fireplace. Dinner includes Idaho trout, rack of lamb and wild shrimp risotto. The lodge sits beside the picturesque Truckee River between Tahoe City and Squaw Valley.
Hwy. 89 and Alpine Meadows Rd, Tahoe City
530-583-4264 RiverRanchLodge.com

Manzanita A modern, open fireplace graces the dining room of the signature restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe. The menu reflects celebrity chef Traci Des Jardins French inspired California cuisine. Dinner specials include red-wine braised short-ribs, a Berkshire pork chop and Alaskan salmon.
13031 Ritz-Carlton Highlands Court, Truckee
530-562-3000 ManzanitaLakeTahoe.com

(photo credit: Larry Miller)