Stonefly Restaurant in Markleeville is the best dining in the Carson Valley area period stop. It's a true gem that feels like it could (and should) have a Michelin star. We've been coming here for years and even have known some of the staff since high school....! What makes Stonefly so special is that whether you're a longtime local or a first-time visitor, the Saletti family and their incredible team treat you like family from the moment you arrive. The service is always warm, attentive, and genuinely joyful. These are some of the sweetest, most talented people you'll ever meet in a restaurant. We came to celebrate the second night of my wife's birthday weekend (LOL) and, as usual, started with a beautiful progression of appetizers. The macadamia nut and Parmesan crusted calamari, sautéed and finished with that bright, silky lemon beurre blanc, is our favorite...! Perfectly crisp, tender, and so flavorful that we ordered a second round...! We also loved the fresh steamed clams and the expertly seared ahi tuna, artfully presented with pickled onions and crisp ginger and a large lump of wasabi and an amazing dipping sauce. Every dish showcases fresh ingredients and masterful wood-fired technique with that perfect Northern Nevada-Italian fusion. With such outstanding starters, we happily skipped a main to save room for dessert and what a decision that was....! As we finished our second calamari, the entire team: owner Faith Saletti and her wonderful staff gathered around our table to sing a lively, heartfelt "Happy Birthday" to my wife. It was one of those rare, magical moments that feels completely genuine and unforgettable. Her chocolate cake was a rich, decadent masterpiece: moist, intensely flavorful, and elegantly plated with whipped cream and a delicate edible flower. My coconut cake was ethereally light and fluffy, with tender layers, toasted coconut, and cloud-like whipped cream, finished with a beautiful floral garnish. Both desserts, made with obvious love by Faith, were absolutely divine. Stonefly isn't just a restaurant, it's a warm, soulful experience in the heart of the Sierra Nevada. The food is outstanding, the hospitality is world-class, and the setting on the charming patio is relaxed and inviting. As locals who have enjoyed many meals here, we can confidently say it's worth every visit. Whether you live nearby or are just passing through the Lake Tahoe area, don't miss it. We'll keep coming back for special occasions and ordinary ones alike. Five enthusiastic stars and our highest recommendation. Thank you, Stonefly, for another wonderful evening! read more

See all

Gayle recently took me out to dinner here on a pleasant Friday evening. My 70th (!) birthday was the next Monday and Stonefly is where we both wanted to go to Dinner. This place has been on our list for at least a couple years, and we finally worked up the incentive to take the scenic drive to Markleeville. As we decided just a few days before, our reservation choices were 4:30 at a Table or 6 PM at the bar. We reserved the 4:30 spot and were seated at a nice table as one of the first parties inside the door. In the hour and a half (ish) that were here, the place filled up nicely, even witnessing a family of 3 being turned away for lack of a reservation. We both enjoyed the happy energy, the engaging staff and patrons, and our view into the kitchen. Our experience was fabulous, with the only "opportunity for improvement" being that Gayle's rack of lamb was just slightly overcooked (for her taste). We also left thinking that it would be great to come back in the summer when the patio was open. I would describe the indoor space of Stonefly being cozy, warm, and welcoming, with service that matched. I chose the 5 ounce filet (with Gorgonzola), mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. We both enjoyed our choices, plus the prosciutto wrapped asparagus spears as an appetizer, a couple nice glasses of wine, and of course the carrot cake with a candle and song at the end. In fact, we took the cake home for later as we were really full after a meal like that. I'm sure we'll be back and with friends and/or family. Stonefly's limited hours and restaurant space will require a little extra well worth it planning. And short of maybe the Caples Lake Resort, there's really nothing in the immediate area that compares. read more

