Keeping you informed of Northern Nevada and Lake Tahoe/Truckee’s local food-and-drink news.
As we roll into summer, Reno-Tahoe is heavy on updates. We have a lot to celebrate this season — including new restaurants, big awards, and some serious nationwide designations telling us what we already know about our local food scene: It’s dope. Looks like Reno is having no trouble standing up to bigger cities in the nation, and — lucky us — we get to enjoy the efforts right here in our own backyard!
Openings
Here we are with a batch of brand-new restaurants and drink shops to try in the Reno metro area.
We have a lot of coffee news to share. The Garden looks like it fell out of a dreamy rom-com, either set in a big city or a sleepy country town. The flower-shop-meets-coffeehouse sells fresh bouquets and other plant goods, plus Hub Coffee Roasters sippers and Rounds Bakery grub. The charming space has ample seating so you can hang for a while on big comfy couches and, if you have an upcoming soirée, event planners share the space as well.
Hand Craft Coffee Co. took over the space on Wells Avenue in Reno that was previously occupied by Code Coffee, after serving at Tesla for the past four years. The new coffeehouse opened on Jan. 29, serving a variety of espresso-based drinks, teas, small bites, fresh pastries, and more. There’s also merch for sale. Code Coffee said farewell in September 2021. A heartfelt announcement on Facebook included the promise of a break and not a permanent goodbye from the community-focused brand.
Downtown, Café Con Papi is another new name on the block. The coffeehouse serving cups of joe with Mexican flair opened in February. With brick walls painted black and erupting with colorful murals that nod to the culture, the space is more than you’d expect from the outside.
Come in for signature lattes, hot and iced drinks, teas, and baked sweets, including slices of pie and cake.
No City Coffee made its home upstairs in the Great Basin Community Food Co-Op. The doors opened on March 7, serving a collection of signature coffee drinks and traditional Italian beverages. The newbie comes from a Reno native and previous owner of Black Spring Coffee, an Oakland-based coffeehouse that closed in 2020.
Vino’s Pizza started in Carson City in 2002, but in January, the pizza restaurant opened a second location in Sparks. Tucked in the D’Andrea marketplace, it offers pizza, salads, insalatas, and more for dine in, pickup, or delivery.
Cluckers, owned by Joe Orduna and Anthony Coltrin, opened its Midtown Reno doors to much fanfare in April, doling out fried chicken sandwiches, delicious wings, French fries, and other goods to patrons. The eatery is located next door to Press Start, so you can play and nosh or come just for the food.
La Condesa, a fusion restaurant with an expansive patio, opened in late March, also on Wells Avenue. The eclectic menu includes specialties with Asian, Italian, and Spanish influences, served alongside a selection of inventive cocktails.
It has been a long and arduous wait for R Town Pizza, but the promise of Detroit-style pies in Reno has kept us trolling the upcoming restaurant’s Facebook page for updates, which the owner is good at giving. Opened on March 27, the eatery serves craft beer and cocktails plus ice cream sandwiches, as well as its signature dish.
In Carson City, Eve’s Eatery sparked conversation when it announced it would open its breakfast/lunch concept in a historic Carson City building (402 N. Carson St.). Since mid-January, husband-and-wife team Francisco and Evelyn Espinoza have been serving handcrafted dishes, including pizza, pasta, and pastries in their modern American restaurant. One standout on the menu is the red velvet chicken and waffles. The duo plans to include pop-up fine dining dinners at the location to showcase chef Francisco’s varied strengths.
On the Horizon
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when a new restaurant will get to open its doors to the public, but we have a couple hoping to join the scene by the time this issue hits stands. Check below for the newest announcements, but it’s a good idea to double check they’ve met their deadline before heading in for a visit.
Elixir Superfood & Juice is hopeful for a June 1 opening. The Mammoth Lakes-based business that specializes in quick service, healthy and organic salads, rice bowls, smoothies, and cold-pressed juice will open its first Reno outpost at 20 California Ave., which used to be a Kinko’s. At the helm are Karla and Charles Perry, the former of whom is a certified nutritionist with ties to the area from her time as a student at University of Nevada, Reno and serving the local community at Great Basin Brewing Co. in Sparks.
Rebel Pioneer Bakery started as a boutique cottage bakery, but the first storefront for the organic bakery is expected to open in May or June. Making cakes for every occasion, the bakery’s owner uses honest ingredients, with no artificial colors or flavors, hydrogenated oils, or heavily processed items.
Bighorn Tavern in Reno announced on March 13 that it will open a second location in the Shops at Bartley Ranch (across from Bartley Ranch Regional Park) in Reno, where Simon’s Café & Lounge used to be. No details on the opening date were available at press time.
Nevada Museum of Art is getting a culinary shakeup. Chez louie, a Mark Estee-headed restaurant, is headed out, and The Cafe by Roundabout run by Roundabout Catering, owned by duo MaryBeth and Colin Smith, will come in as of May 2. They will take over food service in the museum’s downstairs eatery, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tues. – Sun.
Closures
It’s always sad to say goodbye to restaurants we love. This list includes recent closures of eateries both old and new, but whether they’ve been with us for decades or just a year or two, the farewell stings just the same.
Shocking many, Bently Heritage Estate Distillery in Minden suddenly closed its doors for good in March. The owner is relocating to Scotland and put the distillery and ranch up for sale for a cool $260 million. Whoever buys it won’t receive rights to the Bently Heritage name. On March 1, edible Reno-Tahoe scooped the press, making the announcement of the closure and sale on its social media pages, based on reports from anonymous sources.
