The Copper Q
Hot coffee and a veggie panini on squaw bread marked the beginning of a successful weekend in Big Bear Lake. Waking up at sunrise to make it up the mountain by noon had its perks and an early lunch at The Copper Q was one of them. I could feel my hands thawing in my jacket pockets, stomach growling as my eyes darted from the baked goods case, to the list of sandwich specials on the counter, to the extensive holiday drink menu beside it.
Overwhelmed with options, I ordered the first thing that came to mind when faced with the cashier and thanked fate for the outcome. The sandwich destiny blessed me with quality ingredients where frills and sides were deemed unnecessary distractions. Cooked veggies mingled with pesto and sun-dried tomatoes between two pieces of bread toasted to perfection. Trying hard to slow down, I looked around at what, from the outside, I had (very) wrongly mistaken as merely a gift shop.
Local honeys and jams lined the shelves leading to the back where a young girl cooked sandwiches at an open kitchen. Customers sat at the counter, contentedly watching and talking to one another. A warm place with welcoming people that seemed to do a little bit of everything—from cooking demonstrations to classes, selling books to Chili Melange jam to cappuccinos—the indecisiveness of the café’s focus made it all the more endearing and lovable. The undeniably good, no-nonsense sandwich helped a lot too. I vowed then and there to stop at the Copper Q whenever I found myself in Big Bear, and returned the next morning for good measure.
645 Pine Knot Avenue
Big Bear Lake
(909) 878-4777
www.copperq.com
Peppercorn Grille
The dim glow of candle-lit tables visible through the windows of the Peppercorn Grille invited more people inside than the restaurant was capable of seating. People gathered around the hostess stand, collectively kicking themselves for not making a reservation. The wait time for walk-ins was about 45 minutes, which I accepted quietly as personal punishment for not thinking to reserve a table on a Saturday night at a restaurant that Yelp deems one of the best in town.
Good behavior and commitment to the cause paid off in the blur of pleasure that followed. Before I knew it, I was sipping on a strong, signature bourbon cocktail recommended by the server who seemed to know me better than I knew myself. Eager to answer any question and to steer an indecisive customer in the right direction, the service was to thank for the good decisions made in the next hour.
Complimentary bread and butter, followed by an almond-crusted salmon entree, served with a sweet potato mash and fresh sautéed vegetables was actively redefining what could be included in the realm of comfort food. The dish felt fancy and inventive, a seemingly contradictory combination of something new and familiar, encouraging warm, fuzzy feelings that lasted throughout the whole meal. Trying to memorialize the wonderfulness of the dish and the dining experience before it was over, my taste buds were having that bittersweet experience of loving something so much that you miss it before it’s even gone.
553 Pine Knot Avenue
Big Bear Lake
(909) 866-5405
www.peppercorngrille.com
The Cave
In the pit in front of the stage, people move their heads and bodies to the music. Whether because of the intimate setting, the blaring music or the full bar with local beer on tap, something about The Cave has everybody in attendance smiling as they sway and dance. The beams of light that illuminate the darkness combined with the consistent flow of drinks has the audience transported to another time.
There is no question that the venue’s undeniable charm transfixes young and old—little kids do handstands and twirl around as fast as they can, couples weave through the crowd hand-in-hand and a chorus of people are united in song by the lyrics they know. The intimacy of The Cave creates a community for the night, comprised of people who want to have a great time and know exactly how to do that.
40789 Village Drive
Big Bear Lake
(909) 878-0204
thecavebigbear.com
Bruin Trojan Realtors
The Bruin Trojan Realtors was the trusty supplier of the essentials after a tiring day of fun and exploration and eating. Coming home to a cozy wooden cabin surrounded by towering pines was the only way to end a day of such grand scale. With the heater on, the blankets out and the visible snowfall through the window, the lines between awake and dreaming were effectively blurred. The warmth and comfort of my little home for the night sealed the deal I had just made with myself. I would definitely be coming back here.
42592 Moonridge Road
Big Bear Lake
(909) 585-4991
janetforbigbearhomes.com
