Reno

Congrats coolerbythelake on your new job in Reno. Looks like your name will still be appropriate. I think more food options will be appearing all the time. Reno is finally just starting to become civilized. I've said before I don't think there's much in the way of great dining in Reno, and sometimes a place will do a few dishes well and that's what you stick to. I've only been here for a year and don't get down there that often so I'm sure I'm missing some restaurants-but now I've got you to do the legwork. Here's what I know so far:
Golden Flower-Vietnamese
Duck House (roast duck, chow mein noodles with everything, szechwan string beans, salt and pepper shrimp)
Chocolate Bar-very hip place for a drink-get chocolate martini
Cafe Beujolais-excellent french bistro
Quail Creek Bistro-California cuisine
Cafe Soleil-California, haven't been for a while so I have no idea if it's still good, however it's got a great view overlooking Reno.
Unfortunately, that's all I can think of. I'll let you know if something else comes to mind. However, be on the lookout for a place I believe will be called Pizzaria Enoteca, which will be pizza and other Italian foods and a wine bar. This will be unique to Reno and is being opened by a friend of mine who's partners with a great chef who happens to own the top restaurant here in Incline Village called Frederick's. My friend has an Advanced Sommelier certificate and some great wines from a restaurant she used to own so the wine list will be stellar. I'm sure it will be a cool place. There's much better higher end restaurants up at the lake, but very light on cheap and moderate eats. We'll have to meet up sometime. Good luck!

Also, look for Basque. Many years ago, I found Louis's Basque Corner to be the place to go in Reno for "comfort-food" dining. I don't know if it still holds up, but here's a recent review.

That area of Nevada (and Northern CA) has had a heavy influx of Basque settlers, so keep your eyes open for restaurants in the surrounding towns as well.

http://www.newsreview.com/issues/reno/2 ... 10/eat.asp

I'll vouch for Louis' place. A couple of years ago a buddy of mine from UNR took me down to Louis' for an evening. Very friendly, open crowd, lots of hearty, somewhat exotic (unless you eat Pyraneean food often! : )
bill of fare: hearty pasty soup, lots of meat, fries, some fish, overall an enjoyable stick-to-your-ribs filling meal served family-style.

Geo

We just got back from a successful trip to Reno and points west
(sacramento, santa rosa then san francisco).

The highpoint of Reno was definitely Butcher Boy, a butcher shop with real butchers, game, a whole cooler of sausages and interesting cuts of meat. (This highlight is actually in Sparks)

We bought beef sweetmeats and grilled them (after soaking them overnight, then blanching them.) They were delicious. Tasted like grilled fat on a steak. Also got a basque marinated lamb sirloin, also grilled it, also excellent. For an appetizer, we picked up some buffalo salami and grilled slices of that as well. Elk burgers completed the meal. We were lucky to be staying with family so we had access to a grill! It was a great cook out.

We brought home some venison salami and elk salami, meant to bring home some venison jerky but ended up eating it near Donner Lake on our way over the mountains (insert ironic comment here).

The exotic meat case had a rather large selection of ostrich, rattlesnake, venison, elk, buffalo (and a number of kinds of "oysters" of the rocky mountain variety). The sausage case had many kinds of sweetmeats, frozen steaks and marinated cuts of meat as well as sausages. We got a lamb chorizo which was also basque in style. They also have an excellent regular meat case, and butchers who can tell you how to cook each cut, and will cut to order. A delightful place.

Other highlights included the Reno Homebrewer. This is what it sounds like. A homebrewer supply shop, located in a strip of warehouses. But, although the selection of beers is small, it is the best we found in the city with a good selection of Belgians and west coast microbrews. He also had 5 fine tap beers that you could drink out on the "loading dock" -- which serves as a porch with chairs and a picnic table. The beers on tap were Sierra Bock, Bigfoot Barleywine, Celebration, Alley Cat and IIRC Guinness.

Of the local brewpubs, we loved Silver Peak. They have two locations, one near the casinos, and one near the stripper district. The latter is the real restaurant and brewery (124 Wonder Street). They had just released a scotch ale (strong, sweet and malty) that was excellent. The food was also very good. We had clams in hefeweizen that were big and perfectly cooked and full of garlic. They also specialize in pizza with beer grains in the crust. The result is a bready, chewy, and very tasty base. For toppings, we had a pepperoni, spicy sausage and mushroom the first night. Then because everything was so wonderful, we went back the next night, had more scotch ale, and a wild mushroom pizza with carmelized onions and gorgonzola cheese as a "snack". We felt like regulars after our second night, and would surely be if we lived in Reno.

