A classic, historic restaurant in Big Bear Lake with great views and ambiance, especially on Saturday nights during the Summer with live music by Pete Sears. Food, drinks and service are great! read more

Fine dining service at its worst. A ladies trip of 6 celebrating my 60th. Atmosphere was nice with the sunset through the windows. A guitarist playing really nice music in the background. Greeted by the owners, Midean and Jerry. A good start that turned horrible. Our server, Alan was sweet but didn't know what "aldenté" meant for my Clam Linguine. Sadly, the lnguini came overcooked. When one of my girlfriend went to tip the musician and asked if he could stay another hour and she would pay him, he said yes but needed to clear it with Midean. My friend was treated rudely by her. As an owner of any establishment, service, service, service is top priority to your customers. This was not the case. Midean's demeanor was short and annoyed. Mind you, restaurant hour closes at 8:00 pm. However, the bar closes at 9:00 pm. Towards the end of our dinner, it felt hurried. Additionally, staff never complimented a dessert with a candle and a birthday song. But Alan offered to box our leftovers. Jerry, the husband owner was nice. But we know who wears the pants - the mean old lady. Menu prices in other upscale restaurants, server offers these services. Next day, my mediocre, less than 6 pieces of clam linguini was not packed. Went into town to grab a bite to eat before heading down the mountain. Keep in mind, Corkage fee per bottle here is $30 per bottle. Typically, elsewhere is $15-20. Beware. Upon discovering my clam linguini was not packed, My friend who graciously paid the $600+ bill called and spoke to Midean ( elderly owner lady); again, the owner was super defensive and pushed the responsibility on us for not packing the leftovers ourselves. Polite response from my friend to Midean, "your server Alan offered to pack our leftovers," shifting the responsibility back to the restaurant. When asked if my food could be replaced, a rude response was a stern no, it's not our fault! I asked how will you address this incident to your staff? She said, " Will tell server never to offer packing leftovers to customers." Furthermore, she told us to never come back. Wowzer - indeed, we will be taking our business elsewhere and warn others not to experience your rudeness. read more

Absolutely unacceptable experience. I was refused service simply because I had my service animal with me. I clearly informed the older hostess that my dog is a legitimate service animal, but she still refused to seat us and told us we would not be accepted. This was humiliating, discriminatory, and completely unprofessional. It is shocking that restaurant staff are not properly trained on the legal rights of people accompanied by service animals. No customer should be treated this way. The hostess's attitude was rude, dismissive, and unacceptable. Because of her behavior, I left without even having the chance to eat. I will never return to this restaurant and would strongly encourage management to train their staff before they discriminate against another customer. read more

