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The Tahoe 10 - Basin's Best Breakfast
Tahoeticker introduces 'The Tahoe 10' a weekly top-10 (we know, we know... lists are so — tiresome — but that's how readers roll... and we had to name something 'Tahoe 10'). ...We'll at least take our pithy little on-line-only stab at mixing it up. ...Answers to two questions we know you have: 1) No, the list isn't totally subjective; albeit it was complied by a small panel of TT readers/staff/freelancers. 1a) Notice ADVERTISERS are not on that list. 2) Um, feel free to agree, disagree, or agree to disagree. Yes. Click here w/your thoughts.
...Oh, and the most-oft-asked question of staff: 'Does T's serve breakfast?' The answer, sadly, is 'no'.
Best Brecky in the Basin ...in descending order:
10) Log Cabin — Kings Beach: KB's breakfast gold standard is overpriced and slow. But that's sorta Tahoe in a nutshell, isn't it?! So why on the list (for reasons other than purely sentimental?!), two words: bacon waffles. Six more words: They charge extra for maple syrup.
9) Firesign Cafe — West Shore: Staff kind of put this on the list begrudgingly. Here's why: It must be the thin air affecting the palette because, for whatever reason, folks turn off their tastebuds when they get above 6000'. No, it's true, look at some of the restaurants that have been doing business (GOOD business at that) for three-plus decades serving warmed-over freezer burn. At least for a spot whose business is brisk, Firesign is not one of the prior; and, if you go, the Eggs Benedict are worth the standard 20-min. wait.
...Everything tastes better prior to skiing — remember this, and tread lightly around the lunch menu.
8) Java Hut — Kings Beach: Skip the breakfast bagel unless you're starr-ving (it's the hard-till-toasted kind); but a white mocha and a chocolate croissant will get you goin' especially if it's the early a.m. Look out for the disaffected localish ...um... girls behind the counter. Remember: When you walk in with a 'Life is Good' shirt (you know, the one with the cartoon guy riding a bike or on a snowboard), what do you expect?!
7) Buckhorn Grill — Truckee; Wide Awake Conscious Cafe — SLT: Oh, that's right — they're both closed (boo). Only the good die young.
6) Keys Cafe — SLT: Keys Cafe gets a mention based on portion size alone. Big, fat, breakfast burritos — decent salsa and Tapatio on top (otherwise they're dry like banana). Hangover cure fo' sho'. (cue yawn).
5) Sierra Cafe at the Hyatt/Incline: As much as we hate plugging megalo-hotel, the brunch at the Sierra Cafe is way stacked (omlette station to generic Fruit Loops); it may be a Sysco nightmare — no Slow Foodies in this house ...but, you get a lotta food (buffet less than $20 for AYCE). ...So, whether you're planning intervals on Tunnel Creek or a marathon of Bloody's on the pier that day – this'll give you the best base coat for the buck in the Basin.
4) Tahoe House — West Shore: WiFi, cozy chairs, always bright, good staff, better coffee. Pastries OK, but cookies better. It's more for the camp-out-ifo-the-fire-look-at-the-snow thing.
3) Full Belly Deli — Truckee: Just for the Green Eggs and Ham. (We're sentimental – 'k).
2) Book & Bean — Truckee: Best. Coffee. In. The. Basin. ...And paperbacks too. If you have to meet someone, do it here. If you have to break up with someone, don't do it here. This place should connote good memories only.
1) Treat Box — Truckee: Homemade bagels (they don't advertise 'em, so don't go in asking for a dozen like you're at effin Noah's in Montclair). Bagel sandwich. That's all you get. Doughnut 'appetizers' while you wait. Real doughnuts — the mom's-going-out-do-get-'em-fresh-while-you-watch-Sat.-am-cartoons-feel-good kind. Two people can feast for under $10. ...And that's all you need to know.