The other Silver Peak location was less impressive in both food and beer selection. But if you are stuck near the casinos it is certainly a cut above the Brew Brothers brewpub that is located in the casinos.

We had been to the Basin Street Brewery in Sparks on a past trip. We visited again after Butcher Boy. Their beer is also a cut above the casino brewery, but not quite as delicious as the selection at Silver Peak (at least right now). We really liked the Shepard's Pie last time we were at Basin Street. Real lamby and I can still remember it was almost like a steak and kidney pie.

BUTCHER BOY
359-7445
1073 N. Rock Blvd.
Sparks, NV.
http://www.butcherboy.us/

Reno Homebrewer
2335 Dickerson Road
Reno, NV 89503
(775) 329-2537
http://www.renohomebrewer.com/

Silver Peak Restaurant & Brewery
124 Wonder St, Reno, 89502 - (775) 324-1864
http://www.silverpeakbrewery.com/

Silver Peak Grill & Taproom
135 N Sierra St, Reno, 89501 - (775) 284-3300

Great Basin Brewing Co
846 Victorian Ave, Sparks, 89431 - (775) 355-7711
http://www.greatbasinbrewingco.com/

Brew Brothers Microbrewery
345 N Virginia St (in El Dorado)

Thanks for the report Ms. Griffin. I've never heard of this place(Butcher Boy) but it sounds like a gem. Will be checking it out soon.

I've never been to better butcher shop, in terms of variety of types of meats and cuts (not to mention truly excellent and knowledgeable service).

The prices are also quite reasonable for what your getting
(we paid $2.50 /lb for beef sweetmeats).

For the beer inclined who visit Reno Homebrewer, be sure to ask for a sample of his own beer. He can't sell it, but will let you try it. He gave all 3 of us a pint each of a very nice unfiltered India Pale Ale.

I wish brewerys weren't so obsessed with "clarity", because the mouthfeel and flavor you get with an unfiltered beer is wonderful. One of the highlights of our Germany trip last Summer was all of the unfiltered lagers that were available which were so much more interesting and flavorful than the typical clear German lagers they export to us.


Oh, and Reno Homebrewer is only open until 6pm (closed Mondays).

I'll be in Reno in a couple of weeks. Any further thoughts beyond what's in this thread? Unfortunately, the likely good advice to take a side trip to Tahoe won't work for me this trip.

There's a chain of diners in that part of the country called Black Bear Diner. I always favored the one in Reno for really great breakfasts. Their almond granola pancakes are yowza good.

Its out Virginia Avenue a bit.

Reno unfortunately is quite the wasteland of good food. That being said, there's a few good places to dine, and I do mean a few. Bangkok Cuisine is actually pretty respectable Thai. Pho 777 is decent Vietnamese. If you have a jones for Chinese, I'd recommend Caie's, but only in an emergency. La Vecchia is considered by most to be the best Italian but I'm not that impressed. In the Grand Sierra, Charlie Palmer has a steak house, a seafood place called Fin Fish, and a new Italian. I've only eaten at Fin Fish and found it outrageously priced and not up to his usual standards. I believe Reno wore him down cause I love his restaurants in Sonoma, Vegas, and NY. I generally stay away from casino restaurants but Atlantis has redone their dining options and have 2 places with intriguing menus. Bistro Napa looks pretty good and they just reopened their Steakhouse, putting alot of money and thought into it.

A very good French bistro is 4th Street Bistro. Good contemporary cuisine can be had at Loulu's, probably Reno's best restaurant. That title would've gone to Sezmu, but I believe they are redoing their concept, possibly dumbing down their cuisine. I would call and see what's going on when you're there. A great place to have a drink serving unbelievable chocolate martinis is the Chocolate Bar. There's a couple locations in Reno. It is hip and happening, so un-Reno. The location at Summit Sierra is a shopping center. I recommend the downtown location.

The dining is much better at the lake, but of course you would have to make the 30-45 minute drive, possible in wintry conditions. I have plenty of options if you are interested, since that is my home base.

http://www.bangkokcuisinereno.com/
http://www.4thstbistro.com/
http://sezmurestaurant.com/
http://www.thechocbar.com/
http://www.grandsierraresort.com/dining/
http://www.atlantiscasino.com/dining/index.asp

RevrendAndy wrote: the Grand Sierra, Charlie Palmer has a steak house, a seafood place called Fin Fish, and a new Italian.

Ate at the CP Italian place (Briscola) almost all of my nights, mostly because of convenience, but also because it ended up having better food than what I imagined would be at most other places in town. Seared tuna served with some tuna ravioli was seriously good, and the rest of the pastas were decent even though they had the typical way-oversaucing problem. Excellent wine service, including quality glasses and servers who did not overpour. Lousy housemade gelato.

