Let’s Dine Out – The Lakefront Tap Room Bar and Kitchen

By TIM WILCOX

Special to the Alpine Mountaineer

This is Part 2 in a “Let’s Dine Out” series about local high school graduates who’ve worked hard and smart to become successful restaurateurs in Lake Arrowhead.

They were sweethearts at Rim of the World High School. John Hackney (class of 2002) and Heather Doyle (class of 2005) moved to Lake Arrowhead with their families when both were in elementary school – John from the Claremont area and Heather from Rialto-Fontana. While they’ve both written “down the hill” chapters, they’re mountain devotees of the first order.

After graduating from Rim, John headed for the University of California, Riverside, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. He launched a photography business on the side and gained experience in fine dining, cooking and performing other duties for corporate restaurants. He was a private bartender as well. Then John was hired by the Apple store in Newport Beach’s upscale Fashion Island mall, where he specialized in teaching customers how to use their computers and, in particular, become proficient in art-related programs.

Following her graduation, Heather left the mountains to attend Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa. While studying there, she worked for Hornblower Cruises & Events in Newport Beach, coordinating weddings and staying on board with the yacht-based dinner-cruise/special-events company for eight years. That hands-on hospitality experience was invaluable.

At one point in their shared journey, the high school sweethearts took a break from the relationship to focus on their own personal and professional growth. Heather describes it as “a time to discover who we really were and where we wanted to go with our lives,” adding that “it was space that was very good for both of us.”

Inevitably, perhaps, they were drawn back together, reconnecting and consoling each other at the funeral of a mutual friend. John and Heather married in 2009, then lived for a while in Costa Mesa before moving to East Highland. John was tapped by Apple to head up the “Genius” department (tech specialists) at its store in Victoria Gardens, a large outdoor mall in Rancho Cucamonga. And Heather? She worked for her parents at Lake Arrowhead Pizza & Deli, which Dave and Lisa Doyle have owned for two decades. (Dave also coached baseball at Rim High for many years.)

Inevitably too, perhaps, the Hackneys moved back to the mountains in 2015. Mentored by Heather’s restaurant-savvy father, they opened The Lakefront Tap Room Bar and Kitchen in 2016. Situated directly above the Arrowhead Queen’s dock, the eatery boasts large windows offering panoramic views of the lake and beyond.

Specializing in superb craft beers, seasonal cocktails and informal yet refined cookery, The Tap Room was almost immediately successful.

“Initially, we thought the business would be seasonal, with a focus on the warmer months,” says Heather. “But we were surprised to discover that it remains strong pretty much year-round.” With three boys – ages 7, 5 and seven months – she adds that “we love the flexibility of running a restaurant and the time it gives us with our family. Still, it’s always a challenge to balance home life and the business.”

Both Hackneys speak highly of their staff, which has grown from 25 in the early days to about 60 now. Being able to provide them with a stable wage and benefits is hugely rewarding for the couple. John notes that “several of our employees have purchased homes,” which only amplifies the sense of satisfaction.

On the Menu

The Hackneys’ craft-beer slate is constantly evolving, which keeps it interesting and inspires repeat visits from fine-brew aficionados. According to John: “Including our bottle list, we have well over 100 beers on offer.”

Among the many choices currently on tap are Stone Delicious, Blind Pig and Orange You Different India pale ales; Tangerine and Take a Kickstand wheat beers; Stems from the Truth, Black House and Guinness Draught stouts; Caught Red Handlebarr’d red ale; and Delirium Tremens Belgian strong golden ale. How’s that for a catchy moniker?

Cocktails follow suit with the likes of Kind of a Big Peel, Livin’ on a Pear and I Couldn’t Care-mel-less.

But what about the restaurant’s edibles? While it makes sense to begin with appetizers, let’s give an “LDO” nod to salads first. Ranging from $5 to $16 (with the lowest tag attached to a small table salad), they’re entrée-size selections. Top-of-the line standouts are the Crispy Chicken and the Poke Bowl (each $16). The first stars buffalo- or barbecue-sauced fried chicken bedded on mixed greens in the company of tomato, eggs, celery, green onion and cheddar cheese with house-made ranch or blue-cheese dressing. The second features fresh kale tossed with olive oil and kosher salt, then topped with ahi tuna, red cabbage, green and pickled onions, sliced carrots, house-made wonton strips and sesame seeds. The finishing touches are spicy sriracha mayo, poke sauce and Furikake (multi-ingredient Japanese condiment).

The 16-item starters slate is hugely popular here. A trio of best bets, averaging about $12: beer mac and cheese with Applewood-smoked bacon; deep-fried, buttermilk-battered pickle chips; and Lakefront wings tossed in various sauces (e.g., garlic Parmesan, spicy buffalo and Nashville). Fries are the main ingredient in four of the appetizers, led by Philly and steakhouse renditions ($15 each).

Emphasizing informal, emphatically filling selections, The Tap Room purveys a dizzying array of handheld meals: burgers, sandwiches, brats and hotdogs. Ten burgers, averaging $17, are built around a half-pound, premium Japanese beef patty. Lead ingredients inspire names such as teriyaki, blue cheese, Cuban, barbecue bacon and aged cheddar. Of course, other embellishments magnify the taste sensation. According to the Hackneys, The Tap Room burger is the most popular selection.

Even more numerous, sandwiches are similarly priced to burgers. Start with four hefty gyros: Asian, Greek, grilled-chicken street and vegan street. Then consider the likes of Italian beef, French dip, Nashville hot chicken, Tap Room BLT, Cordon Bleu and pastrami Rueben or Rachel. FYI, the only “reach for a fork” entrée is beer-battered fish and chips ($18). Its unusual flavor complement: Alaskan Brewing Co.’s white ale.

Waxing philosophical, John says, “I like the romantic idea of a restaurant being a gathering place, a place to have a good time, maybe have a meeting or make some new friends.” For the Hackneys, this entrepreneurial adventure has been and continues to be, in Heather’s words, “nothing less than awesome!”

The Lakefront Tap Room Bar and Kitchen: Lake Arrowhead Village (next to Center Stage); (909) 744-8887; first come, first served; major cards; $5-$18; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sun.-Thurs. and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fri.-Sat.