Pictures of Food From Traci Des Jardins's Manzanita Restaurant in Lake Tahoe

Although Lake Tahoe is a major destination for Bay Area denizens, I don't find myself there very often. Nonetheless, I'd been closely following the new Ritz-Carlton Highlands, a luxury hotel in North Lake Tahoe that opened late last year after five long years of planning and development.

I was invited to the lodge to check out the brand-new property, and while there, I had the chance to check out Manzanita, San Francisco chef Traci Des Jardins's first signature restaurant outside of San Francisco. The restaurant has been open for less than a year, but it's already set the standard for upscale dining in Lake Tahoe.

Although Manzanita's breathtaking view may be its biggest selling point, its rustic California cuisine is a close contender, too. See what's on the menu there when you keep reading.