I had called to reserve a table at this restaurant and the female owner suggested the "captains table" (she explained it was the best table and has nice views of the water) which she explained was not intended for children and can hold 12 people; this table did require a $100 deposit. Changes to our plans were made so I called the restaurant explaining that my 5yo nephew who is thankfully VERY close to remission will be joining us and the owner (I forget her name, older white lady with glasses) told me "we usually do no kids allowed at that table, but I'll make something work for you." My assumption, since she never said she was switching out tables, was she'd add a chair at the captains table for my 25lb nephew. The day comes, I show up with my family and an older gentleman named Gerry/Jerry goes to seat us at a table one can assume is NOT the captains table, when I ask him about it he goes to get the woman to clear things up. The woman comes to the table telling me that I changed my reservation (which I did call and I did tell her less people were showing up to to last minute emergencies that came up) including the table when I called her, to which my response was reiterating that she never told me she was switching our table PLUS the deposit she specifically stated was needed for that table was already taken. She gives me a very condescending half laugh saying that the deposit will be put towards our final bill and keeps trying to gaslight me that I agreed to changing the table. Again, she NEVER once mentioned switching our table. Either way, she continues to tell us that she cannot sit us there anymore now bc since I changed my reservation, she gave the table to someone else. MIND YOU, THE RESTAURANT WAS EMPTY. It was my boyfriend's bday AND it was Father's Day and I didn't feel like going back in forth while 10 other people (my family) were waiting for us so we can order and eat. Gerry/Jerry comes back and he's way more pleasant than his counterpart and HE apologized for the mix up. We order our food, all our steaks are overcooked, their bread was yummy and my FIL loved their mushroom appetizer so I guess there's that. The waiting staff were very nice and we enjoyed their service. It was now about 30-45 mins after our reservation time and guess what table has NO ONE seated at it, yep, THE CAPTAINS TABLE. MIND YOUU, the captains table isn't even as nice as she made it seem on our phone call, it's def not on the water, you can see parked cars before you can see the lake, it's kind of jammed up in a nook on what was probably a stage. All in all, they might have had about 20-30 tables and only 3-4 were occupied. By the time we got our check we were pretty uncomfortable bc the woman whom told us the captain table was going to be used (and no one actually used) is hovering from a distance and is staring at us. The waiter brings our check and then on a whim remembers to ask if we paid a deposit and I said YES WE DID, he says the deposit was NOT applied to our check like the woman has condescendingly stated when we were being seated. He also stated that he had an issue with a table the night before bc the woman wasn't telling the staff they were taking deposits and so they weren't being appropriately discounted/adjusted from the check. When we get up to leave Gerry/Jerry comes to thank us for dining there, meanwhile the woman is creepily standing in her red pants suit from a tables distance away just STARING at us leave. Like the creepy presence in the corner you would see in a thriller/horror movie, she was def not there to thank us, but WATCHING us leave, almost supervising us. We walked past her without saying one word to her while she offered us her best fake smile. From the parking lot my little cousin also pointed out that she was watching us from the balcony of the restaurant, we turn and her silhouette is my family saw, just staring down at us. NOW, while this is usually my LAST reason, I will say she was an older (maybe 70s) lady and we were a mainly minority group (Hispanic, Asian) I felt as if her attitude once she saw us was purely based off discrimination. During our initial phone call when making the reservation she was SOOO sweet and accommodating, but when we actually showed up, we were made to feel VERY uncomfortable the whole time. Also, let's also note that the whole time we were there, NO ONE SHOWED UP TO THE CAPTAINS TABLE. SHE LIED TO ME AND MY FAMILY TO OUR FACES. & to be clear, there was enough (even left over) chairs at the captain's table for my party (10/12 that fit at the table). Needless to say we are literally never going back here, service was CRAP, food was mid, waiting staff was friendly, but NOT worth spending HUNDREDS of dollars to eat dry food and be watched the whole time we're there. Don't go here :) EDIT: we came here because my boyfriend had been there about two years beforehand and LOVED it, we will quite literally never come here or recommend this place to ANYONE. read more

When you read bad reviews about the service here... you should believe them. We still gave a decent tip but it would be nice if the server didn't just toss the napkins / utensil on the table. Kind of seems like he didn't want to be there. Big bear was super rainy the day we went so it was only our table and one other table there at around 12:30pm on a Sunday. We ordered crab cakes, sauted mushrooms, chicken Marsala, and clam linguine. The chicken Marsala and the crab cakes come with the option of baked potato or mashed potato. Overall, the food was okay for me. Not particularly my favorite because all the sauces felt so heavy. The bill came out to be around $120 which is not the worst. We wanted to eat here for the lakefront view but terrible idea (due to rain). Not sure if I would return back here but it's a good one and done. read more

The Pines Lakefront - American Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

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I go here every time I come up to Big Bear, the food and service never disappoints. I really like the beef Wellington not that many restaurants serve it. The view of the lake is nice too. read more

The Pines Lakefront - American Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

An Anniversary Dinner We'd Rather Forget My wife and I chose The Pines for our 17th wedding anniversary dinner, hoping for a special evening overlooking Big Bear Lake. Unfortunately, the experience was memorable for all the wrong reasons. Our bill came to approximately $225, and frankly, the food didn't come remotely close to justifying the price. I ordered the 8 oz prime rib, medium rare. What arrived was a thin, dry, overcooked piece of beef that seemed closer to medium well. It lacked the tenderness, flavor, and richness I'd expect from a decent prime rib, much less one served at a restaurant charging these prices. For perhaps the first time in my life, I didn't even finish my prime rib. The garlic mashed red potatoes were mediocre. Nothing special. My wife's baked potato was another adventure entirely. Small, scrawny, and shriveled. I've seen more appetizing potatoes sitting forgotten in the back of a grocery store produce department. To be fair, the shrimp cocktail was good. Service was polite and friendly, although our waiter initially handed me a lunch menu at 5 PM. He also accidentally omitted a Pepsi and a glass of wine from our bill. We pointed out the mistake and made sure we paid for both. No complaints about his attitude. Unfortunately, the overall experience was disappointing. We weren't expecting miracles. We were expecting a quality dinner appropriate to the restaurant's prices and reputation. Instead, we paid premium prices for food that felt decidedly ordinary, and in some cases, considerably worse. Seventeen years of marriage deserved better than this. We won't be returning. read more

