Pearanha from Z Bar

I'm glad to be closing out the year with a drink from Z Bar.  KJ has always been my favorite bartender in town, even though sometimes he just plops a drink down in front of me without telling me what it is.

I walked in and picked this drink after he told me that this was the best seasonal drink that wasn't too boozy, since I was driving straight to another location to drop off Christmas gifts.

I really liked this one, it reminded me of a Toasted Almond, but with a festive shortbread cookie rim that really brought the holiday/winter spirit out.  It was the perfect end to the Christmas season, freeing me up for champagne toasts into the new year.

I hope you all have a great new year, and I'll see you in 2016!

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate from @Reno_Dunkin

I don't actually get a mad craving for donuts often, but when I do it is all Dunkin'.  I love how they affordable they are, and what good quality their drinks are.  I'd much rather pay $2 for a great quality drink then go to Starbucks and pay $7 for a low quality equivalent.

I love their seasonal drinks as well, and I was super excited to try the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate.  I got it to go and opened it up to let it cool on the ride home, filling my car with delicious caramel scent.  It was seriously heavenly and I really wished that it wasn't so hot so I could start drinking it.

When it finally cooled off, the taste was full and thick.  It didn't taste as caramel-ly as it smelled, but it was still a great quality hot chocolate that I wouldn't say no to ever.  I enjoyed my hot chocolate and my maple bar that day, and watched the snow come down while I thought about how beautiful Reno is during the holidays.

Dunkin' Donuts
435 Sparks Blvd #121, Sparks, NV 89434
(775) 356-2720

Monday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Tuesday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Wednesday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Thursday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Saturday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm

Pumpkin Parable Featuring @dogfishbeer from @EatAtMidtown

  I got an awesome shout out on Instagram from Midtown Eats to try out this drink.  I'm a basic bitch for anything pumpkin and bourbon, so I was on my way and met a friend there for lunch and drinks.  We both ordered one and shared some appetizers.  Side note, the fried cauliflower is a dream.

We both decided to try out this drink, and we were not disappointed at all.  It was the perfect blend of all ingredients so that it was just delightful.  It had nutmeg on the top, which I get from last week is supposed to be festive, but ya'll...mix it in with the drink!!!  When I have to spit out pieces of nutmeg or skim it off to enjoy my drink, it ends up making the drink not worth drinking.  Luckily I had a knife I wasn't using and a little mixing and this was some perfection. 

Although I felt the "kick" a little, it never tasted too strong.  It was a perfect balance that wasn't overpowering in pumpkin.  I would drink it all year long, but sadly Dogfish Head only has Pumpkin flavored ale this time of year.  I'm just going to be thankful that it exists at all, and enjoy it all month long.  Yum!

Christmas Island: the Painkiller @ChapelTavern

"A modern interpretation of the Tiki classic inspired by a recent visit to the Tiki Ti in LA, one of the last original Tiki bars, Easy to drink, addicting and packs a punch.  Be careful."

So begins my seasonal quest, with a tropical drink.  Since I don't really celebrate Christmas, I find a lot of hilarity in the Christmas Island song, and that is what I thought of when I started this drink at Tavern.  This was from their seasonal menu, although I think the season was just "Winter" and not really "Holidays" oriented.  Still, I picked the Painkiller because it had Nutmeg, and I don't know of a more holiday ingredient than that.  It's in eggnog, and everyone likes eggnog!  And if you don't, you're wrong!

The last time I was in Chapel it was a packed Saturday night, where it was impossible to get a drink ordered and it seemed like an overly hipster bar.  The hipster part didn't really change with it being a Thursday night, but the crowd was much smaller.  I think there was only a total of 6 people when we walked in, although it picked up a bit by the time we left.  It's still not a place that I would personally seek out, seeing as how all the specialty drinks are $10.  The painkiller was strong, so strong in fact that it caused a little pain.  My throat started hurting by the end of the sweet, sweet drink and I went home for some warm water and salt gargle.  It's not something I would ever really try again, but there were many, many other drinks on the seasonal menu that I would give a shot to...maybe in the new year.

