Ride and Dine: Nevada’s Unique Restaurants
There’s more to Nevada than just casinos and Vegas, like the impressive Lake Tahoe with its hiking trails and winter sports events. While traveling, you may also want to take a break at one of the cities in the area and dine at some of the restaurants. From steakhouses to bars, there’s a decent variety.
While there aren’t many restaurants with gimmicks, they all have menus with hand-crafted recipes and unique dishes. You can even find a few healthy alternatives or restaurants in casinos similar to the ones in our detailed guide of the best online casinos in the US. Read on to learn more about the unique restaurants in the Lake Tahoe area.
The Oyster Bar
Located in Stateline, Nevada, The Oyster Bar is the area’s first and only raw seafood restaurant. You can find it at the Golden Nugget in Lake Tahoe, next to the casino floor. It has an open kitchen, so you can see the chefs prepare your dish and bask in the comfortable atmosphere while drinking a cocktail.
The bar is open all week, although work hours vary, so checking their schedule is a good idea. It offers fresh seafood daily, ranging from a dozen raw oysters to jambalaya with shrimp and chicken. Aside from cocktails like Bloody Marys, you can try wine, seasonal draft beer, and even sake.
Washoe Public House
The Washoe Public House is a great downtown Reno pub with a diverse menu. You can find a gluten-free Chicken & Wild Rice Bowl with seasonal vegetables or the signature Washoe Burger with a grass-fed beef patty. All the dishes are made from scratch every day using fresh ingredients.
Aside from the fine cuisine, you can also enjoy various events that are just as exciting as the Christmas on the Comstock. You can try some of Frank Sinatra’s favorite dishes or celebrate Valentines with a romantic dinner. You can even host private parties in the restaurant’s private dining room.
Romanza
Immerse yourself in the great atmosphere of Romanza. This Italian restaurant is located at the Peppermill Reno Resort on South Virginia Street, near the table games on the casino floor. It features tasty dishes like handmade pasta with fresh ingredients and the finest wines from Tuscan wineries. Here are some of its dishes:
- Crispy Pork Belly
- Prime Beef Carpaccio
- Mama’s Meatballs
- Chocolate Layered Cake
- Limoncello Tini
The restaurant’s décor is inspired by Roman architecture, with real braziers and a dome ceiling depicting the sky. It also has an exhibition kitchen, showing how the chefs prepare dishes. This restaurant suits everyone, whether you want a romantic dinner or a fancy dining experience.
Laughing Planet
If you’re looking for healthier dishes similar to a quinoa kale salad, you can try Laughing Planet. There are two locations in Reno, one on North Virginia Street and the other on Tahoe Street, which is also open Saturdays and Sundays. With dinosaurs around the tables and a colorful décor, this is a great family café.
Laughing Planet sources ingredients from local farms, providing fresh dishes with seasonal non-GMO ingredients. You can find gluten-free cookies, vegan chili, and tortilla chips. There’s also a kids’ menu with mini burritos and smoothies like PB&J, which mixes peanut butter with various berries. Overall, there’s a decent variety on the menu.
The Twisted Fork
Located on Steamboat Parkway in Reno, the Twisted Fork provides a great twist to the casual dining experience. All the dishes are hand-crafted with fresh ingredients and unique recipes. You can try an Espresso BBQ Burger with its titular sauce or some lemon tiger prawns with bucatini pasta. While it recently changed owners, the quality remains the same.
The menu varies on the time of day, with lunch and dinner menus having some differences. There’s also a Sunday Brunch menu and a happy hour starting at 3:30 pm. You can watch sports at the bar while drinking cocktails from the Dead Poets Club selection or even organize a private party.
The Stone House Café
You can always visit The Stone House Café on Arlington Avenue whenever you’re looking for a cozy atmosphere. The building has a long history dating back to the 1900s when Dr. Fred Philips bought the former nursery land and built the stone house. It later became part of the Arlington Gardens Shopping Mall and Nursery before it was renovated as a restaurant in 2005 by Paul and Adele Abowd.
There are three different menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can try Belgian waffles and pancakes for breakfast, while you can find seafood like calamari or burritos for lunch. Meanwhile, the dinner menu includes the signature Stone House Crab Cake or various sliders.
Conclusion
Overall, Nevada has many great dining destinations. You can find diverse dishes and drinks with décor that gives every restaurant its own character. Their dishes are made with fresh ingredients; some places even host unique events.
