Reno-Tahoe

Drink one Picon Punch, and you might be alright. Drink two and they’ll call you a cab. Drink three and they might have to call the paramedics.

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

Where the Truckee River meets Reno in the Eastern Sierra, water isn’t the only thing that flows. Here, a lively community of breweries and pubs has sprung up, offering visitors to the gateway to the Nevada desert a place to quench their thirst with microbrew beers, listen to a few tunes and get a taste of fun.

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

This year the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa proudly hosts the 9th Annual Reno/Tahoe Winter Wine & Ski Expo.  On Thursday, January 29, Atlantis’ Grand Ballroom will be bustling with more than 50 wineries, microbreweries and local restaurants. Area ski resorts will be represented as well, and you can make a bid in the silent auction with more than 150 items from ski and snowboard gear, exceptional wine, fabulous dinners to luxury room stays!  The Winter Wine & Ski Expo kicks off at 6pm, you must be at least 21 years old. Tickets are $55 in advance or $65 at the door.  Get your tickets today at the Atlantis Gift Shop, Bobo’s Mogul Mouse, Whispering Vine or by calling (775) 824-4467 or toll free at (888) 551-7007 or online at www.heuga.org

All proceeds from the Reno/Tahoe Winter Wine & Ski Expo will help fund The Heuga Center for Multiple Sclerosis. The Heuga Center for Multiple Sclerosis, a nonprofit organization, leads the way with comprehensive programs that empower people and families living with MS to transform and improve their quality of life.

Participating Wineries Include:

• Ayama – South Africa
• Azamor – Portugal
• Basket Case Wine – Washington
• Bin 36 – Central Coast, CA
• Black Kite Cellars – Anderson Valley
• Bodegas Luis Alegre – Spain
• Calistoga Cellars – Napa Valley
• Carol Shelton Wines – Sonoma
• Corison Winery – Napa Valley
• Destino – Napa & Sonoma
• Eagle Eye – Napa Valley
• Elyse – Napa Valley
• Eric Guerra – Sonoma
• Field Vineyards – Sonoma
• The Four Graces – Oregon
• Four – Heraldsburg
• Four Vines – Paso Robles
• Godwin Family Vineyards – Alexander Valley
• Gregory Graham – Lake County
• Kathy Lynskey Wines – New Zealand
• Kukkula – Paso Robles
• Laird Family Estate – Napa Valley
• LaZarre Wines – Santa Marin Valley
• Londer – Anderson Valley
• Magnanimus Wine Group – Mendocino County
• Martin Estate – Napa Valley
• Mendelson Vineyards – Napa Valley
• Mettler Family Vineyard – Lodi
• Miner Family – Napa Valley
• Miro Cellars – Sonoma County
• Mount Aukum Winery – El Dorado County
• Mueller – Sonoma
• OLE Imports
• Opolo Vineyards – Paso Robles
• Petroni Vineyards – Napa Valley
• Quilici – Italy
• Ric Forman Wines – Napa Valley
• Rocca Family Vineyards – Napa Valley
• Round Pond – Napa Valley
• Sandholdt – Central Coast
• Sawyer Cellars – Napa Valley
• Schulz Cellars – Napa Valley
• Six Masters – Australia
• Slack Jaw – Lodi
• Suhr Luchtel – Napa Valley
• Talisman Cellars – Sonoma
• The Varietal – Global Distributor
• Tobia Vineyards – Napa Valley
• Twisted Oak – Calaveras County
• Villa Martina – Italy
• Vineyard 7&8 – St. Helena
• Windsor – Central Coast
• Watershed – Australia

Reno is still in recovery mode after a night of partying Saturday as hundreds of Santas converged on downtown during the Seventh Annual Reno Santa Pub Crawl.

More than two-dozen local nightlife hot spots participated with drink specials and music, while locals and visitors mingled in their Santa suits.

The night culminated with a gathering of the Santas under the iconic Reno Arch and shortly after the real Santa was on his way home to continue getting ready for Christmas Eve. Don’t worry, though, we got a picture of him. He’s the one in the red hat.

Reno’s newest redevelopment achievement, the West Street Market, has added another dimension to the culture of downtown, with a rotating farmers market, outdoor space for vendors and indoor space – currently under development – for local food, drink and retail businesses.

From its inception, the market has been developed to provide customers and sightseers a place to “Buy Fresh, Buy Local” foods and goods, stimulate an entrepreneurial town center, and create a venue for entertainment and educational events. The ambitious goals of the development are already becoming reality – it has already attracted A-list vendors and retailers, and the events are bringing good crowds.

Check out these great events:

• Saturday Farmers and Chefs Market
• Wednesday Eco-Market hosted by Nevada EcoNet
• Friday night Artisan Market hosted by the Holland Project
• Edible Landscape Demonstration Garden

The Indoor Market will open in October, with 15-18 permanent prepared food and fresh food vendors, artists, demonstrations, entertainment and education. The roofed indoor market features 8,494 square feet in three buildings, according to the City of Reno.

To see photos from the Holland Project, click here.

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Hello visitors and Reno residents!

It’s time for another installment of ERIN 411!, taking you around Reno-Tahoe to where the locals go and what the locals know!

First and foremost, here is “ERIN 411! The Best of Northern Nevada,” where I went around to my top picks from the Reno News & Review’s annual “Best Of” issue. Let me know if you agree with this year’s winners by posting a comment, or tell me your favorite places around Reno!

Next up, here’s something we’ve got going on that’s a bit alternative, a bit underground, and very wicked. It’s called Keep Reno Dirty, and it’s a house music movement. Reno freakin’ rocks!

Thanks for watching ERIN 411! The Show You Need To Know (because it’s awesome)