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.
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
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
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.
Celebrity judges have not been announced yet but usually consist of very notable Ski, and Snowboard personalities add to the festivities.
Drink one 
Basque in Northern Nevada: