Gar Woods Grill Pier - CARNELIAN BAY

Our experience was not ideal. We arrived for a large gathering, but our table was delayed by 45 minutes compared to the rest of our party. Although five of us arrived a bit late, the restaurant was inflexible about seating us at the available tables next to our group. The crab sandwich, which was supposed to be served on sourdough bread, turned out to be just sourdough toast, and for $32, I expected something more substantial than a single slice. The soup was satisfactory, though a bit too salty for my taste. On a positive note, the bar was lively and welcoming, and it’s nice that you can take your drinks into the beach area, which is beautiful.

Gar Woods is one of the best dining spots in Lake Tahoe. I've been visiting this restaurant for years, and I always make it a point to stop by whenever I'm in town. I recommend making a reservation, as it tends to be quite busy.

I stopped by this restaurant for Mother's Day 2022, and it happened to be snowing! It was my first time visiting, and it was a spontaneous decision. We were just looking to enjoy the snowy scenery of Lake Tahoe when we stumbled upon this restaurant. I ordered the Seared Diver Scallops with Dungeness Crab Risotto, which was my first experience with risotto. It was creamy, tender, and full of flavor. The scallops were seared to perfection and delightfully sweet. However, the price was quite steep at $49. The service was excellent, with the staff always smiling and very attentive. Every dish that passed by looked beautifully presented. The views were absolutely stunning! I would definitely consider coming back, but probably not too often because of the cost.

This place needs a thorough cleaning. I can't even begin to imagine what the kitchen must look like. To the owner: please take a look at the bar stools around the bar—the seats are in dire need of attention.

The staff is fantastic and the cocktails are spot-on. If you're familiar with the Woody, then you know what I'm talking about!