Way too much salt. The artichoke bottoms app was tasty but way too salty. The prime rib was also way too salty, I think it was the au jus. The baked potato had no salt, which I would expect to be encrusted with salt. The veggies had no seasoning at all, no butter, no taste. On the bright side the rack of lamb and garlic mashed potatoes were both good. read more

Great food, great service and great atmosphere. We ordered Beef Wellington, Avocado Shrimp and French onion soup. And the view is beautiful.

Rude staff. The restaurant don't follow California guidelines and rules. Don't spend you money here read more

We ordered different steaks and they were all good. Lucky we came on a Sunday afternoon when it wasn't busy. Food came quickly, our server was attentive, and we got to sing happy birthday. I am very surprised it wasn't busy. The lemon drop was strong. read more

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The best steak I've ever had -- no exaggeration. It was cooked perfectly and full of flavor. The mashed potatoes were easily some of the best I've ever tried too -- super creamy and delicious. We also ordered the pesto ravioli, which was fresh, flavorful, and a great addition to the meal. The view was beautiful and made the whole experience feel extra special, and the atmosphere was really nice and relaxing. On top of that, everyone working there was genuinely kind and welcoming, which you don't always find. Overall, an amazing experience from the food to the service to the ambiance. Definitely worth it, and I'll absolutely be coming back. read more

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Good food slow service great view. We were driving and it is on main street ambiance great and we saw vintage cars on the lot

We recently dined at this restaurant and, unfortunately, the experience did not live up to expectations. Given the establishment's long history and reputation, we were disappointed to find that it appears to be in need of some significant updating. The restaurant had poor air circulation, which made the dining room uncomfortable, so we opted to dine alfresco. The alcoholic beverages were weak, and the salads were noticeably overpriced for what was served. We also ordered a full rack of ribs, which unfortunately arrived very dry and was not enjoyable. For a restaurant at this price point, we also expected a higher level of service and presentation. Being provided paper napkins rather than cloth napkins added to the feeling that the overall experience did not match the prices being charged. There is certainly value in preserving a historic, long-established restaurant, but the food, atmosphere, service, and pricing need to reflect the expectations that come with that reputation. Overall, we felt the restaurant was considerably overpriced for the quality and experience provided, and it is in need of some meaningful upgrades. read more

Very good mocktails and filet was perfect. We will be back we also ordered the artichoke appetizer and split a salad.

Avoid booking ANYTHING here or read all the reviews before risking it! I booked this restaurant for my niece's rehearsal lunch solely because of its location, despite previous dining experiences being consistently subpar. Months after paying a deposit, I was told my reservation wasn't in their records and that the agreed-upon lunch options were unavailable. Complete bait and switch. When we canceled over month in advance the owner promised a refund but never provided it. After weeks of ignored messages, we were told by his very rude wife the deposit would not be refunded. Poor service, poor communication, and poor business practices. read more

Nice restaurant, with a beautiful view of the lake. Attentive service. Food was really good, large portions. Great location for a celebration or to treat yourself just because. Only complaint is we were not offered rolls. read more

The Pines Lakefront - Salmon (L), prime rib (C), lamb (R) - American Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Food is amazing, from the Avocado Shrimp, to the Beef Wellington for Two, I can't stop coming here whenever we're in Big Bear. The service is prompt and attentive. Our third or fourth year coming here for our birthdays, and they make the evening amazing. Worth the drive drive from San Diego! read more

The Pines Lakefront - American Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Came to celebrate our 28th anniversary. Service was excellent. Very warm and friendly atmosphere. Food was great! We'll be back!

