If you’ve been craving Crystal Shrimp or longing for a Godzilla Roll but cannot decide where to satisfy your hunger, you’re not alone. With fresh fish flown in daily, Reno Tahoe has an abundance of the freshest sushi bars in the country. We believe you can’t go wrong with choosing any of the region’s sushi restaurants, but here are a few of our fans’ favorites.

We asked our near 20,000 followers on our Facebook page, “Where is your favorite all-you-can eat sushi spot?” Many responded, casting their votes for a variety of local sushi bars but it was Hiroba Sushi on Skyline Boulevard that came out on top. Hiroba Sushi offers an exciting menu in a hip and energetic environment. Their chefs are quick to take and prepare your order, even when the recently expanded restaurant is packed, as it usually is. Enjoy their all-you-can eat lunch menu for $17.95 or their all-you-can eat dinner menu for $22.95.

Taking second place was Ijji Sushi on East Prater Way in Sparks. Larger than most sushi bars, Ijji Sushi is the perfect place to bring a large party for any occasion.  They recently added, to their already extensive menu, an assortment of delectable new items such as the Island Long Roll and the Hawaiian. Stop by for all-you-can eat lunch for $15.95 or all-you-can eat dinner for $20.95. 

Coming in at a close third was Sushi Pier 2 on South Virginia Street. Sushi Pier 2 has been a local favorite for many years, and for a good reason. Their friendly service compliments the restaurant’s relaxed and social atmosphere equipped with large flat screen TVs. Join in on the all-you-can eat fun at lunch for $16.99 or at dinner for $24.99. 

Along with these local favorites, Reno Tahoe also offers exotic sushi dining experiences inside our casinos. Explore your mouth-watering options at:

Sushi Bar on the Sky Terrace – Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

Oceano – Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

Sushi Sake – Eldorado Hotel Casino

Rim – Grand Sierra Resort and Casino.

Kokopelli’s Sushi - Circus Circus Hotel and Casino

Ichiban – Harrah’s Reno

Noodle Hut – John Ascuaga’s Nugget

Sushi Saga – Siena Hotel Spa Casino

Written by,
Cody Haener

After a weekend full of hot weather and hotter wings, the 10^th Annual Great International Chicken Wing Society Cook-off and Street Faire has packed up for another year.  Circus Circus Hotel & Casino Reno, Eldorado Hotel Casino, Harrah’s Reno Hotel Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino are proud to announce the Wing Cook-off winners in four categories.

Out of nearly 20 cookers from as far away as Texas, a new hometown favorite and cook-off rookie took the Championship Trophy home for Best in Show.  Judges voted Pie Face Pizza Co. of Reno’s wing sauce the most flavorful of the weekend.  Coming in second was another popular pizza joint, Reno’s own Pizza Plus.  After winning the annual event for several years, Havin’ an Affair of Las Vegas fell to third place, but did take home the People’s Choice Award.  Redneck BBQ of Reno and Famous Dave’s rounded out the list of favorites, placing fourth and fifth at the 10^th Annual Cook-off.

Each of the Downtown Reno casinos also challenged each other to a cook-off of their own at this 4^th of July weekend affair.  Winning for the second year straight was Silver Legacy, whose secret sauce was chosen over Club Cal-Neva and Harrah’s, who tied for second place honors.

In a special judging Friday afternoon, members of the local media tasted wings prepared by featured cookers.  The 2011 Media Choice Award was given to Circus Circus for a unique and tangy mango habanera sauce that pleased the most palates.

With so many winners, you’ll just have to try all the top picks to determine your favorites.

Congrats to everyone who participated in the 10^th Annual Great International Chicken Wing Society Cook-off and Street Faire, see you next year!

Friends, Farmers, Food, Fun – “F”s have never sounded so good. Start your weekends early this summer at the 19^th annual Sparks Whole Foods Hometowne Farmer’s Market every Thursday from 4-8 p.m. in downtown Sparks Victorian Square Plaza, across from John Ascuaga’s Nugget. Fill your evenings, and your stomach, with a wide variety of seasonal items, produce, live musical performances, art/crafts and more.

With all of the mouthwatering food and treats offered, you might want to undo the top button of your pants to make room. But please, don’t take it any further. To complement the abundance of fresh seasonal items, a number of local vendors are joining the market with customer favorites.  At BJ’s Nevada Barbeque Co., indulge in some of the best barbeque in the county with their famous finger lickin’ ribs and barbeque pork and brisket sandwiches. We know you’ll get thirsty walking around on a warm summer night, so quench your thirst with iced, fresh squeezed lemonade from Goodie’s. Or, If you really want to cool down, stop by Sierra Swirl to satisfy your sweet tooth with a bubbly ice-cream float or decadent sundae to share (or not!). No matter what flavors you fancy, you’ll find them at the market.

