Peppercorn Grille

In 2003, Julie Hastings returned home after a fire evacuation to find her restaurant abandoned and in disarray. Instead of calling it quits, she and her husband, Mike, turned the fire disaster into a triumph. Welcome to the Peppercorn Grille!

With Mike's 25 years of construction experience, they embarked on remodeling and renovating the former Italian restaurant. 

As Mike logged long hours, Julie created a new name for the restaurant and a creative menu. Julie knew her community needed a restaurant with consistently fantastic cuisine, a professional and friendly staff, and a clean, cozy, and intimate setting.

The couple's sweat equity paid off, and Peppercorn Grille opened in less than two months! Since then, it has been synonymous with being the number-one dining choice in Big Bear. Next, they opened Oakside, which offers California-inspired fare in a relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere. 

The restaurant's central location makes it a top choice after shopping the boutiques at The Village Shops and Courtyard. It's also a go-to after tubing at Big Bear Snow Play or a challenging hike on Castle Rock Trail.

With intimate dining options, a heated outdoor patio, and an extensive food and drink menu, Peppercorn Grille continues to set the bar high for excellence in Big Bear. 

Vibe

The charming Swiss chalet exterior greets guests, welcoming them with open arms into a lovely dining experience. Inside, the ambiance balances casual elegance and cozy charm. Warm lighting, soft music, and the subtle scent of delicious food fill the air.

The interior boasts dark wood accents, comfortable seating, and tasteful décor, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Peppercorn Grille is ideal for romantic evenings but is equally fitting for family gatherings. 

During the summer, guests enjoy al fresco dining on the beautiful patio, which has stunning views. When there's a chill in the air, guests will appreciate the heaters keeping the patio warm. 

The picturesque setting is the perfect spot to unwind and reconnect with family and friends after a fun day at Big Bear Lake. 

Peppercorn Grille: Menu & Drinks

Peppercorn Grille offers lunch and dinner, so let's unpack some standouts from each menu.

Lunch diners will appreciate the options like appetizers, pasta, sandwiches, and steaks. The Soup and Salad combo is a filling yet healthy choice. It features Romaine lettuce, baby greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, house-made croutons, roasted sunflower seeds, and your choice of dressing. Soups include their classic New England clam chowder or the soup du jour. 

Vegetarians will want to sink their teeth into the Impossible Burger. This 100% plant-based patty tastes and smells like beef because of the magic ingredient, Heme. It comes with Romaine lettuce, Roma tomato, and red onion on a brioche bun. Chances are, even die-hard meat lovers will fall in love with it!

The dinner menu expands into creative cuisine that's equally impressive. The Pistachio Crusted Chicken is a standout, with an orange-dijon cream sauce. The entree includes a choice of soup or salad, garlic mashed or baked potato, sweet potato mash, or seasoned rice with fresh sautéed vegetables.

Steak lovers will want to try the melt-in-your-mouth 16-ounce Bone-in Ribeye. This heaping portion of steak is rubbed with garlic and topped with smoked Bleu cheese horseradish butter. Choose from any of the sides listed above, or add a small lobster tail for an additional cost. 

Peppercorn Grille offers an impressive beer and wine list and craft cocktails. One standout is the Peppercorn Bloody Mary, perfect for celebrating a successful outing at the Mountain Room Escapes. The cocktail glass is rimmed with Lawry's seasoned salt and features Absolut Peppar Vodka and Mr. & Mrs. T's Bold & Spicy Bloody Mary Mix. Lime, olive, and cucumber garnish this drink. 

With its crowd-pleasing menu options, beautiful decor, and signature drinks, Peppercorn Grille is one restaurant not to miss on your Big Bear vacation.