They need a new Host. The host is an elderly lady with white hair--probably the owner. She is not kind, abrasive, and seems a little lost. When my elderly mother and I entered the restaurant we asked that our reservation change from three people to two, she said, "As long as you're willing to wait." No question just a statement. My mom has a bad knee so she had to sit down. When the host signal that our table was ready, I told her that we might be a minute because of my mom's bad knee to which she hollered, "C'monn" like calling a dog to follow. She showed us to our table with no menus and no mention of a server--just a blank stare. When my mom asked her where the bathroom was, she just simply pointed and said, "There." 10 mins in, no server to greet us. The ones that do look like servers seem stressed, in a hurry with no smiles--possibly overworked. Our server finally greeted us still no smile and we ordered our entrées. My mom got the trout and baked potato. I got the prime rib, medium rare, but more on the rare side. Presentation and plating left something to be desired. The prime rib was plopped on top of the steamed veggies, which was very awkward to cut slices. I had to move the meat off the veggies but there was no more room on the plate. The prime rib was super chewy and almost inedible. I had to spit out a few pieces that I couldn't get down. The pieces that I could chew made my jaw sore, but I was determined to finish because I didn't want to take it home. The view of the lake is spectacular so it's very sad that I won't be coming back to this restaurant due to the lack of hospitality from the host and poor service. The stars of the evening, were the busers and the expos. They were very attentive kind and even greeted us as we were leaving. Maybe they should be the ones serving tables. The only time the Host smiled was after I signed her petition against the city wanting to take down the restaurant and build a city park or so she said. Even though I didn't like how she treated us, I wouldn't want more development than there already. I do not recommend this place as long as the current Host is still there greeting people. PS - I know bugs are everywhere in the mountains but not exactly sure where all these bugs came from in the middle of our dinner... from under our plates or from the server check book but they all of a sudden appeared sometime in-between the plates being cleared or the checkbook being laid down. read more

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This is one of the best steaks that I have had in a long time. It was cooked to perfection & the staff was really friendly they made you feel right at home read more

The Pines Lakefront - New York strip steak - American Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

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The French onion soup was delicious! We shared the beef Wellington. Amazing flavor and super tender! The service was excellent. Very attentive and friendly. We enjoyed the sunset over the lake from our table! Spectacular! read more

The Pines Lakefront - The sunset view from our table! - American Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

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Even though there was plenty of room for us to sit inside during the entire time we were there, they still forced our party of 12 to sit outside. We had small children with us and couldn't simply change plans and go somewhere else. The service was terrible from start to finish, and we genuinely felt unwelcome the entire time. Staff attitude was dismissive, and there was no effort made to accommodate us or make the experience enjoyable. On top of that, the menu is extremely overpriced for the quality and service provided. The food and overall experience were absolutely not worth the money we spent. Very disappointing experience overall. We will definitely not be coming back and would not recommend this place to others. read more

Came here for lunch and there was hardly any people in the restaurant. Walked in with my service dog and was confronted by two employees that made me show them my ADA card. So I did and I got let in onto the back patio. Tony was our server and never smiled one time. Just rushed away every time he answered our questions or served our food and drinks. I had the smoked chicken breast sandwich on brioche bun with a side of coleslaw and the bun was nice and buttery and soft and the chicken was very flavorful. Coleslaw was tasty as well. Just the right amount of vinegar and sugar. The views are beautiful. Then I decided to use the restroom before we left and was literally followed in by a crabby, older lady with white hair. She proceeded to say " I didn't see you come in to the restaurant" I said "well I did" lol. She had her little pen in her hand like she was about to write me a citation because I had my service dog with me. Then she proceeds to follow me out to my seat on the patio and looked at my dog's vest and said she has to be on the floor. Just an overall creepy vibe I got from her and another older gentleman. Not a fun experience, will not be coming back. read more

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We stopped by The Pines specifically to try their famous Bloody Marys. From the start, the vibe felt off - neither the hostess (mentioned in other reviews) nor our waiter seemed happy we were there. Once they realized we were only getting drinks and not ordering food, the attitude shifted from lukewarm to visibly bothered. To top it off, the bill had a $4 "bump" charge on top of the $13 drink price. The waiter explained that the extra fee was because it was a Bloody Mary and not just straight vodka (?) So $17 total for well vodka and a drink that was good, but definitely not that great, isn't worth the unwelcoming experience. Makes sense that it wasn't very busy... on a busy weekend. Won't be back. read more

