I've been waiting for the new owners to finally revamp this place... Don't know what is going on, but the food is seriously the worst ever and they still charge like it's something worth anything. Whenever I have been here, it's because a friend wanted to come. three times now and I just can't do it anymore. The place needs a new Chef, kitchen, menu... Idk... It's just bad. The new owners, same as Truckee Tavern ( this place is even going downhill and it used to be one of my go tos) has been supposedly going to bring back this place like the old days. The food for the last couple years have been less than sub par... actually to a gross point. I keep trying it like every 6 or so months in hopes that if they haven't remodeled, they at least got the food right. the last time was just before the holidays and ordered short rib.... Just because it falls off the bone, doesn't mean it's not dry as all H! I ordered the lamb chops and I wanted to vomit... It was definitely not fresh... had a foul stench to it. I really want to support these guys and I am hoping that they will finally do something here. Maybe they just are burnt out and don't care, but then I would hope they would just get out, because it's really not a good reputation. Hey! you don't have to go through the renovations right now.. Just address the food! Please! We are so limited here and Como isn't exactly cutting it either.
Michael M.
Finally had the opportunity to experience Cottonwood for the first time for a special occasion. They didn't let us down! The rustic atmosphere was comfortable, warm and steeped in great ski and mountain history. The meals were well prepared and delicious. Jordan, our server, was most engaging, knowledgeable and customer centric. She made the evening memorable in every way. Cottonwood is now one of faves!
Rita H.
GLUTEN FREE DEDICATED FRYER for French Fries!!! Way to go, Cottonwood! Next step, please reinstate white fabric table cloths and tall, white, tapered candles.
M R.
Meh. Odd but cozy ambiance. Poor value for money. Neither food nor service made sense with the high prices.
Jon H.
Ate there Sunday night for the first time in a few years. Still a nice rustic atmosphere, not too noisy. Crispy brussels sprouts for an appetizer. I had taste wine braised short ribs with parsnips puree (sort of like mashed potatoes but smoother); I'll have to try making that myself. My wife had a gigantic plate of lamb chops, more that she could eat. Food was excellent, service was very friendly. Will definitely go back.
Mickey S.
Iggy has brought a new dimension to dining in Truckee! Spencer was on it! no waiting for service! Alice in Wonderlands reconnected with songs of our youth and songs of our heart! Awesome evening! We would highly recommend dining at Cottonwood!
Michele Turner
We hadn’t been to Cottonwood since before the pandemic. I’d heard it had struggled but it is definitely up to prior standards. The Brussel Sprouts were a delightful surprise, sweet and cooked with apples and bacon. I had the ginger carrot soup which was strong on the ginger, my husband had the French Onion soup which was really good and not too cheesy.My salmon was so big I almost couldn’t finish it- all the portions were large but this was the largest cut of fish I’ve ever had in a restaurant. It was perfectly cooked and had a really nice seasoning. My husband had the short ribs, also a good size portion, and he said it just melted in his mouth.If you haven’t been, Cottonwood sits on the old town hill by the “Hilltop” sign and at night you over look old town Truckee, all lit up. It’s a great view, very chill atmosphere and great food. Good wine list too!Vegetarian options: Not a lot of vegetarian options, but there were a couple including the meat loaf.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: French Onion Soup
Sharon Praetzel
Cocktails were perfect. Caesar salad (enough for two to share) Short ribs and Lamb were delicious (sides too). Excellent meal, atmosphere and service! We were very happy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Whole Leaf Caesar Salad, Grilled New Zealand Lamb Purple Mashed Potatoes Asparagus Pickled Red Onions Tzatziki Sauce
sage s
Hard to find, the driveway feels like an abandoned property. Hope the adjacent property sells and gets rehabilitated. Beautiful location once you are in the restaurant, romantic candle lit chandelier is very cool. Kudos for having a couple vegan options, the black bean burger was yummy although tasted like it was fried in beef fat. Nice they carry athletic non alcoholic beer. The dessert, vegan chocolate cake was fantastic, star of the meal. Great friendly service, good atmosphere. Recommend, we will be back even if we eat dinner somewhere else if only for the chocolate cake.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Buffalo Cauliflower
Sandy Walsh
We had a wonderful dinner with friendly and efficient service in the bar and in the restaurant.
Excellent menu and ambiance, fun environment!! Good enough the first time to warrant a second visit. Enjoyed it the second time!!
Les M.
This restaurant never fails to be a great place to dine. The service is excellent and the atmosphere is electric with fun and laughter. I recommend it highly.
Frannie O.
Host A+ Wait Staff B Food: Salmon = D- Wayyyy overpriced, dry, served with a tablespoon on Cauliflower smear and KIDNEY Bean surprise! WHO serves kidney beans with salmon??? 2 different Burgers = D- Burnt buns, overcooked/leathery, soggy cold fries Short Ribs = B for meat + 2 tablespoons cauliflower smear and raw all dente carrots that were inedible. Drinks A Bill = VERY high considering the food quality. Neon Sign - Missing Lights Final Verdict = Wouldn't Recommend!!! This place clearly lacks a true chef who is passionate about his/her food! Owner/Manager banks on apres ski traffic and not serious diners.
rosita t.
From the moment I walked into Cottonwood a million years ago - it is still the same amazing high quality and amazing service. Shannon and Jeff made me smile thru my whole meal. Wonderful humans. I came to brunch for the 1st time as I have only eaten amazing dinner here. I was blown away yet again - I am sorry I don't have a picture. I wolfed down my epic tahoe mountain hash. Come come come and run here!!