Reno may not have much in the way of great food, but it has one place that many of us dream about - In N Out Burger!

Ram4 wrote:Reno may not have much in the way of great food, but it has one place that many of us dream about - In N Out Burger!

If all works as planned, my wedding anniversary gift to The Wife this year is a trip to Wanderlust, four days of yoga and music in late July/early August, which my daughter is helping manage and which I have almost no interest in, but it would make The Wife happy and it would put me in Reno for a few hours before trudging off to Tahoe. Will make effort to hit In N Out.

If all works as planned, my wedding anniversary gift to The Wife this year is a trip to Wanderlust, four days of yoga and music in late July/early August, which my daughter is helping manage and which I have almost no interest in, but it would make The Wife happy and it would put me in Reno for a few hours before trudging off to Tahoe.

Dave,

If you're available, I'd love to meet up with you in Tahoe. When will you be here and where will you be staying.

RevrendAndy wrote:Dave,

If you're available, I'd love to meet up with you in Tahoe. When will you be here and where will you be staying.

Rev, let's definitely meet up -- I've never been to the area so I know almost nothing about local chowzones.

Our plans are still evolving and were pretty much hatched last night. The Wife thought it would be nice to fly to Evergreen/Denver to see her family and then drive to Tahoe (Squaw Valley). Though I proposed this anniversary gift, I told her I wouldn't be driving (part of my Don't Give Into the Internal Combustion Beast approach to transport), so we're probably going to train it from Denver to Reno (seems so much more pleasant than driving across Nevada), where we will rent a car and then The Wife will be behind the wheel to Tahoe. My daughter, Lydia, is doing promotion for the event, so we're talking with her about logistics. The event runs from 7/29-8/1.

Wanderlust actually looks to be pretty cool , though I usually plan my vacations more around food options than spiritual exercises. As I recall, you've done the Burning Man thing a few times -- were you thinking of going to Wanderlust?

Headed to Vinyasa yoga class this afternoon in preparation...

Actually, the drive from Denver to Reno is very nice.... IF you take 50 instead of I-80: I-70 west to Salina UT, cut up on 50, and keep on going west. The country is frequently beautiful, with lovely vistas, some gorgeous agricultural valleys, 25-mile sight lines, and, of course, lovely small towns the way America *used* to be. Had the best chicken-fried steak of my life a few years ago in Delta UT. The nice thing is, there's no traffic, and no cops: everyone is up fighting one another up on the interstate.

It's a glorious voyage through old-time America.

Geo

Dave,

We've never done Wanderlust, only Burning Man. Wanderlust sounds pretty wholesome and no naked women. Not something I'm interested in.

However, we will be around that weekend and would be available to meet for some chow. We are on the north shore, about 25 minutes from Squaw. Let's coordinate as your plans firm up.

My one Reno recommendation is Hiroba Sushi on
Skyline Drive. While it is ayce, the quality is very
good and the service is excellent.

And there is always Paul Schaat's recently opened bakery
In Carson City (where I am posting from).

However, the best meal on the trip has been the Santa
Maria tri-tip sandwich from the Gardnerville Volunteer
Fire Department. Truly excellent.

jlawrence01 wrote:And there is always Paul Schaat's recently opened bakery
In Carson City (where I am posting from).

However, the best meal on the trip has been the Santa
Maria tri-tip sandwich from the Gardnerville Volunteer
Fire Department. Truly excellent.

I usually eat at the L&L Hawaiian Barbecue next door when I'm going through Carson City. I have also tried the tri-tip sandwich at Local's BBQ which is across the street from Casino Fandango and it was pretty good.

Fujisan wrote:I usually eat at the L&L Hawaiian Barbecue next door when I'm going through Carson City. I have also tried the tri-tip sandwich at Local's BBQ which is across the street from Casino Fandango and it was pretty good.

Actually, some of the options in the Carson City/Minden/Gardnercille areas may exceed what is available in Reno. I am really surprised at some of the options in Carson City.

Ram4 wrote:Reno may not have much in the way of great food, but it has one place that many of us dream about - In N Out Burger!

The Reno location did nothing for me. The burger would have been great ... if there was any burger in the bun. All I could think was Clara Peller's "where's the beef". It was completely overwhelmed by the tomatoes and lettuce. The french fries were simply the WORST I have had in a long time. They were dry and powdery in the middle.

Personally, you would do a lot better with an Awful, Awful burger at the Carson Nugget, the Reno Nugget or the location on the University of Nevada campus.

griffin wrote:I've never been to better butcher shop, in terms of variety of types of meats and cuts (not to mention truly excellent and knowledgeable service).