Want to know where your food is coming from? Meet the growers:

Amber Oaks Raspberries

D&K Ranch

Dwelley Farms

Fruit Factory

Hidden Valley Honey

K& J Orchards

Lattin Farms

Minton Family Farms

Paine Orchards

Rodriquez Farms

V & M Farms

Workman Farms

Rain, snow or shine, a trip to Lake Tahoe is a guaranteed good time. I knew regardless of my dining experience, I would at the very least enjoy my drive up to the Lake. Working in the tourism industry and social media world, I couldn’t escape the buzz surrounding the new West Share Cafe - the newest indulgence along the shores of Lake Tahoe, directly across the street from Homewood Ski Resort.

 The setting is elegant, rustic, warm and inviting, and the view is absolutely breathtaking. You feel as if you’re sitting on the clear blue waters of Tahoe. The lunch menu has a nice variety of burgers, fish & chips, salads, wings, sandwiches and soups, and the kids don’t get skimped either! We ordered the chicken strips platter for our toddler, and requested a side of fruit in lieu of the fries. Her meal was hands down the best one on the table, and the healthiest kids entree I’ve ever seen - at a great price! Lunch ranges anywhere between $10 – $18, with dinner entrees starting as low as $12.

 The room was a blend of families, skiers fresh off the slopes, business meetings and a few romantic couples at the bar. With a setting this beautiful, it’s the perfect setting for any group or occassion.

After our meals, we went upstairs to tour the Inn portion of the West Shore. If you’re looking for prime lodging with a more intimate feel, this is the place for you. All suites are approximately 500sq ft and feature fireplaces, flat-screen TVs, down comforters, soy bamboo micro fiber robes, and most importantly, a deck overlooking Lake Tahoe.

For more information on the West Shore Cafe and Inn, check out their website: http://www.skihomewood.com/westshorecafe.

Featured on the Travel Channel and the Food Network, the hugely popular restaurant Hash House a Go Go is coming to the Biggest Little City.  Hash House a Go Go is a unique and lively restaurant that serves farm fresh food with a funky,modern twist.  Established in San Diego in 2000, the eatery has opened three new locations, all in Las Vegas, and now a fifth location will be added inside Harrah’s Reno , opening April 2011. 

The atmosphere is just as tasteful as the menu, with country-style décor mixed with an urban flair.  Centered on a philosophy of farm fresh food with an entertaining twist, breakfast includes favorites such as farm scrambles, flapjacks, and the hot sticky granola and meatloaf hash.  Lunch offers up their famous one pound hash house burgers, which features two patties stuffed with everything from apple-smoked bacon to mashed potatoes.  The outrageous dinner menu includes items such as chili-crusted Indiana maple leaf duck breasts and braised slow-cooked barbecue pork ribs.  The restaurant is probably best known for its sage-fried chicken, complete with a hardwood smoked bacon waffle tower. 

“With a long list of restaurant awards and accolades adding up, Hash House a Go Go is an exciting addition to downtown Reno,” said Tim Tretton, Director of Operations for Harrah’s Reno.  “We are extremely excited to have them as a new business partner. This is sure to be the new go-to breakfast spot in town.”

Hash House a Go Go will operate as a 24/7 restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and offering room service.   Hash House a Go Go will replace Café Napa, the current 24 hour coffee shop on the casino’s property.   Café Napa will close officially on February 21, and reopen as Hash House a Go Go in late April. 

For more information on Hash House a Go Go, please visit www.hashhouseagogo.com.

-Tom Crist

Did you know Reno is home to the state of Nevada’s only accredited art museum ? The Nevada Museum of Art in downtown Reno is home to the likes of Picasso, Warhol and Raphael – just to name a few. Did you also know that the museum houses a delicious cafe open to the public for lunch? Next time you plan a lunch rendevous, consider doing it among the most talented minds from around the world.

Starting in February, Café Musée is extending its hours Wednesday through Sunday, 11am to 4:30pm. The delicious lunch menu will be available until 3pm. After lunch, from 3:00-4:30pm, house-marinated olives, a cheese, nut and cracker plate, a cup or bowl of soup, and espresso drinks with seasonal coffee specials will be offered along with cookies, brownies and several home-made sweets.

A “What’s Hot” wine selection will be introduced in the Café each month – in February guests can enjoy Sauvignon Blanc from C.G. DiArie, Barbera from Boeger, and Sangiovese from Noceto – all benchmarks in their varietal from Amador and Eldorado Counties. In March, Chilean wines will be featured.

On Saturdays and Sundays, a selection of brunch specials – including a Southwest Breakfast Wrap, a Breakfast pizza, and a Breakfast sandwich – will be offered.

That’s not all! Museum Members now enjoy a 10% discount to on food and beverages in Café Musee, excluding special wine pricing. Members need to show a valid membership card to take advantage of this new member benefit.