Honorable mention: Wild Cherries — Truckee (see or be seen), Squeeze In — Truckee (biggest menu with most similar items... like Taco Bell), Brockway Bakery — Kings Beach (sentimental fave), Red Hut — SLT (best meet-up spot), Ernie's Int'l. Bakery — Incline (Hidden gem).
Wine and dine ...or meet ...your lover this VDay at Squawpine
Today, 8:04 am, By A. Richmond
- Singles can mingle at K2 or Last Chair Bar... couples can toast at High Camp
- Hey... no snow doesn't mean no love...
Winter be damned... we're still getting wine ....Last Tracks at DP every Saturday
Today, 7:17 am, Staff Report
- Next Last Tracks is Ste Michelle Wine Estate at DP 2 p.m. Saturdday, Feb. 11
- Snow be damned - tix avail inside - drink/ski... what's not to like...
Ladies first at Sugar Bowl Saturday and Sunday Feb. 11 and 12
2/06/12, 8:20 am, Staff Report
- Women's ski clinics (and massage/wine tasting) Feb. 11-12 or March 17-18
- Sign up this week and ...GO!
The Weekly
-There may be no snow... but at least we get an extra day in February
2/06/12, 8:14 am, Staff Report
- $29 passes at Diamond Peak Wednesday, Feb. 29
- Leapers (peeps born on Leap Year) ski free that day...
Backcountry Film Fest in Tahoe City Friday Feb. 10
2/06/12, 6:22 am, By B. Madigan
- Watch movies ...save your local backcountry
- Aplenglow Sports/Sawtooth Ridge sponsor the event. Tix only $10 ....
Jennifer Siebel Newsom's doc to make Basin premiere at Queen of Hearts luncheon Feb. 15
2/06/12, 5:23 am, Staff Report
- Siebel Newsom's doc features talking heads from Condi Rice to Gloria Steniem
- Luncheon Wednesday, Feb. 15 at the Resort at Squaw Creek - click inside for tix/dets
Ticker favorite Wendy Lautner one of the luminaries of Freeride Flow Festival at Kirkwood
1/26/12, 7:58 am, Staff Report
- Kreitler, Worster, Hardaway, Edwards, Nevins... all your chill big names at Kirkwood March 16-18
- Miracle March, yoga and backcountry instruction - what more is there?!
The Weekly
-Squaw's Paaso takes first at Chamonix
1/24/12, 8:25 am, Staff Report
- Freeride World Tour's second stop is all Jackie...
- Video inside
Tahoe Bikini Chicks go viral ...their snowdance may have worked
1/19/12, 8:25 am, Staff Report
- When all else fails, show the weather gods a little skin
- Rain in the a.m. - snow through the weekend
'At this point ...anything falling from the sky is welcome...'
1/17/12, 8:30 am, Staff Report
- Here it comes
- Rain... and then?!
Faithful employee takes helm of Alpenglow Sports
1/16/12, 8:20 am, Staff Report
- Brendan Madigan takes over Tahoe City store from founder Donald Fyfe
- New website coming soon too
The Weekly
-Truckee Wine Walk looking to give some money away
1/12/12, 8:19 am, Staff Report
- That's right - someone's GIVING money away...
- Local nonprofits - step up (deadline to apply is Feb. 15)
Hold those pinkies up ...less than an inch of snow the official 'pack' Tahoe's driest December in history
1/04/12, 8:01 am, Staff Report
- Driest December since the '60s causes resorts to scale back and locals to continue that snow dance
- Is there anything in the forecast?!
No snow ...no scrilla ...no problem at Mt. Rose
1/01/12, 10:00 pm, Staff Report
- Kids ski for $10 all week (Jan. 2-8)
- Check out Monday-Friday and Sunday specials as well... rock skiing made cheap
KidZone Museum and Sugar Bowl co-sponsor Grom comps
12/28/11, 8:29 am, By J. Monson
- Kids museum and terrain park
- YES... Indeed!