Stonefly - Rack of Lamp - New American Near Me - Markleeville, California

See all

Stonefly Restaurant This is a review for my dining experience eating dinner at Stonefly Restaurant. 5/5! Unique, special, quaint, cozy, homey are some words to describe Stonefly. As you walk into the restaurant you feel like your family is there to celebrate you for completing another long day at work. Leave your stress at the door! The staff is very friendly and positive. The food was exquisite! It was like tasting comfort food, but elevated with unique flavors and cooking techniques. SERVICE: They are only open Thursdays-Sundays 4:30pm-8:30pm Seating is limited Make a reservation! (530)694-9999 MENU APPETIZERS: *Baked Brie: warm pastry with cheese, honey and fruit drizzled on top *Calamari: cut into pieces to share, bread crumb coating, the sauce was creamy with hints of lemon and Parmesan ENTREES All of our entrees were exceptional! I could tell that each dish was made with love and careful pairings to go with the main course. -DUCK -STEAK *AHI TUNA: My favorite was the ahi tuna. It had the perfect sear on both sides of the fish and it was very flavorful. The texture was just right and it went well with the vegetables. *MASHED POTATOES: Mouthwatering! Flavored to perfection! One bite and I was hooked! Yummy! Yummy! DESSERTS: Wow! Phenomenal! Decadent! Delicious! Divine! -Tiramisu -Carrot Cake ***LEMON GINGER RICOTTA CAKE: Tangy, sweet, This was my favorite! It was refreshing and exquisite! BUTTERSCOTCH BREAD PUDDING: Warm, soft, the butterscotch sauce was marvelous, loved it! All in all I had an enchanting evening at Stonefly! The food and atmosphere were sensational! I cannot wait to try more chef specials and spectacular desserts on my next visit! :) read more

See all

Absolutely hands down the best restaurant!! The food, service, environment vibe of the small atmosphere. 5 stars!! I'll attach photos of our meal choices. The filet was delicious! As was the French onion soup! Very pricey ($257 with tip for 2 people) but absolutely worth every penny! read more

See all

Enjoyed a lovely dinner here last night on the patio. Greeted and seated quickly. Started with the calamari and baked Brie. The calamari was a steak cut into strips vs the tentacles and pieces just for awareness. It was good but I think I'm a fan of the tentacles etc. the baked brie was in a pastry with honey and apples and so so good. Initially my husband was like where's the bread but we devoured it. For entrees, we had the swordfish special, cioppino, filet mignon special and the Cornish game hen with Jamaican jerk seasoning. All were amazing and would reorder. Ended with a carrot cake and the NY cheesecake with berry sauce - they sold out of the coconut cake so we tried carrot but hopefully next time. Thank you for the great service. Looking forward to our next visit. Tip - make a reservation there aren't many tables read more

Best food, service and dining experience in the area (and beyond). I have friends who come all the way from Reno to this cute gem in Markleeville. John and Faith Saletti rock!! read more

If you're looking for a dining experience that has ambiance, delicious food, and friendly staff, stonefly restaurant is the place! Located in the mountain town of Markleville, this restaurant is well known for satisfying the most critical foodie! Our dining party ordered the salmon, New York strip, prosciutto, wrapped asparagus, with grilled vegetables. Everything was cooked to perfection and tasted amazing. For dessert, we tried the peanut butter chocolate drop, with toasted coconut cake, and a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. It was a pleasant experience that we will long remember. read more

Stonefly - Tasty bree - New American Near Me - Markleeville, California

Amazing food, fabulous atmosphere and great service. What else can you ask for? When they put down a plate of fresh focaccia bread on the table, I knew we were in for a treat! All of us were satisfied with our meals. The server and the owner were so kind to us, it felt like we had known them forever! Thanks for treating us to a wonderful evening at Stonefly! read more

See all

We love this place! Faith and Johnny have hired the best staff. You will feel like family and your meal is sure to please you! Last night they had a Cornish gamehen on the menu. Wow! So tender with supreme mashed potatoes and veggies roasted to perfection. The colorful chairs, the subtle lighting and intimate setting make this place truly delightful even when the patio is closed. read more

