halfcabking
Let’s get one thing straight, Squaw / Palisades Village isn’t where you go to find grit. It’s where dogs wear shoes and everyone’s name sounds like a skincare line. So when someone tells you there’s a place here with soul, you assume it’s just a well-branded kombucha pop-up. But then you find PlumpJack. A diamond in the organic, overpriced rough. A place that somehow escaped the Pinterestification of everything. The first thing you notice? Metal décor that wraps around the place like a hug from a cold but well dressed robot. There’s this suspended fireplace, just hovering there, Jetsons-style. It doesn’t warm you with flames as much as with hope. Hope that someone, somewhere, still cares about ambiance and the future at the same time. I sat at the bar, which felt less like a restaurant and more like a friend’s living room, if your friend was a retired rockstar who now only drinks mezcal and reads Murakami. I was handed a complimentary shot, not for any occasion, but just because the staff clearly looked at me and said, “Yeah, this guy’s been through something.” I had. Traffic mostly. But still. Then came the charcuterie board, which wasn’t just good, it was religious. Meats, cheeses, and accoutrements laid out like a spread at a Roman emperor’s hangover brunch. It whispered, “Forget your past. This is your life now.” And then that homemade sourdough. My god. It had trauma. The kind of chew that tells a story. You bite it and suddenly you’re seven years old again, standing in a kitchen you’ve never been in, but somehow remember. Bread like that should be illegal in three states. The main dish? Some kind of sea bass, I think. But at this point, names didn’t matter. It was buttery, flaky, perfectly crisped on the outside, and spiritual on the inside. Like it had once been to therapy and came back better for it. It sat on a pile of couscous so buttery, I considered calling my ex just to say I’ve moved on. And then the Banan Moretto Sour. I don’t know who invented this drink, but I owe them money. I took one sip and my mouth went on vacation. It was like sipping dessert in a tropical country where shoes are optional and regrets are taxed.
The outdoor patio? Gorgeous. Shaded, serene, and suspiciously free of leaf blowers. Inside looked like a Nordic design showroom decided to retire in wine country. Tasteful, soft light, and not a single Edison bulb in sight. Miracles happen. The staff? Angels. Not the fake-smile kind. The kind that genuinely care if you’re having a good time, but would also know how to hide a body if it came to that.
PlumpJack doesn’t belong in Palisades and that’s why it’s perfect. It’s not just a restaurant. It’s a reminder that you can still be surprised. That somewhere in the algorithmic, influencer choked chaos of L.A., someone is still quietly making art.
… moreLeah Curtis Wolf
Bummer that they are not on top of updating their hours or website. We love the food, but hard to make the trip several times and be let down. Third time this fall attempting to visit…closed now until Dec 4th supposedly.
… moreChristian Lee
PlumpJack Cafe is one of the fancier restaurants in the Palisades Tahoe village. However, they are currently offering a very limited menu due to Covid 19 shortages and staffing issues. They features lovely mixed drinks along with a full wine selection. For the entree, they offer various meat dishes, which are decent, but nothing to write home about, and notably did not offer the dishes that my family had a craving for from a previous visit.
It is noticeable that many restaurants in the village are understaffed, and this restaurant is no exception. Unfortunately, it seems like the choices and quality of dishes are also affected as a result.
… moreI. E.
This restaurant was truthfully really good. When I initially entered, I wasn’t sure if it’d be above my price range but I decided to venture on and try it nevertheless. I thoroughly enjoyed my squash dish, dessert and my specialty drink. I had the luxury of meeting some fellow patrons who were congenial and pleasantly conversational. Definitely give this place a try if you’re searching for a place to eat after your ski adventures.
… moreDominique
Charming location and view from our table of the lovely garden!
Excellent service by Garett who was professional and so friendly.
The food was so fresh and tasty!
We enjoyed so much the Branzino and the board with gorgeous cheeses, fig jam, honey and crackers.
The hand made ice cream for the dessert was a must!
The wines list is phenomenal with wines around the world and we appreciate also the selection of Plumpjack wines ( Cade, Odette etc…)
We tried many restaurants in this area .. thus one is far away the best for the location, the food and the service.
A diner to remember …A GEM ❤️
… moreChris Sirinop
I went to the resturant during summer of 2012. The drive up was not that bad the weather and the road condition was great with no traffic. The food and the service here was also great. As you can see in the picture, I was enjoying my sadwich out side with a drink.
… moreGrant Jack
Stopped in to PlumpJack for a drink at the bar after doing some shopping and taking a trip to the top. The atmosphere was nice, cozy and the service was good. I’ll definitely be back to try some food next time!
… moreN B
Could not have had a better experience! The food the service, value, etc. Everything was top-notch. Our server, Jenna was very attentive. We highly recommend this restaurant!
… moreCheryl Burns
I only went in for breakfast because it was within walking distance from Squaw Valley Lodge. I wasn’t disappointed. They had a wedding party staying there, but was open to walk-ins. They offered a breakfast bar that was very good, but only one price. They wouldn’t accommodate my friend who only wanted a bagel and a hot drink, although they gave other food service places she could walk to and she joined me. It was okay.
… moreMichelle Warren Lesondak
Overpriced & small portions. The food is good, equivalent to good food that you’re able to get at most restaurants. With 6 orders and several appetizers selected, nothing was impressive or stand out.
The $30 meat & cheese appetizer had
equivalent meats to spam & packaged deli meat. Had to ask for more soup as the woman who had served the bisque at the table has just covered the bottom of a bowl, leaving the rim of the spoon uncovered. We all laughed because we though it was a joke.
Service was fine – the food is incredibly over priced for the amount, and many choices are lacking in impressiveness.
… more