Truckee

Here's a few places to check out next time you're up in North Tahoe. Most of these places are located along Donner Pass Road a/k/a Commercial Row.

Breakfast: Swing by Squeeze In for one of their amazing omelets.

Lunch: you'll have lunch on whichever mountain you're skiing.

Dinner: I don't know the real name of this place, but it has a big sign above it that simply says "Mexican Restaurant" (no website as far a I can find). This place is not on Commercial Rowe, but located next to Porter's and has excellent Mexican dishes plus a salsa bar.

Live music: Moody's is the place to go to check out live music, especially jazz.

Drinks: Tourist Club (no website) is a good place to hang out with locals and skiers/snowboarders. Friday night is karaoke night (you've been warned).

More drinks: Bar of America (no website) is a bigger spot that occasionally has live music. Go to jambase to find out who's playing.

Mom & Pop

There's a little restaurant in Hayes Valley that you've never heard of, but should check out. You haven't heard of it, because it's just one block off the beaten path and it's attached to the Day's Inn. You should check it out because this husband/wife team craft exceptional food and work together to create a wonderful ambiance.

When you arrive, you first come in downstairs where the small bar is. Tracey will greet you and take you upstairs to your table. There could not be more than 6 tables upstairs.

We arrived and ordered our meal. The waitress/wife/owner could not have been more helpful. Her suggestions on what we should have, and that we even might be ordering too much, were spot on. The food was all excellent as cooked by John, the chef/husband/owner - the wonderful lobster bisque (with 2 huge lobster pieces in it!), the 2 different salads, the lamb chops, and the filet Oscar. For dessert, we had a rice pudding that was a perfect light/sweet/creamy balance.

The waittres also went out of her way to make sure we would get to the symphony on time, which was an excellent extra touch of service.

Bahama Mama

I haven't posted in a while as I've been up to Tahoe (post about Truckee coming soon) and the last week of January and first few days of February I was in the Bahamas.

I'd highly recommend staying on Paradise Island. If you're more into the Vegas-type atmosphere or have kids, stay at Atlantis.

For a romantic, couples-only atmosphere, I'd stay at the One & Only Ocean Club.

Even if not staying at either place, they are worth visits. We particularly liked hanging out at Bimini Rooad (Atlantis) and Dune (Ocean Club).

Stick to local specialties (conch fritters, cracked conch, and other types of seafood) and wash it down with your choice of Kalik (the local beer), Goombay Smash, or a Bahama Mama.