Chapel Tavern

1099 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502

 (775) 324-2244

Monday	2:00 pm – 4:00 am
Tuesday	2:00 pm – 4:00 am
Wednesday	2:00 pm – 4:00 am
Thursday	2:00 pm – 4:00 am
Friday	2:00 pm – 4:00 am
Saturday	10:00 am – 4:00 am
Sunday	10:00 am – 4:00 am

Angry Orchard Seasonal Cinnful Apple

Last week was Thanksgiving, one of my favorite holidays.  I love it because it is about nothing but getting together with people you care about to share a meal.  This was my first Thanksgiving back in town so I went to my brother-in-law's house along with the Neon Beast.  One of my BIL's work friends brought over some Angry Orchard Hard Cider.  It was the seasonal flavor "Cinnful Apple," and it dessert in a bottle.

The "Cinn" is for Cinnamon, and lots of it.  Though it's not overpowering!  It's like a yummy apple pie that's been perfectly baked and then magically turned into a beautiful boozy cider.  Even though it is cold, it has a bit of heat to it that warms you even though it's only 5% alcohol.  Normally I feel like Angry Orchard is a pretty mid-level cider, but this one really exceeds expectations.  It's going to become a staple in my house every time it comes out.  I haven't checked yet, but I'm hoping that Costco and/or Sam's Club has a big case of it to pick up soon.

I noticed on their website that they have a summer seasonal called Summer Honey that I'll have to try out next year.  I hope that this is the first of many seasonal drinks I get to have this month and report back on!  Happy Holidays!

Penny's Buck @RenoProvisions

Happy Thanksgiving!

Even though you have to walk past it to get to the food, I always manage to forget that Provisions has a bar.  It wasn't until someone suggest it to get drinks that I remembered.  Maybe it's because no one is behind the bar in a steady sort of way like they are in the back with the food.  I did get greeted at the bar right away this time, but it took me a lot of effort to get someone there so I could pay my bill.

While the bartender was there he was perfectly nice, and said that the Penny's Buck was one of his favorites.  It was listed as having vodka, cranberry liquor (is that like cranberry cocktail juice?  Only RP knows for sure), citrus (which I think was literally just that lime on the glass), and simple syrup.

Although it was blended nicely, in the end it just tasted like a Cranberry Vodka that I would mix in a hotel room because I had nothing else to drink.  Or something I would order in a dive bar "with a lime" because it is a drink that is hard to mess up.  They didn't mess it up here at Provisions either, it just wasn't special enough to carry a special name and a $9 price tag during happy hour.  I mean, it is the season for cranberries, but I think I'd prefer them in a dipping sauce rather than my drink.

My friend had a Negroni that I tasted and it was amazing, so I think I just picked the wrong drink there.  I won't make the same mistake next time, and I'll enjoy some of their food too.

Reno Provisions
100 N. Sierra St. Reno, NV 89501
(775) 336-1091
Mon - Sun: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

Pumpkin Chai Latte from Swill

Tis the season for Pumpkin!  I know that society has sort of tricked you into thinking that pumpkins are strictly an October thing, but that's just not true.  What do you always have for dessert for Thanksgiving?  Pumpkin Pie of course!

Of course, I'm down for Pumpkin things October and November.  I like for Pumpkin to have it's time to shine.  Recently it's just gone completely overboard though, and so I got tricked into this Pumpkin Chai by a friend that works for Swill.  However, the pumpkin was so understated that I almost didn't notice that it was there.  It was the perfect amount of pumpkin and spices, and the environment was (as always) very warm and welcoming.

There has been a change of the guard at Swill recently, and as of this writing the only real difference I see is now the employees are wearing "Swill" aprons.  How very Empire Records of them.  Hopefully nothing major changes and we can keep our "Central Perk" the way that it is.

Tastings (Winery Hopping) in Napa Valley Part 2

Missed Part 1?  Click Here!