We dined here for the Fourth of July after making reservations several weeks in advance. When we arrived, a few parties ahead of us appeared to be having issues confirming their reservations. The restaurant uses a very old school pencil and paper system and one guest said he had spoken with the restaurant and received multiple calls, but his name was not on the list. They eventually relented and let him in. Fortunately, our reservation was recorded and we were seated outside. Once seated, there was very little explanation about how the evening would work. We were not told when the buffet would open, what the schedule was or that dessert was included until around 9 pm. More communication from the staff would have made the experience feel much more organized for the first-born in me. The buffet and dessert were both enjoyable. However, the pricing was disappointing. Our initial charge was more than $800 for 6 guests, even though our party consisted of 5 adults and a 2 year old toddler who did not have his own plate and only ate a small amount from his mother's plate. When I pointed this out, the server said he would take care of it. I thought I heard him mention a 15% adjustment, but the final discount was only $15. Our total bill was approximately $1K with 2 alcoholic drinks and one non-alcoholic drink and taxes + tip, which felt excessive for the overall experience. The other major disappointment was the fireworks view. One or two trees about 30 to 50 feet away blocked most of the show from our table because many of the fireworks did not rise very high. We eventually found a better viewing spot near the corner of the restaurant, along with guests from another table. One local diner even left the restaurant and moved closer to the lake with folding chairs. Overall, I would rate the experience 3 out of 5. I understand this is a small town, old school restaurant and the food itself was good. However, given the price, I expected better organization, clearer communication, more thoughtful pricing for a toddler and a better fireworks viewing experience. read more

As a wife and mother, I was genuinely excited to treat my family to what I thought would be a memorable evening at The Pines. We chose this restaurant because the setting looked beautiful, and the menu sounded promising. The night before our reservation, I personally called to ask about the menu since we would be dining with our toddler. At no point during that conversation was I informed that dinner would be a fixed-price buffet costing $135 per adult. There was also no pricing displayed when we arrived. We arrived at 6:00 p.m. expecting a traditional dinner service, only to discover it was a buffet. While that was surprising, the bigger disappointment was having to stand in long lines and not actually getting to eat until nearly 7:30 p.m. Anyone dining with a young child knows how challenging that kind of wait can be. After all that, the food was simply average and nowhere near the quality you would expect for the price. Even soft drinks were an additional charge. Wanting to understand what had happened, I politely asked the owner why the pricing had never been disclosed, especially since I had specifically asked about the menu when making the reservation. Rather than acknowledging my concern or showing any understanding, the owner immediately became defensive. That interaction left me feeling unheard and made an already disappointing experience even worse. The restaurant itself also failed to meet the expectations created by its pricing. For what they charge, I expected an upscale, refined dining experience. Instead, the property felt dated, with an old-fashioned Big Bear lodge atmosphere. If you're looking for a romantic or luxury dining destination, this isn't it. The ambiance simply doesn't align with the premium prices. By the end of the evening, our bill totaled more than $700 for three adults and our baby. As a family, that's a substantial expense. For that amount, we could have enjoyed an exceptional meal at renowned Los Angeles restaurants like Providence or Mélisse, where the food, service, and overall experience consistently justify the cost. We even joked that we could have spent the day at Disneyland for less. Instead, we left with an overpriced buffet, long waits, mediocre food, and a fireworks view that was largely obstructed by overgrown trees and surrounding cabins. To make matters worse, there was a noticeable sewer odor as we walked onto the property, which certainly didn't create the welcoming first impression you'd expect from a restaurant positioning itself as a premium dining destination. The biggest issue wasn't simply the price--it was the lack of transparency. Had I been told during my phone call that dinner was a $135-per-person buffet, we would have made a different decision and chosen another restaurant. Charging premium prices is entirely a business's prerogative, but customers deserve clear and honest communication before making a reservation. We left feeling misled and deeply disappointed. As a wife and mother trying to plan a special evening for my family, this experience fell far short of expectations and simply did not justify the cost. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend The Pines, and I have no intention of returning. read more

Called to inquire about making a reservation and spoke to a horrible woman who was just very rude. Found out she's one of the owners. Not welcoming at all. The host acted like he was under the influence as I couldn't understand him. I was seated right away but it was over 20 minutes before the server came to ask me what I wanted to drink. I ordered an ice tea, again waited for it to arrive. The server finally came with the tea and I ordered the prime rib, they were out, server said he sold the last cut to the loud table behind me. Suggested I get the rib eye, I asked how big the cut was and the server said 10-12 ounces, he was incorrect. It was closer to 8. I also ordered the house salad, nicely prepared although with a strange looking vegetable (could be a sliced radish?). Raspberry vinaigrette dressing was too sweet. Waited a long time for a refill of my ice tea, (served in a 7 oz glass!) Flagged him down, disappeared quite a few times, waited again. Entree took over 40 minutes to arrive, tiny baked potato, 2 carrot slices and a bite sized broccoli stalk. Meat was very tough to cut and chew. Ran out of tea again, took over 15 minutes for a refill (restaurant had only 3 occupied tables!) I suggested he bring me a pitcher - was told he couldn't. I ordered a Crème Brûlée for dessert, in the meantime the server brought me my check while waiting for the dessert! Traumatized when I saw a $9.00 charge for the ice tea, should've demanded a pitcher! Crème Brûlée arrived, a small portion and devoid of any flavor. A waste! This restaurant, a bit hard to find off the beaten path, uninterested staff, slow and sloppy service and nine bucks for ice tea! Not worth the trouble, best to find another restaurant that appreciates your business as this one certainly doesn't! read more

