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

Orozko Lounge in John Ascuaga’s Nugget offers the world’s super-premium tequila brands along with delicious tapas, every Friday night from 5 to 8 p.m. – a great way to toast the work week’s end! Half-price shots of select premium tequila will be featured each week in addition to 2-for-1 flavored Margaritas. 

Tequila tasters can sample from among famous makers such as Tres GeneracionesAnejo, Reposado and Plata; Patron Silver and Anejo Gold; CorralejoAnejo and Reposado, Cabo WaboBlanco; HerraduraAnejo and Reposado; Partida Silver and many others. Tequila Fridays beverage menu also features flavored Margaritas: strawberry, peach, mango, Midori, raspberry, blueberry and pomegranate.

A wide choice of mixed drinks rounds out the selection, including The Basque Flag, the Mexican Hurricane, and Tara’s Triple Platinum Margarita, a limoncello version of Long Island Ice Tea.

Orozko Lounge’s “Over the Top Tapas” menu changes weekly, with offerings like Ahi Poke with Won Ton Chips, Artichoke and Goat Cheese Fritters, Lime Infused Pork with Grilled Sea Scallop, and Oven Roasted Beet Carpaccio salad with Maytag Bleu Cheese.

Those who like to share their love of tequila can sample any of Orozko’s Amigo Specialties, like Beto’s Blue Diablo, 44 ounces of pure pleasure in a Nugget souvenir glass (with two straws!) or the Orozko-Rita. Both drinks feature 1800 brand tequila.

If you’re planning a trip Orozko Wednesday through Saturday, here’s what’s going on!

Wednesdays Every Wednesday night from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. is Nugget Jazz Night featuring nationally-known jazz recording artists in the Orozko Lounge. There is no cover charge for these events. Schedule is available at janugget.com.

Thursdays Every Thursday night from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. is Wine Tasting Thursdays featuring top wines from all over the world specially paired with delicious tapas created by our world-class culinary team. It’s only $20 per person for this gourmet wine and food experience.

Saturdays Saturday night is The Ultimate Martini Bar at the Orozko Lounge from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. Orozko’s famous signature and ultra premium martinis are only $5 each.

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.

Are you looking for a way to unwind this weekend? Grand Sierra Resort (GSR) and Charlie Palmer are hosting the first Napa’s Backyard May 14 – 15, a culinary event celebrating Sierra Nevada’s access to the country’s most abundant growing regions. In other words, it’s an event filled with great local food and wine.

Reno is just a short drive from the heart of wine country and also home to Tahoe Ridge Winery, a Nevada born and bred winery. The weekend’s event will feature 20 wineries from Northern California (T-W-E-N-T-Y!) and several events and competitions that will provide behind-the-scenes access for guests to toast and taste their way through Napa’s Backyard. Proceeds from the event and silent auction will benefit C*A*R*E Chest of Sierra Nevada, a northern Nevada nonprofit agency serving individuals in need by providing medical resources, free of charge.

Schedule:            Backyard Brawl

6 – 9 p.m. Friday May 14 in the Summit Pavilion at GSR

Tickets are $60 per person; VIP tables available by calling 1.829.CARE, prices vary.

The Backyard Brawl is a tasting match-up to award the best food and wine pairing. Sixty of the finest wineries from Northern California will be paired with 20 different dishes created by Charlie Palmer chefs. Join the brawl to see who wins “top pairing” in the People’s Choice and media categories. 

Backyard Crawl

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday May 15, poolside at The Beach at Grand Sierra

Tickets are $30

Fifteen local mixologists will blend their favorite libations for the Backyard Crawl competition sponsored by Tito’s “All American” Vodka. Rain or shine, guests will sample Hog Island Oysters, BBQ favorites and try their hand at mastering the art of the perfect cocktail with a build-your-own fresh-market Bloody Mary bar.

Did someone say THREE scoops of Baskin-Robbins® ice cream for UNDER $1?

AND proceeds benefit a great cause! Sign me up!

Just in time for dinner tonight, Baskin-Robbins® is featuring their 31 Cent Scoop Night (limit three scoops per person) and the Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation is donating $100,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation™(NFFF).  The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation remembers America’s fallen heroes and assists their families. The organization provides firefighters with training to prevent deaths in the line of duty and offers the public information to prevent fires in our communities. At some locations, you may also have an opportunity to make a donation to your local fire charities.

The event runs from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 2010.

Here is a list of our local Baskin-Robbins®

2875 Northtowne Lane
Reno, NV 89512

5150 Mae Anne Ave
Reno, NV 89523

1145 N. McCarran Blvd
Sparks, NV 89431

18120 Wedge Pkwy
Reno, NV 89511

3947 South Carson Street

Carson City, NV 89701

11260 Donner Pass Road

Truckee, CA‎ 96161

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.