Stonefly - New American Near Me - Markleeville, California

See all

This is one of our favorite restaurants in the Reno-Carson-Tahoe area. Though I've been here several times, I'm finally getting around to leaving a review (apologies to Yelp!). Last night, we brought friends along, and they were so impressed that they've declared it their new favorite spot and are eager to return. We tried the Seafood Special of the night, the Salmon Dinner, and the Pork Chops. For dessert, we had the Coconut Cake and Bread Pudding. The salmon was cooked to perfection--tender and flaky with a mango sauce and macadamia nuts that paired beautifully. The Pork Chops, with their dried cherry walnut chutney, is best entrée on the menu. Both desserts were delicious, but the Bread Pudding was the standout. It's a bit of a drive to get there, so I highly recommend making a reservation. I was surprised to see some one- and two-star reviews. However, the were very dated and don't reflect the current ownership. The Yelp! page still has the old website listed, but you can find the updated site here: https://stoneflywoodfired.com/ I highly recommend this restaurant and will definitely be returning. read more

See all

What an amazing restaurant! Outstanding food, fantastic service, and a super cool vibe! If you get the opportunity to experience this establishment, please take it. You will not be sorry! read more

See all

This review is overdue, back in February I went to Stonefly to celebrate my birthday with the family. First time experience and we were all blown away. It was cold and raining/snowing, but we were met with warmth and friendliness by the staff. We were greeted promptly as we entered and kindly asked if we had a reservation (reservations are STRONGLY recommended). Our server sat us quickly at a table in the corner and gave us time to peruse the menu. We started with calamari, warm spinach salad, french onion soup, and prosciutto prawns. All the apps were delicious, my favorite being the calamari with the lemon butter sauce (so good!). My son loved the large prosciutto prawns and only wished there were more. The french onion soup was some of the best we have ever had, you can tell they took their time with this as the onions were soooo flavorful and the broth just... wow! For our entrees, my husband ordered the Rack of Lamb, my daughter the New York Strip, and my son and I both ordered Cioppino. The seafood in the Cioppino was fresh and plentiful while the broth had a nice spicy kick to it. I enjoyed it very much as good shellfish dishes are often hard to come by in the area. My husband was raving over the mashed potatoes, trying to figure out what ingredients were in it to make it taste so unique and delightful. We hypothesized blue cheese, rosemary, and other delicious flavors but could not put our finger on it! Daughter's steak was perfectly cooked and juicy. Portions are very generous and we had to-go boxes as we could not finish our plates (and ain't no way we are letting that yumminess go to waste!! ) But the best part of the meal by far was dessert! Friends! DO NOT SKIP DESSERT!! The owners make all of their desserts in-house and they are WONDERFUL. Bread pudding - to die for! Coconut Cake!! - Mmmm delicious! Chocolate Silk - daughter loved it! Lemon Ginger Ricotta (something?) (forgive me as I can't recall the exact title, but it was damn good!! This was my favorite!! ) Regrettably I failed to take pics of the dessert.. next time! I would go back JUST FOR DESSERT and coffee! Service was EXCELLENT, VERY ATTENTIVE AND FRIENDLY. We fully intend to return with friends and family to enjoy other wonderful items on the menu and to experience Stonefly again! read more

See all

Lovely spot, this was our first visit and we will definitely be back. The 2 men both had the pork chop and loved it. I had the lasagna which was exceptional and the other person in our party had the filet. Unfortunately, the filet and the all the vegetables were all extremely salty. We did not complain because the staff, atmosphere and everything else was so amazing. We will just remember to request no salt or low salt! read more

Always a treat . Always A++. The menu selections , the fantastic wait staff. Small , cozy , just right. We've come for many occasions. Tonight was on a whim .. Thank you Faith for squeezing us in. Greatly appreciated. The baked Brie starter, our favorite way to start dinner here . read more

The Lasagna special was amazing! Would recommend it highly when available. The service was excellent. Really a great evening.

