Lake Tahoe Family Restaurants

Large portions of comfort food are just a short walk from the Hyatt in Incline Village. This place offers a woodsy-cabin atmosphere and something for even the pickiest eaters. Corn bread arrives with every meal, and the menu offers excellent salads and a nice wine and cocktail list.

This is a wonderful find, offering great kids menu choices like cheeseburgers, linguine and beef hot dogs at approximately $7 each. For adults, the poached pear salad delivered (and I'm a salad snob), my husband had nothing but compliments for the Grilled Angus New York Steak, and we all shared the chocolate bread pudding (rich and excellent). The Evergreen is a gem that should go to the top of every Tahoe visitor's "must" list.

The Fire & Ice restaurant inside Marriott's Timber Lodge boasts three huge outdoor fire pits ringed with chairs and offers a unique dining experience because of its entertaining "kitchen." To begin, you don't choose from a menu. Instead, you visit several buffets, laden with items you select to toss into your bowl. Noodles, shrimp, steak, veggies, sauces - it's all good. Then, you hand your bowl to the chef, who throws it -- yes, I said "throws" (my kids were ecstatic) -- into a tub and grills your selected items. Moments later, the bowl is handed back to you, and it's time to chow down. This eatery is highly recommended for mom and dad, who have had it with mac 'n cheese and need something different for a night out without the kids. It's also ideal if your kids are more adventurous eaters.

This is a great spot when the urge for Mexican food strikes. There's good indoor seating, but even better outdoor patio seating. The place is often full of locals, looking for an inexpensive Mexican meal. The menu offers great chips and dip and fabulous margaritas -- life is good. There are great Happy Hour drinks and prices too.

If everyone wants a large Italian dinner, head to Lanza's. It's "build your own pasta meal" night, kids! First, you're encouraged to pick a pasta. Second, you pick the sauce (meat, pesto, Alfredo, butter garlic sauce and more). Last, you add something extra like meatballs, sauteed mushrooms or chicken -- it's all your choice. If you don't want to create your own meal, entrees include portabello mushroom ravioli, calamari steak and eggplant parmigiana. You can also build your own Sicilian-style pizza.

This is one popular eatery for a fun breakfast, so either get in on a weekday or early on the weekends. It's a fun place -- before we even saw a table, we received three "good morning"s from three different staff members, all with a hearty smile. I was impressed before I had my first cup of coffee.

An enormous old chairlift hangs from the ceiling, and the lobby is lined with framed, old-time photos of Lake Tahoe. The menu carries your favorite breakfast items: omelets, waffles, pancakes, orange juice, etc. The portions are large, and the servers are friendly. It's a little pricey, but it's a happy experience.

Located within the Resort at Squaw Creek, which sits at the base of Squaw Valley USA, Six Peaks is a fine dining experience that welcomes the kids but is much more fun without them. With a grand floor-to-ceiling window view of the mountains, an outdoor fire pit and an elegantly laid out buffet, the Six Peaks brunch impresses every step of the way.

Six Peaks also provides lunch and dinner menus with a focus on fresh breads, wild game and the total omission of trans fat. And, all are artfully presented. The deck provides a roaring fire pit that's lovely to sit around with a glass of wine as you feast on an incredible view of Squaw Valley's six peaks. Reservations are recommended.