SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – If you were to tell Nico Ambra in 2019 that in six years, his restaurant would earn a place in the international guide, Gambero Rosso, for its second year in a row while he is drafting up plans to expand, chances are he would be pretty shocked.
When he set out to open his authentic Italian restaurant in Lake Tahoe, he was called ‘crazy’ by friends and fellow restaurant owners in San Francisco. Just two months after Gastromaniac was open, and unforeseen by most, COVID-19 hit the nation.
“I put all my money, all my energy into [Gastromaniac] and after two months, we were stuck,” said Ambra as he held out hope that he, his family, and his dream would make it through the pandemic. “Thanks to the community, we were able to survive. If we were in the city, San Francisco, we’d be gone after a few months. Over here, the local community became our friends.”
Fast forward to present day, and Ambra couldn’t be more delighted with how things have turned out. After Gambero Rosso reached out to Ambra to come back and enjoy another meal in Lake Tahoe, the restaurant was, once again, awarded a spot on their list of Top Italian Restaurants and remains the only establishment in the Tahoe region to do so.
For those unfamiliar, Gambero Rosso is a premiere Italian food and wine magazine. It has been growing in popularity and prestige since 1987.
Among some of the dishes the guide took part in tasting were Gastromaniac’s Gnocchi al Pesto, Prosciutto Arucola Pizza, Arancini, and the M.W. Tiramisu.
“It’s becoming a friendship with Gambero Rosso,” Ambra said. “I hope it’s going to be a long relationship for sure. We’re super happy.”
With plans on the drawing board, Ambra has his sights set on, one day, opening a gelateria offering freshly-made, authentic Italian gelato.
“I’m at the lake, I’m seeing what’s around, and I’m thinking ‘A gelateria would be great,'” Ambra added. He’s recently been back and forth from Italy, learning recipes and taking courses to perfect his gelato methods to create amazing flavors.
Also in the works is a possible Gastromaniac commercial kitchen in Reno. Ambra has hopes of beginning production of pasta and different styles of pizza . “Roman-style, by the slice,” Ambra went on. “And to finally get a bigger pasta machine and the space to really start doing pasta production.”
Although nothing is concrete at the moment, Ambra knows from experience that with hard work and dedication, dreams come true.
Gastromaniac is located at 3091 Harrison Ave #120 in South Lake Tahoe California. To view their menu, visit https://gastrotahoe.com/.
To learn more about Gambero Rosso, go to https://www.gamberorossointernational.com/restaurants/.
