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

You will find yourself asking that when you walk into Smokin’ Gecko’s inside the Circus Circus Reno for the new ginormous Ultimate BBQ Platter. When we say “ginormous”, we mean it! For only $12.99,  you’ll receive a platter filled with a variety of  rubbed, marinated and slow-cooked BBQ, all of which can’t possibly fit into even an over sized platter! 

The Ultimate BBQ platter includes BBQ spare ribs, BBQ pulled pork and BBQ chicken, French fries, coleslaw,  and cornbread with a full selection of house-made BBQ sauces so you can add more or taste test all four!

 The Ultimate BBQ Platter is available seven days a week for lunch from 11:30 am – 2 p.m. and dinner starting at 5 p.m. Warning: upon tasting the mouthwatering platter, you will likely seek BBQ for both lunch and dinner on a regular basis! 

The chefs of Smokin’ Gecko’s put their creative talents to task to offer four deliciously different sauces, all with Sierra Nevada Pale Ale as a base. Honey BBQ is the basic mild and sweet sauce, Kansas City choice is a mild Kansas City-style sauce, Memphis Medium is a tangier Memphis-style flavor, and Smokin’ Gecko’s HOT has a kick to it with molasses and cayenne pepper blended with Pale Ale to create the hottest of the four. 

For more information visit the Circus Circus website, www.circusreno.com, or call 775.329.0711.

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.

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?!

As I read through the reviews on Yelp, there’s definitely a recurring theme for those who have dared to step inside one of the newer international restaurants in Reno. The reviewers write that they were “unsure of what to expect” and “resistant” to the idea of eating at Naan & Kabab etc. Much to everyone’s surprise, it seems, their taste buds were pleased.

Since it’s opening on Valentine’s Day 2009, Naan & Kabab etc. has captured the hearts of its customers – 85% of which are repeat visitors.

Owner Chef Maurice describes his menu as a “journey of flavors” through authentic Mediterranean cuisine, the kind he grew up eating with his family in Tehran. The Mediterranean steak, for example, includes a wide array of flavors like saffron, cinnamon and coffee.

Chef Maurice was born to a Jewish family that had fled Bolshevik Russia and later Azerbaijan. When he was 17, he left for California, taking a job in a roadside steakhouse for 95 cents an hour. The story goes that one day, the hard-drinking head chef was too intoxicated to cook, so Maurice stepped up and prepared a steak and eggs breakfast for one of the most critical customers. Chef Maurice says the customer said it was the best breakfast he’d ever had, leaving a 25 cent tip. ”A 20 percent tip, huge for those days!’ Maurice recalled. ”That’s when I knew cooking was my passion.”

While Chef Maurice’s career took him throughout California, he was no stranger to Reno. He had a vacation home in Reno that he visited several times a year. He had always dreamed of opening his own restaurant, so when he “retired” in 2009 from restaurant operations in Northern California, he opened Naan & Kabab etc. in Reno.

Chef Maurice (always donning his chef hat) is a friendly man who takes much pride in his food, his culture and his establishment. Each night he makes the rounds and greets every one of his customers. He’s filled with colorful stories from his childhood, describing elaborate potluck dinners with the families with whom he shared his apartment building in Tehran.

Chef Maurice boasts healthy, fresh meals with all natural ingredients. Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of the menu is the ability to get a delicious, three-course meal for only $8.95! (This offer is available every day from 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) The dining room of Naan & Kabab etc. is cozy and friendly, and the staff hasn’t changed since it opened over one year ago.

Check it out for yourself at 2740 S. Virginia St. Reno, Nevada 89502 or take a virtual tour on their Web site. 

Friday and Saturday nights you can enjoy a belly dancing show, and be sure to try their signature dessert, the “Awesome Dude Baklava”; a saffron ice cream with pistachios, vanilla, rose water and pieces of cream topped with baklava chunks.

Sitting on the exact location where Reno began in 1859, the newly renovated River Room in the historical Riverside Hotel is now open for business. Chuck and Jan Shapiro, owners of the thriving Wild River Grille, expanded their business into the space previously occupied by “Dreamers Coffee”.

The River Room has now doubled the size of the Wild River Grille, known for its creative cuisine, extensive wine list and picturesque spot along the Truckee River.