The second day started out very strong.  Our first stop was Beaulieu Vineyards, where we whisked away to the private tasting patio, where they had a fun statue of George De Latour and we got to taste some of the clones as well.  Everything was beautiful, and the conversation was fantastic.  I learned what a clone was, who George De Latour was and how important he was to Napa Valley.  If you'd like to know about it, they have a great page on their site here.

The facility was beautiful, and I could have stayed there all day "revisiting" everything, but we were on a schedule.  There was much more to see and experience.

Our next stop was the Franciscan Estate Winery, which was beautiful.  The inside was sort of like an extended gift shop, and you went up to the bar to get your next glass.  We stayed outside since it was a beautiful day, and had great conversation while enjoying the wine and a cheese plate.  This place was the most casual of all the places we went to that weekend, but it was still a very enjoyable winery.  They had a fountain out front that was so beautiful, I took a bunch of pictures of it.

By the time we got to Provenance, we had sailed past the "Happy" point of drinking into the "Highly Buzzed" state.  We weren't being loud or annoying, but we were making poor choices and buying a bunch of wine.  I do remember that the floor was made of recycled barrels for the wine and it was very pretty.  They had a casual lounge type area, and a great window to the winery behind the bar so you could see them making the wine. 




By the time we left, we were very happy, and very done.  It was one of the best weekends of my life, and I really enjoyed the "adulting" that took place.  If you ever have a chance to go to Napa, I would highly recommend all of these Vineyards.  I hope this wasn't my last trip to Napa, but if it was I would be okay with it because it was perfect.

Tastings (Winery Hopping) in Napa Valley Part 1

I had the amazing honor of being taken on a trip to Napa a little over a month ago.  It was such an educational and wonderful experience.  I can't begin to explain how awesome it was, which is why this post is so late.  I'm going to try my hardest!  Our first stop was at the "Disneyland of Wineries" Sterling Vineyards.  It really is pretty commercial yet magical.  You ride a small sky gondola up to the tasting, there is grape stomping, and you stroll around tasting wine and looking at an amazing view.  

After experiencing the "normal" tour, our amazing hosts took us up to the private tasting room.  We were treated like rich people, and I felt like I was in a movie.  We got a cheese plate, and it was there that I learned my favorite wine term, "revisit."  Basically if you want another shot at the wine you just had, you say you want to revisit it, and they just give you another tasting on the house.  I've annoyed all my friends by using this phrase for everything.  "Oooh, I wanna revisit that mint chocolate chip Nesquik from Scolaris.  Think they'd let me?"  The answer is always no.  Only in Napa I guess.

This was also the place where I learned the three sip rule.  You see those wine snobs do the aerating and slurping and silliness, but as it turns out this is actually based on science.  The first sip is not how the wine should actually taste.  One of the sips you slurp to aerate and get your taste buds ready.  The last sip is the one that it is really all about.  All the tastings are about 7 sips worth of wine, so if you get a good one, revisiting that one is a great idea.

Our next stop was the most memorable of the trip.  Neon Beast and I are very fond of port, so visiting Prager Winery & Port Works was something we will never forget.  Prager is run by a very nice family, and their tasting room is covered in bills from every country you can imagine, as you can see a bit in the background of this shot.

This place was so exclusive that five of us shared two tastings.  The tastings were much smaller than Sterling, but so much richer.  Maybe it was just that port is more our thing, but it was the most amazing port I've had ever.  We got invited over to taste some at a friends house about a week ago, and it was, again, an amazing experience.  I still can't put into words how amazing Prager is.  If you are ever in Napa, do everything you can to get into the place for a tasting.

Our last stop for the day was Robert Mondavi, which I think I had been to before when I was a kid.  The grounds are so beautiful:

It really has a reputation to uphold, and I think it does that beautifully.  We got to drink in a private tasting room off of the main room, and it was cozy-amazing.  Their wines were fantastic, we ended up buying a moscato that we enjoyed for a birthday.  Ending the day here was perfect, and we decided that we needed a word for in-between sober and buzzed: Happy.  At that moment, there was nothing wrong in the world.

View Part 2 Here

Thirst Responder at The Drink Doctor Truck/Thirst Aid Station

 About a month ago I was at Bartley Ranch for an adorable performance of Cinderella.  Much to my surprise, they had a few food trucks out there as well as "The Drink Doctor" a Beverage Truck.

As you can see from the photo, they didn't really work out of the truck the way you'd think, but it was cute that the truck was a converted ambulance.  I was a little upset that the drinks also came pre-made however.  Can it really be considered a Food/Drink Truck if the vehicle is merely a mode of transportation for the food/drinks?  Maybe I'm being a killjoy and reading too much into this.

I heard rumblings around the truck that the Thirst Responder was their best seller.  I figured that I liked Vodka, and flavored vodka was even better.  Although, the Blood Orange just made me laugh and think of that scene from Project Runway.  Their other specials were a Rum Runner, a Margarita, and a pomegranate martini.  They had some non-alcoholic items as well, and the typical beer and wine.  Here was their full menu:

At first glance, my drink looked like a watered down lemonade.  The sad truth was, it wasn't even watered down with vodka.  I barely tasted any booze at all, just lemon and water.  It tasted like the kind of thing you would make in college at the local coffee shop because you were short on cash.  You know, asking for water with lots of lemon and then using a couple of packets of the sweet and lo.

I'm very sorry to say that I don't think I would give this truck another shot.  They did seem very nice and had great customer service, but that was a lot to pay for something I could have gotten for free at Gold N Silver Inn.

Cherry Car Bomb from Ceol Irish Pub

Every since I was a kid, hot chocolate was always my favorite.  I loved when it got cold and my mom would have it ready for me after I played in the snow, or while we were watching the Great Reno Balloon Races from the car.

As I've gotten older, my palate has expanded...to booze.  Mexican hot chocolate has also become one of my favorites.  Now, the Cherry Car Bomb is on the list.

I was invited out to hear a band play at Ceol, and I saw they had a host of hot chocolate concoctions.  I really enjoyed this drink, but I didn't actually end up tasting too much of the booze in it.  It seemed like a cherry flavored hot chocolate with the tiniest bit of kick in it.  I loved the bar however, it is much bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside of the building, and I love the deep wood decor.  I'm sure I'll be back to sample more kinds of hot chocolate as the winter goes on.

Ceol Irish Pub

Address: 538 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89501

Phone:(775) 329-5558

Hours:

Monday	3:00 – 11:30 pm
Tuesday	3:00 – 11:30 pm
Wednesday	3:00 – 11:30 pm
Thursday	3:00 – 11:30 pm
Friday	3:00 – 11:30 pm
Saturday	3:00 – 11:30 pm
Sunday	3:00 – 9:00 pm

Pumpkin Punch (Seasonal) from Z Bar

I apologize for my photo being blurry.  I seriously wanted to suck this down like a basic bitch with a pumpkin spice latte.  Normally I'm not super big on the pumpkin flavored things, but this is seriously Thanksgiving Heaven in a glass.  It's heaven because you are at a bar and not with your family at a table pretending that you like green bean casserole.

Sometime next month, you'll see me there several times with a Bobbie from Capriotti's enjoying several of these things.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and I won't get one this year at home.  So I'll be drinking this and pretending that I have one with KJ.  Thanks so much for your fall drink line up!

Z Bar
1074 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502
(775) 348-1723

Monday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Tuesday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Wednesday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Thursday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Friday	4:00 pm – 2:00 am
Saturday	4:00 pm – 2:00 am
Sunday	Closed

Coney Island Brewing Company Hard Root Beer from Canfest

Awhile back my sister went to Canfest and picked up this hard root beer.  She actually made it sound like a really fun time, so I might end up going next year despite the fact that I don't like beer.  

I love the design on the can, but it basically seemed like a root beer (a good one) with a boozy aftertaste.  I was one of the only people in my household that actually ended up liking it at all, so I guess it's just not for everyone.

I've recently given up soda, so I'm not sure I would roll on down to Total Wine to pick up a case of this, but if I was already drunk and wanted a root beer float, this would be my jam.

Hard Cream Soda High Sierra Brewing Company

I went out again with Luke, this time we ended up in Sparks at High Sierra Brewing Company, which is attached to Baldinis.  I had been there once before to eat but I wasn't impressed.  Sadly this time did not fair any better.

I don't do beer, so I ended up with a hard cream soda that tasted like...someone put a shot of low quality booze into a high calorie cream soda.  Our waiter was nice, but disappeared with our credit cards for around 20 minutes.  Poor Luke didn't even get his third choice of whiskey, so clearly they are specialized only in beer.

Even though it's not really a hipster place, they still served me in a mason jar.  I have a feeling even the hipsters don't like this deal anymore.  I want my alcoholic drink in a real glass.  We shared some appetizers that were sadly also pretty unappetizing. 

I don't think I'll be back, but if you are into beer they do have a big selection.

High Sierra Brewing Company
865 S. Rock Boulevard
Sparks, NV 89431
(775) 398-4200

Moscow Mule at Brasserie Saint James

I took my first trip to "BSJ" (as I like to abbreviate it) a little while back.  It was another night out after rehearsal with Luke, who is going to blow you away when you see him in Clown Bar.  He assured me that they had some great food and good drinks.

At first I wasn't going to drink, but then I saw their Moscow Mule.  Our waiter told me that they made their ginger beer in house.  I figured if they gave the same amount of attention to their drinks as they did their decor, then I would be in for a treat.

Sadly the flavor was a little sharp overall, and it was not the best Moscow Mule I've ever had.  Their late night service was a little slow, but we were also in the back room out of sight.  Their prices were pretty high, but the food was good.  I'll be back eventually, but I won't be running back very soon.

Brasserie Saint James

901 S Center St, Reno, NV 89501

Phone:(775) 348-8888

Monday	10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Tuesday	10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Wednesday	10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Thursday	10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday	10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Saturday	10:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sunday	10:00 am – 9:00 pm

Crispin Apple Cider at Reno Public House @RnoPublicHouse

I'm stage managing for Good Luck Macbeth again, this time for something a bit funnier in nature.  Clown Bar: A Clown Noir is going to be something you don't want to miss this October.  Buy your tickets in advance, unless you are afraid of clowns.  Then go ahead and buy tickets for other people that aren't afraid of clowns.

One night after rehearsal, Luke (the actor playing Timmy) and I grabbed a drink at Public House, around the corner from the theatre.  He was a perfect gentleman and bought my drink for me.  Because I'm not a lady, I didn't ask for a glass and just had it straight out of the can.

It was a Wednesday night during Burning Man, so the place was pretty much empty.  It was a beautiful night so we had our drinks out on the patio.  The patio is well lit and welcome to dogs, and we saw a couple while we were there.  The inside of the bar has low ceilings that can make any small noise louder, which might be why the patio is usually the popular area.  But the bartenders were very nice, and if you are into beer they have a TON to choose from.

My Crispin Hard Dry Cider was indeed pretty dry, but also moderately tasty.  Because it is imported from England, I'm thinking it might not be the best for the official state drink.  But Public House is an awesome space, and the conversation was great.  The patio is set up in such a way that you could join up with any conversation happening at the time and be welcomed, which is awesome.  I will definitely visit Public House again and try something different.

Reno Public House

33 St Lawrence Ave, Reno, NV 89501 

(775) 657-8449

Open 24 Hours

Cotton Candy Lemon Drop at Bistro Napa @AtlantisCasino

I'm going to go ahead and fully admit that I'm not a pink kind of girl.  There are some girls that love pink, and everything is all "Legally Blonde" and happy.  I've always been a blue-green sort of girl.  When Sex and the City made the pink cosmo a thing, I could barely walk into a bar without seeing that pepto-pink monstrosity.  Not that I walked into bars all that often back then, but they still haunted me.

I've eased up on pink and have even come to like it in short bursts.  So when I was offered this Cotton Candy Lemon Drop, I let go of my pink hate and embraced one of my favorite things; spun sugar.  Cotton candy in a drink?  Hats off to whomever decided to make this a thing.

Everyone at the table laughed at me because after my first sip I said "Well that is just diabetes in a glass."  I meant it in the best way possible however!  It actually had a great flavor for only really having three ingredients. I didn't taste much of the lemon myself, but it was a lot of sugary goodness.

The real draw here, however, was the fact that they fill the glass up with cotton candy, and then pour the drink over it.  I was late arriving, so my party was nice enough to order and film the magic for me.

 

Bistro Napa @ Atlantis 
3800 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502
(775) 335-4539

Monday	5:00 – 9:00 pm
Tuesday	5:00 – 9:00 pm
Wednesday	5:00 – 9:00 pm
Thursday	5:00 – 9:00 pm
Friday	5:00 – 10:00 pm
Saturday	5:00 – 10:00 pm
Sunday	5:00 – 9:00 pm

  

NoCal at Outlaw Coffee in Verdi

I recently took a position in Verdi, and I've been having a great time checking out the locals here.  It's a small community, but big enough that it's not a "everyone knows everyone" kind of situation.  I stopped into Outlaw Coffee to become one with caffeination during my lunch break with some friends.  The owners were very friendly and were about to celebrate their year of being owners of Outlaw.  It was such a nice little spot, I can't imagine NOT coming back to it.  I'd hit them up on the way out of town on a long trip, or coming back in from one.

My NoCal coffee was a mix of coffee, white chocolate, and raspberries.  I'll admit that I consider myself half of a Northern California girl, and that is what drew me to the coffee.  In the end the flavors and the strongness of the coffee wasn't for me, but I'm up for trying out something else the next time that I'm there, which very well might be today.

For some reason Google decides that Verdi doesn't exist on their map, so it is a little harder to find.  Trust me, it is in Verdi and not in Reno.  They have their accurate location on their Facebook page, so check that before you head out.

Outlaw Coffee Co.

1155-A US Hwy 40 - Verdi, NV 89439

(775) 345-7233 

Monday - Friday 6:30 / 2:30
Saturday 7:30 / 2:30
Sunday - Closed

Kings Beach at Singer Social Club

Singer Social Club is in a rather sketchy part of town.  In fact a month or so ago they had some high drama when a piece of their art was stolen, returned to the front door in the middle of the day, and stolen again.  There was a lot of excitement in those few days on Facebook, but it has settled back into the "come as you are" kind of bar I assume it always was.

I'd been wanting to try them out for awhile, but all my friends had resisted.  I'm so sorry they did because the vibe coming from the place and the bartender was really awesome.  There is a sign on the bathroom that basically says anyone of any gender can use either one.  The only reason to worry about it is if they are doing something other than using the facilities.

I decided to have a Kings Beach because I've been fond of grapefruit flavored drinks lately, especially the Steigl.  I'm sorry to say however, that this tasted like a liquefied jolly rancher with zero alcohol in it.  It was super pretty, and the bartender was really nice.  I tried a couple of other drinks and they were delightful, so I really think this just didn't end up being the drink for me.  

I'll be back for the laid back vibe and other drinks to try out!  I hope they keep doing their thing and don't get anymore art stolen.

Singer Social Club

219 West 2nd Street, Reno, NV 89501

(775) 657-9466

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	5:00 pm – 12:00 am
Wednesday	5:00 pm – 1:00 am
Thursday	5:00 pm – 2:00 am
Friday	5:00 pm – 3:00 am
Saturday	5:00 pm – 3:00 am
Sunday	Closed

Vanilla Chai at @Reno_Dunkin

Their slogan is "The World Runs on Dunkin'" and after tasting their Vanilla Chai I can certainly see why.  Most chains are really watered down and not very flavorful at all.

I recently swore off Starbucks after my dirty chai tasted more like actual dirt than anything else I've ever put in my mouth before.  I was so upset to  throw away a $7 drink that I downloaded the 7-11 app and never looked back...until I had to pick up some donuts as a last night gift for my play.

