We all know that typically in Lake Tahoe beachfront dining is not always affordable. If we add quality food with creative twists to the equation, we have a true unicorn. Well, welcome to Whitecaps Pizza in Kings Beach.
You’ll find creativity and fresh ingredients
are the order of the day.
For co-owners Lanay and Bryant LaFerriere, Whitecaps Pizza is a return to their roots because they founded the original Steamers restaurant here decades back. The other half of the owner/operator team is Elisa Chapman and Oscar Havens, a veteran couple of North Tahoe’s fine-dining and wine scene. The team has revitalized the building and modernized the business with a bistro-style menu and creative wine and beer selections. As before, pizza is a big part of the program but be sure to explore the other dining options. You’ll find creativity and fresh ingredients are the order of the day.
On our visit, we asked to have service family style, all at once. We ordered the Kale, Brussel Sprouts and Pine nuts salad topped with sprouts, raisins, parmesan and a refreshing lemon dressing, and an Arugula, Pear and Bacon salad that was treat for the eye, as well as the palate. We also had a couple of small plate-standouts in the roasted Jalapeño and Crab Skillet with bacon and three cheeses, and the Roasted Brussel Sprouts with pancetta and a maple glaze.
We had to get the crunchy thin-crust pie. We ordered a half Pesto Artichoke with roasted red peppers and mushrooms and half The Italian, a myriad of Italian cured meats, pickled cherries and bell peppers. It not only crushed, it rocked.
Since Chapman is a bit of a wine guru, we let her lead the vino way. Because we ordered and ate family style, she brought a mix of glass pours to match the food. We enjoyed a surprisingly complex Villa Sandi Prosecco, an old-vine Cinsault Rosé from the south of France, a Barbera d’Asti and a Bonny Doon’s “Clos du Gilroy” Grenache on tap. The food and wine played like an Italian arietta. If you are in a beer mood, you can trust that these guys are just as adept at matching their wide range of brews with your meal.
After seeing a Banana Bread Pudding headed for another table, we had to indulge and were pleased with our dessert.
Chapman shared that they are committed to honoring the Italian tradition of making the wine and beverage complement each other to raise the dining experience. Whitecaps Pizza is also committed to an affordable dining experience so Chapman curates a rotating selection of wines and beers that offer value to stay true to that philosophy. We second that emotion and can attest that Whitecaps delivers on that promise.
|(530) 546-2200 or whitecapsizza.com