The Weekly
-Start training now for TRTA St. Paddy's Day snowshoe search for pot 'o gold
12/28/11, 7:00 am, TRTA Staff
- Luck 'o the Irish (may bring snow) Saturday, March 17
- Start training NOW ...get that resolution going early...
Davis boy ID'd as victim in chair lift fall... incident still under investigation
12/22/11, 7:49 pm, Staff Report
- 7-year-old John Henderson described by family as active and rambunctious ...one who wanted to be an inventor or an astronaut
- Father, Mark, an associate dean of the medical school and mother Helen Chew works for UCD Cancer Center
Real time ski rental possible with Mtn. Mike's new website
12/21/11, 6:58 am, Staff Report
- Hey, no snow ...slow news day
- Get 30% off rentals online - check out all your equipment and have it ready at the store - not bad...
Sugar Bowl investor and SF philanthropist Warren Hellman passes
12/20/11, 8:05 am, By H. Graziano
- Hellman, 77, lead investor and member of Sugar Bowl's board of directors
- ...He also did Western States and was president of the US Ski Team
The Weekly
-No snow but TRPA staff makes it rain in the Basin with holiday donations
12/19/11, 8:04 am, By K. Boosman
- Six local nonprofits benefit from TRPA staff's generosity
- ...Now get back to work on that regional plan...
Speedy recovery to Moment's Hakansson ...and lessons learned
12/13/11, 7:58 am, Staff Report
- Moment Skis founder breaks neck at Boreal testing new product
- He's ok, but recent blog entry worth a read...
Celebrate National Winter Trails Day with the Tahoe Rim Trail Association Jan. 7
12/12/11, 7:08 am, TRTA Staff
- Kick off the new year with Tahoe Rim Trail event for winter trails
- 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7 (weather permitting) get out and hike, learn avy awareness, get prizes ...and warm drinks!
Gapers please don't get any ideas... Squawpine traverse studied
12/04/11, 8:12 pm, By A. Richmond
- You can always plan your own route ...but then there's helicopters, long cold nights and your wet jeans involved
- Best stick to the ice bar for now...
The Weekly
-Optimism Tahoe style... 'Snow-making' temps back in the forecast ...Sugar Bowl to turn on weekends
12/01/11, 8:12 am, Staff Report
- Old Man Winter is hitting snooze in the Sierras
- All Basin resorts set to be open by Dec. 15 ...but will nature cooperate (short answer: pray for Miracle March)
Occupy Squawpine ...Tahoe the new land of the megaresort
11/17/11, 8:05 am, Staff Report
- Ready or not, a private equity frim now owns Squaw and Alpine...
- Just give us cheap tickets
'Ultimate' Squaw day giveaway on Facebook
11/11/11, 6:55 am, Staff Report
- Friend Squaw on Facebook and click on sweepstakes tab - win a day of eating, skiing and ...skiing
- Spread the word - build that database...
Squaw ski team takes it to the hill
11/10/11, 7:58 am, By A. Richmond
- Ages four and up can still sign up for ski team at half price...
- And yes, Masters can register too
The Weekly
-A blowin' snow we will go ...major Basin resorts draining the lake with snowguns
11/05/11, 6:14 pm, Staff Report
- Alpine, Boreal, Diamond Peak, Mt. Rose, Northstar, Squaw...all blowin'
- Week of Thanksgiving targeting for opening
Learn to ski or snowboard with Daron Rahlves at Sugar Bowl
11/03/11, 8:28 am, Staff Report
- Get on skis with D. Rahlves for the first time in January at Sugar Bowl
- It's the source ...it'll change your life
Put down them protest signs and get yourself a job at Tahoe Donner
11/01/11, 8:05 am, Tahoe Donner
- That's right - job fair time
- Hey, it's non-corporate-owned skiing in Tahoe... how bad can it be?!
Earthquake weather in Truckee ...no damages or injuries reported
10/27/11, 7:28 am, Staff Report
- 4.8 magnitude quake rumbles 23 miles from downtown Truckee
- No damage, injuries reported...
