BIG BEAR LAKE, CALIFORNIA, USA - Between all the mountain and lake activities, combined with the crisp fresh mountain air, you're bound to get mighty hungry while visiting Big Bear Lake, California.

As many people rent vacation homes here, they might just opt to cook. No problem, the small town offers two reasonable well stocked supermarkets - Vons and Stater Brothers (the former is likely to stock more gourmet and hard to find ingredients that true foodies will seek).

Those who don't want to cook might want to check out our favorite Big Bear restaurant picks:

Mill Creek Manor Tea Room
Some of the best homemade food in Big Bear can be found at this elegant Victorian tea room on the outskirts of town.

A departure from the typical rustic mountain décor and fare found at many restaurants here, the tea room is elegant, delicate and dainty, the small space crammed with creative gifts and décor items among the tables. Owners Pat and Art Garza opened the tea room after "retiring" and closing their Las Vegas retail gift shop. Like all good restaurateurs, they now work harder than ever.

Pat is an awesome cook who makes everything from scratch, including the always decadent and eclectic collection of pastries and goodies. Even the sandwich breads are home made. She's also the design force behind the place and the gift shop buyer (this lady has taste!).

Be sure to not miss Pat's homemade scones with clotted cream, for what tea would be complete without scones and clotted cream. And speaking of tea, you'll find an unusual collections of premiums teas. Take some back to your Big Bear cabin with some extra goodies for the next day.

Reserve for High Tea

Stop in to the tearoom anytime for a nice selection of lunch entrees, creative salads and sandwiches and awesome desserts. For the true tea party experience, however, reserve a day ahead of time for high tea, an all-inclusive feast for the senses including salads, sandwiches, desserts and teas. Everything we've ever had here has been first rate. Patrons seem to agree as the vast majority of Pat and Art's customers are repeat visitors. Not surprisingly, the Mill Creek tea Room frequently caters to small group parties - many times wedding or shower parties. Pat provides special hats, feather boas and other accessories for "dressing up the experience" and making it extra festive and fun. Most of these parties are groups of women, or often times families, but sometimes the men get in on the action too. Pat says they have a group of men who came one year before one of the group got married and have been returning annually ever since (we suspect it's Pat's fabulous cooking that keeps them coming back). She says they really have fun with the silliness of a group of "macho" men having a tea party. The tea room is only open at lunch time, but they also do special holiday dinners for Thanksgiving, Mother's Day, and special events. Call in advance of your visit to Big Bear to see what's coming up. We spent last Thanksgiving with Pat and Art at the tea room and had a first rate meal in a friendly family setting. While the tea room doesn't serve wine, you're welcome to bring your own with a small corkage fee.

Grizzly Manor Café
One of our favorite restaurants in Big Bear is a small "hole-in-the-wall" type diner that's only open for breakfast and lunch. The Grizzly is known for huge portions of simple home cooked foods. Their pancakes are so large they fall off the plate. They also offer about a zillion different kinds (ok not quite a zillion, but close). The burgers are as macho as a burger can get. There's always a fresh pot of hot coffee ready. It's all served with a hefty side order of local color and commentary by owner Jayme Nordine. If you sit at the counter of the Grizzly Manor long enough, you'll probably meet everyone of any importance who lives in these parts - from the garbage collector to the mayor. After one visit you'll be a regular too, just like all the folks that come to Big Bear to visit and head directly to the Grizzly Manor Café upon returning.

Evergreen Restaurant
Besides having some of the best food in Big Bear, the Evergreen Restaurant also has one of the best views. Situated on a small hilltop overlooking the lake, the patio at the Evergreen has got to be one of the most romantic places in Big Bear to have a cocktail and watch the sunset.

Don't let the outdated décor fool you. The continental cuisine here is well prepared and the avant-garde presentations, something the owner takes particular pride in, are some of the most creative and elaborate you're like to find anywhere.

The restaurant is known for the classics and as such you can't go wrong with dishes like the Steak Diane, Beef Wellington or Crab Cakes. There's also some nice seafood selections including Pepper Crusted Ahi, Charbroiled Salmon, or Lobster Tails.

Fuji Japanese Cuisine
If you taste is leaning towards Asian, head to Fuji restaurant. For special evenings, sit at the teppan grill for a made-before-your-eyes feast where chef Sam entertains while he cooks. You'll gasp at his displays of culinary acrobatics including flying knives, spinning pepper mills and somersaulting eggs. Somehow everything ends up right where it's supposed to be and a perfectly prepared meal appears before the hungry diners lining the grill's perimeter. I've eaten many a meal at these types of restaurants - from Benihana to local versions in various areas of the country, but Sam has some moves I've never seen before.

Not in the mood for anything so elaborate? Belly up to Fuji's sushi bar for all your favorite fish, or get a table and order off the extensive Japanese menu.

