Za's Lakefront — Restaurant in Tahoe City

Unfortunately, after quite some time, looking forward to dining here, we were incredibly disappointed. We walked up to the side bar to inquire about having dinner Thursday Night, after the bartender was finished taking two shots with a few of the locals, we were informed that we could not be seated since we had our miniature dachshund in his zipped backpack. After dropping him off, we made attempt number two. We walked in and were barely even greeted by the host. We very politely asked if there was availability for two people to have dinner on the patio, and as I gestured to an open table on the side bar, he cut me off by saying that there’s seven people in front of me and asked if I still wanted to wait. we put our names down and wait 30 minutes anyway. What he did not explain is that the side bar is not actual dinner seating, but just a waiting area with a bar, so we wouldn’t have been able to order from the full menu anyway. We decided to wait at the side bar, and within the first 20 minutes of waiting, the bartender had another three shots with the same group of locals. My partner and I had ordered drinks while we waited, and his margarita was so salty, he couldn’t even finish it.

Once we were alerted via text message that our table was ready, we stepped back inside to be greeted by the same host who had so rudely cut me off. He confirmed our name, and walked us to the back door and just pointed at the table at the very end. Didn’t actually see us, didn’t tell us who our server would be, didn’t even hand us menus. Literally just pointed.

Once we sat down, a teenage boy came up and filled our water, he was quite polite, but we were unclear if he was our server or just a bus boy. He filled our waters and left. a few minutes later, our server came along, and she was lovely. She was truly so polite and so wonderful, which is the only reason I didn’t ask to speak to a manager.

We ordered two appetizers and ordered our entries shortly after. I specifically requested my spaghetti and meatballs arrive with no cheese as I have a dairy allergy. Well, after about 30 minutes, my entrée arrived and it was cold. About five minutes later, my partners entrée arrived and about five minutes after that, I was finally able to track down the waitress, and inform her that my food had arrived cold. And with cheese on it. Another 10 minutes passed and I received my replacement, spaghetti and meatballs, though my boyfriend had already finished his dinner. we were incredibly disappointed. Our waitress was very kind, there was nothing to be done to mediate the situation. There was no complementary appetizer, no complementary dessert, no 10% off the bill. Nothing. I had a few bites of my spaghetti and I requested to go box since I had already gotten quite late.

My boyfriend had ordered the noodle bowl, which was described more as a stirfry with noodles, then the actual PHO that arrived.

If it weren’t for the spectacular view facility has, I would be giving it zero stars. Truly so disappointing.

Phil A...

Very bad experience with the server and management. Took my family in for lunch, sat at the bar and ordered food. Our table became available as we had left our name in front for a table and the hostess in front took us to our table. While we sat down a waitress came and said you have to move from MY table, since you ordered food at the bar you need to go back. I asked to speak with the manager. The guy that came over was very rude to begin with and told us yes it's our policy that we don' t want people cheating the system!!! Food was ordered somewhere else and bills are different. I asked him ok is the ownership different between the bar and the table and who gets the money? He didn't like my questioning and continued with his rude and obviously prejudice attitude. I even told him we will take care of the tip to both persons serving us. His reply was just sit and never come back to this restaurant again! This is happening in the middle of the packed restaurant and this is a response from someone who is suppose to be deescalating a situation!!! He walks away and few seconds later the rude waitress comes back and pulls all the menus from the table while looking very mad and unprofessional. This was very upsetting to my family and my teen age daughter. We got up walked over to the kitchen and told the manager we were leaving because of the unprofessional and extremely rude manner they were treating us. Once again he raised his voice get the hell out of here or I'll kick you out. I lost my temper and let him have a few choice words and told him to go ahead and touch me and see what happens! He then threatened to call the police which I replied go ahead. We then just walked out of the place with all the customers lessoning to our heated argument. It was obvious the rude waitress and the idiot calling himself the manager are both extremely prejudice. Shame to the ownership of this restaurant to keep such people working here. It's sad that this kind of hate still exists in this country and such beautiful...

This was the worst service we have ever experienced. We arrived with a baby and asked to sit outside because it keeps her more entertained to watch the lake and people passing by. The hostess seemed put off that we had a baby and said that it would take 30 minutes for an outside table, but that we could have a table inside right away. She sat us in the corner and then asked if we could put our daughter in a high chair. We said no, she's only 5 months old and not ready for that. Then she asked if we could push her against the wall (she was in a small umbrella stroller) to keep her out of the way. Our table was already away from everyone else. There was no one sitting next to us and it was late afternoon. 25 minutes after arriving we still didn't have our food (we ordered sandwiches and burgers).

Our baby started fussing and by that time 3 tables had opened up and we asked to move outside. They told us we could only have the table in the sun but not in the shade because it was assigned to the same server. Again not accommodating at all for the baby. We decided to eat quickly and go. Our baby never cried because one of us always took her outside while we took turns eating. My husband told the hostess that it was the worst service we had experienced. She left without giving any resolution and went to talk to the other hostess, and I saw them chatting and laughing and looking at our table. They never came back to help us. Our waiter was equally absent and never asked us how we were doing or how our food was. When we left, no one said thank you or goodbye, and the hostesses outside continued to glance sideways at us as we walked by them.

I have never ever felt so discriminated against for having a baby! All this at a place that sells pizza and burgers. There is nothing customer centric about this place. We will never come back. Please train your hostess and servers to have basic manners and treat your paying customers with respect. Also, please reassess your...