Laura Scrimgeour
Love the view, love the food, service was excellent! Highly
I've been waiting for the new owners to finally revamp this place... Don't know what is going on, but the food is seriously the worst ever and they still charge like it's something worth anything. Whenever I have been here, it's because a friend wanted to come. three times now and I just can't do it anymore. The place needs a new Chef, kitchen, menu... Idk... It's just bad. The new owners, same as Truckee Tavern ( this place is even going downhill and it used to be one of my go tos) has been supposedly going to bring back this place like the old days. The food for the last couple years have been less than sub par... actually to a gross point. I keep trying it like every 6 or so months in hopes that if they haven't remodeled, they at least got the food right. the last time was just before the holidays and ordered short rib.... Just because it falls off the bone, doesn't mean it's not dry as all H! I ordered the lamb chops and I wanted to vomit... It was definitely not fresh... had a foul stench to it. I really want to support these guys and I am hoping that they will finally do something here. Maybe they just are burnt out and don't care, but then I would hope they would just get out, because it's really not a good reputation. Hey! you don't have to go through the renovations right now.. Just address the food! Please! We are so limited here and Como isn't exactly cutting it either.
Finally had the opportunity to experience Cottonwood for the first time for a special occasion. They didn't let us down! The rustic atmosphere was comfortable, warm and steeped in great ski and mountain history. The meals were well prepared and delicious. Jordan, our server, was most engaging, knowledgeable and customer centric. She made the evening memorable in every way. Cottonwood is now one of faves!
GLUTEN FREE DEDICATED FRYER for French Fries!!! Way to go, Cottonwood! Next step, please reinstate white fabric table cloths and tall, white, tapered candles.
Meh. Odd but cozy ambiance. Poor value for money. Neither food nor service made sense with the high prices.
Ate there Sunday night for the first time in a few years. Still a nice rustic atmosphere, not too noisy. Crispy brussels sprouts for an appetizer. I had taste wine braised short ribs with parsnips puree (sort of like mashed potatoes but smoother); I'll have to try making that myself. My wife had a gigantic plate of lamb chops, more that she could eat. Food was excellent, service was very friendly. Will definitely go back.
Iggy has brought a new dimension to dining in Truckee! Spencer was on it! no waiting for service! Alice in Wonderlands reconnected with songs of our youth and songs of our heart! Awesome evening! We would highly recommend dining at Cottonwood!
We hadn’t been to Cottonwood since before the pandemic. I’d heard it had struggled but it is definitely up to prior standards. The Brussel Sprouts were a delightful surprise, sweet and cooked with apples and bacon. I had the ginger carrot soup which was strong on the ginger, my husband had the French Onion soup which was really good and not too cheesy.My salmon was so big I almost couldn’t finish it- all the portions were large but this was the largest cut of fish I’ve ever had in a restaurant. It was perfectly cooked and had a really nice seasoning. My husband had the short ribs, also a good size portion, and he said it just melted in his mouth.If you haven’t been, Cottonwood sits on the old town hill by the “Hilltop” sign and at night you over look old town Truckee, all lit up. It’s a great view, very chill atmosphere and great food. Good wine list too!Vegetarian options: Not a lot of vegetarian options, but there were a couple including the meat loaf.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: French Onion Soup
Cocktails were perfect. Caesar salad (enough for two to share) Short ribs and Lamb were delicious (sides too). Excellent meal, atmosphere and service! We were very happy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Whole Leaf Caesar Salad, Grilled New Zealand Lamb Purple Mashed Potatoes Asparagus Pickled Red Onions Tzatziki Sauce
Hard to find, the driveway feels like an abandoned property. Hope the adjacent property sells and gets rehabilitated. Beautiful location once you are in the restaurant, romantic candle lit chandelier is very cool. Kudos for having a couple vegan options, the black bean burger was yummy although tasted like it was fried in beef fat. Nice they carry athletic non alcoholic beer. The dessert, vegan chocolate cake was fantastic, star of the meal. Great friendly service, good atmosphere. Recommend, we will be back even if we eat dinner somewhere else if only for the chocolate cake.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Buffalo Cauliflower
We had a wonderful dinner with friendly and efficient service in the bar and in the restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Excellent menu and ambiance, fun environment!! Good enough the first time to warrant a second visit. Enjoyed it the second time!!
This restaurant never fails to be a great place to dine. The service is excellent and the atmosphere is electric with fun and laughter. I recommend it highly.
Host A+ Wait Staff B Food: Salmon = D- Wayyyy overpriced, dry, served with a tablespoon on Cauliflower smear and KIDNEY Bean surprise! WHO serves kidney beans with salmon??? 2 different Burgers = D- Burnt buns, overcooked/leathery, soggy cold fries Short Ribs = B for meat + 2 tablespoons cauliflower smear and raw all dente carrots that were inedible. Drinks A Bill = VERY high considering the food quality. Neon Sign - Missing Lights Final Verdict = Wouldn't Recommend!!! This place clearly lacks a true chef who is passionate about his/her food! Owner/Manager banks on apres ski traffic and not serious diners.
From the moment I walked into Cottonwood a million years ago - it is still the same amazing high quality and amazing service. Shannon and Jeff made me smile thru my whole meal. Wonderful humans. I came to brunch for the 1st time as I have only eaten amazing dinner here. I was blown away yet again - I am sorry I don't have a picture. I wolfed down my epic tahoe mountain hash. Come come come and run here!!
Love the view, love the food, service was excellent! Highly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5