We originally had a reservation at 8:30 pm but were able to get a walk-in table instead around 5:30 pm. Our party ordered:
- Gem Leaf Salad
There's nothing else to say other than it's a good salad! I recommend ordering 2 if you have a big party. Otherwise, you'll probably only be able to have a few bites.
- Butternut Squash Soup
For me, it was too sweet (Might be because of the coconut foam), but the person who ordered it in my party said it got better as you continued to drink it and the flavor from the roasted pumpkin seeds offset it.
- Piedmontese New York
The person who ordered this said the steak was tender and flavorful! I tried a few bites and agreed that it was a pretty decent steak :)
- Steelhead Trout
I don't particularly enjoy fish, but the trout was cooked perfectly! It was tender while the skin was crispy, and the parsnip puree paired very well. Others commented that they enjoyed trying the romanesco as well.
- Diver Scallops
This is the dish I ordered, and I might be biased, but I would say it was the best out of everything we ordered. Usually, when there are scallops on a menu, restaurants skimp on the portions, but Manzanita was very generous! Everything was cooked very well. The scallops had a nice golden brown sear while remaining perfectly cooked. The saltiness of the pork belly paired well with the subtle sweetness of the cauliflower puree. Some parts were just fat, but that's how pork belly usually is.
- Halibut
The first time we got the halibut, it was very disappointing. It was overcooked and dry, the opposite of how it should be. The restaurant was visibly packed, and we could hear all the orders the kitchen staff were receiving from the open kitchen, so we understood that it was not on purpose. We told this to our server, and she kindly offered to have another one cooked for us. This time, the halibut was perfectly cooked and very tender.
- Lamb Shank
First, the portion was HUGE. It came with two large lamb shanks, and the person who ordered this raved about how tender it was. They said the couscous was just ok, but everything else was great, and it was worth the price!
Overall, Manzanita is probably the best meal we've had so far during our short stay in Truckee. Our server was very attentive and courteous; she helped us immediately with the Halibut issue and answered any menu questions. Other than that, I would say the food took a little bit on the longer side, but again they were packed tonight. We look forward to trying their breakfast menu next :) read more