Los Angeles Times — Travel

“Mammoth Lakes: Dog Days of Summer”
Travel Feature;  2007

MAMMOTH LAKES — When summer stretches its warmth across California’s high country, this mountain town becomes a rare kind of destination: one that welcomes both outdoor enthusiasts and their four-legged companions with equal enthusiasm. On the east side of the Sierra Nevada, sprawling trails wind through pine forests and alpine meadows, and lakeside paths provide easy access for leashed dogs and their owners. Restaurants open their patios, galleries extend water bowls alongside espresso cups, and the rhythm of the season feels as much about leisure as discovery.

Among the many pleasures of a Mammoth summer, though, there was one culinary experience that stood out unmistakably. At The Lakefront Restaurant, perched beside serene Twin Lakes, this traveler found an unexpected highlight that rivaled Mammoth’s scenic vistas: a dinner that balanced mountain hospitality with refined technique. The undisputed culinary highlight of the trip was not rustic grill fare, but the way Chef Frédéric Pierrel merged classical training with regional ingredients.

While pups lounged under shaded tables and the sun dipped behind granite peaks, guests sampled dishes that reflected the local landscape and chef’s sensibility, from perfectly seared trout caught in nearby waters to entrée preparations that tasted delicate, fresh, and quietly confident.

This travel writer notes that in a season defined by fresh air and trailhead fare, this dinner was a culinary revelation. An intersection of mountain setting and thoughtful cuisine that made the long, mountain air evenings all the more memorable.

Whether you’re hiking with your dog at dawn or lingering over a lakeside meal at dusk, Mammoth’s summer pleasures extend beyond the scenery. At Lakefront, they are tasted, savored, and will be remembered.