The Lakefront Restaurant

Roz and I had a wonderful dinner here a few weeks ago. The room is right out of a north country hunting lodge (minus the animal heads). It’s a cozy, wood paneled space that looks out on The twin Lakes and the majestic mountain on the other side. It is very intimate and romantic as only a lodge with it’s history can be.
The service and food are first rate by any standard. We had an amazing Wild Mushroom Risotto that had us fighting for the last fork full. Then we shared a excellently cooked Filet of Beef that the kitchen was kind enough to split for us without being asked. Their wine list is world class and we took full advantage.
I must take a moment to mention our server, Michelle. She was perfection from the time we walked in to our final good-​byes: a full understanding of the menu and the specials, great wine recommendations, and impeccable service. She also mixed me the perfect vodka martini.
All-​in-​all a unforgettable, romantic experience. Definitely worth an evening with your sweetie.

Came here to treat my boyfriend for his birthday — neither of us had been here since Freddy left. I wanted to take him somewhere different to mark a special occasion. Online reservations (open table) were super easy. Michelle gave us fantastic service. Food was great, except the protein. It was requested rare but served well done — a small flaw in an otherwise idyllic, memorable evening. Thank you and we’ll be back.

Truly an amazing dining experience. Unbelievably delicious food. The French onion soup and brussel sprouts were standout appetizers. Not cheap, but if you’re looking for a delicious meal in a charming setting with top notch service in Mammoth Lakes, this is the place to go.

Excellent dining experience, even after all these years. This is a special occasion restaurant for us and it did not disappoint. I was a bit concerned after the recent reviews, but it was not true for us. We ordered four appetizers and four entrees, all of which were delicious and the portions were as expected from a gourmet chef. We had the Elk (of course), pork loin, lamb breast, and Wild Salmon and started with the Foie Gras, green salad, Brussels sprouts and mushroom risotto (my favorite). They have a wonderful wine list, but they were gracious even though we brought our own. Our server was charming and attentive, and met all of our needs as only a skilled server can. All of us were thoroughly happy with the evening and talked about it the next day. I love this cozy, mountain dining room. It is what Mammoth means to me from over 20 years of coming here with good friends and family. Thank you Tamarack Lakefront !

Not what it used to be…
Lakefront is now associated with Mammoth Mountain meaning change was inevitable. While the food presentation was excellent, and the service strong, the food was just good. It seems that in an effort to be new and exciting with meal options, some of the outstanding classics no longer exist. Serving sizes are very small and very expensive. Plan on ordering an appetizer or salad because the entrees do not come with any sides except for decoration. Save some money and try other Mammoth classics like Skadi or Nevados.

The dining room is small (and very cozy) which can reflect on the prices but really, when I have a great meal, I don’t mind.
We had the elk with huckleberry sauce, brussel sprouts salad (appetizer) and the coulant (molten chocolate cake). Everything was well presented (a real attention to details) and really tasty.
Service is good — they give you the attention you need but they let you enjoy your companion’s presence (no waitress filling you wine glass every 2 minutes to make sure you order more wine — yay!).
I would go back anytime we are out skiing in Mammoth and have a special occasion to celebrate.
(-) Wine list should be updated. Brought us a 2013 vintage rather than the 2012 indicated.

It is with a dash of regret and a spoonful of disappointment that I write this review. The Lakefront at Tamarack Lodge is a Mammoth Institution hailing from the town’s earliest resort days. The very waters of Twin Lakes practically kiss the flagstone stoop, the knotty alder dining room walls practically creaking with stories to tell beyond those revealed by the sepia-​toned historic photographs that dot the walls. Heck, even the food is delicious, the service impeccable — it should be perfect.
Except it isn’t.
The management of this Mammoth mainstay is sorely lacking in wherewithal and concern for its guests, and appears to take its market for granted in that it makes no effort to get in touch with guests who harbor perfectly legitimate complaints. While my girlfriend and I enjoyed ourselves for a good portion of the evening, the conclusion was less-​than-​stellar when food poisoning attacked and marred an otherwise flawless evening. To add to the disappointment, two phone calls to the Tamarack Lodge front desk (which was very helpful insofar as a separate department could help) and two messages — one written by the Tamarack Lodge Manager and one left on voice mail — to the manager of Lakefront have gone unanswered. As week 2 passes, I must begin pushing my way up the email and phone chain to Mammoth Mountain Ski Area itself to seek redress.
Food poisoning happens at even the best of establishments. I do not dispute the idea that Lakefront can perform. The reviews below me are testament to that assertion. Indeed, the fois gras, steak, and braised lamb that I enjoyed were pretty much perfect on their own merits. And the wait staff was much more polished than I expected for Mammoth. But the fact remains that the management itself continues to drop the ball, and continues to ignore my calls. Any reputable restaurant in the Southland — be it Phil’s BBQ or Addison — or even any casual joint in Mammoth like CJ’s (which yes, I understand, runs on shoestring budgets more often than not) — will make at least some effort to ACKNOWLEDGE that, perhaps, there was a problem that night. But Lakefront has insulated itself and buckled down. A third call has been lodged this morning, and if it is addressed this review will change accordingly.

I went on a first date here! It was intimidating but totally worth it!
Food was incredible and the ambiance was way higher class than my date and I were used to, but it was such a good thing. I’d highly recommend Lakefront to anyone, especially if they’re looking to get out of the Mammoth scene and enjoy some fine dining. The chefs at Lakefront do such good work.

