Water Power
Rivas are the sleek mahogany runabouts adding glamour and a sense of history to the Lake, as does the restaurant bearing its name. At Riva Grill on the Lake a special Mother’s Day buffet will served from 10:00 – 3:00pm and feature mouthwatering treats like Grand Mariner French toast, seafood Wellington with lobster sauce and Korean beef salad. With outside dining available and a glorious weekend forecast calling for reservations is a must. 1 (888) REGATTA
 
 
Happy Days
It’s vintage 50’s at the Red Hut Café now celebrating its 50th year of bringing home cooking and rock and roll to both residents and visitors to the South shore. It matters not if your mom was alive in ’59, her age is 59 or she can even count to 59 – she will appreciate the eclectic décor (not many places have ski lift chairs hanging from the ceiling) and the vast omelet and waffle selection in addition to burgers and sandwiches. Items start at $2.99
 
 
To Your Health
Wine has been proven to be beneficial to good health. Mom taught you to eat (and drink) healthy right? Now celebrate the sage advice by spending some time at the Après Wine Company at Ski Run Center.  Aside from selling bottles of the world’s finest more than half of the store is a wine bar - devoted to the individual tasting by the glass or by the ounce through the ingenious Enomatic machine. Using a debit style card allows you, and Mom, to take small samples for as little as $1.50 each before settling in on a favorite. Starting at 4:00pm small meals are available. Savor crab cakes, lightly drizzled with garlic aioli, with an Alma Rosa Pinot Noir or pair an Ancient Peaks Cabernet to the slight smoked tinge of grilled asparagus salad. (530) 544-9463.
 
Heavenly Blue Angels
 From the talented Executive Chef Jens Dressler, many edible blessings flow from the Blue Angel Café. Slow simmered beef bourguignon, smoked chicken and black bean quesadilla or delectable artichoke hummus – the menu’s diversity will please everyone’s palette. Vegans find delight biting into the black bean and corn patty burger with avocado and sun dried tomato aioli. Be sure to check out daily “O.D” selections. S.O.D. (soup of the day) to pasta, fish and curry of the day.
(530) 544 6544
 
Hello Hello
In Italian Scusa means “hello”, and this restaurant mirrors its name with friendly service and a feeling of being among family.
Aside from the diverse pasta offerings, Scusa also offers spins on the classics like salmon scaloppini with a citrus hit of lemon caper butter, a layering of chicken and eggplant with caramelized onions and roasted garlic and wine to match every entrée. Their menu features the quote “wine is bottled poetry”, and Mom will be waxing poetic here. (530) 542 0100
 
California Dreaming
For over 30 years chef Mark Vassau has been hailed for his innovative approach to presenting the freshest in California cuisine. Nepheles’ long time diners repeatedly return for entrees like the rack of New Zealand lamb encrusted with Dijon mustard and served with a tequila garlic demi sauce rich with Feta cheese. The Chef’s Market basket offers nightly specials, which include an orange apricot brandy sauce, ladled over stuffed wild boar chops or ahi tuna paired with pineapple vinaigrette. Add to the experience by renting one of the hot spas. Mom’s arthritis will thank you. (530) 544 8130
  
Bella Italia
Can’t afford to take Mom to Italy this year? No worries as Café Fiore, tucked just around the corner from Nepheles, offers a terrific alternative.
 
Intimate in size, the menu explodes with pasta, fish and meat dishes. From the Veal Saltimbocca (buttery bits of veal scaloppini wrapped around prosciutto and mozzarella and finished with mushrooms in a Madeira wine sauce) to the artichoke heart, broccoli and vegetable laden delicacy of Fettuccine alla Calabrese your mama will be full of great food and amore for you at the Café Fiore.  530 541 2908
 
  
Small change for big impact
Even if your budget is tight, Ski Run Boulevard does offer alternative dining like pizza at Goodfella’s or chicken from KFC. Pick it up to go and head outside. The view is priceless.
 
So there you have it.
 
These dining suggestions will make Mom ecstatic and your sibling scrambling for the receipt to return that foot massager.
 
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