Reno Restaurants (Sparks: appointed, house, theatre)

[Cheryl414]

We were visiting in the Reno area in mid-Dec. and again for several weeks in January. As we live in a rural island community, it was enjoyable for us to try new restaurants. We will return to visit our daughter, so I would love
others to comment on their favorite restaurants. Our best tips were from locals.

We stayed for several days at Circus Circus-- nice rooms and great deals through Book-It. We ate out all the time.

Breakfast:
We tried breakfast once at Circus Circus -- adequate omlette, etc. However, once we discovered Black Bear, a chain, on S. Virginia St., that was my favorite. The omlettes are so huge that 2 people can easily split one order--which we did after the first time. The hash browns that accompany them are homemade and the best I've had in years. Our adult daughter loved the pancakes and had to take some home with her. Prices are very reasonable.

Lunch:
-Dish Cafe --855 Mill St. a wonderful little spot for breakfast or lunch. Wonderful homemade gourmet soups, sandwiches, quiche, etc. Everything made on the premises except for the bread--which was excellent. Reasonable prices. My favorite restaurant of all!

-Sup--another great little place on S. Virginia with an interesting selection of soups, sandwiches, and salads. Everyday Soups are Chicken Tortilla, Broccoli Cheddar, and Tomato Bisque. Each day features a daily, set special such as posole, pork enchilada, or chicken coconut curry. So good--prices too.
Open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

-Silver Peak, 135 N. Sierra St. : We were turned on to this rest. by a local who recommended it when I mentioned we were thinking of going to see a movie. He said to go there as they would give a 2 hour parking validation for the parking garage around the corner and the movie theatre was also right there. The theatre also gave us additional parking. We had lunch there, spent an hour walking along the beautiful nearby RiverWalk, and enjoyed a movie. A great afternoon!
--At Silver Peak, I had the Roasted Leg of Lamb Sandwich which was served with a house salad for only $8.95. My husband had either the Seared Ahi Sal;ad or the Spinach Salad and liked it. Also available are a wide selection of appetizers, other soups, and sandwiches. A variety of entrees are available for dinner.

-The Old Granite Street Eatery - This is in the downtown area at 243 S.Sierra which used to be called Granite Street in the olden days. I had a delicious butternut squash, ricotta, and kale pasta for just $9 and a carmel nut tart for dessert. There were several selections from a varied menu that I wanted to try and that the atmosphere and food were good.
Old Granite Street Eatery - 243 South Sierra Street, Downtown Reno, Nevada

Basque:
-Louis' Basque Corner, 301 E. 4th St.
We discovered that the Basques came to Nevada to work as cattle hands and that their legacy remains. There are several Basque Restaurants--this one recommended to us by a local. At this restaurant, food is served family style at long tables and you will probably be seated with other people. Several courses , which always include lamb and steak, including red wine, come with the fixed price meal. The food is hearty and the portions mammoth. This is plain country cooking -- don't expect an innovative menu.
However, it should definitely be experienced at least once.


Mexican:

-El Adobe was recommended to us by a Mexican server in a non-Mexican restaurant and it was great. He also recommended Los Quatro Vientos which is a little hole in the wall that we never tried because it was so crowded the night we tried. Very few seats at that one.

-We found El Arroyo --near the train station--on our own and it was fabulous. Great presentation of dishes - both familiar and unusual.

Italian:

-La Famiglia--Right downtown by the civic center. This was recommended by a local whose favorite it was. My husband loved it, I liked it. A solid choice, but do get reservations!

Thai:

Thai Lotus -- 6430 S Virginia St near Neil. Wonderful food! A real find. My husband found this one by looking in the phone book for a Thai restaurant that wasn't a chain. The food was fabulous at this small restaurant and was as good as what we had in Thailand or our favorite Thai restaurants in a variety of places.

Casinos:

Silver Legacy: We tried going to a Sat. night buffet at the El Dorado --which advertised a great "buffet" price on a big billboard outside town. We were disappointed to find out that on the contrary, Sat. was the Seafood Buffet. The line was huge and not being a seafood fan, I was happy to leave.
We saw that the Silver Legacy also had a buffet. We went in and the buffet dining room was jammed with another huge line trailing out and lots of unhappy people in it. As we started to leave, I noticed another restaurant in the Silver Legacy that wasn't crowded. As we were really hungry, we sat down. We were very pleasantly surprised at the good menu selection, inexpensive cost, service and special presentations of the meal. I think we had prime rib with baked potato.

We are not "casino" habitues, but I recommend taking a look at the eyecatching replica of an old silver mill that is the focus of the room. It was really spectacular.

