Smoke Door - Lake Tahoe Saryo — Restaurant in Incline Village-Crystal Bay

Don't let the unassuming black building with a small parking lot fool you. Smoke Door packs a serious culinary punch. While the signage might be discreet, the experience inside is nothing short of exceptional.

From the moment I was seated, I felt welcomed. A small name card adorned the table, a thoughtful touch that set the tone for the evening. I opted for the seasonal prix fixe menu, a 10-course adventure that unfolded over a delightful 2.5 hours. Despite being a weekday, the restaurant buzzed with a pleasant energy, with around six or seven other parties enjoying the experience.

The sleek, modern Japanese interior is both stylish and comfortable. Seating options cater to all party sizes, with booths, regular tables, and even bar seating. Even the restrooms mirrored the overall aesthetic, and the availability of lotions, toothpicks, and q-tips added a further touch of luxury.

The 10-course tasting menu was a symphony of flavors and textures. Every dish was beautifully presented and meticulously prepared.

Golden Osteria Caviar with House-made Tofu: A textural delight, the creamy tofu perfectly complemented the salty pop of the caviar.

Toyosu fish: Kanpachi, imported from the Toyosu fish market in Japan, came with umi dashi shiso oil and watermelon relish, and it was delicious in every aspect.

Avocado Toast: Locally sourced bread, soaked in a flavorful brown butter and tamari sauce, created a delightful balance of crunch and creaminess.

Crispy Pork Belly: The star of the show! Days of preparation resulted in melt-in-your-mouth pork belly, accentuated by a tangy, flavorful sauce.

Embered Sweet Potato: The char on the outside gave way to a sweet, smoky interior, perfectly punctuated by the salty furikake seasoning.

Steelhead trout: It came with crysanthemum oil. It was very fragrant. The creamy and salty sauce really helped elevate the flavors.

Japanese Wagyu Beef: Unbelievably tender and juicy, the wagyu was further elevated by a symphony of sauces, each adding its own unique touch.

Donabe rice: Nanatsuboshi rice with asparagus, spring peas, daikon, and other veggies could have easily fed a group of 4. Thankfully, they packed the leftover rice into onigiri so I could take it home.

Pecan Pie with Sakura Whipped Cream: A revelation for a self-proclaimed non-pecan pie fan. The pie was perfectly balanced in sweetness, and the fragrant sakura whipped cream was an inspired touch.

Creamsicle: This non alcoholic drink was frothy with a sweet taste and a little smoky bitter aftertaste. It was a great choice. All I will say is, "Don't sleep on their non-alcoholic drinks."

Apple wasabi sorbet: This dish was my least favorite not because it was bad but because it was too tart for my liking. The sorbet texture was on point - consistent, silky, and smooth.

The service throughout the evening was impeccable. The knowledgeable and friendly servers explained each course in detail, adding to the overall experience. The bill includes a 22% service charge, which some might find a bit steep. However, considering the attentiveness and expertise of the staff, it felt well-deserved.

Smoke Door is an experience, not just a meal. It's a place to savor exquisitely prepared dishes, impeccable service, and a stylish atmosphere. If you're looking for a special occasion restaurant in Lake Tahoe, Smoke Door deserves a spot at the top...

I reserve my 1-star reviews for when I feel obligated to warn people about what they're getting into. As a local resident and a strong supporter of our community and local businesses, I really appreciate all attempts to bring better food to North Tahoe. I can confidently say that this was not that. My girlfriend and I were thrilled to splurge on a night out after reading the glowing reviews for this new restaurant, and we were fine to pay a high price for a memorable dining experience. It was definitely memorable...

The prices are extortionate for the most bland tasting food I can remember ever having at a restaurant. It was so terrible that we just had to laugh that they even had the nerve to serve it. First, we got the pork belly bites, which were delivered as 4 small cubes of pork belly in semi-flavored water that ultimately tasted like you were just eating raw pig flesh. Next, we ordered the mushrooms as an appetizer and they tasted like sweaty gym socks that were rubbed in an ashtray. "Embered" they call it. Neither of us could handle more than a bite, and we love mushrooms. Our server noticed that we weren't quite vibing, and she generously offered to replace our mushroom appetizer with another option. We went with the eggplant, which was also "embered". While it was a step above the mushrooms, and lovely in presentation, I would describe it as ALMOST having flavor. Just when you think you're getting a hint of flavor, it gets overpowered by blandness and ashtray taste. It's incredible to have what seems to be thoughtfully sourced ingredients, but there's no sense in completely squandering those ingredients with poor preparation.

I'll take this opportunity though, to thank our server and the rest of the staff, who were absolutely wonderful, attentive and understanding. I give our server extremely high praise. If it weren't for how pretentiously bad the food was, I'd certainly provide a higher rating just for the service.

So then comes the "entree". I got the (half) of a cornish game hen because it didn't feel necessary to spend $60 for 2 ounces of beef (despite having positive experiences with wagyu elsewhere). The chicken was cooked without any seasoning whatsoever and then placed on a plate by itself and served with a tiny cup of sauce and a pinky-nail sized dash of togarashi seasoning, that you're supposed to try to ration and disperse over the chicken with your fingers to try to get it to taste like it was prepared for someone to actually eat.

At this point, we were over it. Although the staff was good to us, I really don't understand the positive reviews for this place. Smoke Door is an absolute parody of fine dining and Tahoe deserves better than what seems to be nothing more than a cash...

Visiting from New York, I had the pleasure of experiencing Smoke Door’s Japanese-inspired 10 course tasting menu, thanks to my friend who treated me, and what a treat it was! Each course was incredibly creative, absolutely delicious, and surprisingly filling. The quality of the seafood is truly top notch, and the attention to detail in both presentation and flavor was remarkable.

Service throughout the evening was impeccable!! gracious, knowledgeable, and perfectly paced. But what really stood out was the care and attentiveness beyond the meal itself. After we finished dinner around 10:30 PM, the parking lot was dark, and a group of about ten clearly intoxicated college-aged guys were loitering near my friend’s SUV. As two women traveling alone with a dog, we felt understandably uneasy. To our surprise and deep gratitude, the owner of Smoke Door noticed and immediately walked us to our car. He stayed with us until we were safely inside and made sure we drove off without issue.

That level of thoughtfulness and concern embodies the spirit of Japanese-inspired hospitality. It’s rare and deeply appreciated. I’m already planning to return next summer with my husband so he can enjoy this unforgettable dining experience as well.

Tip: Make a reservation early!!! Smoke Door is a gem worth...