What a fantastic restaurant located in this very small "town" of Markleeville. Inside the restaurant is cozy and intimate, and if you sit at the bar, you can watch the chef work his magic. The calamari appetizer was awesome. The swordfish was moist and light, and the seasoning was incredible. Best swordfish I've ever eaten. (And I've lived in San Francisco, Seattle, and Alaska for many years). The carrot cake was fabulous. Very light, with just the right amount of frosting. The family owners are very welcoming and the service is excellent. This is the best restaurant in the Carson Valley area by far. read more

The owner was rude when trying to make reservations. Then refused to seat us after we got reservations we then went to eat somewhere else. She then came to the restaurant across the street where we are at then proceeded to say we can't afford her food, we are white trash, and called us a POS. Do not come to this restaurant the owner is extremely rude and looks down on people. I wish I could leave 0 stars but I can't. I recommend the cutthroat tavern across the street the food, people, and service is absolutely amazing. read more

Great food, delish! Service and ambiance were wonderful. Will come again! Definitely need to make a reservation as seating is very tight. read more

We ate here on a Saturday night unexpectedly passing through on our way to Mammoth Lakes. It was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. The food was truly amazing and you could tell attention and detail went into every dish. It was just two guys churning out amazing dishes and there was a unique wood fired oven that they used for a number of the meals. Literally everything on the menu including the specials looked amazing. And every time I saw a new dish come out I said to my wife 'I should have gotten that." I ended up getting the pork chops. It was the best pork chop I've ever had. These folks know how to get flavor combinations right. This place is a long way from home for me, but I have a strong feeling I'll eat here again sometime in the future. read more

I was visiting the area on a whim, sadly due to some unfortunately circumstances. I stumbled upon this restaurant while I was at the genral store nextdoor. They recommended that I call for a reservation but my cell service was weak. I stopped by around 6 and they were kind enough to squeeze me in at a little table otuside, although I saw several couples after me get turned away, unfortunately. The staff was incredibly kind and the service was excellent. I ordered the charred cabbage, the mushroom marsala crispy polenta and calamari because I wanted to try a few things rather than just one entree. The portions sizes were quite large and the preparation was some of the best I've ever had. I also tried the house made sangria which was quite tasty. Highly recommend, and keep in mind you most likely do need to have a reservation. read more

See all

I had the opportunity to enjoy a birthday dinner at Stonefly and cannot say enough about how great it is. I will gladly make the 45 minute drive back from Carson City to dine there again. The food was delicious, the service excellent, loved the ambiance and the experience something I will look forward to again. Thank you staff of Stonefly!!! read more

Stonefly - Front - New American Near Me - Markleeville, California

Amazing food in a pleasant environment with great service, and surprisingly reasonable prices for this caliber of experience. Our server pushed for additional appetizers and drinks. We will definitely eat at Stonefly again! read more

Absolutely amazing. Started with sangria. Got edamame and Caesar salad appetizers. Really wanted to try the blistered peppers but sold out. We shared the halibut, which was insanely good, next level. Finished with vanilla ice cream from local creamery, New York cheesecake with berry sauce (), and a buckeye which is like a homemade Reese's peanut butter cup. Everything was phenomenal. Highly recommend. And great price too. Waiters were all friendly, laid back environment. Don't have to dress fancy. read more

Their hours say 8:30, but make sure you get there by 7:45. We were turned away at 8:05. We were only a party of two, so maybe we smelled bad? Either way it's a shame, there were still plenty of people eating on the patio and we were excited to try this place. read more

