The Local Lens – Honoring Tradition & Embracing Change

Richard and I had our first date on Valentine’s Day in 1980. We have had Friday nights ever since. We carried on the tradition even when we had kids once we moved to Incline. Over the years, we became regulars at Azzara’s, Big Water, LeBistro, and the Steak and Lobster House in the Crystal Bay Club. Restaurants that have been here for at least as long as we moved here in 1988.

Last Friday night, we met friends at a NEW restaurant, The Lane 17 Lounge at Bowl Incline.  It was great! The food was very creative and delicious. Owners Steve and Tracy Tomkovicz, along with Manager (and daughter) Alison Hollman, Bowl Incline, are working hard to meet the needs of locals while still being a regional bowling and event center. Game changer: they have purchased flooring to cover the bowling lanes for local fundraisers such as the upcoming IHS boosters Crab Feed on March 18 and the Pet Network Fur Ball on May. 

Mark your calendars!

I don’t really mean to make this Lens about restaurants, but more about favorite places. The Lone Eagle bar and restaurant has been a favorite for many people. The setting is perfect: the only restaurant in Incline is right on the Lake. Sadly, the Hyatt is closing it down at the end of February to begin the total remodel of their lakeside property. To commemorate locals’ love for the Lone Eagle, longtime favorite crooner Luke Stevenson plays guitar and sings weekends through February. Don’t miss it.

What could become another favorite place is Osteria Sierra, the Italian restaurant in the main Hyatt Lodge building. It’s upscale but cozy. Their afternoon tea on the weekends is absolutely decadent. Think scones, a modern version of tea sandwiches, and an assortment of great desserts. Great tea too. Richard is fond of staying, “I am in favor of progress, it’s change I don’t like”. We have seen many changes at the Hyatt over the years, and eventually, all of them have resulted in new favorites and positive changes. What doesn’t change is the Hyatt’s dedication to our local community. Please continue supporting them through this major transition.

Watch for positive changes in Crystal Bay as well. The Cal Neva is making progress; cross your fingers that they will meet their deadline for a December 2026 reopening in time to celebrate their 100th anniversary. I hope to have some news about the Biltmore’s transition to the Waldorf Astoria Lake Tahoe within the next month. In the meantime, we are grateful to the Crystal Club, the Nugget, Soule Domain, and the Sanctuary Massage and Yoga Studio for keeping Crystal Bay an important part of Washoe Tahoe.

LOCAL HEROES 4th of JULY CELEBRATION

The big change this year: The NLTFPD pancake breakfast, the parade, and the community fair will be on July 3 this year, not July 2. The Incline Village Crystal Bay Veterans Club still holds its breakfast on the 4th, along with the fireworks from RWTB2. Incline Tahoe Foundation’s Summerfest “beer and brats” will be on July 2 on the UNR @Lake Tahoe campus.

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