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Big Water Grille Reviews List
Big Water Grille
Nestled in the mountains of the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, the Big Water Grille has spectacular panoramic lake views that are among the best around. Chef Chris Daniel is impressing diners with his fresh/seasonal menu. We feature small portions on select entrees and a $6 every night/all night happy hour menu. Join us for a martini in the lounge, a glass of wine on the deck or a fine dining experience in the dining room. Choose from our extensive wine list from around the world.
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41 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Rating Breakdown 41 reviews
5 stars
(16)
4 stars
(17)
3 stars
(5)
2 stars
(3)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- scenic view(32)
- romantic(20)
- special occasion(19)
- fit for foodies(18)
- neighborhood gem(14)
- good for groups(10)
Big Water Grille Reviews List
Review 1 for Big Water Grille
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Pet Peeve
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We had a most enjoyable evening with friends. The halibut was outstanding. I love that they offer small portions or larger portions. The small portion size is plenty of food for me. The men ordered the large portions. My husband had to send his undercooked pork chop back to the kitchen but it was delicious when cooked. Our group enjoyed their dinners. The waiter was very attentive. The busboys a little too attentive....my pet peeve is "please don't clear dishes from the table when other guests are still eating". It was a most enjoyable evening and we will return."
Dined on 6/15/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, scenic view, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 2 for Big Water Grille
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambbience in the pines
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We were celebrating the wedding of friends from England who chose to get married at Hyatt Incline. As a wedding present, we took them to Big Water Grill. They thought that the food, view and service was outstanding so it was a very beautiful celebration."
Dined on 6/14/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, scenic view, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 3 for Big Water Grille
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
A taste of heaven!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Beautiful view, excellent food and service! We visited off season, a Thursday in early June and it was a quiet night. We went with our waiter's recommendation on the appetizers - an ahi poke dish that I could have had again for dessert. I had the special -- scallops and steak -- it was perfectly seared and plated like artwork. The waiter was attentive but didn't rush us, nor "over check" on us. We will go back the next time we visit North Lake Tahoe . Thank you Blue Water Grille!"
Dined on 6/06/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, scenic view, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 4 for Big Water Grille
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We went to celebrate a very special birthday and all loved our dishes and had a wonderful time!"
Dined on 6/08/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, romantic, scenic view, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 5 for Big Water Grille
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Wonderful view- great food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Went here for the first time - we were quite impressed. The weather was outstanding and made for a memorable view. It just so happened it was still a slow weekend (summer crowd has not kicked in) so the restaurant was a quiet. No loud bar noise.
My husband had the duck entree that he is still raving about. I had the swordfish that was perfect.
Definitly would go back here next time we are in Tahoe."
My husband had the duck entree that he is still raving about. I had the swordfish that was perfect.
Definitly would go back here next time we are in Tahoe."
Dined on 6/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, scenic view, special occasion
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Review 6 for Big Water Grille
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Poor dining experience
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We have enjoyed Big Water Grille several times in past years. This time was the exception. I decided to order Caesar Salad, although at $12 you would think a Caesar would include anchovies. Anchovies are $2 more. The really disappointing course was the rib eye steak. Ordered rare, it was delivered well done. We had to work to get the attention of our server to have it replaced. It was quite a wait for the replacement. The server put it down and rushed away, leaving me with no utensils. It took stealing a fork from another table and sharing a knife for me to get started with the dinner. The rare rib eye was OK but very salty. We probably won't be back any time soon."
Dined on 5/29/2013
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Review 7 for Big Water Grille
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Very good food and atmosphere. Enjoyed the evening."
Dined on 5/25/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, romantic, scenic view
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Review 8 for Big Water Grille
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Pleasant evening
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Our experience was very good. Attendant wait staff, very good food, wonderful view. We had hamburgers, cheeseburgers & a veggie pasta dish. Only comment would be that the noise level gets a bit high there. Don't think the acoustics are very good."
