By Michelle Portesi
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You know how it goes when you live here. You work your tail off in the high seasons so you can get through the slow ones. During the seasonal crazy that is Summer and Winter, some days all you can do is crawl wearily home and collapse.
Now that it’s spring, we can slow down a bit, catch our breath and venture out to take advantage of the local dining discounts that abound this time of year. And if there is anything this area excels in, it’s a wealth of great places to eat!
During the spring, local restaurants offer coupons, two for ones and deep discounts to try and entice both the locals and off season visitors alike to favor their establishments while they wait for the next round of seasonal crowds. It’s a given that most specials will end Memorial Day Weekend, while some will continue on for a few weeks after the holiday before the summer crowds descend. Be sure to check who will be doing what and when. Here are some suggestions to get you started.
Jason’s Beachside Grille. Photo from their website.
Step 1: Pick up The Tahoe Weekly or the local papers and clip their coupons. Here are just a few of the specials I noticed:
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Jason’s Beachside Grille, Kings Beach. 20% off entire food bill, Sunday through Thursday until May 21.
West Shore Cafe, Homewood – 1/2 price dinner entrees Monday through Thursday – May 11- June 11. Go to WestShoreCafe.com for details.
Pianeta, Truckee – Featuring a ‘Paesano Speciale’ $25, which includes a glass of wine, soup or salad and choice of fresh pasta dishes – Sunday through Thursday. Inquire with your server. (Michelle’s Note: Do this one! They hardly EVER run off season specials and the food is great! …and this coming from an Italian!)
Christy Hill, Tahoe City – Local’s Lakefront Menu – 3 course meal, $24, Sunday through Thursday (excludes holiday periods)
Old Range Steakhouse, Tahoe Vista- 3 course dinner, $29 for most selections: shrimp cocktail, salad, entree
The Soule Domain, Crystal Bay – 2 for 1 entrees, excludes Saturday’s and has a 2 course minimum. Make Reservations and bring coupon.
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In addition, there are many places that offer Happy Hour specials such as Hacienda Del Lago in Tahoe City and Las Panchitas in Kings Beach.
Step 2: Don’t see your favorite place on the list? Go to their website or give them a call. There are just too many restaurants to list all the possibilities!
A quick perusal of a couple of my favorite haunts websites like Sunnyside Resort and The River Ranch revealed specials there as well, so let your cell phone do the calling to ask about their seasonal offerings and events.
The River Ranch. Photo from their website
River Ranch, Tahoe City (Hwy 89 and Alpine Meadows Rd). – 1/2 price specials on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, Friday Night Prime Rib through June 11th and Thursday 1/2 price wine list night. Wednesday features an all night happy hour. www.riverranchlodge.com/dining
Sunnyside Resort, Tahoe City (The west shore) – Burger and a beer, $10 every Tuesday night. The big bang for the off-season buck at Sunnyside are specials on room and dinner packages. If you’ve never visited our fair corner of the world, this is a great place to hang your hat while you check out the area. http://www.sunnysidetahoe.com/lodge-packages
Summer at Sunnyside Deck Opening
Once you’ve fallen in love with the Sierra’s, call Lynn Richardson to find you the perfect Lake Tahoe or Truckee home – Where you’ll always have plenty of dining establishments to choose from!
Let’s Eat! 
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