Gary and Misty Young’s Squeeze In eatery is the talk of the town in Reno, NV and Truckee, CA. This popular breakfast spot has people crossing state lines for a taste of one of Misty’s world-class omelets. Misty’s four-egg omelets are eggstra special and have quirky names like: Racy Tracy, Hot Sweaty Busboy, Katastrophy, Benson Burner and Hot Weed. All of their dishes are packed with farm fresh ingredients and made to order.

Weekdays you can get in without a horrendous wait, but on the weekends, come early, or late, or wait. Loyal customers who frequent the joint are just as die-hard as the chef who owns it!

When Misty decided to throw a Love-In party at her Squeeze In, in Reno, NV, she’s in for a wild ride when Chef Flay crashes and is fired up to go head to head in a classic, all-American Omelet Throwdown! 107 quadrillion omelette possibilities didn’t seem to scare away Food Network’s “Throwdown with Bobby Flay”.  Misty took Flay’s challenge whipping up the Squeeze In’s 300,000th #37 Racy Tracy, the most popular omelette on the Squeeze In menu, packed with avocados and mushrooms sautéed in a white wine sauce and folded in with crisp bacon and Monterey Jack cheese. Flay’s creation is top secret until the program airs, but the Squeeze In has created a tribute omelette dubbed the “Spanish Flay” that debuts on the menu March 4.

Watch the results of this throwdown on the Food Network; March 03 @ 9:30 PM – March 04 @ 12:30 AM – March 14 @ 11:00 PM

The spirit of abbondanza prevails at Briscola, Charlie Palmer’s newest restaurant at Grand Sierra Resort. Under the direction of Executive Chef Dave Holman, small plate offerings, including Parmigiano rice cakes, and hand-cut fresh pastas accompany main course dishes that take a light approach to classical Italian cooking, from grilled lamb chops with eggplant caponata and creamy polenta to crispy barramundi with fennel and tomato stuffing.

Briscola, a traditional Italian card game, inspired the club-like comfortable decor.  A creamy, off-white paint palette softens rustic exposed brick walls, and scattered lighting diffused through linen shades creates a warm, welcoming ambiance. In characteristic Roman-style, the dining room with vaulted ceiling is almost like eating in a wine cave, where an over-sized wooden table used as meat station takes center stage. The fire-truck red replica of a vintage manual Berkel meat slicer guarantees that salume and prosciutto are hand-cut and arranged to order.

Palmer, known for his support of small label wine makers, carries out the la dolce vita theme with a selection of Italian wines as well as California bottlings of grapes with Italian descent.

Bricola’s menu includes Italian favorites at affordable family prices. Pastas start at $7 and entrees at only $15. Kids will love the spaghetti and three-cheese lasagna, while you enjoy a glass of classic Chianti with your Crispy Chicken or Veal Parmesan.

House Specialties:

• Antipasti including a house salad (mixed baby greens and Balsamico), arugula (asparagus, tomato and Parmigianino), caprese burrata, heirloom tomato, basil and 18-year Balsamico and Caesar (romaine, marinated tomatoes and white anchovies).
• Hand-cut fresh Pasta dishes include pappardelle (braised rabbit and apricots), chitarra (shrimp, scallops, mussels and clams glazed in a spicy lobster broth) and fettuccini.
• Main Course options take a light approach to classical Italian cooking, like grilled lamb chops (eggplant caponata and creamy polenta), crispy barramundi (fennel and tomato stuffing) and a Florentine-style sirloin.

Hours:
Dinner
Sunday to Thursday: 5:30pm to 9:30pm
Friday to Saturday: 5:30pm to 10:30pm

Lounge
Monday to Sunday: 5:00pm to 12:00am

Phone: 775.789.2456
Reservations: OpenTable.com (recommended)

Video: Pasta Making in Briscola’s Kitchen
Briscola sous chef Rocky Woods demonstrates fresh pasta making techniques

Oysters Rockefeller to start? Would you like them ‘Classic Rock’ or ‘Progressive Rock,’ with Tasso Ham, scallions and a fresh mornay sauce? Fruits, vegetables and seafood are hand-picked for freshness, and arrive from various seasonal locations, while fine steak and chops are prepared to your specification after aging for 4 weeks.

The Atlantis Steakhouse seats 160, and offers all dining options whether you’re sitting around the 1,100 gallon aquarium in the lounge or in the private Cove.

