The Lakefront Restaurant — Restaurant in Mammoth Lakes

WOW WOW WOW!!! We really lucked out finding the Lakefront through a Google Maps search while staying up in Mammoth Lakes. We were hungry and wanted something unique for dinner. We arrived to Tamarack Lodge an hour before the restaurant opened, and all that night's bookings were already taken. The front desk staff was friendly and gracious, they built a nice fire in the huge lodge fireplace and invited us to stay awhile (the wind was howling outside across the lake!). We decided to just relax and enjoy the comfortable atmosphere. Eventually, the lodge lobby bar opened and we enjoyed great drinks (wonderful domestic and international wine selections). After about an hour wait, they let us know there had been a cancellation in the Lakefront and we were seated for dinner! EVERYTHING about the meal was perfect - gracious and knowledgeable servers, beautiful view of the lake and trees, delicious and unique meal. All our servers were friendly and attentive without being intrusive (perfect timing). I think my favorite food of the meal was the asparagus bisque soup, but honestly everything we ordered was amazing. Even the butter with the fresh warm bread was unusual (salty and sweet). I had the berkshire pork chop with blueberry/ginger sauce, my husband had the rock sugar braised short rib. Both were cooked to perfection, had interesting flavors, and were beautiful to look at. There is something on the menu for adventurous eaters, as well as for non-meat eaters too. My only regret was that I just couldn't manage to try the deserts. I'm positive they would have been just as delicious as the entire meal. We were never rushed, I felt we could have stayed longer if we had wanted to even though it was a very small place with a waiting list of reservations. We left feeling relaxed, content, well-cared for, and well fed too. A wonderful dining experience and we will most definitely be back the next time we are in Mammoth! Thank you to all for the great experience. Kudos...

I feel inclined to share our experience at this restaurant. My husband and I finally visited after waiting a bite (due to the high prices), hoping I’d find our new favorite Mammoth restaurant… unfortunately, we were seriously disappointed. I do not mind paying top dollar for these special ingredients offered on this menu. However, this was not the problem. Each dish we received, although presented well, seemed to get more bland and underseasoned. We started with the mushroom soup and ($16!) bread basket which was fine and worth it, yummy bread. Second course we ordered lobster ravioli and gem salad. I’ve never had a more lacking ravioli. Hardly any lobster and simply no flavor. The salad was fine but again, overpriced for what you get. I would imagine more decadence than a squirt of balsamic over 5 lettuce leaves and a few nuts. We had caviar prior so the main dish we (thankfully, despite the waitress trying to make us order 2) decided to share was the black cod and it was equally as underwhelming… it was a mash of mystery ingredients and an overcooked, under glazed piece of cod. I opted out of dessert (and that’s saying something since I’m pregnant!) and my husband also mentioned the beer tap needs cleaning. I can’t help but wonder if we made the wrong decision by ordering seafood. I’m not sure. As someone who has traveled and visited many 5 star restaurants and an experienced chef, I feel this place has some updates to do and hope they take customer feedback into account! I would loved to have had a different experience but it...

There are just 2 restaurants worth visiting in Mammoth. Skadi has always been our favorite since the food and service is in par with any gourmet restaurant in San Francisco or Los Angeles. The Lake Front is the second choice. The food is pretty good but I can't fathom why the management doesn't make a tiny effort to improve the facility. The food delivery to the table has always been an issue. i.e. you get the wine, then your appetizers before you have had a chance to sip the wine. You are halfway through your salad when the main dish arrives and surprisingly the bread basket shows up while you are near the end of your main dish. You may want to take the coordination process in your hands and order your drinks, wait until the bread arrives before ordering your appetizers and halfway through your appetizers place your main course order. One other word of advice. You may want to take your own cushions to remidiate the discomfort of sitting on hard chairs which have not been changed in the 35 years we have been going to...