Where to Dine Al Fresco
Enjoyable spots for patio dining as the weather warms up:
IKE’S QUARTER CAFE
Ike’s tree-covered patio with brightly colored flowers is one of the finest outdoor dining spots in the foothills. Ike’s specializes in Creole food, using fresh, organic ingredients.
401 Commercial St., Nevada City
530-265-6138 IkesQuarterCafe.com
KANE’S FAMILY RESTAURANT
The attractive outdoor patio at Kane’s is a [...]
Tess’ Kitchen Store: Expanding in Grass Valley
NOWHERE IS THE RESURGENCE OF downtown Grass Valley more visible than at Tess’ Kitchen Store, a longtime Mill Street merchant that will become an ultimate cooking store this spring with an innovative expansion.
Tess’ has been in continual operation since 1931, when original owner Tess Hawkins had a gift and card shop. The store has [...]
Tahoe Teas: reflecting healthy mountain lifestyle
TAHOE TEAS EMBODY JOY, wellness and health through herbal blends and certified organic teas. “I always wanted to start a company that reflects our healthy Tahoe lifestyle,” says Alenka Vrecek, founder of Tahoe Teas.
The Tahoe City resident grew up in Slovenia where she spent a lot of time with her grandparents in the foothills [...]
Dorinda’s Chocolate in Truckee: hand-crafted delights
ALONG WITH PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY and streetscape improvements in downtown Truckee, a slew of new businesses have opened in the past year: a revamped Moody’s Bistro, Best Pies, Trokay Cafe and Art Obsessions, among others. Coffee Bar celebrated its one-year anniversary.
One popular newcomer is Dorinda’s Chocolate Cafe, just off Commercial Row. Dorinda’s offers hand-dipped, hand-crafted [...]
Emily’s Catering & Cakes: creative, inviting menus
CHEF EMILY SCOTT IS A SHINING example of a foothills’ homegrown talent. After pursuing her culinary education in college, throughout Sacramento and parts of Europe, the Nevada County native is back home, expanding her full-service catering business.
Emily’s Catering & Cakes has just opened an enchanting new indoor and outdoor event space in historic downtown [...]
Cafe Zorro: A Loomis favorite
CAFE ZORRO IS A LONGTIME FAVORITE with locals. But it also offers a convenient reprieve for ski travelers along I-80 and food lovers from Auburn to Roseville and beyond.
The restaurant’s menu highlights seasonal specials—for fish, chicken, meat, salads and pasta—and it focuses on fresh, local ingredients. Its pizza is legendary, with a thin crust [...]
Loomis: A snowless escape
THOUGH MINUTES FROM THE RUSH OF I-80, historic Loomis is steeped in small-town charm. It has an old-fashioned downtown, renovated fruit-packing sheds and a rural feel.
Loomis (pop. 6,430) grew up along the first transcontinental railroad route and historic Hwy. 40. It is a hidden gem, filled with unique cafes and restaurants, microbrew and [...]
Excellent adventures: Skiing, snowshoeing and lodging
TRUCKEE, LAKE TAHOE AND THE SURROUNDING high country is a winter paradise. The region is home to more than a dozen ski resorts and cross-country ski areas. Other winter activities include snowshoeing, ice skating, sleigh rides and dog sled tours, an adventure of a lifetime.
Guided snowshoeing treks—during the day or under a full moon—offer [...]
Good Times Roll Below the Snowline
GRASS VALLEY IS A JEWEL among the foothill’s gold-rush towns. At times, the snow does fall, but most of the winter it is snowless.
This season you can attend the Foothills Celebration food and wine festival on March 3 and a classic Car Show on April 28.
Visitors can enjoy boutiques, gift shops [...]
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