Tastes: Zia Lina

“Chef Niall Mackenzie has created delightful dishes that will be satisfying to everyone.”

By Joy Michiel

Discovering a new restaurant is a treat and Zia Lina is a true find. With excellent food, reasonable prices, cozy atmosphere and friendly staff, Zia Lina serves up a winning combo.

The Italian-based menu is fresh with nearly everything made in house. Chef Niall Mackenzie has created delightful dishes that will be satisfying to everyone.

General Manager Oscar guides my assistant taster, Nora Daniels, and me through the evening’s fare. There are a variety of selections to enjoy under each category. Antipasti include Calamari Frizzi and the unusual Polenta Fries (served with spicy gazpacho dipping sauce). Nora and I share a Cheese Plate (Chef’s selection of cheese, prosciutto wrapped asparagus, pesto, olive tapenade and homemade foccacia). It is a delicate mix of flavors and the pesto on top of the foccacia is fabulous.

We segue to salads sampling the Roasted Beet (fire-roasted red and yellow beets, fried fennel, goat cheese, pepitas and fennel pollen vinaigrette) and the Caesar, which is tasty, served with anchovies and a light dressing. The Roasted Beet is a work of art and Nora comments that it is too pretty to disturb. The dish tastes even better than it looks, the beets melting in your mouth complimented by the crunchy fennel.

For our entrées I choose the Gamberetti (shrimp sautéed with garlic, basil, roasted red peppers and Roma tomatoes over linguine in a creamy white wine sauce topped with bacon and Parmesan). This dish is rich, creamy and delicious with a smoky edge. By far, the star of the evening was Nora’s Baked Vegetable Sauté (penne pasta with zucchini, mushroom, asparagus, roasted butternut squash and Rose sauce sautéed with Mozzarella and Parmesan). The Rose sauce, a mixture of marinara and cream sauce is brilliant, and for vegetarians, as well as carnivores, this dish is heaven. Additional entrée gems include Chicken Marsala, Veal Scallopini and Spaghetti Carbonara. For those wanting lighter fare, they have a nice selection of wood-fire pizzas like the Fig Prosciutto and Roasted Asparagi.

Before we could order dessert (I had my eye on the White Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding), Chef Niall sends over a Nutella Pizza (served with fresh fruit and crème anglaise). This is a fresh, delicious dessert that is a light finish to a great meal.

We were both impressed with Zia Lina and its staff, and can’t wait for our next visit of culinary ecstasy.

Zia Lina is located at 521 North Lake Blvd. in Tahoe City. They have a full bar and serve dinner Tuesday through Sunday from 5 to 10 p.m. and reservations are advised. For more information, call (530) 581-0100.