EmPIEnada said goodbye to its brick-and-mortar location after about a year in business. It will cease operation of the food truck as well. The restaurant’s owner announced the news on social media in March, citing staffing shortages as the reason for the closure.
The owner of Sierra Foods Market announced a liquidation sale in March to sell off groceries before closing for good. The owner, Dave Asher, is hoping to downsize to a smaller space. The local-product-first market, located in Reno Town Mall, opened in the summer of 2021. A positive aspect from the closure is the owner is taking the liquor license from Sierra Foods Market and using it at his other business, Nevada Marketplace, also in Old Town Mall. That allows him to expand his Made in Nevada section with local alcohol products.
Notable Mentions
We bet we’re not the only ones brimming with pride at the noteworthy neighbors in our Reno-Tahoe culinary community. Put your hands together for these awesome accomplishments to show your support for major career milestones.
The James Beard Foundation made some exciting announcements in the local food world, giving credit to two Reno chefs and acknowledging them as finalists for the nonprofit’s Restaurant and Chef Awards semi-finals. The honor was bestowed on Troy Cannan, chef/co-owner of LuLou’s Restaurant, and Kwok Chen, chef/owner of Kwok’s Bistro. They are nominees for the Best Chef category for the Southwest region. The last Reno chef to receive recognition from James Beard was Mark Estee in 2013. The James Beard Foundation awards are the food world’s equivalent to the Oscars. Winners will be announced June 13. We are crossing our fingers that one of our nominees wins.
U.S. News & World Report doled out some serious accolades to both the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino and the Resort at Squaw Creek. Recognized under the publication’s Best Hotels awards, the Tahoe businesses received a Silver Badge, ranking fourth and fifth respectively on the Best Hotels in Lake Tahoe list.
In March, Tom Kulas was announced as the new operations manager of the University of Nevada, Reno Experiment Station’s Wolf Pack Meats. In his position, Kulas will oversee the facility’s operations, including the slaughter, processing, and packaging of livestock to include beef, lamb, sheep, swine, and goat.
Some of us have had the opportunity to visit the newly opened Midtown Spirits Wine & Bites, but as of March, the experience got a whole lot better. Amanda Flangas, who co-owns the business, announced that the venue will offer live music and the availability of the full menu starting March 10.
Locally loved Gino the Soup Man is blowing up! The Reno-based soup-preneur has expanded his operations nationwide. In addition to finding his goods at Whole Foods, you also now can sign up for a Soupscription if you want his delicious creations delivered right to your door.
Yelp is recognizing some of Reno’s best businesses. News of Dopo Pizza & Pasta, formerly known as Food + Drink, ranking as the 12th best U.S. restaurant has quickly made its rounds. In February, the online review site then announced Smiling with Hope Pizza as the third best pizza restaurant in the U.S.
Now in local booze news, we are excited to announce that The Depot’s co-owner/distiller, Brandon Wright, won three silver medals (for the High Country Gin, Barrel Rested High Country Gin, and Renovation Rye Whiskey) and one double gold for the Fremont Straight Bourbon Whiskey at the San Francisco International Spirits Competition in early April. All four spirits entered by the Reno distillery/brewery medaled.
And FiftyFifty Brewing Co. in Truckee cleaned up in late March at the Best of Craft Beer Awards, the third largest pro brewing competition in North America. Its Tahoe Pilz came home with the silver in the Bohemian Pilsner category, Peak Pilz took gold in Hop Forward Lagers, and Eclipse’s George Dickel barrel blend took gold in Wood- & Barrel-Aged Stouts, and the Vanilla Rye blend in the Wood- & Barrel-Aged Specialty Stouts category.
Sad Farewells
We’re always sad to report when our community loses one of its own. This year has brought us the loss of a man who left a mark on the food community. Jeff Braido, the former co-owner of Reno’s Braido’s Deli Café with his wife, Melinda, died unexpectedly on Jan. 30. He was 58 years old.
Truckee/Tahoe News
It’s not just Reno that’s worthy of big announcements. Our Tahoe and Truckee communities are making waves all their own, with new restaurants, a kismet takeover, and big celebrations ushering in summer.
Sapori Italian Kitchen opened in Harrah’s Lake Tahoe in late 2021. In addition to the infamous mushroom ravioli popular for diners at La Strada in Eldorado Resort (part of the Carano family’s Caesars Entertainment empire), the menu is filled with other pasta dishes, seafood, and mains.
The historic Cottonwood Restaurant sold last fall and is undergoing a few changes, including a revamped menu and focus on happy hour specials. Did you know the owners are old friends with a history at the establishment? Chris St. Martin and Ryan Dierks, who own the West River Hospitality Group, bartended at the restaurant together before deciding to purchase it years later.
Fox & Hound celebrated a big anniversary in February, marking 30 years of serving the Stateline community. Along with the warmer weather, our food-and-drink scene also is hot. We have a feeling this is just the beginning for summer announcements coming from Reno, Carson Valley, Truckee, Tahoe, and beyond.
And until next time, remember to eat, drink, and support local. Cheers!
Nora Heston Tarte is a longtime Reno resident. You can follow her local exploits and travel adventures on Instagram @Wanderlust_n_wine.
