Peppercorn Grille Big Bear review for polished dining

Its own dinner menu ranges from steaks and seafood to pasta, pizza and other American and Italian-influenced dishes.

Reviewers repeatedly praise the food and accommodating staff. The dining room feels more polished than most casual Big Bear restaurants, although it is not known for a lake or mountain view.

The setting and seating

Peppercorn Grille is located at 553 Pine Knot Ave, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315. This restaurant has been a part of the Big Bear Lake community since 2003. For diners seeking a view, tables are available that look out onto the Village area. The dining room offers private booths for a more intimate experience.

The establishment also features a heated patio. This outdoor space is set up to support seating even when the weather is cooler, providing a place for guests to enjoy drinks and observe the surroundings. This offers an alternative to the indoor dining options.

Menu and offerings

Peppercorn Grille provides separate menus for dinner and desserts. Additionally, there are distinct menus for wine, cocktails, and beer. The restaurant's official website indicates that the menu is extensive, designed to cater to a range of appetites.

The restaurant's cuisine is Californian. Reviewers have noted the food and service as points of note. The dining room itself is described as polished, contributing to the overall dining atmosphere.

Food and drink

This criterion measures the quality and range of what is served. Peppercorn Grille received a score of 9/10 for food and drink. Reviewers repeatedly praise the food, and its dinner menu includes steaks, seafood, pasta, pizza, and American and Italian-influenced dishes.

Value and setting

Value measures what you get for what you spend, and this criterion scored 6.5/10. The setting measures the room, the view, and the atmosphere, scoring 7.5/10. The dining room is described as polished, though it does not offer a lake or mountain view. Value is noted as the main restraint for the restaurant.

Service and overall score

Service and wait measures how guests are served and how long the wait is, earning a score of 8.5/10. The overall score is 8.1/10, which is the weighted sum of the four criteria. The food, accommodating service, and polished dining room contribute to this score, with value being the primary limiting factor.

Comparison with other restaurants

Peppercorn Grille is situated about 1.4 miles from Snow Summit's main address and offers a Californian dining experience. It received an overall score of 8.1 out of 10. For food and drink, it scored 9/10, with a 6.5/10 for value, 8.5/10 for service and wait times, and 7.5/10 for setting. This establishment is noted as being suitable for a polished dinner.

Sweet Basil Bistro, an Italian restaurant, is located about 1.6 miles from Snow Summit's main address. Its overall score is 7.9/10, with food and drink at 8.5/10, value at 7/10, service and wait at 8/10, and setting at 7.5/10. This place is suggested for date nights. Compared to Peppercorn Grille, Sweet Basil Bistro has a higher value score but a lower food and drink score; Peppercorn Grille also has a higher overall score and service and wait score.

Tropicali, serving Hawaiian and poke dishes, is about 1.5 miles from Snow Summit's main address and holds an overall score of 8.3/10. It achieved 9.5/10 for food and drink, 7/10 for value, 8/10 for service and wait, and 7.5/10 for setting. Tropicali is recommended for a quick lunch. While Tropicali scores higher in food and drink and overall, Peppercorn Grille is preferred for a more polished dining experience and has superior service and wait scores.

Captains Anchorage, a steak and seafood restaurant, is the closest option at about 0.7 miles from Snow Summit's main address. It has an overall score of 7.8/10, with food and drink at 8/10, value at 6.5/10, service and wait at 8.5/10, and setting at 8/10. This venue is recommended for special-occasion dinners. Captains Anchorage shares the same service and wait score as Peppercorn Grille and has a slightly better setting score, but Peppercorn Grille has a higher overall score and superior food and drink ratings.

The story behind the grille

Peppercorn Grille began after Mike and Julie Hastings returned from a mandatory fire evacuation. They found the Italian restaurant leasing their building had been abandoned. Mike Hastings, who had operated a Big Bear construction company for over 25 years, remodeled and restored the space. Julie Hastings, who was born and raised in Big Bear, created the restaurant's name and its initial menu. She also led the search for its chef. The restaurant opened less than two months after the restoration work began.

Dining details

Reviewers frequently mention attentive and personable service at Peppercorn Grille. The restaurant accepts reservations only for parties of four or fewer.