The Weekly
-La Nina Hangover ...weather pundits predict mellow winter
10/20/11, 8:24 am, Staff Report
- After initial October spke, warm weather sets in
- Models portend 'normal' winter ...but meteorologists say 'wait and see'
West Shore house fire that killed two under investigation
10/19/11, 8:14 am, Staff Report
- Housefire early Tuesday morning took the lives of Peter Maktenieks and Amy Pass
- Cause under investigation though not treated as criminal
Squaw donates 3 grand to Humane Society ...McConkey donates 10 times that to enviro causes
10/11/11, 7:54 am, Staff Report
- Shane McConkey foundation announces Monday gift of $20k to TTUSD for environmental programs; $10k to Protect Our Winters (POW)
- Squaw gives $2,600 from an online pass auction to Humane Society of Truckee Tahoe
Truckee KidZone museum secures big federal grant
10/10/11, 7:32 am, Staff Report
- KidZone museum gets $50k federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services
- ...Grant will help with outreach to Truckee kids/families to educate in ecology and earth sciences
The Weekly
-Sugar Bowl continues CORE points system... still not quite sure what it is
10/05/11, 6:27 am, Staff Report
- So, sounds like for $19 you get $15 off day passes
- Ok, not bad... .click inside
...Because Powder whore keeps it core and even let in Alpine skiers
10/03/11, 9:46 pm, By B. Madigan
- Powderwhore's choice to feature more than knee-droppers a good one ...they also left the Red Bull helicopters behind...
- 'Breaking Trail, A Backcountry Film' gets its Tahoe premiere on at Sawtooth Ridge Cafe Monday, Oct. 17
Why the Squaw-Alpine merger ain't too excitin'
9/27/11, 8:31 am, By A. Pridgen
- ...Both resorts to be bundled and packaged and eventually sold to a hedge fund...yes, that's what's happening
- Remember KSL is a PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM - not your friend, dummy
Squaw grabs Northstar ski team director ...hires VP from Steamboat
9/23/11, 7:59 am, By A. Richmond
- Squaw continues to build its super team...
- All stars from Tahoe to Colorado... in order to complete the resort's 'renaissance'
The Weekly
-Nason steps down as director of League to Save Lake Tahoe
9/15/11, 8:10 am, Staff Report
- Largely credited with turning small nonprofit into environmental crusading juggernaut, Rochelle Nason was with The League for more than 18 years
- ...Time for new blood, we say
Terrain park time at Squaw
9/06/11, 8:20 am, By A. Richmond
- Squaw hires tops in the biz Snow Park Technologies to pump up park
- Squaw prez Andy Wirth did the same in Park City - so time to see if Squaw becomes Tahoe's new jibber Mecca
Truckee-based Praxis skis releases new line with discount code
8/30/11, 7:59 am, Staff Report
- Click inside for discount code on '11-'12 line
- Truckee-born skis... SUPPORT LOCAL BIZ...
TRPA tries to keep Nevada in the mix by getting it together on the Regional Plan
8/28/11, 11:33 am, By Jeff Cowen
- T-minus three years till Nevada pulls the plug on the TRPA and builds homes and piers made of Natty Lite cans and shotgun shells on the east shore
- ...'k, that was lame...
The Weekly
-Squaw gets its geochache on...
8/27/11, 8:04 am, By A. Richmond
- Geocaching at Squaw - 10 spots, 10 treasures...
- Click inside for dets; take that cable car up...
Squaw opens up coffers for Tahoe Fund
8/24/11, 7:30 am, By A. Richmond
- Founded in 2010 - the Tahoe Fund is the less ...errrr... radical enviro-project nonprofit alternative to that Bumper Sticker group
- $25k check from Squaw - well, that's a start
Holy crap ...Woman comes out of Crystal Bay Club with 3.5 million big ones
8/19/11, 8:01 am, By Bill Wood
- Kentucky woman walks into CBC with $40, walks out with $174k a year for the next 20 ....