The River Room will continue the Grille’s tradition of live music, entertainment and exceptional hospitality. The new operation will employ up to 50 people during peak season, creating 20 new jobs. The new venue features vibrant décor that celebrates the history and significance of the site. Oversized images from the Nevada Historical Society frame the windows and an enormous image of the old Reno Arch covers the back wall. A fresh and creative menu accompanies the new space.

In the evening you can expect classic infused cocktails, martinis and the new “Ring Toss”, the River Rooms Signature Drink. (Homage to the Reno legend of newly-divorced women tossing their rings into the Truckee River from the Virginia Street Bridge.)

The menu also showcases a tempting array of small plate options and desserts such as brie potstickers, short ribs, and espresso mousse. “In the coming months we will also include a daytime cafe offering fresh sandwiches, salads, pastries and espresso.” said Chuck Shapiro, Owner of Wild River Grille and the River Room.

“Since 2007, we have been a proud part of the urban renewal going on in Reno,” said owner Chuck Shapiro.  “Our patrons enjoy a restaurant where they can meet up with friends to enjoy great food and drink, while celebrating the art and music renaissance of the Riverwalk. We are very excited to offer an additional space for dining, entertainment and relaxation.”

The building, a Frederick DeLongchamps design and on the National Historic Register, was saved from demolition and renovated in 2000 by the City of Reno and Artspace Projects of Minneapolis to create live/workspace for local artists. “We are delighted that the Wild River Grille has decided to expand into the space,” said Will Law, Chief Executive Officer of Artspace. “It is a successful example of a local business that strives to serve the needs of the community within and around the Artists Lofts.”

Check out the River Room at 17 S. Virginia Street or call 775-284-7224.

Greg Hoch, Founder and President of Tahoe Creamery, has been making ice cream his entire life. His father started The Shady Glen of Manchester family creamery in Connecticut in 1952, and Hoch says he never missed a day of work in 21 years. When Hoch started his own family, he decided it was time to branch out and take a stab at making ice cream on his own.

Hoch credits the Northern Nevada Development Authority for convincing him to move his family across the country and make a home in Nevada. Hoch had been considering three states with “an extended ice cream season” and says “they made the best approach”. With over 300 days of sunshine in Northern Nevada, it certainly seemed like a safe bet. “In 2000, we moved out here [Minden] and by June 14, 2002 we made our first batch of Tahoe Creamery ice cream,” Hoch said.

While Hoch grew up in New England, he was no stranger to Reno Tahoe. “I was a ski freak. I started skiing at 16. When most kids were dumping their money on hot rods, I was saving all of my money to go on a ski strip out West. I knew Tahoe was going to be it, it had everything I wanted,” Hoch said.

Tahoe Creamery officially opened in 2004 and has been picking up major steam since then. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the creamery operates for 109 days straight. Tahoe Creamery boasts all natural ingredients with recipes older than 60 years. Having grown up in an era when ice cream was celebrated for being smooth, rich and creamy, Hoch says Tahoe Creamery strives to create a palate pleasing ice cream that would make your grandmother proud.

In a small warehouse in Minden, Nevada, Tahoe Creamery has six full-time employees and nine part-time, and produces up to 2,000 pints of ice cream per week. There are 120 total flavors, with 8 signature flavors in rotation year-round. The seasonal specials include peach in the spring, pumpkin in the fall and peppermint in the winter.

You can find Tahoe Creamery in Northern Nevada convenience stores, 7 Eleven, Save Mart, Raley’s, Sak ‘n Save, Smith’s, Scolari’s, Whole Foods and even in Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods in Northern California.

For the old fashioned experience, check out Tahoe Creamery scoop shops inside Grandma’s Fudge Factory in Virginia City, the Gear & Grind Café in Tahoe City and Klunkers at 15 Eagle Canyon Dr Sparks, Nevada.

For more information, visit Tahoe Creamery’s Web site.

Tour of Tahoe Creamery: Reno Tahoe YouTube Channel

Squaw Valley is known worldwide as a bastion of athletic extremism. On Friday, April 23rd, extremists of another sort showcase their talents at the Mamasake Sushi and Wasabi Eating Nationals.

Mamasake, the hip, popular Squaw Valley eatery located at Fountain Court in the heart of the Village at Squaw Valley, is known for its daily $5 happy hour special “Beer and a Hand Roll.”  They also offers a fantastic sushi menu and a large variety of beers on tap as well as 15 different types of sake, and innovative sake cocktails. Serving modern and traditional sushi, sashimi, and hand rolls, nigri, and cold and cooked tapas. This is a popular spot for local’s and visitors alike.

