Ciera at Montbleu

“Fine dining” and “Tahoe casinos” are two phrases seldom found in the same sentence. That’s because most Tahoe casino restaurants fall into one of two categories: so-so dining on the casino floor or buffet pig-outs served with a lake view. Fine dining, with the notable exception of Las Vegas, is rarely found in close proximity to slot machines.

There is at least one exception to this rule at South Tahoe. The lake’s only AAA four-diamond restaurant, Ciera Steak & Chop House, features everything you might want from fine dining: unusual and creatively prepared menu items, plus classy ambiance and service.

Befitting the name, steaks and other cuts of meat highlight the menu. The Certified Angus Beef steaks include a delightfully tender Filet Mignon, a flavorful 24-ounce Signature Cowboy Rib Eye and a Cheateaubriand for two. But there are also surprises like the Veal Loin Chop Morel with brandy, morel mushrooms, cream demi-glace and Farfalle pasta. Other chops include a pistachio-encrusted New Zealand Rack of Lamb; an Organic Pork Rib Chop with sweet Maui onions and brandy-apple demi-glace; and a Rocky Mountain Elk Chop with sweet bing cherry demi-glace.

For non-meat-eaters, seafood entrees include crab, lobster, abalone, salmon and sea bass. For recession-conscious diners, there are four entrees priced under $20: Fettuccine Alfredo and free-range chicken prepared three ways (each served with linguine, risotto or wild rice). Enticing appetizers include Carpaccio of Bison Tenderloin, freshly shucked oysters, wine-infused foie gras and escargot.

You can conclude your memorable meal with the Pina Colada Cheesecake or Crème Brulee Trio (chocolate, espresso and orange in separate bowls), which are both $9. The Chocolate Souffle and Grand Marnier Souffle ($10 each) are also excellent, but order them when you order  entrées because they take time to prepare.

Once inside the restaurant, the noise of the gaming floor 100 feet away is left behind. Ciera’s contemporary décor features private booths with ceiling-to-floor curtains against two walls, a mostly concealed kitchen behind the third and a display of 300 wines on the fourth. Small table lamps the cuisine on each table.

It’s true Ciera has no view (the Montbleu Resort’s restaurants are all on the casino level). But there are plenty of places at Tahoe—at restaurants and elsewhere—to revel in the lake view. At Ciera you’ll revel in the food. As for the prices ($18 to $49 for entrees), they’re lower than at many comparable San Francisco restaurants. And you certainly get more for your money than at those other kinds of tables on the casino floor.

HelloSanFrancisco Tip: Quarterly Wine Maker Dinners, always on Friday nights, bring a winemaker to Ciera who pairs wines with a five-course meal for $115/person. Each pour is generous, so it becomes quite a party.

- by Bob Cooper, San Francisco Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Bob Cooper

Bob Cooper is a full-time freelance writer (www.bob-cooper.com) who writes about travel, outdoor sports and health. He is a monthly contributor to Runner's World and has written recent articles for other national magazines such as Continental, Ladies' Home Journal and Inc.