Latter-day skiers, boarders, mountain bikers, hikers and mountain people have much in common with Sierra Nevada travelers from a 150 years ago. Today, as back then, when you arrive at Baxter’s you are greeted with good cheer, incredible live music and delectable food, all served in the restaurant’s dapper ambiance.

The Baxter family’s spirit thrives at the Village at Northstar-at Tahoe, one of Lake Tahoe’s most popular year-round resorts. Open for lunch, dinner and drinks, you’ll find that the original artwork and décor lends a certain elegance, one that’s casually balanced by the area’s easygoing ski-town vibe. Regardless of where you plant yourself, the Lounge, Wine Cellar or Dining Room, Baxter’s refined and relaxed atmosphere is truly a timeless pleasure.

Many restaurants are depicted as “chef driven.” At Baxter’s, the management philosophy best characterizing Mark Estee and JJ Morgan’s partnership could best be defined as “passion driven.” Both bring their lifelong love of food and music to the restaurant. Estee’s culinary creations have earned him invitations to guest chef at the famed James Beard House in Manhattan, Yosemite’s Awahnee, and the Pebble Beach Food and Wine event. His talents have been described in the pages of the New York Post, Cosmopolitan, Plate, Wine Country Living and Ski Magazine. Meanwhile, Morgan’s reputation among jazz’s performing elite makes it possible for Baxter’s to host some of the nation’s most respected touring acts. It’s the duo’s similar back-of-the-house/front-of-the-house partnership that has made sister restaurant Moody’s Bistro & Lounge a success as well.

Chef de Cuisine Michael Plapp is committed to creating dishes that employ fresh, sustainable ingredients. Indeed, he and Executive Chef Mark Estee have close ties with a host of local growers, ranchers, dairymen and fishmongers. These relationships enable Plapp, Estee and the kitchen staff to prepare simple, artistic and flavorful lunch, dinner and appetizer menus. It’s a contemporary American cuisine that is fondly flavored with European and Sud Tyrol influences.

The bar’s mixologists follow suit, crafting hand-built drinks that take into consideration the season’s available produce to complement the broad libations menu.

Lounge/Bar & Dessert Menu
Lunch Menu
Dinner Menu
Tweener Menu

JJ Morgan, a Baxter’s owner, knows a thing or two about jazz. He is credited with booking some of the most impressive jazz acts to play North Lake Tahoe. The bands perform here and at Moody’s, in nearby Truckee, because of their close ties to JJ. Many of these relationships blossomed after performances at the Up and Down Club, a renowned San Francisco jazz joint JJ owned several years ago. On any given night, you might hear San Francisco’s Jazz Mafia, Portland’s Vagabond Opera, New York’s Josh Roseman Unit, New Orleans John Ellis, Double Wide and Los Angeles’s Kneebody. Live music is a Baxter’s specialty and is not to be missed.

Email General Manager Emily Schoonover or call 530.562.3200 to discuss your plans.

Baxter’s continually offers new specials. Check back here regularly, or better yet, sign up using the form on the left of this page to receive our regular email updates so you’re always in the know.