Writing this review is painful for me, and it should really be 2 stars, but I am being generous because I really wanted to like this restaurant. I had been wanting to try Lakefront for a long time, so I went with my parents to dinner there.
This review is for DINNER, lunch is a different ballgame and from what I see, prices are more reasonable.
First off, the bar was not well stocked, but I settled for what they had while I waited. Good enough.
I was more prepared for the high prices and the «fine dining» experience (if that’s what it’s supposed to be) than my parents were. The menu is very, very limited, so be prepared for that. There is usually a fish entrée, vegetable entrée, chicken entrée and either lamb, venison or some other exotic dish. I expected the portions to be somewhat small, but absolutely delicious… I was right on the first one, wrong on the second one.
My experience left me pretty disappointed. We all got the chicken. It was wrapped into a small sausage-​shaped thing, and I do mean small. There was polenta underneath with some tiny mushrooms. I enjoyed the chicken and the polenta but my parents hated it the polenta. The chicken was decent, but not great. Neither the taste nor the presentation was worth the price. We saw a beef dish go by that was just as small, and it wasn’t even Filet Mignon. My dad was downright angry, which is rare. He was upset that he paid $ 36 for a «turd on a plate» in his words. He even talked about it for the rest of our trip.
What WAS 5-​STAR were the dessert drinks! I had the Hot Apple Pie and the Butter Rum and they were to die for… but you can get these in the lobby without having to eat at the restaurant.
Would I return to this restaurant? Only for something extremely special like popping the question to a girl that likes the mountain atmosphere.
If you are looking for the novelty, to really impress someone, or for an extremely special occasion where spending $$$ is more important than anything else, Lakefront will probably suit you ok. If you are looking for quality food in general, go somewhere else.

This has been one of our favorite restaurants for probably 20 years. It has always been a special treat to go there. The setting is charming, the wait staff wonderful and the food fabulous. Unfortunately, the meal we had last weekend was very disappointing.
The appetizer was bizarre and was served at the same time as the gem salad, which was actually good, except for the large toasts, which had a sort of strange spread on it. We didn’t finish either of them. The fish was cooked very well, though the portion was small. It came with a very strongly flavored ginger slaw that was OK.
The venison dish was a gloppy mess. The vegetables tasted so strongly of smoke that it overpowered everything. The table behind us also was disappointed with their meal and sent one of their main courses back.
There is a nice wine list, so next time we will have some wine by the beautiful fireplace in the lobby and pass on the restaurant. It’s very sad to see such a charming spot put out such disappointing food. The two stars is for the setting and the wait staff. The food alone would be one star.

Excellent service. Cozy cabin vibe with a warm, welcoming ambiance. Superb food. We came in for a three course special prix fixe menu (appetizer, entrée, dessert with a glass of prosecco). Everything was prepared to perfection. The timing of dinner was just the right pace too: We never felt rushed, nor did we ever sit and wonder when the next course was coming. We can’t wait to dine there again.

Definitely recommend! We were warmly greeted. Excellent service and outstanding dinner beginning to end. Romantic ambiance with a spectacular view.
Bobby Brown is a very talented chef. Great vegathian entrée Grilled Baby Cauliflower* Organic farro hash, celeriac purée, pickled cauliflower. Creative Lamb Belly. Standout Shared Brussels Sprouts starter. Ending with Burnt Marshmallow Butterscotch sauce, Hazelnut ganache, almond biscotti crunch and Peanut Butter Jelly Thyme Peanut butter pannacotta, concord grape, Nutella snow, wild orange and chocolate tuile lemon thyme.

I was really excited to try this restaurant on our honeymoon after reading the fantastic reviews. The atmosphere is intimate and lovely, and the service was very good. However, for the price and reputation of the restaurant my husband and I were pretty disappointed with the food overall. He had a grilled octopus appetizer, which was his favorite thing of the evening. I had the burrata and heirloom tomato, which was good, but I think the burrata was served too cold, it had more of the texture of mozzarella. My husband had the halibut entrée, and while the veggie accompaniments were good, the fish itself was very dry, though the taste was not bad. I had the rib eye plate which was tender and delicious, but not as rich as I expect rib eye to be. Perhaps we didn’t try the right things, but we were left fairly unimpressed with the Lakefront.

Terrific

Food that you write home about. Best food I’ve had in 30 years of restaurant eating. Service a bit slow but for me, worth the waiting. I felt like I was on the Food Channel tasting delicacies. Wonderful ambiance, casual or dressy. Great place.

When coming to Mammoth this is a must if you enjoy a beautiful dinner and setting. My wife and I came to Mammoth for a few days of hiking. Needed a real dinner not just a Village restaurant. This was superb. We will be back soon.

Lakefront is hands down one of the most spectacular restaurants in the Sierras. Bobby Brown performs his culinary magic every single night. His flavor profiles are spot on and combines unique and fresh ingredients like you’ve never had.
Last night we enjoyed Compressed Honeydew Melon and Cucumber Salad with Passion Fruit and Basil, and Cast Iron Roasted North American Red Elk with Smoked Chard, Huckleberry Demo, Cippolini Onion, among other fabulous tastings at the Mammoth Winemaker’s Dinner with D’Alfonso — Curran wines.
Tiffany, the Somm paired amazing wines with each course, including Curran Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Chardonnay, Syrah and a late harvest Viognier.
You cannot get any better than Lakefront. Top notch service, combined with outstanding wine and exceptional food, this is one restaurant you must experience.

Beautiful scenery with amazing food. The sandwiches and burgers were incredible. Friendly staff as well! Wish my meal never ended!

5 stars for Tiffany!!! Thank you, also to the Big Boss I think his name was Kevin. I just want to say Thank you!!! I wasn’t in the best mood at first but did a 360 when welcomed with a smile. The food was I mean you can feel the love that is put into each plate. I was delighted. Perfect ending to a amazing vacation in mammoth. I needed this!

Great special occasion dinner in Mammoth.
The service, food and atmosphere are the best you can find in town, maybe even in the sierras.
The wine prices are fair as well.