This is a charming restaurant in the tiny and adorable town on Markleeville. I would highly recommend making reservations if you'd like to dine at Stonefly because they get quite busy. We sat inside but outside is lovely as well. The owners work the business and it shows pride of ownership in their food, atmosphere and service. It's an open kitchen which is pretty neat so you see the chef owner in action with his two diligent helpers. We had the most delicious calamari appetizer and a salad beforehand. For dinner I had the rack of lamb with mashed potatoes and roasted veggies. We also had the salmon with rice and roasted veggies. All the food was outstanding. The desserts are made by the hostess/owner which were equally yummy. I had the lemon curd cake and my husband had the carrot cake. All in all a wonderful atmosphere and food from owners that really seem to care. read more

Cute place, fun decor. However the day we had reservations at 5pm it started to rain. Markleeville CA is around 6k ft in elevation so rain in mid September wasn't unexpected. We requested an indoor table. Inside seating is limited and tight. The server was great. Nice person and attentive. This place isn't cheap and the reason for a 3 star rating is because our dinners were all overcooked. There was 3 people in our party. We each ordered a different entrée. The kitchen was only a few feet away from where we sat and I saw three people in the kitchen area. Its a small area. Someone's kept dropping platters...loudly. No getting away from looking up to see if someone is wrong. This kept up through our dinner. More and more diners showed up, and everything got really busy. This was our first time here so I don't know if this is what's expected every time. My personal opinion is that for the price it wasn't up to standards I was hoping for. Mushy carrots, zucchini, and swordfish. Rice was okay. The sauce was tasty. Another person in our party had the pasta. It was overcooked, but they didn't want to send it back. Another person had the new York strip. Ordered med raw. It too was over done. Med. The mashed potatoes were dry. I'm calling it like it was. I heard from friends this is a great place and they go there all the time. I'm on the fence about giving it a second chance. Maybe. read more

Stonefly - Kitchen and indoor dining area. - New American Near Me - Markleeville, California

See all

This is such a fantastic restaurant, all the way from the atmosphere, to the employees and the incredibly delicious food. Reservations are a must. Full house from the time we arrived until we left. Small inside, but lots of tables on the patio, and it was perfect weather for outdoor dining. There were 6 of us, 2 had the filet special, 2 had the lasagna special (big enough for 3 people!!).. one had swordfish and I had the Cioppino....all of us raved about how delicious all the food was, and the presentation was beautiful. This was not our first time dining here, and won't be our last....it's a true favorite. Treat yourself.. you won't be disappointed. read more

Been there many times. Food was ok ordered Duck and was so tough it was not good. Service was lacking. Slow, cumbersome and not good. The ambience is wonderful nothing like Markleeville. For prices charged Stonefly didn't make the grade. Gives me no pleasure to give a poor review read more

So, you've already read my prior reviews, if not, go back and reread them. This place is well worth your time and energy and effort to get to you. On this occasion, my wife and I are enjoying a fantastic fall evening. We had the pizza we had a Caesar salad. We had the muscles and clams and life is good. Beyond that, we enjoyed a bottle of Patz and Hall Chardonnay, and everything was good. Almost forgot, the service was great too and the owner, she knows everybody. read more

See all

My husband and I recently moved to Markleeville from South Lake and my only regret is a new expensive habit. I am trying to make up a reason to dine at Stonefly every night. We celebrated my birthday last night with two other couples. We all enjoy fine dining (I loathe using the cliche "foodies", but so be it.) We texted about our favorite parts of the meal (everything) once we got home and are still in an afterglow the next day. The service was friendly without being overly familiar, the food preparation was creative without being pretentious, the flowers, lighting, and decor are charming. Pretty much, everything you could ask for in a dining experience. read more

What an amazing place. We were greeted by the owner when we arrived early, seated quickly. Drinks, appetizers, and main courses were actually some of the best food we've ever had. The place was a full on an evening where the outside temp was 12 degrees. Many locals were present. So enjoyable. read more

