George .Berlioz

Moody’s in Truckee – A Night of Jazz, Mountains, and Mind-Blowing Flavor Three people. Three plates. Three desserts. One unforgettable night at Moody’s Bistro Bar & Beats, tucked right in the heart of historic downtown Truckee, in the old Truckee Hotel where the mountain air meets the soul of jazz. We came in on a Truckee Thursday, live music echoing through the streets, and found ourselves immersed in something rare—an experience that felt intimate and alive, like something curated just for us. To start, we ordered the lamb tartare—and I’ve gotta pause right there. I’ve had tartare around the world, and one of my ex-brothers-in-law is literally a top French chef in Latin America. I don’t say this lightly: this tartare was insane. The texture, the balance, the way it sat on the palate with just enough acidity and fat to light up every sensor. Elegant, primal, and executed with confidence. If you’ve got the guts for raw lamb done right, this is a must. For mains: • I had the Pork Chop Ibérica, cooked with a level of care that’s hard to come by. Fat rendered just right, juicy center, and the kind of crust that speaks to fire and time. • She went with the New York Strip, medium rare—rich, bold, and unapologetically steak-forward, just how it should be. • And the birthday boy (her nephew) ordered the Summer Garden Campanelle—a vibrant pasta dish loaded with seasonal veggies that looked like it was picked straight from the garden out back. The flavors were fresh, pure, and grounded in the kind of mountain terroir that makes the Sierras special. We also tried their virgin Bloody Mary, which had this briny backbone—maybe from pickle juice? I could be wrong, but probably not. It was delicious, and unusually complex for a zero-proof version. And that strawberry Italian soda with whipped cream? That wasn’t a drink—that was a dessert in disguise. We should’ve ordered three. Desserts were on point—rich, well-portioned, and served with joy. And speaking of joy… Let me tell you about Julia, our server. The kind of person who elevates a meal just by showing up with presence and grace. She didn’t just bring us food—she guided us through it. Her descriptions painted flavors before they ever hit the table. You could hear her passion, and it made the experience that much more delicious. She reminded us that food isn’t just taste—it’s storytelling. This wasn’t just a meal—it was a moment. Live jazz playing in a century-old hotel, people leaning into conversation, plates hitting the table like punctuation marks in the night. Moody’s doesn’t try to be the “best restaurant in Tahoe.” It just is. Quietly. Confidently. Without needing to say a word.

+6

Nick Parisi

What an amazing experience! I had the pork chop and it was perfectly plated and delicious! The service was off the charts! Sara, the hostess was great and Kyley, the bartender, was an absolute boss! The place was packed and she was busy as hell and didn't miss a beat! The drinks were outstanding and the atmosphere felt like home! Would definitely recommend and will come back when I return to the area! Kudos to the all the staff!

Jonathan Lo

Great vibe with the choice of sitting in the live music section or quieter dining room. Food was not amazing but still worth going for the fun atmosphere.

+6

Michael Chan

Moody’s is always very good and I would give it 4.5 stars across the board. The better dishes tonight included the hangar steak, deviled eggs, Hamachi crisp, and the Campanelle. Love the space and the live music. Have recommended to others often.

+1

Amir Hermelin

The food here is mostly amazing, with some exceptions as to the consistency (some steaks were great, some too salty). But overall when done right really amazing dishes, and highly recommend the beef tartar and the New York steak. Also the pickles that came with the duck liver patte were so unique. Beet salad was also very unique. The staff - some were friendly, some not so much. The price is on the high side but I think the food justifies it - it is marketed as a more upscale restaurant compared to others in Truckee. There was a live show that evening and I will say it's fun but don't plan on hearing each other - the acoustics are really really loud during a show. One bummer was the temperature - no A/C so on warm summer evenings expect to be eating in ~80 degree temps inside, the fans weren't helping much.

+2

I took my wife to Moody's for her birthday. We've eaten here before and really enjoyed it. But, this outing was disappointing. The server was rushed and unpleasant. The food was expensive and mediocre. I ordered the Venison Back Strap for $62. The meat was mealy and lacked flavor. Plating was sloppy. There are better options in Truckee.

Jen Dawn

We really wanted to like this place. We have been waiting for a special occasion to visit and sadly found the food incredibly disappointing. The vegetarian pasta was just plain not good. The swordfish was bland, though had a nice concept. The dessert tray was actually quite nice. Overall for the price it was definitely not worth visiting and sadly we would not go back.

Vincent Leger

Food is alright, but nothing to write home about. Yet this place is crazy greedy expensive. I have been to fancy restaurants that might command such inflated pricing, that is not one of them. I ate across the street the night before and the food was better, atmosphere and decor nicer, service superior, no attitude, reasonable pricing, and one could hold a conversation at dinner without music being blasted to disrespectful level. I mean you have to pick. Is a concert or a fancy restaurant? If it were a fancy restaurant, they wouldn’t throw a box at you to pack your own doggie bag. Entrees between $60 and $120? Seriously, give me a break. It’s a casual restaurant, not fine dining. The greed really concerned me, the food was decent but nothing super special, and the loud music ruined our family dinner experience and we couldn’t wait to get out of there soon enough. I would go the Bar of America well over Moody’s if you have the option.

+5

Charith Chowta

Moody’s Bistro Bar & Beats in Truckee offers a refined dining experience with creative, locally-sourced dishes, but it comes with some drawbacks. While the food is expertly prepared and flavorful, the portion sizes are noticeably small, and the prices are quite steep, making it less appealing for those looking for value. The atmosphere is cozy and rustic-chic, but contrary to expectations, there is no live music, which might disappoint visitors seeking entertainment. While the quality of the food and craft cocktails is undeniable, the overall experience may feel underwhelming for the cost.

+5

Jonathon Rodriquez

I’m local and work in Truckee so I ordered a salad to go and opted to add steak. I went to pick it up, and it was $50. “That’s a bit pricey for a steak salad” I think to myself but fair enough. I opened the container and really could not believe it. Tiny salad with a small slice of meat accompanying it? Paying $50 (not including tip) and not even getting an ordinary amount salad was disappointing.

Adrian Jeday

Moody’s has always been one of our favorite local bar/restaurants, which is why this visit was such a disappointment. The food was, as always, really good. But the service this time was just bad. We were a group of 3 and had reservations. Our waitress started off nice, but once she realized we were each only ordering the hamburger ($28) and splitting a salad, instead of the more expensive items, her attitude totally changed. After that, we barely saw her. No check-ins, no drinks, nothing. Our food was delivered by a friendlier waiter. Our drinks never showed up and when we notified her, she said “ok, I’ll check” (instead of apologizing). It felt like we weren’t worth her time just because we didn’t splurge. We could see her being attentive and friendly to other tables. It’s frustrating because we usually love coming here, and the kitchen never misses. I’m hoping this was just a one-off experience, but it definitely took away from what’s normally a great spot.