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My husband and I wanted to try somewhere we hadn't eaten before so we came here for our valentines date. Service is 10/10. We were checked on frequently and never went without a refill. Never even had to ask for one! The sautéed mushrooms on the appetizer menu was also 10/10. Really loved the sauce they were made in. I got ravioli and my husband got chicken pasta. Both came with pesto. Pesto was not good. Bland, and too oily. No flavor at all. I had to actually put a little bit of the mushroom appetizer in my dish to make it taste better. We both ordered coffee which was obviously old coffee that had been microwaved. Probably wouldn't come back as the food quality just wasn't worth the prices here. But if you're from out of town- you really can't beat the stunning view and the ambience here. read more

Oh my gosh, the whole dining experience was amazing. Everything from Jerry and the lady at the front greeting us. Very accommodating to my Dog Annabelle who is the service dog. The food was wonderful. There was 12 people in our group. All the food was brought out at the same time and at a great temperature! Our favorite was the scallops. Next time I'm just gonna get appetizers as it is big food and very filling. The guy playing the keyboard and singing in the corner. Was it had a bonus. The sunset was beautiful. Couldn't have been better. read more

We chose this restaurant for our anniversary dinner, even though it had mixed reviews because we like the menu when we arrived we were informed that the power was out but expected to come on at 6 o'clock. The only option they had at the moment was prime rib. Prime rib sounded good to us so we decided to stay. I ordered a martini, which was like water. The prime rib came we had asked for medium rare. It was medium to medium well and very fatty. You would've thought since they knew it was a power outage planned that they would've at least had battery operated candles on the tables. There were no flowers or any other amenities. It was very plain. The prime rib was supposed to come with bread and super salad. It did not. My husband had asked for a Caesar salad instead of the house salad which he received but was charged for it full price. Overall very disappointing experience. I don't ever leave reviews but I had to in this case. It was so disappointing plus we heard other people ordering other menu items other than the prime rib and we were told only prime rib was available. We made the reservation noting that it was our anniversary and there was no acknowledgment read more

I recommend that everyone avoid this restaurant like the plague. We were in Big Bear looking for a diner spot and the menu sounded exciting with game meat entrees. We made reservations (really not required) and when we arrived on a Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM the place was empty. We debated entering at all but decided we would give it a shot. What a mistake that was. Service staff was OK, but not great. Atmosphere was OK since it was outside looking at the lake. The food was the worst I have ever had! Appetizers were fried shrimp and bacon wrapped scallops. You got 4 shrimp for $24 and they tasted like it was frozen from a box you get at the supermarket. Not worth the price The 4 scallops were battered and fried for $29. Worst bacon wrapped scallops I have ever had. I guess to get the bacon done, the scallop had to suffer since it was so overdone it was rubber. Chef does not have a clue how to cook scallops properly. My wife and I ordered the beef wellington special for two @ $95. We asked for mid rare. Worst welly I have ever had. The pastry was gooey, there was minimal duxelles and the filet was well-done. I am used to wellies being round. This one was flat. Obviously the chef had no idea what he was doing or how to cook to mid rare. My daughter in law had the prime rib. She also asked for mid rare and received a well-done piece of meat. My son ordered the game meat special for $95. It had venison, elk, duck and wild boar. The venison was OK but gamier than we typically get. The duck and elk were the best out of the 4 items. The wild boar was inedible due to it being SOOO gamey. Not a very good preparation and the portion of each was small. The best part of the meal was the garlic mashed potatoes. I have no idea how this place stays open, but do yourself a favor and avoid at all cost. Any fast-food restaurant would have been a better dinner. read more