The restaurant’s annual spring competition consists of two categories. The sushi-eating contest pits the contestant against the clock and a lot of sushi. The competitor who devours the most handrolls within five minutes running time claims the top podium.

During the wasabi eating event competitors go head to head chewing increasing amounts of wasabi until a winner has left his opponent crying in their sake.

Celebrity judges have not been announced yet but usually consist of very notable Ski, and Snowboard personalities add to the festivities.

The event starts at 4:20 p.m. on the Mamasake patio. Registration begins at 3:30 p.m. Entries are limited in each category. Prizes are awarded to finalists. The public is invited to attend this eye-watering competition. All ages are welcome. Libations and food are available, including an all-day $5 beer and hand roll and other specials.

Mamasake opens daily at 11:30 p.m. For more information call Mamasake at (530) 584-0110

The popular Food Network show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives will feature Reno’s very own DISH café this Monday, March 29 at 10:00PM ET/PT. (That’s 7PM Pacific Time for those of you still doing the math.)

Food Network Host Guy Fieri’s perpetual search for the best fresh and funky restaurants in the country, landed him in three Reno restaurants in January; DISH Café, The Gold ‘N Silver Inn and Louis’ Basque Corner.

Monday’s episode will feature one of Fieri’s favorite San Francisco spots, a diner in North Carolina serving up whole turkeys and DISH Café in Reno, making home-made granola.

DISH Café’s road to national TV started way back in 2008, when show producers began their search for candidates. A DISH Café employee happened to be near the production headquarters in Minnesota at the time, and delivered samples of granola and baked goods. It wasn’t until January of 2010 that Guy Fieri waltzed into the café and spent two days filming.

“It took a lot of preparation. I wanted it to be perfect, but once they were here, even though they were on a tight schedule, it was easy to relax because the crew was so laid back,” said Nancy Horn, owner of DISH Café. “It was definitely a dream come true. I’ve known that I wanted a restaurant since I was six years old. Cooking is my passion and my dream is to teach on TV and write cookbooks. This was a very informative and exciting experience.”

DISH Café & Catering is known for its upscale comfort food made from fresh, local organic ingredients. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. See why Fieri thought they were worthy of the national spotlight and check them out at 855 Mill Street, Monday through Friday.

Lake Tahoe’s first-ever Restaurant Week showcases High Sierra fine dining, giving local food aficionados and visitors an opportunity to enjoy the best in mountain cuisine Sunday, September 5 (Labor Day weekend) through Sunday, September 12.

There are no passes, tickets or coupons needed to take part in Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week. Instead guests simply visit their favorite participating restaurants – both new and established eateries and bistros are taking part – offering three-course, prix-fixe menus throughout the Tahoe-Truckee region for $20, $30 and $40 per person.

“Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week was designed to put the spotlight on the stellar chefs and charming restaurants that make up the Tahoe-Truckee dining scene,” said Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week Event Producer Pettit Gilwee. “Many of which are located in historic venues and provide menus based on local, organic and seasonal cuisine. But the event is also geared to hit home Lake Tahoe’s idyllic fall season, with its spectacular foliage and warm weather that makes for fantastic hiking, kayaking, mountain biking and other outdoor activities.”

According to Gilwee,  “The visitor doesn’t know state lines and they sure don’t know county lines. And if they do, they don’t care. They know Lake Tahoe, and Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week is intended to give them another reason to extend their vacation plans or visit during a non-traditional time of year to take part in something we all love to do – eat fantastic food!”
“Special events sell a destination,” said Executive Director Carol Chaplin of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “It motivates potential guests who might be thinking about booking Tahoe to actually take that next step and do it.”

Lake Tahoe officially got on the foodie map 25 years ago with the inception of the Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival, a three-day event that provides cooking seminars with celebrity chefs, private wine tastings and a gourmet marketplace. This year, the annual event is scheduled for the later part of Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week, September 10-12, outside at the Village at Northstar. The food fare continues into October with the Truckee Wine, Walk & Shop (October 2), Passport to Dining (October 7) in Kings Beach and the Tahoe Chocolate Festival (November) in Crystal Bay.

To learn more about Lake Tahoe Restaurant Week, a list of participating dining establishments and menus, sponsorship opportunities, and how to take part, visit www.TahoeRestaurantWeek.com or call Pettit Gilwee at 530-583-2138.