Nora Heston Tarte
Nora Heston Tarte is a longtime Reno resident with a passion for people and storytelling. In addition to food, her hobbies include wine, hiking, yoga, and travel. Nora has a master’s degree in professional journalism from University of Nebraska, Lincoln, where she teaches media ethics, travel writing, and other communication courses. You can follow her travel adventures and local exploits on her Instagram account at Wanderlust_n_wine.
Stories by Nora Heston Tarte
12 Cups of Cozy
A beloved coffeehouse can feel like a safe haven. Whether it’s your favorite corner shop or a place where the…
A Welcome Winter Lair
Tucked in California’s Sierra Nevada, in a tiny corner of Plumas County called Blairsden, sits The Brewing Lair, a wooded…
Globally Inspired Gift Baskets
From the thicketed banks of the Truckee River to the meandering alpine creeks atop Mount Rose, plump, ground-dwelling quail skitter…
Seasoned with Joy
We all know that the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. It’s an old chestnut for a reason:…
Careers on Wheels
It’s not just a food truck; it’s a career-readiness classroom on wheels. That’s how Lindsey Habtemicael, Boys & Girls Club…
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Beauty is in the eye of the produce holder. But farmers and other agriculture professionals, as well as people invested…
Is Alcohol Consumption Declining?
Going out doesn’t mean what it used to. Drinking alcohol once was a significant part of most lifestyles, but today’s…
Cheers to the Canyon
The Virginia & Truckee Railroad Co. (also called the V&T Railway) has been transporting passengers across Northern Nevada for more…
Barn-good Farm-to-Fork Meals
Tucked away in the town of Beckwourth, Calif., Sierra Valley Farms is a haven for visitors and locals alike. The…Toxic Tools
Black plastic cooking utensils recently have garnered national attention for their potentially toxic characteristics. These tools are accessible, easy to…
Bird in the Hand
Reno farm wishes happy quails to you. Quail eggs offer many health benefits over chicken eggs, says Serena Hehnke, co-owner…
Trout to Table
Fish for your dinner, then let the chef take over. People often frequent restaurants to avoid the shopping, prep, and…Date-Night Destination
Rosewood serves family favorites in a cozy Tahoe setting. Adam and Alexa DeMezza practically gutted their Incline Village restaurant’s building…Dining with Dignity
A nonprofit provides dinners to at-risk and houseless youths. Most families are aware that qualifying students attending schools in the…
Cider Sense
When the air is crisp and the temperatures have cooled, our thoughts fill with visions of apple cider. Whether it’s…
Fantastic Fondue
Fondue started as a meager meal option for 18th century Swiss families to stretch their paltry resources during the winter…
Coming Up Cookies
At Sierra Valley Grange’s annual cookie-making event, the emphasis isn’t on decorated sugar cookies and traditional chocolate chip.
The Perfect Loaf
Baking bread is a passionate endeavor, one that requires extreme dedication, a continued pursuit of growth, and at least a…Master Carver
Carving pumpkins, for many, is an annual tradition — one we took up as children and pass along when we…Growing Gardeners
Learning doesn’t always have to happen inside a classroom. An activity, including one that gets students outside in nature, can…Lowering the Bar
Babies in a bar? Sounds like a no-no. But the times they are a-changing, and business owners are taking notice…Foodshed Dining at Its Finest
There’s no shortage of great restaurants in Reno, but what makes the Foodshed Café stand apart from the rest is…
Great Grilling
Summer means trading kitchen stoves for outdoor grills. Whether you’re making dinner at home or on the road, firing up…Rising From the Ashes
When the Dixie Fire leveled the quaint town of Greenville, Calif., in 2021, it wasn’t only homes that were lost;…Wild West
Nevada’s oldest town is the perfect place to celebrate the state’s heritage. For the fifth year, the Genoa Western Heritage…Pizza Our Hearts
Pablo Puluke Giet has baked himself into a niche. Operating under the business name Von Pablo, Giet is a certified…Growing Talent
The Desert Farming Initiative is addressing the lack of local farms and farm workers by supporting a new generation of…
Oakland Garage to Dodger Stadium
In 2020, Almanor resident Bex Pezzullo launched Sincere Cider, her line of naturally gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, crisp hard ciders. With…
Shop Small
The pandemic altered a lot of our everyday habits. One of the most affected was shopping. Ordering online to fulfill…Enhance Your Kitchen Skills
Whether you’re perfecting your skills ahead of the holiday season or pursuing your New Year’s resolution to become a whiz…
Riverside Bar
Locals convert garage into wine-tasting venue. There’s no place like home — or, rather, there’s no wine bar like Monique…Drag Wieners
Sharpay Evans-DeLeon and Sofia Evans did more than pose for our cover shoot. The drag queens also took time to…
The Art of Flaskology
Have you ever wanted to craft your own cocktails but feel intimidated by the gizmos, gadgets, and fancy spirits needed…Hot Chili Tips
Robert White started cooking chili in 2011 after he saw an advertisement for a chili cook-off. He entered because he…Ciao Negroni
It’s hard to pinpoint the origin of the Negroni, but one theory seems to carry more weight than others. A…Feeding a Full House
Cooking for 18 children is no easy feat — and it’s one most of us couldn’t manage. But Jenn Taylor…Surf and Turf
Sexy. Warm. Modern. That’s how Karoline Platt describes Land Ocean, the mini chain of steakhouse restaurants she and husband Mark…
Sweet Treat
If you’re a fan of decadent cocktails, this list is for you. Everyone with a sweet tooth to satisfy can…
Dressed to Impress
Searching out quality cocktails in Northern Nevada typically comes down to taste. Drinks bursting with bright flavors or featuring out-of-the-box…
A Rockin’ Good Time
The Musician Rehearsal Center has been a vital piece of Reno’s music scene since 2010. In September 2021, local musician…Black Gold
After spending eight months (involuntarily) in Kenya following an international lockdown in March 2020, the lives of Greg Lusson, 36,…
Lasagna Love Letter
Is your overwhelming schedule making home-cooked meals a forgotten tradition? Perhaps balancing school, work, and family members’ schedules doesn’t leave…
Camper Chic
Wyatt Denny is a world-class bareback rider from Minden. Since he was 10 years old, Denny has been working toward…
Let’s Get Spicy!
Every home chef has a pantry filled with seasonings and go-to spices. The more you enjoy cooking, the more expansive…The Happiest Hour
If you’re looking for a good meal and drinks at a discount, there’s no need to start trolling cheap eats…
Hot Pot
Shabu-shabu hot pot is a meal meant to be shared, one that encourages gathering, cooking, and enjoying time together —…Super Market
A year-round farmers’ market in Northern Nevada. The concept once sounded like a fantasy. But in 2022, it’s the realized…