We stopped in last night for dinner after a long day of hiking. Reservations are recommended but being it was about 6pm, no cell service were we were hiking we didn't have any, but luckily they were able to squeeze us in! I ordered a glass of the Napa Chardonnay which arrived quickly and was a generous pour! Super yummy! Bread and dipping olive oil came out as well which is always a nice extra touch! We ordered an appetizer of the edamame which was good... I made this all the time for myself, but theirs had a nice Smokey flavor which was a nice unexpected surprise. For my entree I ordered the "special" pasta which was a basil buttercream sauce over noodles, asked them to omit the prawns. Dave ordered the steak that came with mashed potatoes and squash, and red cabbage. Dave loved everything about his but said he could of gone without the gravy on top... I liked mine as well, although a nice touch would be to add some veggies into the pasta. I glanced at the dessert menu, and the options were temping but we were just too full to partake! They do have crème brûlée and carrot cake though! Ambiance were perfect! Love the outdoor twinkle lights - a little chilly where we were sitting and I recommend you make reservations and if outdoor in the chilly fall evening bring a thick sweater or ask to be sat near an outdoor heater... Another thing, lots of little nats flying around landing in the wine and whatnot, but this is not really something the restaurant can control... but they did offer a little spinning fan thing for the table which seemed to help deter them. Nice little place in Markleeville! Definitely recommend, and make reservations! read more

Stonefly - Steak, mashed potatoes and squash - New American Near Me - Markleeville, California

See all

This is the best restaurant around here and the Mushroom Polenta Marsala is absolutely bomb and they have very good price for wine. The ambience is wonderful. The service is pretty darn good. It's a wonderful place. The duck breast used to be so much better and I am sad to report that I really did not enjoy it the last 2 times and this time it was really not so good. Still such a lovely restaurant and I am so happy the are open more months during year! read more

See all

Enjoyed an amazing meal last night, in a lovely atmosphere (nothing better than welcoming, smiling staff who clearly enjoys being there!) We came without reservations - very risky: they had no tables of course, but offered two spots at the bar, as we were early. How lucky were we! Everything was amazing, really impressive cooking: flavorful, balanced, creative and interesting. I was truly amazed. Just a fantastic summer dinner, in a pretty place, with smiling people and delicious food... read more

My favorite restaurant. I go there at least once a year when in the aria. I even plan my hikes so I could go to dinner after. Service is friendly and ambiance is cheerful. I always leave in a good mood read more

The food is delicious and service is amazing. The restaurant has a cute and quaint ambience.

Great experience, great service, good food, I'll be back! Make sure you get reservations. read more

This little gem was so incredible. The staff was super friendly and provided fantastic service. The food is creative, flavorful and pretty too! The decor is whimsical and functional. It's a really lovely experience all around. Outdoor seating and inside, both are a delight. If you are in Markleeville, this is a must see. read more

See all

Wow. How to describe this experience. I had read a few one star reviews and I was hesitant. I brought my mother here for her birthday and it blew us away. Truly a unique experience and the owner has a strong personality which is why Stonefly is so incredible. The owner has an eye for perfection and this is reflected in the quality of the food. The service was amazing. Yvonne was our server and she was very attentive and swooped in at the exact moment we needed anything. We ordered the pork chop, salmon (special), and filet. Everything was cooked to perfection. I was pleasantly surprised by everything Stonefly has to offer. We will be back. Also, the ambiance was lovely with a playlist sodden with Frank Sinatra there was so much to love. read more

Stonefly - Pork chop (massive portion size, perfectly charred but also tender). - New American Near Me - Markleeville, California

Wonderful as always! We usually make it here once a winter and they always treat you like the neighbor next door. Great hospitality and service in this cozy local spot. The food is delicious, well excuted, and always interesting. Portion sizes are well balanced - big enough to fill you up if you're looking for a lighter meal, but small enough so you can order many options if you're looking to taste the menu. And the calamari. I'll pause for this one. One of the best I've had in CA, and better than many of the classic haunts in Monterey. It's served crispy steak style with a lemon burre blanc - don't miss it! read more