Looking for a great place to have that “special occasion”?  Give them a call, they aim to please, and I have never heard them say no to a special request.

Atlantis Steakhouse
To Make A Reservation Today, call 775.824.4430

The famous Basque drink is ubiquitous in Northern Nevada, brought to the region by Basque immigrants who came to virgin land to herd sheep. Today, the connection to Basque tradition remains alive in the many local descendents of the first settlers, the Basque restaurants that serve their famous food, and the festivals that celebrate Basque heritage.

One such establishment is Louis’ Basque Corner, located just outside of the downtown Reno corridor. Since the late 1960s, locals and visitors have made Louis’ one of the mainstays of the Northern Nevada culinary mix. Here, hearty Basque food is served in a family style setting. And when you come, you are among old friends. At the bar, the Picons start flowing in the afternoon, and well into the evening. And the party gets a little louder – and a lot more fun – as the evening moves on.

The next time you hit Northern Nevada, hit Louis’, or any of our fine Basque restaurants, and experience the unique Basque culture and flavor. But be sure to pace yourself with the Picon Punches.

Video: Making a Picon Punch:

Basque in Northern Nevada:

• Louis’ Basque Corner: 301 E. 4th Street, Reno, NV 89512. (775) 323-7203
• Santa Fe Hotel: 235 N. Lake Street, Reno, NV 89501. (775) 323-1891
• JT Bar and Dining Room: 1426 Hwy 395 N., Gardnerville, NV 89410. (775) 782-2074
• Overland Hotel: 691 Main, Gardnerville, NV 89410. (775) 782-2138
• Villa Basque Deli: 730 Basque Way, Carson City, NV 89706. (775) 884-4451
• Reno Basque Festival: Held each July in Downtown Reno’s Wingfield Park

Basque Picon Punch Recipe:

• fill glass with ice
• 1 teaspoon grenadine
• 1 ½ ounces of Picon or Torani Brand Amer
• Shot of seltzer water
• Top with a splash of Brandy
• Add a lemon twist (peel only)
• Serve and enjoy

Chef Neil Campbell will pair the five-course meal with selections from Ferrari-Carano vineyards. The inclusive meal is $99 per person.

The first course is a Lollipop Colorado Lamb Chop surrounded in blueberry, a balsamic butter sauce (PreVail, West Face, ’04.) The second course is a Chilled Leek, Chive and Potato with English Clotted Cream (Fume Blanc, ’06,) followed by a Butter Lettuce and Double Cream Roquefort Cheese Salad (Alexander Valley, Chardonnay ’06.)

For the main course, guests will enjoy a Filet of Fresh Chilean Sea Bass with Lobster Crust, Butternut Squash Risotto and Caviar Sauce (Tre Terre, Chardonnay. ’06.)

Dessert is an Apricot Chocolate Ganache, Almond Pecan Nougatin and Chocolate Mascarpone Cream in a Hazelnut Sweet Dough Shell (Eldorado Noir, ’06.)

For reservations, guests can call Silver Legacy at (775) 329-4777.

For years, downtown Reno has been enjoying the handcrafted goodness of the beers at Silver Peak Brewery, where at any given time there beer aficionados will find brews like Red Roadster, XXX Blonde, Baileywheat Hefeweizen, Peavine Porter and Silver Peak IPA while enjoying a great dinner menu as well as kicked back social scene.

Down the road in Sparks at Victorian Square, the brewers at Great Basin Brewing Co. are busy with batches of the famous “Icky” IPA (Ichthyosaur IPA, which seems to be the favorite among locals and visitors alike), or any one of a dozen or so craft beers with names like Jackpot Porter, Katie’s Cream Ale, Mollie’s Irish Stout, Nevada Gold, Old Fitz Bourbon Stout, Risky Biscuit Barley Wine, Rock Mai Bock, Stone Mother Marzen, Truckee River Red, Wheeler Peak Wheat and Whoop-Ass Witbier.

Nevada’s oldest and most decorated brewery serves it all with a hearty helping of live music, great pub-house fare and local flavor.

The area’s newest brewery, Buckbean, has quickly gained a following, as much for the tastiness of their signature beers like Orange Blossom Ale and Black Noddy, to their unique packaging – tall (16 ounce) cans. Or visitors are welcome to step into the brewery’s tasting room to get it straight from the tap.