Café Mambo
Nestled in a tiny space in the heart of Big Bear Village, Café Mambo's Latin fusion cuisine is some of the most creative in the valley. We love the use of spices and the entrees here literally burst with flavor. Some dishes of note include the Mambo Baby Riblets served with a guava chile glaze, the slow cooked Chamorro of Lamb with Red Mole Sauce, and Caribbean Paella with sausage, shrimp and chicken simmered in coconut saffron rice. Mambo is also open for lunch, serving creative panini sandwiches, anticuchos (latin skewers), salads and light entrees.

B's Backyard Barbecue
B's has arguably the best location in all of Big Bear. Situated right on the lakefront with its own private beach, it is THE place to be, especially on summer weekends when the outdoor beach party is non-stop. There's something for everyone, the kids (and/adults) can splash in the water, everybody enjoys the barbecue food, and an outdoor bar will even keep you refreshed without your ever having to go inside. There's a beach volleyball court set up for anyone feeling ambitious. You can even bring your dog!

Those wanting to avoid the sun can go inside and still enjoy a great view of the lake along with B's barbecue menu. A nice touch are the homemade Parmesan Potato Chips that automatically appear at your table here (and keep magically reappearing, enticing diners to eat way too many of the addictively good snacks).

B's bar is one of the friendliest in town, and you'll find some good bargains with their all day happy hour specials on weekdays.

Old Country Inn
Besides serving terrific breakfasts, along with hearty lunches and dinners, the Old Country Inn offers another important service to Big Bear Visitors - they'll gladly cook the fish you catch! Spend a day fishing then enjoy the fruits of your "labors" without having to go near the kitchen.

If you're ordering off the menu, come hungry, portions are huge and menu diverse enough to please everyone in the family. Old Country Inn offers a nice selection of German foods, along with standard American coffee house fare.

More Restaurant Picks
You can get the best burger in town at the aptly named Get The Burger in Big Bear City (at the east end of the lake). The fries are darned good too.

Mexican craving? Sonora Cantina has a nice collection of tequilas at their bar and some decent food, including the humungous Big Juan Burrito - eat this and you'll be immortalized on the restaurant's wall of fame. On the other side of town, La Montana also serves tasty Mexican fare.

Brew fans will want to head towards the Bear Mountain Brewery. This rustic road house serves some mightly delicious microbrews. There's enough of a selection to suit the taste most any beer lover, from pale, light and crisp to dark and hearty. Go on Friday night and listen to the sounds of the Holcomb Valley Boys, a trio named for the historical area that served as the center of Bear Valley's gold rush.

Practicalities

The Mill Creek Manor Tea Room can be found at 39904 Big Bear Blvd Big Bear Lake, CA 92315; 909-866-8066.

The Grizzly Manor Café is open 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. Find it at 41268 Big Bear Blvd Big Bear Lake, 92315; phone 909-866-6226.

Find Café Mambo at 40766 Village drive in Big Bear Lake, 92315. Phone 909-878-2166.

B's Backyard Barbecue is located on the lakefront at 350 Alden Road in Big Bear Lake, CA 92315. Phone 909-800-7650 or click to www.bsbackyard.com.

The Old Country Inn is located at 41126 Big Bear Blvd Big Bear Lake, 92315. Phone them at 909-866-5600 or visit their website at www.OldCountryInn.net.

Get the Burger is located at 1117 W. Big Bear Blvd in Big Bear City, 92314. Phone 909-584-1300. Note: No credit cards accepted.

Bear Mountain Brewery can be found at 40260 Big Bear Blvd. in Big Bear Lake, 92315. Phone 909-866-BEER or click to www.MountainBrewery.com.

Sonora Cantina is located at 41144 Big Bear Blvd. in Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 Phone 909-866-8202.

La Montana Mexican Restaurant is at 42164 Moonridge Rd. in Big Bear Lake, 92315. Phone 909-866-2606.

For more information about Big Bear in general, to book accommodations, or to request a Visitors Guide, visit the Big Bear Resort Association's website at www.bigbear.com or call 1-800-4-BIG-BEAR.

More About Big Bear

• Big Bear -- Southern California's Only 4 Season Alpine Resort
• The Big Bear Discovery Center - Gateway to Mountain Adventures
• Fun on Big Bear Lake
  
• Discovering Bear Valley History with Big Bear Off Road Adventures
• The Moonridge Animal Park -- A Zoo with a Difference and a Really Big Heart
• Golfing in Big Bear
• Hiking In Big Bear
• Fishing Big Bear Lake
• Mountain Biking in Big Bear
• Strange Happenings at the Captain's Anchorage
• Where to Eat in Big Bear
• Where to Stay in Big Bear
• Camping & RVing in Big Bear