Luciano's Reno

This is the last blog in a series about our trip to Reno. I’ve saved the best for last. First, however, I would like to give a mention about our lodging and casino. I know a lot of people in the S.F. area think Reno is not really a destination city. I think it’s worth a look; you get lots of bang for your buck. We stayed mid week at the Silver Legacy Hotel and casino for $35.99 + taxes. The rooms are on the small side but are comfortable, quiet and nicely appointed. They have a large swimming pool and spa and other luxury amenities. The dining possibilities are enormous. At the Victorian buffet, for under $15 we ate beyond all reason and sensibility. The menu included a fine prime rib, fish, shrimp and desserts in mini sizes so you could try one or twelve. Fairchild's oyster bar pleased us with the seafood medley at $25 for two. Over at the Eldorado Hotel, the Brews Brothers served up some tasty wood fired pizza to go with their house-brewed beers. Then there’s the casino if you’re a betting person.

seafood medley

Now on to the best, Luciano’s. There are two locations now, Virginia Ave. just south of downtown and Lakeside. Locals largely frequent both, but I’m sure that they wouldn’t mind if a few visitors snuck in. We go to the Lakeside location because Mom lives nearby. Inside it is decorated with plants and murals and has an alfresco feel to it. At first I was reluctant to write about this place because I’ve known the owners for so long. Sanity prevailed, of course, and I decided it was OK to let everyone know about a great little Italian eatery.


Luciano was born and learned his trade in Italy. He came to this country and worked as an Executive Chef for upscale hotels in California and Nevada. When his chance arrived he opened his own place on Virginia Ave. Through hard work and armed with great recipes he now has two successful restaurants.

Dino's in the house


April, Mom and I like to sit at the bar. We watch all the good food and beautiful people go by. At the end of bar is a singing Dean Martin doll. I love Dino! On this night I chose the ravioli with sage butter. The sauce is so good I just want to lick the last drop from the plate. Mom had the spaghetti with meat sauce, and April had pasta puttenesca. Tastes confirmed that all were wonderful. Entrees come with baby lettuce salad (I recommend the gorgonzola dressing) or soup. If you love desserts this is the place, check out what’s special in the display case. A little pasta, a little wine…life is good!

Ravioli

meat sauce spaghetti

what's for dessert?


Luciano's
6135 Lakeside #145
Reno, Nv.

Beaujolais Bistro - Reno

One of my golden rules has always been “trust your first impression”. If I had followed that thought I would have missed out on a charming little French Restaurant. Beaujolais Bistro is located about half a block away from the Reno Riverwalk. Across the street the old Comstock Hotel Casino is being converted to luxury condominiums. If my attention had been diverted I would have missed the menu posted outside the nondescript brick building. Noticed I did. The menu looked good and well priced so we decided to return for lunch later that day. We picked up Mom; she loves to explore new places.

As soon as we walked through the entrance we were charmed by the blonde wood bar and furniture. The brick walls were hung with colorful pictures depicting French themes. The hostess greeted us with a smile and treated us like old friends. We were seated at a premium table with a view of all the activity. In L.A. I would have had to drop a twenty on the maitre’d to get this table. Menus appeared, water and warm French bread followed.

Mom choose the quiche and salad. Wife April thought the Roasted Chicken Salad with fresh herbs and Dijon dressing sounded good and diet like. I opted for the charcuterie plate.

The resulting dishes were better yet than their descriptions. Mom’s quiche was of the crustless variety with crab and goat cheese, more like a flan. It came with a lightly dressed mesclum salad. Real men would eat this quiche too. April’s salad was grand. OK, chef how do you get the chicken so moist? The charcuterie plate made my day. Two pates and saucissson sec served with croutons,tapenade, and a beet tartare. Never had a beet tartare, so I asked about it. The beets were roasted I was told. Tartare cooked? Go figure, it was magnificent no matter the oxymoron. Pack me up pint to go please! Who says you can’t get an upscale meal in Reno? Not me, enjoy it.

Crustless Flan

Roasted Chicken Salad

Note to self..check cholesterol

Beaujolais Bistro
130 West Street
Reno, Nv.

Welcome to the Jungle- Reno

When I travel I like to experience the local scene. When you’re from the San Francisco Bay Area your expectations run high. While in Reno, on casino row, things have really gone upscale but still lack the urban hip attitude you find in S.F. Fear not, it seems the new Riverwalk in Reno has attracted a number of young entrepreneurs who kick up the local scene. For a number of years we have visited Jungle Java to grab some earth friendly coffee, pastries and such. You could transplant this café to any urban city and it would be an instant success.

Welcome to the Jungle

On this visit we wandered next door and found an expanded empire. Jungle Vino is much like its sister Java. Beautiful, hip, young people man the full bar. We went during the day so it was a little quiet while I enjoyed some wonderful sangria and my wife quaffed some sparkling wine. A number of great sounding sandwiches are available in both venues. Unfortunately for us we had already eaten when we discovered the bar. The wine list is extensive for a small operation like this. I hear the place is really kickin’ at night.

Back Bar

My kinda bicycle

I spoke with Manager Ty Martin who is a veteran of the corporate food and beverage ranks. Mr. Martin is knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and clearly enjoys what he does. Great success seems assured. Check this place out. I know I’ll plan more time here on my next visit.

Java Jungle
Jungle Vino
248 W. 1st Street
Reno, Nevada

The Road to Reno

A couple times a year we make the trek over the hill to Reno. Of course we make a donation to the slot machines. How can you resist the flashing lights and ringing bells? Just so you know we’re not big gamblers, I’ll advise you I have a number of family members who live in town. A family visit with an excuse to gamble and eat lots of food, that’s all good!

We start the trip early and are ready for breakfast about two hours into the drive. There is a little market in Auburn called Ikeda’s. A stop to pick up coffee and some really good fresh muffins. I like the blueberry and wife likes oatbran, quess what kind we got.

muffins

Ikeda’s offers all kinds of goodies in addition to muffins. They have fresh produce, dried fruit, nuts, olives, sauces, pies, smoked salmon, and just about everything food. There is also a snack bar we couldn’t try because it was closed on Monday.

dried goodies

produce

Fall in September?

Here I found what I believe to be the ideal answer to hiding chocolate from the kids. They are Chocolate Rocks. Put them in a pretty little bowl and pretend they are a decoration. Hidden in plain sight. Chocolate Rocks rock! Onward to Reno.

chocolate rocks

Giants Food

No not the food of giants, but food at the Giants baseball game. Yesterday we were the lucky recipients of tickets to the game. Not only tickets, but admission to the Luxury Suite my wife's employer holds. This is a great way to see a game and I recommend you try it if you get a chance. This suite is bigger than our first apartment. A living area with couches and buffet area and outside, about 20 private box seats. There are T.V.'s all around to catch the replays if you miss the live action.

On previous visits food and drinks were provided, but today only drinks. I'm not complaining, they were mighty fine beverages. Beer,wine and soda. I sampled the Cabernet Rancho Sisquoc from Santa Maria; it put me and others in a baseball mood. Before I get onto the important business of food. The Giants won! They beat L.A. 2-1.

Baseball food has gone well beyond peanuts($5) and Cracker Jacks ($4). It is a food feast! We started in left field beyond the huge baseball glove. Orlanado's Caribbean BBQ is owned by former Giants' player Orlando Cepeda. He offers two items the Cha Cha bowl and the Baby Bull both $8.75. We opted for the later, a sliced grilled tri tip sandwich with garlic caramlized onions. Add a little chipotle sauce for a spicy kick. I probalbly would have sliced the beef a little thinner for easier eating, but that's a minor quibble.

Baby Bull

The smell of the Gordon Biersch Garlic Fries($6) hovers over the ballpark. I recommend that both you and those around you eat some, so all may ooze garlic at an equal rate. My kids tried the S.F. rendition of a Chicago Dog with sport peppers and such. It tasted good if not a little messy. Our next choice was a hot link($5) and nachos($4). The link was just spicy not really hot. The nachos were of the plastic cheese variety, strike three to them..you're otta here!

Chicago Dog

Hot link and plastic nachos

The choices of food are endless. Some of the items we didn't try. Lobster Rolls($13) and Shrimp Louis($10) from Pacific Catch. Hofbrau style fresh sliced sandwiches and fresh strawberry shortcake looked great but we didn't want to stand in line. Doggie Diner makes an appearance with Giants' Dogs($3.75). I missed the old doggie head logo. Could we bring one to the ballpark please?

All the concessions offer large portions and are a reasonably priced considering you are a captive audience. The best value of the day were the free mini sandwiches ( my favorite price) given away by Columbus Salame outside the park. Go Giants!

Fall is Falling

Sunrise, sunset, one season following another. Before I break out in a full fledge Fiddler on The R00f rendition let's talk about apples. About this time of year when fall rears its' ugly head( yes I am a summer person) we head to Sebastapol. Our destination is Walker Apples, one of the few remaining apple growers in this one time apple capital. This morning was predicted to be foggy, but we are greeted by beautiful sunshine. It is still on the cool side but there is a promise of a warm afternoon. We trek along a long dirt driveway lined by apples trees and grape vines. Use caution, the road only allows one way traffic. Don't give up though, because at end is Walkers. Not much to look at, a large shed and multiple farm vehicle, it belies the luscious content therein.