Dozens of bars, nightclubs and restaurants support Nevada’s homegrown beers. So if you’re in town, hit up the favorites – Silver Peak, Great Basin, Brew Brothers, BJs – or just order something local. Your tastebuds will thank you.

Resources:

• Silver Peak
• Great Basin Brewing Company
• Buckbean
• Brew Brothers
• BJs
• Fifty Fifty

We’ve all been here.

One wants Italian, the other Chinese and the recurrent dieter desires nothing but salad bar fixings.

Such edible diversities can often cause strife and discord, and destroy a vacation’s harmony unless, while in Reno, your hungry horde heads for the Buffet at the Eldorado.

Read the complete article Here

Freshness tops the list of descriptive phrases in this tiny eatery at 719 S.Virginia St in the downtown section of Reno.

Owners Christian and Kasey Christensen, along with amiable staff, create a bistro experience similar to thousands of others across Europe. Colorful posters announcing upcoming local events surround the entrance. Small tables, inside and out, welcome not only diners but often conversation as the sharing of tables is encouraged. Small placards announcing “I will share my table” are found at a basket near the register.

Read the whole article Here

A good breakfast assures the day is filled with promise.

Fortify the promise by dining at Reno’s Peg’s Glorified Ham n Eggs, on 420 S. Sierra Street.

Everyone is greeted warmly whether it is the 1st or 101st time they cross the threshold. Some opt for tables or booths while others settle in at the counter. Here strangers swap conversation while the counter man generously shares a picture book and colorful insights of Guanajuato, his Mexican birthplace.

From 6:30 am – 2:00 pm daily, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, Peg’s offers breakfast standards with a flavorful twists. Over 40 items, in addition to daily specials, fill the menu. Diners overwhelmed by the choices should know longtime local favorites include fresh salmon and eggs served blackened, and grilled, or Peg’s namesake – ham steak and eggs.

Read the whole article Here

We arranged for a babysitter and headed out.  Upon arriving, I was first amazed at the scale of the restaurant – from outside The Melting Pot looks pretty modest, but it’s actually quite large; two stories with tables that were set for two to 10. We also noticed a large contingent of high school kids … apparently it was prom night.

After being escorted around a great bar and wine cellar, we sat in a comfortable booth near the back. Drinks were ordered and we reviewed the menu. Our waitress walked us through the menu, and made a few suggestions about her favorites. We decided to try the “Big Night Out” which includes your choice of a cheese fondue, any salad, choice from three different selections of meats and, of course, a desert fondue.

We chose the Spinach & Artichoke Cheese Fondue, which includes: Fontina and Butterkäse cheeses, spinach, artichoke hearts and garlic.  It was accompanied by three different breads, Grannysmith apples and a selection of different raw vegetables.

As we started to finish the cheese fondue, a busboy named Pablo quickly cleared our plates and refilled our drink order.  Our waitress brought or next course, two Insalata Caprese salads, and helped us decide how to cook our meats. We chose to use oil so that we could also tempura a few items, but other options include infused broths.

Meats and vegetables included lobster, teriyaki-marinated sirloin, white shrimp, marinated pork tenderloin, filet mignon, breast of chicken, potstickers, mushrooms, a spinach cheese filling, two types of tempura batter, melted garlic butter, and a variety of sauces – bleu cheese, spicy cocktail, light mustard sauce, plumb sweet-and-sour and teriyaki. For desert we indulged in fondue called the Flaming Turtle, made mostly of milk chocolate, caramel and chopped pecans, which were flambéed tableside, accompanied by several types of cake, brownies, fruits and marshmallows.

All in all the meal took a little over two hours to complete, so make sure you plan accordingly. For what we received, in both ambience and food, the price was within what I would expect.  The service was wonderful – everyone was helpful and knowledgeable about the establishment.  I would also note that this is not necessarily family friendly … not due to the restaurant, but having hot oils and broths with skewers can’t be a safe option for smaller children. I would suggest you try out this if not for dinner, then for at least a special dessert for you and your significant other.  Also I would suggest making reservations, especially if it is a special day for you.

The Melting Pot
6950 S McCarran Blvd, Reno 89509
(775) 827-6500
www.meltingpot.com

Lunch Hours
Daily 11 AM to 2 PM

Dinner Hours
Sundays 4 PM to 9 PM
Monday to Thursday 5 PM to 10 PM
Friday and Saturday 4 PM to 11 PM