Keeping you informed of local food-and-drink news.
De Leon Mexican Food
After an early morning fire in October, De Leon Mexican Food on California Avenue in Reno closed. A GoFundMe was started (and reposted to the restaurantโs Instagram page) to support the eateryโs efforts to get back up and running. For now the future of De Leon is still uncertain.
Pete Coscarart
The Carson City food community bid farewell to a beloved local. The owner of Villa Basque Cafรฉ and Deli, Pete Coscarart, died at 72. On Feb. 10, a celebration was held at the cafe.ย The restaurant will remain open, run by his son-in-law Josue Valladares. A community celebration of life is scheduled for Feb. 28 at Calvary Chapel in Carson City.
Buffalo Wild Wings
A take-out only Buffalo Wild Wings concept is coming to Reno in March. Called Buffalo Wild Wings GO, the Reno franchise location will be owned by Mayer Zahid, a long-time Reno resident who has also owned and operated other concepts in the area for more than 20 years, including El Pollo Loco and Blaze Pizza. The restaurant will open at 1901 Silverada Blvd. in the Silverada Shopping Center. Hours are currently set for Sunday through Thursday. Photo courtesy of Buffalo Wild Wings.
Ms. Finicky
A new bar is coming to California Avenue in Reno! Ms. Finicky is taking over Forest St. Station. Under new ownership, the 80s-style bar will blend music and cocktails to become a late night stop for locals and visitors alike.
The new space is co-owned by husband-and-wife team Andy and Donielle McMinn alongside their daughter Bella Chavez-McMinn. This is the familyโs first foray into the hospitality industry, and they are working with a hospitality consultantโMaverick Theoryโto get it up and running. Michael Tipps of Bar Rescue is also involved in the project. The remodel will be swift as Forest Street Station celebrates with a goodbye party on Feb. 14 and then says its final farewell on Feb. 20. A six-day turnaround is planned to completely transform the barโs theme with Ms. Finicky set to open to the public Feb. 26 with a grand opening party from 6-8 p.m.
Ms. Finicky has already been active on social media, eagerly teasing the new concept as they prepare to launch. You can follow along @foreststreetstation.
2026 Nevada Craft Beverage Passport
The 2026 Nevada Craft Beverage Passport is celebrating its fifth year. The new passport, filled with specials and stampable pages for many participating breweries, wineries, and distilleries throughout the state, celebrated the milestone with a release party at Bristlecone Brewing Co. in Reno on Jan. 30. It was an especially memorable location given the passport’s first release party was held in the same venue when it was IMBIB Brewery.
The passport is free and includes discounts for several participating businesses. It works as a way for Nevada residents to collect stamps while visiting participating craft beverage destinations. After receiving 10 stamps, passport-holders start winning prizes, including gift baskets, as well as tickets to Reno Rodeo, A Night in the Country concert festival, and 2027โs Brew HaHa.
The Nevada Craft Beverage Passport was created by the Nevada Department of Agriculture along with Made in Nevada and Travel Nevada. The goal is to increase support of the state’s agriculture and tourism industries as well as small businesses. There are 51 establishments included in the passport, which is free to patrons.
The release party included awards for those businesses that have participated all five years, including 10 Torr Distilling and Brewing, Alibi Ale Works, Big Dogโs Brewing Co., Black Rabbit Mead Company, Boulder Dam Brewing Co., Frey Ranch Distillery, Great Basin Brewing Co., High Mark Distillery, Kruze Road Winery, Lead Dog Brewing Co., Nevada Sunset Winery, North 5th Brewing Co., Revision Brewing Co., Schussboom Brewing Co., Shoetree Brewing Co., The Brewerโs Cabinet, and The Depot Craft Brewery Distillery.
Parlay 6 Brewing Co. + Lead Dog Brewing Co.
Parlay 6 Brewing Co. in Reno owners recently acquired a majority stake in Lead Dog Brewing Co. in Reno, taking over the brandโs day-to-day operations. However, itโs not a complete taproom takeover. Lead Dog ownership will remain active in the brandโs ongoing development and long-term planning. While the business is changing behind the scenes, customers shouldnโt expect a shift in the brewery experience. Beers from Parlay 6, Lead Dog, and Battle Born will be available at all locations, but the overall vibe and culture of each space will stay the same.
Fortune Palace
Fortune Palace is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026. The restaurant is offering 10% off of orders over $75 and 15% off orders over $150 to commemorate the occasion (drinks not included). The family-owned restaurant has been a favorite in Sparks for years, landing on various Best Of lists and receiving other media recognition over the years.
Tessieโs Cocktails & Chords
Leaders at Caesar’s Republic Lake Tahoe are working on phase two of the property’s $200 million renovation, including several beverage concepts set to open in summer 2026. Amongst those plans is Tessieโs Cocktails & Chords, a casino floor bar that will not only pay homage to Lake Tahoeโs resident loch ness monster but also feature live music, an elevated craft cocktail program, and extensive wine and beer list.
Tessieโs marks the second partnership between Caesarโs Entertainment and Clique Hospitality, with the first being a yacht rock speakeasy in Las Vegas named Caspianโs Cocktails and Caviar.
Additional bars coming to the Lake Tahoe resort include Alto Bar, Bar Centro, Celesteโs, and a new home for Dueling Pianos.
Lillo Eatery
Lillo Eatery, in the former site of Pola Poke Bowls, opened on Plumb Lane in Reno in March 2025. Less than one year later, the eatery shuttered for good, officially closing in January 2026. Brittany Walshaw owned both Lillo and Pola Poke. Shawn Giordano and his wife Marcia, who co-own Madein restaurant in Mayberry Landing in Reno, plan to open a new breakfast-and-lunch concept in the space in March of this year.
Rubicon Deli
Evan Corsiglia sold Rubicon Deli to Nate and Shane Dolan, according to Reno City Council minutes from Jan. 28. The brand originally opened in Lake Tahoe in 1993, established by Evanโs mother, Cheri Corsiglia. The Reno location has been operating since 2009.
Mochinut
Mochinut is bringing its second donut, boba, and Korean hotdog fast casual restaurant to Reno. The owners who purchased the franchise rights to the area originally bought two licenses and while the first Mochinut opened in January 2025 on Mae Anne Boulevard, the second location has been teased on social media as coming soon. City documents from last year suggest the new location will be at Shayden Summit Mall but weโre still waiting on an official announcement. Both shops are owned by Jeff Wang.
Calafuria
Tim Magee is looking for someone to take over ownership of his fresh Italian restaurant, Calafuria, which he owns with wife Cristina De Nigris and opened in Reno in 2016. Magee wants to focus on his new position as head chef of La Strada inside of the Eldorado Hotel Casino. He hopes to either sell the business, including the Calafuria name, or find someone to open a new spot in its space. Magee said he would not close Calafuria until heโs able to offload the business or the space. Thus, Calafuria will remain open under his leadership until a new owner is found. Photo by Shea Evans.
R Town Pizza and Papa What You Cooking featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives
Fans of Renoโs R Town Pizza were delighted to hear that the Detroit-style pie joint made it onย Diners, Drive-Ins and Divesย on Jan. 23. The Food Network episode was titledย Pizza, Pastrami, and Potato Skins. In addition, Renoโs Papa What You Cooking was featured onย Diners, Drive-Ins and Divesย on Jan. 30 with an episode calledย Southern, Sweets, and Spam. William Lyons, owner of Papa What You Cooking, made greens, cornbread, red beans and rice, and German chocolate cake for the episode.