- ...But says she won't use it to buy the Cal-Neva... bummer
Murky Tahoe portends another great wine year
8/17/11, 8:56 pm, Staff Report
- Last time lake was this murky was in '97 and that was a BONUS year for big cabs
- Report on Secchi depth released Tuesday at Tahoe Summit more than clear about lack of clairty...
The Weekly
-New State Law requires Whooping Cough boosters for all students grades 7-12
8/11/11, 6:16 am, TTUSD
- Back-to-school vaccine time
- Students w/out shot docs won't start school... locations inside
Squaw offers ridiculously bad Whislter Squaw lift ticket package deal
8/09/11, 7:20 am, By A. Pridgen
- Ski at Squaw/Whistler seven days for like 10 percent off ($479)
- Or get a combo Alpine/Homewood pass... you make the call
Another TRTA building camp in September ...sign up here
8/01/11, 8:12 am, TRTA Staff
- Help preserve the 165-mile TRTA ...make friends and DRINK MARGARITAS at the end of the day...
- Two work weekends scheduled (Sept. 3&4) click inside to register
Squaw rolls out five-year plan ...yes it includes s'mores
7/27/11, 7:50 am, By A. Richmond
- New terrain parks, groomers, maps (for the first time ...hmm, Squaw with maps - dunno about that one) and even an iPhone app
- Oh, coffee at the top of the Funi too...
The Weekly
-South Korea awarded 2018 Winter Games ...Fake Reno-Tahoe bid over
7/07/11, 7:17 am, Staff Report
- So NOW can we stop talking Reno/Tahoe games
- Or gear up for 2026 ...by actually planning to build Olympic-ready infrastructure... (hint: Pyeongchang has a new $1.5 billion resort, all venues within 30 minutes of each other and a high-speed rail link from Seoul)
LAX coaches and volunteers needed in the Basin
7/06/11, 7:40 am, By Jenny Kendrick
- Lacrosse leagues in Tahoe looking for coaches, volunteers, refs and players
- Find out more and sign up today...
No warchest to fight Boulder Bay
6/30/11, 7:48 am, Staff Report
- $250 million project gets no protest from local groups
- ...But when will dystopian recession-buster it break ground?!
Bored kids no more... Truckee's KidZone Museum offers full slate of daycamps
6/14/11, 7:57 am, Staff Report
- Farm Camp, Junior Entomologists Camp, Sierra Watershed Science Camp
- ...Are you ready for the summer?! ...Click inside to register
The Weekly
-Clock's ticking on TRPA
6/08/11, 7:54 am, Staff Report
- Nevada's passage of SB 271 means Silver State will bounce from bi-state compact in 2015 if regional plan not adopted
- ...You know, the 'plan' that's 20-plus years in the making and still not close to being codified...
You can officially turn the page on winter Tahoe... defensible space work to begin
5/23/11, 7:23 am, By Tia Rancourt
- Defensible space to start next week - permits available now online; click inside
- ...But you can't have snow on the ground (sorry higher-ups)
Tahoe Donner grabs 160 acres from PUD ...may become additional rec space
5/19/11, 7:10 am, By Amanda Birchenough
- Possible connectoin to the Donner Rim Trail now possible from rec area
- Defensible space work... then possible new trails
Never mind the snow ...Incline's open for boating
5/17/11, 7:27 am, Staff Report
- Put that boat in ...today
- Yes, you can - snow be damned
The Weekly
-Diamond Peak is top of the social media heap
5/11/11, 9:10 pm, By B. Archer
- Tweet it - DP loves the social media
- ...And yeah, that meant more peeps on the hill
Basin Bargain Baement - A-frame revloution in KB
5/11/11, 7:28 am, By A. Pridgen
- We know we love plugging KB
- ...And you love reading about it
Have another season pass... ski Squaw cheap
5/09/11, 10:40 pm, By A. Richmond
- Yep, Squaw's still turning ($49 tix for passholders of any Tahoe resort)
- ...Go make those final turns through Memorial Day
Alpine Meadows and Kirkwood partner to offer passes valid at 5 mountains next winter
5/06/11, 9:33 pm, Rachael Woods
- Hells yeah... is Tahoe finally learning how to market?!