SPECIAL EVENTS:

**During the Leo Villareal exhibition, the Café will be serving light dinners, drinks, coffees and deserts during three special events planned:

• March 24 – DJ Terrain (aka David Bobzien) from 6-7:30pm
• April 28 – Original Composition / Electronic Music 6-6:45pm
• May 19 – Original Choreographed Dance performance 6-6:45pm

Café Musee will be open for light meals from 4:30pm-7:00pm those nights. Reservations for each evening can be made at 329.3323.

- Rachel Milon

The Lone Eagle Grille takes my breath away each time I visit. Step inside for a second and you’ll see why it’s so popular with the locals. The Lone Eagle Grille literally sits on the shore of North Lake Tahoe, with a private beach right outside its windows for guests of the Grille and the Hyatt Regency Resort at Lake Tahoe.

The mouth-watering dessert depicted in this blog was taken just a few months ago while enjoying a late afternoon lunch there.

Today the Lone Eagle Grille announced it has reopened after undergoing a $700,000 renovation – just in time for Thanksgiving weekend!

Here is additional information on the renovation straight from the Grille’s press release sent this afternoon:

“Led by CSS Architecture, Lone Eagle Grille’s fresh alpine design updates have added polish to the lounge’s signature mountain lodge style. Changes will enhance the existing classic rustic style: lengthened bar, new low-backed leather lounge chairs, communal tables and plush couches, carpeting, artwork, antler chandeliers, and a warm color scheme. Seating has increased to approximately 58. Also included in the renovations, the resort’s Lakeside Ballroom will be completed in December.”

If you haven’t experienced the lakefront, premiere dining available only at the Lone Eagle Grille, what are you waiting for? The picture featured here is of the Great Room before the remodel. Come see the new look!

Lone Eagle Grille is featuring a delectable menu for Thanksgiving which includes a four-course prix fixe lunch from 12pm – 3:30pm ($55/pp), and a six-course prix fixe dinner from 4pm – 9pm ($70/pp). Special menu for children 12 and under. Menu choices include: Roasted Turkey with Sausage & Hazelnut Stuffing with Madeira; Grilled Salmon with Lobster Whipped Potatoes and Dill Butter; Black Truffle Stuffed Scallop with Cucumber and Watercress; plus, Mincemeat Tart with Cinnamon Ice Cream, Pumpkin Pie with Spiced Whipped Cream, and more. For reservations, visit www.loneeaglegrille.com or call 775.886.6899.

RIM inside Grand Sierra Resort and Casino (GSR) offers a delectable bill of fare for its all-you-can-eat sushi lunch special, served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

Guests may choose from a wide assortment of delicious selections including raw sushi: Maguro (tuna), Hamachi (yellowtail), Hirame (halibut) or Tako (octopus). To add a different twist to the mix, cooked sushi choices include: Ebi (shrimp) or Unagi (grilled freshwater eel).  Diners may also relish in specialty rolls such as RIM’s Tiger, Sierra and Ryomo rolls; or Yellow California, 49ers or its St. Patrick rolls. Other options are the New York, Spider, Dragon and Red Bell Pepper rolls.

RIM’s all-you-can-eat lunch special is $19.95 and offered 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The all you-can-eat dinner special is $24.95 and offered 3 p.m. to close daily. In addition, RIM is offering 2-for-1 meal specials for a limited time. For reservations, call 775.789.1661.

Located in restaurant row at GSR, RIM is open Sunday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.

-Melanie Shafer

On Monday, September 27, dine alfresco with your pooch on the patio of the Wild River Grille and a portion from each entree will be donated to the SPCA of Northern Nevada, a non-profit charity and Reno’s only no-kill animal shelter. The SPCA’s primary mission is to rescue animals from their municipal shelter and provide them with second chances to find a new home.

Since July, Wild River Grille has donated $1,200 to the Shakespeare Animal Fund and $900 to the Northern Nevada Humane Society through their weekly summer event.

“Wild River Grille is a pet-friendly establishment and dogs are always allowed on our expansive Riverside patio. This event has become such a success over the last 3 years, and this Monday will be the last dinner of the Summer,” said Valerie Moore, administrative assistant.

For more information on Dinner with your Dog at the Wild River Grille on the Riverwalk in downtown Reno call 775-284-7455, visit www.wildrivergrille.com or e-mail info@wildrivergirlle.com.

-Chuck Shapiro

It’s a typical scenario: you arrive in Reno, your stomach is yelling at you, but you don’t want to make a rash decision that will make your taste buds unhappy. If you’re like the rest of us and want to experience the truly authentic and unique side of the Biggest Little City - the side only the locals can show you –  take a look below. The Food Network has stopped by some of Reno’s most loved and mouth-watering restaurants, and they know a thing or two about a good meal! Bon appetit!

Louis’ Basque Corner: Beware of the Picon Punch ! (1 picon, 2 picon, 3 picon – floor.)

The Gold N’ Silver Inn: Where you can bet on being called “honey” at least once.

Dish Café: Fresh, organic and fun!

The Squeeze In: Who says size matters?!