Dined on 5/25/2013
Special Features: romantic, scenic view
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Review 9 for Big Water Grille
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
forgetable food good bar
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"food level can be all over the place. April 2013 great apps May 2013 nothing good"
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, scenic view
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Review 10 for Big Water Grille
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food with a view!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We hadn't been to Big Water Grill for a couple of years and we were so pleased that it was still so wonderful. Food is amazing, staff very friendly and helpful.We will return soon and tell our friends about it."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, scenic view, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 11 for Big Water Grille
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great Spot for Special Occasions
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Surprised that there weren't more diners at the 5:30 seating. Generally, the six diners enjoyed their dinner selections. One, though, found the Southern Fried Chicken very dry. We liked that was the option of small size entrees. I love steak but know I shouldn't eat too much of it or very often. The service was very good and entire staff pleasant enough. Overall, a pleasant meal to celebrate mother and daughter's Mother's Day (the night before)."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: scenic view, special occasion
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Review 12 for Big Water Grille
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Fish too fishy
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I have been to Big Water a few times and always thought of it as fine dining. Not this time. We ordered the scallops and the Sturgeon. The scallops were cooked nicely but the sides were far less impressive. The Sturgeon was super fishy tasting, it just wasn't right. We couldn't choke it down."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: notable wine list, scenic view
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Review 13 for Big Water Grille
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great views, food and waiter!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Our meals were very good, and the right portion was recommended. I had the smaller portion of the sturgeon and my husband the largest smoked ribeye steak. The views of the lake and the mountains were stunning. We had a terrific waiter named Bill. He was extremely knowledgeable with regards to the menu. He also had a knack to know when to visit the table, follow up, yet give us privacy. My favorite was the upside down pineapple cake. Brought back lots of memories from my childhood as it used to be one of my favorite desert recipes that our mother made. Thank you for making such delicious deserts."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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Review 14 for Big Water Grille
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
BEAUTIFUL VIEW....BETTER THAN
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"BEAUTIFUL VIEW....BETTER THAN OUTSTANDING"
Dined on 04/26/2013
2013
Special Features: great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch
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Review 15 for Big Water Grille
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Sorry to say strike three!
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I don't know what has happened to BWG. They used to have excellent smoked rib eye steaks, but the last few times my steaks have been Raubach par. Strike three your out!"
Dined on 04/20/2013
2010
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Review 16 for Big Water Grille
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Fresh, delicious and great view
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We've only been here twice. Once in a blinding snow storm so we couldn't see the lake and this weekend when the weather was gorgeous and the lake spectacular. Both times the food & service was excellent. Deliciously fresh, fresh, fresh food. I love that the chef doesn't over salt the food, even the French Onion Soup was perfect. The prices were reasonable too. We recently moved to Lake Tahoe so Big Water Grille is a great find. We will be back."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, scenic view
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Review 17 for Big Water Grille
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
wonderful eveing, very good
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"wonderful eveing, very good food, excellent view"
Dined on 03/30/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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Review 18 for Big Water Grille
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Tucked up in the pine trees
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Tucked up in the pine trees overlooking Lake Tahoe - the view was amazing; and outdoor dinning is avaialble in nice weather. Food and service were both excellent. Staff very freindly."
Dined on 03/28/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, scenic view
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Review 19 for Big Water Grille
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
this place is good, usually
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"this place is good, usually not great. we live nearby so we'll go back, otherwise we probably wouldn't bother."
Dined on 03/25/2013
2004
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Review 20 for Big Water Grille
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The view is amazing! I live
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The view is amazing! I live in town and was still awed by it:) Food was amazing, service was great without being "stuffy" and I an't wait to go back!"
Dined on 03/11/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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Review 21 for Big Water Grille
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service was excellent. Location,
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Service was excellent. Location, ambiance outstanding. Food quality very good. Only suggestion - wile appetizers showed a great range of options, main course options somewhat challenging."
Dined on 02/25/2013
2013
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Big Water Grille
Based on the average of (20) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
8 out of 8 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate