Concept

We offer rustic, elegant comfort food made with whole, fresh ingredients. Owner

Nica Knite, Robert Ahshing, Operations Manager, and Jonathon Metcalf, Head

Chef, share love through food and are dedicated to using fresh, locally sourced

ingredients wherever possible without sacrificing flavor or quality.

History

Originally opened in 1942 as the Pine House Café & Tavern, this eatery is a

cornerstone of the Mount Laguna community. Our town boomed with the

support of the air force base all the way through the 1980s and our historic log

building has been home to many businesses over the years. Nica Knite

reopened it in Oct. 2011 restoring the Pine House Café & Tavern name and

bringing life back into the building & business as a focal point of the community.

Artwork

Our walls proudly display local artwork and artifacts and we’re always open to

more. Much of the artwork is available for sale with contact information for the

artists available onsite.

Giving Back

We are committed to supporting the charitable efforts of our mountain

community neighbors by donating to our great local causes (Volunteer Fire

Dept., Shrine Camp, Mtn. Empire Men’s Club, etc.). We are also offering our

property’s open space as the future site of the Mount Laguna Community

Garden. With spots designated for a fruit orchard and an area for large garden

boxes, we are working on approval for our greenhouse.