OUR INSPIRATION
The restaurant originally opened 44 years ago in the former home of Squaw Valley co-founders Wayne and Sandy Poulsen in the area now known as Olympic Valley, California. As the pioneers of Squaw Valley, the Poulsen’s named the area’s neighborhood streets after their loved ones, including their son Christian Poulsen aka Christy. The original restaurant sits at the base of Christy Hill, the street named after Christian, overlooking the acclaimed ski area Palisades Tahoe (formerly known as Squaw Valley) and location of the 1960 Winter Olympics.
The building was the original home of Wayne and Sandy Poulsen, constructed of two surplus army barracks purchased by Wayne and Sandy after World War II ended in 1945. It was reinforced to withstand the severe Sierra Nevada winters and it was the first house built in Squaw Valley. Wayne and Sandy raised their eight children in this home until it was transformed into our restaurant, Christy Hill in 1980.
Christy Hill moved to its lakefront location in 1987 where its perch commands panoramic views of mountain vistas and colorful sunsets. Diners have enjoyed these breathtaking views complimented and upstaged by the restaurant’s fine dining cuisine for over three decades. In 2010 local veteran restaurateurs Robyn Sills and Ed Coleman bought Christy Hill from original owner Debbie Macrorie. Invoking their deep knowledge and building on their success, Robyn and Ed continued to transform Christy Hill into the world class, neighborhood style fine dining restaurant that it is today. After a successful career, Robyn and Ed began to look toward retirement in 2023 and handpicked new restaurant owners Alex and Amanda Looby to take the helm of this neighborhood gem of North Lake Tahoe in support of its commitment to fine dining.
As the restaurant embarks on a new era it continues as the confluence of tradition and evolution. Our reverence for the unique and powerful history that has built this institution continues to guide our path as we set about as the area’s premier dining experience. With 44 years in business, our DNA is comprised of professionals from every facet of the dining and hospitality industry, creating thru lines to acclaimed chefs, sommeliers, and restauranteurs throughout the country and world.
Evolution is tradition, we believe deeply in the tradition of our beautiful and complex world of food, wine, and gathering. There has been a continuous effort to push the envelope of cooking since the inception of the art in the 1700s. The Culinary Arts is “Art”, it is interpretative and personal and the connection between the artist and consumer is unique and timeless. We strive to artfully connect past and present, dining with atmosphere, elegance with laughter, and food with wine. Our tradition is Christy Hill, our inspiration is you - our guest.
Welcome to Christy Hill, Lake Tahoe
Meet the Team
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Luis vallin - executive chef
Christy Hill is proud to announce the arrival of Executive Chef, Luis Vallin. At an early age, Chef Luis fell in love with the culinary world and developed a passion for sustainable and innovative cuisine. He graduated with his culinary degree from the Gastronomic Institute in Aguascalientes, Mexico.
A North Lake Tahoe local of over twenty years, Chef Luis has been instrumental in the success of impressive kitchen teams as Sous Chef at Pianeta Ristorante, Moody’s Bistro, and most recently as Chef de Cuisine at Martis Camp.
Dedicated to his craft, Chef Luis has already begun planting the seeds to sow his dreams in his hometown, Aguascalientes. Here he plans to one day cultivate freshly farmed products creating the exceptional cuisine he is recognized for, served in his very own farm-to-table restaurant, a legacy he can share with his children.
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JIM "JB" BUDNY - WINE DIRECTOR
Wine director Jim “JB” Budny has been a fixture in the Truckee-Tahoe fine dining scene for five decades. JB is a certified sommelier; his knowledge of and passion for wine drive a never ending search for classic, new, and unique bottlings to delight his large and loyal clientele. Quality, value, balance, and expression of terroir are hallmarks of wines that make up our concise and eclectic list. The wines, especially those we pour by the glass, are specifically chosen to complement Chef Luis Vallin’s outstanding cuisine. JB is a lover of the outdoors, an avid and dedicated skier, and a skilled photographer. His images are on view at the restaurant. May 2024 will mark JB’s 50th year in the food and wine industry and 12 years at Christy Hill.
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ALEX & AMANDA LOOBY - owners
Christy Hill is a North Lake Tahoe family-owned business dedicated to building community through meaningful and heartfelt everyday experiences with one another. Drawing on a wealth of collective restaurant experience Alex holds a culinary and hospitality management degree from Paul Smith’s College, and Amanda a talented business administrator with a passion for event planning. Together, they share over 35 years of combined experience. An innovative duo with a shared vision of cultivating exceptional dining experiences by artfully combining these key ingredients; cuisine, wine, hospitality.
“We are fortunate to be surrounded by the beauty of Lake Tahoe and raise our family in this community”. - Amanda & Alex