We traveled here from Nevada to get away from the 119° Heatwave and enjoy the 4th of July festivities. We have never been to Big Bear Lake, and this is the first time we have tried The Pines Lakefront. Reading the reviews, it seems like it's been a hit or miss. Well, tonight, it's a hit! Driving in, they have a secured parking area just for patrons of the restaurant and a great view of the fireworks. We were graciously greeted by the hostess as we entered the restaurant, and she was super sweet! We were seated by a gentleman in a nice black suit and were seated right in front of the singer, who was awesome as well! Our server, Stephanie, was a sweetheart as well, and took care of our needs. Because tonight was the 4th of July, they had a special buffet menu, and the courtyard faces the lake for the fireworks display. The menu consisted of Caesars salad, steamed vegetables, pasta, baked chicken, baked fish, BBQ ribs, mashed potatoes, and prime rib. Everything was pretty good, and my favorites were the Caesars salad and prime rib. I do wish that there were more dessert options because all they passed out were cupcakes. Maybe cupcakes with ice cream? Last, from our seated location, we could not see most of the the fireworks display due to the trees, so we took a very short walk out towards the lake and enjoyed the rest of the show! read more

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Wonderful wild game menu with a beautiful view! The service was excellent. Very attentive staff with food being served hot and very fresh. Thank you for your very professional service!! read more

The Pines Lakefront - Big Bear Lake - American Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

We came to the Pines because in the past, I had visited their tavern facility and so enjoyed dining right up against the water. Unfortunately, the tavern was closed and it seems it won't be opened again ever, just used for group events, how very sad! We sat on the back patio to try to get the best view of the water since the building is somewhat away from it, compared to the tavern facility. The food was good, fairly standard and nothing outstanding to note. What was noteworthy was the odd service we received. We had a service dog and were confronted by two employees upon entrance and requested to see the dog's documentation, this has never happened before anywhere in Big Bear. During the meal, our server never smiled once and seemed quite curt with us, getting away from our table as fast as possible. Just not a friendly interaction. And to top it off, when my friend with the service dog went to the bathroom, she was followed into the bathroom by an older woman, and then followed back to our table outside by that same woman. When the older woman, arrived at our table, she looked at the dog, seeing the service vest and said that's what she was looking for, which seems strange as she already saw it in the bathroom, and then the demanded the dog to be placed on the patio floor instead of in my friend's lap, as it had been the whole meal. This all felt very unwelcoming and made us realize that we shouldn't waste our time in Big Bear a place like this when there are so many amazing restaurants to enjoy. We won't be back... read more

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The food was great, as was the scenery. I was a little skeptical because the place was almost empty, except for one other couple who were there before us and one couple after. We assumed this was because it was a Sunday, but the lake view during the sunset was beautiful, the server was friendly and attentive, and, again, the meal was delicious. Since we were celebrating our anniversary, I told my husband I would pretend he had rented the place out for us. read more

while the food was really good the co owner Medine should stay home and let her husband Jerry run the place. I don't believe I have ever met an owner who was so unwelcoming and rude. Our waiter was very attentive but the vibe ruined the dining experience. Will never go back. I was there on 7/25/26. read more

We drove up from down the hill for our 60th wedding anniversary and got completely ripped. We split a 12 oz prime rib, two cocktails, an appetizer, fried instead of a baked potato and a slice of cheesecake for desert. $150.00. The prime rib was,full of grizzle. No, bread but we did get water. Next year somewhere else. Goodbye Pines on the Lake, adios. read more

Food was good, location and view were great, server was attentive and friendly. But as we were waiting for our bill the elderly lady hostess began flicking the lights on/off apparently rushing us to leave. We told our waiter we are happy to leave without paying if that's what the hostess wants. Our dinner was at 7pm so it wasn't even very late! Kind of ruined our experience. Plus it's overpriced. read more

Unfortunately wish I had a good review for this location. My family and I came to this restaurant on Saturday and made a reservation and was also aware of the pricing in advance. Another guest asked for the pricing and the manager automatically assumed it was us asking. We were the only Latino family there. He came and said just so you're aware it's 130 per person and that drinks were not included, in that moment we were confused of why he would come make a comment like that since we were already aware of it in advance. We wish we weren't judged immediately or at least had an apology made when he realized it wasn't us who asked about the pricing. For paying for an expensive ambiance the treatment was horrible. read more