[Biggest Little Drunk]

La Fuego for Spanish Tapas located next door to La Famiglia.
Beaujolais for French food including escargot.
I didn't like Old Granite. While the food was excellent the decor and service were horrible and the booths were not cushioned (altho the backrests were?)
Vivoli on S Virginia across from Target is an excellent Italian restaurant. It's bizarro that they have 3 other restaurants in West LA and Mexico. I wouldn't put Reno on the website. Reno?
Olive Garden - just kidding. Haha
Sezmu is Reno's hidden treasure but not for long bc everyone keeps talking about it. Very eclectic menu and environmental. Room's too small and cramped tho.
Bistro 7 has a great eclectic menu and one of the best atmospheres in town. Reasonably priced.
Screw Charlie Palmer you heard me and Fin Fish while you're at it overpriced BS.
Chocolate Bar I and II have desserts to ____ for. You fill in the blank. Choco Bar II is very trendy and modern, like you'd see those old Sex and the City women ordering chocolate martini's there or something.
Stone House at Plumb and Arlington is nice quaint upscale place and has a nice patio area.
775 Gastropub is another Reno hidden gem at the Meadowood Mall. I know, in a dumb mall???? Yeah, but it's worth the cheesy commercial neighbors. Great beer selection.
Pieface Pizza downtown at Arlington and W 2nd St has outstanding NY style, thin crust made to order slices of pizza if you don't mind waiting in line with a hipsteresque crowd.
Zagol Ethiopian food for food you can pick up with injera pancake like bread. Don't worry altho it's Ethiopian, food sizes are decent.
Naan'n'Kabab for authentic Mediterranean food. I'm too lazy to look up the spelling.
Cafe de Thai for Thai food with a very trendy, modern scene.
Pho 777 is THE place in Reno for authentic pho, right on E 2nd St across Harrahs.
***k sushi in Reno. They're all you can eat which means it's old, disgusting, cheap seafood packaged to dumb locals who don't know good seafood from toejam.
CaiE Oriental Cafe on South Meadows is THE authentic Chinese restaurant in town with great dim sum. Chi at the Peppermill is the THE authentic upscale Chinese restaurant with HUGE portions.
Panda Express - kidding again. I amuse myself.

[30STM]

Cheryl414 WOW that is a lot of food to consume did you stay here for a few weeks? lol Thanks for the reviews will give them all a try...BTW I like seafood and will give that buffet a try.

[jfkIII]

Just got back from Reno, myself.

Best Breakfast: $4.99 Steak and Eggs at the Top Deck Coffee Shop at the Cal-Neva.

Best authentic Mexican: Bertha Miranda's at 336 Mill St...walking distance from any major downtown casino. Ask for homemade Sangria...not on the menu...but they'll make you up a full-size pitcher for $20.

Best fastfood: Jack-In-The-Box (in Sparks)...the tacos are to die for! Wish I could bring them back east, by the bunch.

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by jfkIII

JBest fastfood: Jack-In-The-Box (in Sparks)...the tacos are to die for! Wish I could bring them back east, by the bunch.

You're kidding, aren't you?? There's a Jacque-dan-la-Boite in my town and I haven't been in there in years. Greasy "food"!! You just may die from the tacos!

[jfkIII]

No...not kidding. No trip out west is complete for me without a stop at JITB. I know those tacos have some sort of mystery meat(?) and are probably bad for me...but I just can't resist them! My very first job (at age 15) was at a JITB, and stopping there brings back great memories about the fun times I had there. JITB has long since abandoned the northeast. If I died while eating those tacos...I would die a happy man.

Whenever I go to LV...it's my first stop off the plane.

[30STM]

Originally Posted by humboldtrat

You're kidding, aren't you?? There's a Jacque-dan-la-Boite in my town and I haven't been in there in years. Greasy "food"!! You just may die from the tacos!

DITTO.........I was thinking the same..

[jfkIII]

The love and following for JITB tacos...knows no bounds.

[tanmctee]

If you liked the Basque you have to try the Sante Fe....I like Louies Picons the best, but the food at Sante Fe...mmmmmmm!!!

You happened on El Adobe, one of my favorites!! Bertha Miranda's is a local staple and if you venture in to Sparks try Murrietas (my new FAV).

Try the Stonehouse Cafe...located at Plumb and Arlington....save this for June and dine on the patio, breakfast, lunch or dinner...yummy!

You already found great food at the downtown spots.....The Atlantis (Steakhouse...oh yeah) has some amazing dining options as do the Grand Sierra (Charlie Palmers...yummy) and Peppermill (Biminis!!).

Beaujolais Bistro is FANTASTIC and you just have to try Peg's Glorified Eggs and Ham...but, be prepared to wait if you go prime time weekend breakfast (might want to save it for the week day).

Enjoy the dining experiences and thanks for continuing to support the economy in Northern Nevada : )

[30STM]

If you like Korean YOU MUST TRY Hana Garden in Sparks...Great food, great prices, great portions, great service. Closed on Sunday's