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Spindleshanks Reviews List
Spindleshanks
Spindleshanks American Bistro and Wine Bar represents the best of both old and new Lake Tahoe. Opened in 2000 by partners Steve Marks and Harman Schuchmann, the restaurant has become a Tahoe Vista institution in a short amount of time. By offering regional American cuisine and a variety of wines in a casual atmosphere, the pair created a dining experience that caters to both large families and couples seeking a romantic evening.
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19 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Rating Breakdown 19 reviews
5 stars
(4)
4 stars
(9)
3 stars
(4)
2 stars
(1)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(10)
- kid-friendly(7)
- scenic view(5)
- good for groups(4)
- vibrant bar scene(4)
- fit for foodies(3)
Spindleshanks Reviews List
Review 1 for Spindleshanks
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service & raviolis marginal!
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Service - D- (no enthusiasm from this guy)
Raviolis - D (overcooked)
Free salad - C (nothing special here)
Mussels A - (done just right)"
Raviolis - D (overcooked)
Free salad - C (nothing special here)
Mussels A - (done just right)"
Dined on 6/15/2013
2001
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Review 2 for Spindleshanks
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Much better than expected
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We were expecting pub food, but it was a lot better than that."
Dined on 6/07/2013
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Review 3 for Spindleshanks
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Axton Band and dining - great Fun
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Hoyt Axton's son Matthew has that same great vocal range to super deep tones - Donna Axton played and sang with Hoyt. They are backed up with a great folk singer and a fabulous harmonica that levitates the music to a top level.
Food and service were excellent. We started with fried calamari - Chrisp, light, fresh with a tartar that was so perfect we asked for more. Concannon Sauvignon Blanc was perfect compliment and I love their Ceasar salad. Butternut squash ravioli was done just right.
A foodie would be happy here, especially if they love good music and know who Hoyt Axton was.
We had a rocking great time! Loved our waiter, he was always there when we needed anything.
Happy and want to know anytime this band plays here, we will show up!"
Food and service were excellent. We started with fried calamari - Chrisp, light, fresh with a tartar that was so perfect we asked for more. Concannon Sauvignon Blanc was perfect compliment and I love their Ceasar salad. Butternut squash ravioli was done just right.
A foodie would be happy here, especially if they love good music and know who Hoyt Axton was.
We had a rocking great time! Loved our waiter, he was always there when we needed anything.
Happy and want to know anytime this band plays here, we will show up!"
Dined on 6/08/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 4 for Spindleshanks
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Terrible service. Overpriced
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Terrible service. Overpriced pedestrian food. Waited 5+minutes before a menu appeared.Should have walked out then."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2011
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Review 5 for Spindleshanks
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great place to take the family,
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great place to take the family, especially if you are on a ski trip on the North side of Lake Tahoe. The prices are excellent and the food is excellent!!!!! The family ate there 2 nights ina row during our stay in Kings Beach...."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, scenic view
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Review 6 for Spindleshanks
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food was great, as was the
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Food was great, as was the service."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 7 for Spindleshanks
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Excellent meal as usual. Great
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Excellent meal as usual. Great service. Have our favorite wine Rombour chardenney splits that we rarely find in restaurants."
Dined on 03/05/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, scenic view
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Review 8 for Spindleshanks
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Not bad, but kind of noisy
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Not bad, but kind of noisy inside. Background sound system turned up too high. Also, I felt the food was somewhat overpriced. For example, a 10-12oz ribeye for $32 plus extra for the salad or sides. Food quality was good as was the service. The view was OK. The highway is between the restaurant and the lake. We'll go there again, but won't do so on a regular basis."
Dined on 02/24/2013
2005
Special Features: scenic view
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Review 9 for Spindleshanks
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Spindleshanks is great!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I had made the reservation on-line for only 15 minutes after the time I was doing it, since the drive there was only a few minutes from where we were staying. It was quite crowded, lots of folks waiting, but I squeezed my way up to the maitre d, who acknowledged our reservation and seated us promptly. So, kudos to you, Open Table!
Great menu! Our dinners were excellently prepared. Great flavors throughout. The warm baked sourdough bread from the Truckee Bakery was outstanding too. The portions were very generous with interesting vegetable sides. We definitely recommend Spindleshanks! The fresh grilled artichoke appetizer w/ tomatoes was outstanding too. Nice real candles in good-sized stained glass votives on every table."
Great menu! Our dinners were excellently prepared. Great flavors throughout. The warm baked sourdough bread from the Truckee Bakery was outstanding too. The portions were very generous with interesting vegetable sides. We definitely recommend Spindleshanks! The fresh grilled artichoke appetizer w/ tomatoes was outstanding too. Nice real candles in good-sized stained glass votives on every table."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, hot spot
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Review 10 for Spindleshanks
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Spindleshanks has easy parking
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Spindleshanks has easy parking which might be filled up fast though, on busy nights its perhaps the easiest to car pool. Waiting area is small so make sure to have a reservation. Peculiar was that on a walk in basis I was unable to get a seat until an hour later whereas OpenTable was able to get me seated within 30 minutes. The design in the restaurant is very wooden, appealing to the area the hotel is situated in. Rest rooms were clean. Waiters were familiar with the menu and recited the specials without list. I also saw no sign of any child menu and as such ended up with ordering your basic $12 burger for a child. Beer on tap was limited to some main beer brands. The portions were small. The food was very basic in presentation."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, kid-friendly
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Review 11 for Spindleshanks
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Hit me over the head with
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Hit me over the head with the brick chicken. Dee-licious."
Dined on 02/19/2013
2001
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic, scenic view
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Review 12 for Spindleshanks
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Thank You "Open Table"
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great experience to look up "open Table" and locate a restaurant that was available at the time needed.
Arrived went in gave our name and were seated immediately.
service was attentive and pleasant, food selection and choice were very good.
the restraunt was warm and freindly.
A full bar and experience help with a selection of wine.
Price moderate to high depending what was ordered.
We will go back again and recommend to our family and friends......"
Arrived went in gave our name and were seated immediately.
service was attentive and pleasant, food selection and choice were very good.
the restraunt was warm and freindly.
A full bar and experience help with a selection of wine.
Price moderate to high depending what was ordered.
We will go back again and recommend to our family and friends......"
Dined on 02/17/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Spindleshanks
Based on the average of (7) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
4
/
5
2 out of 2 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic