Gar Woods - CARNELIAN BAY

The restaurant offers a beautiful view of Lake Tahoe. The staff is friendly and personable. The Kung Pow tofu was tasty and a refreshing change from the typical vegan options. They also offer a Beyond Burger alternative. I was disappointed that they charged an extra supplement for adding shrimp or chicken to the vegan option - not cool. The prices for the tofu and other vegan dishes seemed a bit high compared to meat options. The cocktails were delicious and potent. This review was updated on June 10, 2021.

The ambiance was amazing as we dined by Lake Tahoe. The kung pao tofu was absolutely delicious, with tender tofu that resembled fluffy clouds, coated in a savory and slightly sweet sauce.

I visited this restaurant with my family, who eat meat. I was pleased to see that they had clearly labeled vegan options on the menu, which made me feel comfortable ordering. I chose the kung pao tofu and my partner had the beyond burger. While the prices were a bit high ($40 and $30ish), they were in line with the rest of the menu at this upscale establishment frequented by boaters. I enjoyed the flavor and texture of the tofu, which was served with a generous portion of vegetables. I appreciated having a vegetable-focused vegan dish, rather than just a meat substitute like impossible or beyond meat, which I'm not a fan of. If I could make one suggestion, it would be to add a vegan salad to the menu. The restaurant also offers a variety of their signature drink, the "wet woody," which is essentially a rum slushie. The menu was entertaining and everyone enjoyed their beverages. Despite the rain during our visit, I look forward to sitting on the beautiful deck by the lake next time. (Reviewed on September 24, 2022)

The salads all come with meat included, and even if you ask for it without meat, the price remains the same. There is a tofu and noodle dinner option available for $38, but I decided to skip it. The only viable option for vegetarians is the impossible burger, but eating it repeatedly can get monotonous. When I raised the issue of limited vegetarian choices, the staff suggested zucchini sticks as an appetizer. The restaurant offers a lovely view and potent drinks, but the vegetarian options leave much to be desired.

The restaurant offers a beautiful view of Lake Tahoe and the staff is friendly. The Kung Pow Tofu was delicious and a nice change from the typical vegan options. They also have a Beyond Burger option available. However, I was not a fan of the fact that there was an additional charge for adding shrimp or chicken to the vegan dish. It seemed unfair to single out the vegan option like that. The price of $35 for tofu and vegetables seemed steep compared to the meat options priced at $35-50. The Wet Woody drinks were very tasty and strong.