- hmmm ...maybe
The Weekly
-Still time to get hurt this season as Squaw fires up halfpipe
5/03/11, 10:21 pm, By A. Richmond
- Ski and ride where Bobby Brown threw the first triple cork 1440
- Now through Monday... last pipe standing in North America
Jackie Greene playing for Tour of California kickoff
5/03/11, 8:25 am, Staff Report
- Three free shows ToC weekend
- Don't miss JG Friday, May 13
Garrard third in 'breakthrough' race
5/01/11, 9:42 pm, Staff Report
- Garrard grabs a bronze at ITU's inaugural Cross Triathlon World Championships
- ...Bests crowd of sport's elite to finish less than a minute behind Shonny Vanlandingham and winner Melanie McQuaid
Praxis giving away a pair of skis May 1
4/28/11, 8:59 pm, Staff Report
- Sigh up for Praxis' enews - win next years' skis (your choice)
- All '11 models on sale too
The Weekly
-TRPA says A-OK to Boulder Bay
4/28/11, 8:16 am, By Jeff Cowen
- $250 million Crystal Bay redevelopment project, after four years of community and agency tweaks ...gets approved by 12-2 margin
- Now, will it be built?
Decision day for Boulder Bay
4/26/11, 9:59 pm, By A. Pridgen
- $250 million proposed project scaled back almost 10k square feet from its original plan on Biltmore footprint
- TRPA approval can be postponed no longer; Wednesday's a.m. meeting could spell approval
Death Star Condo-hell units up for auction April 30
4/26/11, 8:03 pm, By A. Pridgen
- $130k for a piece of the Resort at Squaw Creek.. not bad
- Um, so what does this say about two major (pending) developments (Homewood, Boulder Bay) who're using the same concept?! ...hmmmm
Squaw hosts Ski Patrol Olympics through Thursday
4/26/11, 5:04 pm, By A. Richmond
- No Gaper-day contest!? Boo.
- Come see how the people who serve you do...
The Weekly
-HSTT gets anonymous quarter-million dollar donation from local couple
4/15/11, 10:29 am, M. Raymore
- Way to step up!
- Half of three million needed to replace old shelter in the bank... keep it going Truckee
Sugar Bowl one of seven new 'green' businesses in the basin
4/13/11, 10:08 am, Staff Report
- Check out keepthesierragreen.org
- See how your business can join and ...get in there
Nevada is going Nevada-crazy ...lawmakers want to secede from TRPA
4/01/11, 2:15 pm, Staff Report
- Dissolve the TRPA!? Really... that'll help ...nice work John Lee - we don't come to where you live (Vegas) and tell you how to run a (in all ways) bankrupt city
- ...Go build another quarter-billion-dollar bridge over the Hoover Dam and leave us alone, prick ...
Drought dunzo ...Jerry Brown made it happen
3/30/11, 5:08 pm, By A. Pridgen
- Brown repeals drought, because maybe he is a god (not THE God ...a god)
- Biggest snowpack since 1950-'51
The Weekly
-Kings Beach commercial core facelift planned ...by community
3/02/11, 10:57 am, By A. Pridgen
- Thank the (horrible) economy for bringing the community together
- Look for a pedestrian-friendly KB to be complete in the summer of '14
Basin Bargain Basement - It's 420 at Squaw
2/15/11, 10:40 am, By A. Pridgen
- Great address, great price
- A Pizza Hut condo ski-in/ski out crashpad ...and parking — of your very own
February 19 weather report
2/15/11, 9:11 am, Staff Report
- More, more, more
- up to nine inches today, 10 tonight... another foot on Friday
February 12 Weather Report
2/06/11, 11:22 am, Staff Report
- Chance of ...rain... Monday
- Yikes
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