The prices are also quite reasonable for what your getting
(we paid $2.50 /lb for beef sweetmeats).

Both Butcher Boy locations have closed recently:

http://www.ktvn.com/Global/story.asp?S=11582552

The highlight of our road trip from SF to Chicago was Louis Basque Corner in Reno, as suggested by folks here (thank you!) and other sources. We LOVED it, and would drive right back just for another fun and delicious meal. (Triple D didn't do it justice.)

It's a brightly lit spacious bar overflowing with folks hanging out, watching the games on TV, waiting for a table, etc, but all enjoying a Picon Punch or 2 or 3 or more. I have heard so much about Picon Punch, so it's a must try even with the American version of Picon, Torani Amer. A dollop of grenadine, generous pour of Picon, topped off with a splash of soda on the rocks. The perfect apero while they gather enough folks together to fill a table of 10 or 12 since dinner is served family style. Did I mention that the Punch is about $3.5 or $4.0 a pop?

After they have corralled the requisite number of guests, the server comes around and explain the menu to us. We have a choice of entree which varies slightly daily from lamb, steak, chicken, pork, fish, and of course, my favorite, sweetbreads. Bread, soup, appetizer, salad, and sides are served to the entire table to share, including carafe of the house wine. All inclusive for the price of dinner around the $23.95-$25.95 range. Not only was it a good deal, but solidly delicious.

Started with garlic soup that is perfectly portioned to about a modest bowl each with just enough leftover for seconds. Almost like an egg drop or avgolemono with silky whipped eggs in clear rich garlicky broth with bits of tomatoes. The broth could have been richer, but it was nicely fragrant and perfect start.

Followed with a couple carafes of house wine, which is a chilled red, slightly sweet, reminiscent of a lambrusco without the fizz. Fun, refreshing, and delightful. Not so much for the family down the other end of the table, so of course, bf and European table mates were more than happy to help them out.

Then came a glimmer of what's to come, beef tongue. So innocent looking, a tomatoey stew of thinly sliced stew. Bf made a face at the thought of tongue, but willing to try it. It ended up being his favorite dish of the evening. Sliced just right, thin enough for great texture, tender but toothsome. As much as I don't like stew, I sopped up every bit of sauce on my plate. Once again, the non-European family at the other end of the table had plenty of leftovers for us.

Salad is your typical European salad, greens with light vinaigrette. Just what I craved after a drive thru fast food lunch.

A brief break then each of us was served our individual entree. Bf had roasted leg of lamb au jus, which looked nice enough, and he loved. I was so enthralled with my sweetbreads, I didn't even want a taste of his lamb. The sweetbreads were perfectly crisped then sauteed with onions, peppers, and s&p. A marriage made in heaven, sweetbreads prepared in similar manner as the Chinese S&P dishes. Good sized portion, too! I finished it all, every crispy bits, and wanted to lick the plate. (Sorry for the bad cell phone picture.) The crispy cubes were just the right size, small enough to have crispy exterior with each bite, but not too small to lose that offal texture and taste of sweetbread.



As soon as the last entree lands on the table, the side dishes came flowing out, platters of fries and basque beans. Fries were serviceable, tasted and looked like frozen products. Not into beans, but others loved it. Then came dessert, which was not memorable, some cake or other. Besides, have to save the calories for another Picon Punch.

The party of 5 next to us, 3 from Basque region of Spain, 1 Hungarian woman, and an English woman, were great company. They currently live and work in the States and met through a meetup to go out for Thanksgiving dinner. Would have stayed all night chatting and sipping Picon if we didn't have a long drive ahead of us the next several days.

Never had reason for Reno, but now I would not hesitate for a return trip.

I am not anti-Louis Basque Corner by any means. I have eaten there a couple of times and found the food pretty good.

However, if you have a chance to stop in Elko,NV, 350 miles EAST of Reno offers three very good Basque restaurants - The Star Hotel, the Nevada Dinner House, and Biltoki.

There is also the Western Heritage Museum and the NE Nevada Museum, each worth an hour or two.

jlawrence01 wrote:I am not anti-Louis Basque Corner by any means. I have eaten there a couple of times and found the food pretty good.

However, if you have a chance to stop in Elko,NV, 350 miles EAST of Reno offers three very good Basque restaurants - The Star Hotel, the Nevada Dinner House, and Biltoki.

There is also the Western Heritage Museum and the NE Nevada Museum, each worth an hour or two.

We noticed Elko on our way east and was on our list of possible stop, but didn't work out logistically. Would love to do the trip again when we can have a more leisurely drive. Thanks for the heads-up.