Burrata with a Balsamic Reduction on top of Mixed Greens and Charred Bread. ·
Warmth radiates from Tahoe City’s Zia Lina where white lights are strung from points across the ceiling and you immediately see the open the kitchen and horseshoe-shaped bar upon entering.
With new ownership, the menu at Zia Lina has evolved under the care of Suzanne Nguyen, a veteran Italian restaurateur who fell in love with Tahoe. She has found her place both in the kitchen (where many of the recipes prepared are hers) and in the front of the house where you’ll often find her pouring during Zia Lina’s much-loved happy hours from 5 to 6 p.m. and from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
“We serve seasonal, local, organic, comfort food,” shared Nguyen who managed the restaurant for more than a year before she made the purchase, finalized this spring. The dinner menu boasts a variety of scrumptious dishes including a popular Cesar salad (one of the house favorites according to server Drew Cox), fresh pastas, pizzas and entrees, plus daily fish and happy hour pasta and pizza specials.
When asked what we can expect to see in the coming months, Nguyen promises, “We’ll be serving more asparagus, fresh peas and artichokes – what’s in season.”
On past visits, I’ve enjoyed the fish of the day, and a glass of wine with Arancini di Risotto: goat cheese, mozzarella, butternut squash and spinach balls with Arrabbiatta sauce.
When I popped in on a snowy night two weeks ago, I wanted to try something new and delicious. Charred Bread with creamy Burrata topped with a Balsamic Reduction on top of greens followed by a healthy portion of Capellini with pesto, zucchini and breadcrumbs filled my craving. The pasta was especially good with minced garlic and the crunch of toasted breadcrumbs. The creamy Fettucini Alfredo with well-seasoned prawns, also delicious.
Zia Lina offers create-your-own polenta pie or pizza with toppings such as kale, prosciutto, fennel sausage, meatballs, mushrooms, roasted garlic and basil, and a choice of sauce (garlic and olive oil, classic tomato, basil pesto or Alfredo), and, to top it off, fresh mozzarella, goat cheese, Asiago or Fontina. Another mouthwatering option is the wood-fired Fulton Farms Half Chicken served with roasted garlic, grilled polenta and kale. Meat lovers will devour the Veal Marsala with wild mushrooms over linguini and peppered filet mignon.
The wine menu features the Sierra Foothills, Italy and Argentina. And, for dessert, just the right mix includes a chocolate amaretto torte, Panna cotta, tiramisu and homemade ice creams like pomegranate ice cream with a hint of basil. For specials, visit Facebook.com/ZiaLinaTahoe or just pop in and enjoy dinner. You won’t be disappointed.
Located at 521 North Lake Blvd. in Tahoe City, learn more at zialinatahoe.com. For reservations, call (530) 581-0100.
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