Upon arrival a member of the Walker family will greet you warmly. April my wife always asks Mrs Walker about her garden and her battles with the local deer population. This is a taste before you buy operation. Slices of each variety available are offered. Varieties vary depending on the whims of season. On this visit we tasted Rhode Island Greening, Standard Gravenstein, Standard Jonathan, Golden Delicious, McIntosh and Gala. These apples are nothing like the supermarket variety. They have an intense flavor, crisp and juicy. They are not waxed or gassed. We purchase a large case for $20. The case is in excess of 40 pounds so the price is definitely right. Maybe Fall is not so bad after all.





Walker Apples is a member of the Sonoma Farm Trails organization. Check this place out, make a day of it, take a picnic. Enjoy!

Walker Apples10955 Upp Road
Sebastopol, CA 95472
Phone:
707-823-4310

Hours: Aug 1-Nov 15; Daily 9-5

Pizza Jacques Way

Seems like we've been a little busy lately. Still have to put food on the table. We have a local pizza joint that delivers great pizza. With tip and all it costs $23 for a big pie with a 45 minute waiting time. We have tried every kind of premade crust on the market with disappointing results. My wife makes a mean homemade crust, thin and crunchy, but it needs to be made in advance to be good. So what you gonna do?

One of my very favorite chefs has a new T.V. show Jacques Pepin's Fast Food My Way. Loads of great easy to make recipes. I decided to cruise his web site that has a videos you can watch. I am a very visual guy and video makes an easy learning curve for me. Low and behold Jacques has a recipe for Lavash Pizza. That sounded kinda nasty but I gave it a try. I didn't have fresh mozzarella like the recipe so I substituted shredded. Made a whole lot of tasty pizza with a great thin cracker like crust. Fast, cheap and good. I think that will be my new mantra. Check it out!

My Taste Buds/ George Foreman Grill

Finally my taste buds have returned! In a most embarrassing event, I lost myself for a moment and shoveled a spoonful of molten caramel sauce directly from the pan into my mouth. Note to self...Holy smokes there Batman, that's friggin' hot! The pain was not the only joy. The sauce solidified around my teeth and almost needed heavy machinery to remove. The plan was to make a caramel reduced wine sauce to pour over poached pears. I'm told the pears were excellent and the sauce was kindly referred to as "good" but different. I couldn't tell you cause I couldn't taste nothing but mush.

That being said, I segue into my topic of the day. During my convalescence I watched a Food Network Special: The George Foreman Campus Grill Off. Several colleges sent groups of students to compete for money and grills. In the beautiful setting of Pepperdine College in Malibu, Ca. they competed. I was impressed by the beautiful dishes made only using a G.F. G. The winning recipe was a crab cakes with Creole mustard sauce.

If the truth be told, I and my lovely wife own just about every piece of cooking equipment known to mankind. If we don't own it now, we probably will get it for a gift in the next year. Yes we got a G. F. G. for a gift. At first I was not impressed because it steamed/grilled meat. I much prefer my backyard barbecue or a cast iron pan. I did discover what I consider to be the strength of the machine. It makes killer grilled sandwiches. My favorite is Soppressata Salami, fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil and a little olive oil. Grilled cheese is mighty fine as well. The list goes on..Tuna melt, Reuben, hot turkey etc. For dessert grill a piece of chocolate between two slices of sweet bread, cut in half and sprinkle on powdered sugar, yummy!

Here's an idea for the entrepreneur college dorm student. Make up some fresh sandwiches and charge your fellow students $4. Better yet call them pannini and charge $7.

Comfort Food

It seems a bit frivolous to blog about food as I watch and read reports about the victims of Hurricane Katrina. It strikes me that food may be the main issue on those peoples minds. I am reminded how fragile our food chain really is. When the supermarket is closed we are out of luck. The ATM card, cell phone, and computer are out order and our world crashes.

Do I have the answer to this problem? No, but I want to learn what I can do to help. Prayers and best wishes to those affected. I think money sent to agencies that work in disaster recovery would be money well spent. The Red Cross and The Salvation Army will be working to determine the best way to help the victims. Dr Biggles over at Meathenge has New Orleans connection that needs help. Invest your time and money wisely.

Here in the Bay Area we could be in a similar position as New Orleans in a heartbeat. The bridges go down and our food chain is out the door. How do Whole Foods or Safeway get the food? By truck. No bridge no food. This thought gives renewed credibility to the eat local cause. Sure would be nice to have friendly farmer down the road when the truck from Mexico can't get here.

I have promised myself that this weekend I will put together supplies that will allow me and my family to survive. I always have heard to put away enough for 72 hours but it looks like maybe 2 weeks would be a better plan. Maybe add a little more to help your friends.

If it was in my power I would invite all of New Orleans over for a comfort breakfast. Bacon and sausage, biscuits and gravy. pancakes and maple syrup, grits with butter, potatoes and onions. Life is fragile. Enjoy.