I decided to go ahead and get a Vanilla Chai while I was there to get me through the long day.  It was a good size and under $3.00.  It was so great.  It was smooth and yet had a great "bite" to it.  I would drink one every morning, but I'd be as fat as houses.

But honestly, it is the amazing customer service that is going to keep my coming back to this location.  Everyone who helped me was very nice, apologetic when they didn't even need to be.  When I told the guy to just make the donuts assorted, that I didn't want any specific order or kind, it was like I was a hero.  I'm sure they have to deal with people who haven't decided what they want yet and it takes forever.  I got a majorly large bag, took my two dozen donuts and drink, and was out the door in 20 minutes.  They worked their tails off for me, and I will be back sooner than I care to admit.

Dunkin' Donuts
435 Sparks Blvd #121, Sparks, NV 89434
(775) 356-2720

Monday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Tuesday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Wednesday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Thursday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Saturday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday	5:00 am – 10:00 pm

 

Raspberry Mule @ZBarRenoNV

We have sort of become regulars at Z Bar.  There was a point there where I was seeing the owner KJ more than I was seeing my own family.  KJ will just make stuff up for us sometimes, and one night he decided to make up a raspberry mule.

I talked a few weeks ago about how I had really gotten into mules, and I honestly think that it is 70% the glass.  I was a little disappointed in Chapel because they just used a regular glass.  These copper mugs are actually really expensive, so much so that there is a fun story about someone trying to steal one floating around the internet.

KJ might kill me for saying this, but I think he just made a regular Mule and topped it with some raspberries.  It tasted like the Spiced Mule from his menu, maybe he muddled in one raspberry.  However, his Spiced Mule is still a freaking delight, and since I'm not really a fan of pears I like this version better.

The Mule might be a passing fad, but it is in the running for me.






Z Bar
1074 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502
(775) 348-1723

Monday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Tuesday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Wednesday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Thursday	4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Friday	4:00 pm – 2:00 am
Saturday	4:00 pm – 2:00 am
Sunday	Closed

Dirty Martini at Shea's

I was assured that I never wanted to step foot inside Shea's Tavern.  Along with Foxy Olive, it was the diveiest of dive bars.  Still, it is right next door to Good Luck Macbeth, so it was bound to happen eventually.

I always choose to test a new bar with a dirty martini, as I'm sure you are well aware if this isn't the first post you've read.  I understood that this is a dangerous venture in a dive bar, but I decided to take a risk. 

As you can see from the picture I made everyone go outside after ordering, the smoke was way too gross inside, and it was a pretty nice day.  I didn't even really stay to order, one of the amazing cast actually got me this drink, so I suppose it is a sponsored post in that sense.

The glass was mostly clean, which I was surprised about.  Honestly I was a little surprised that it came in a glass at all, I fully expected it to come in a red off-brand solo cup, since that is what they had stacked on their bar inside.  It was actually some pretty nice bar ware, but it only came with one olive at the bottom of the glass.  Call me nit-picky, but I like at least two olives on some sort of toothpick so it's easier to eat.  I love snacks with my drink, and I think that's why I like a dirty martini so much.

I'm sure I'll end up at Shea's again, but since they don't have a craft cocktail menu, it's unlikely I'll find the state drink here.

A Mule Named Honey @ChapelTavern

I've wanted to go to Chapel for a really long time now.  Maybe too long, because I built it up a little too much in my head.  I was happy that they had a menu of craft cocktails that seemed varied, but pricey at $10 a drink.  My throat was feeling a little icky, so I decided some honey might do it some good.  Your (should be) pick for the Best of Reno's stand up comedian Amanda Alvey and I have been on a mule-kick as of late.  No pun intended (Mule, kick...get it?  No?  Well okay then.)

She and I usually get something different so we can get a taste of two different kinds of drinks, but that night we both got the Mule Named Honey. 

In the end, it didn't have enough honey to make my throat feel better, but it did taste a little like cold medication, so there's that.  I actually tried someone elses drink and it tasted the same, just a different flavor of cold medication.  Later someone said that it's always sort of been that way there, which is why it took so long for everyone to go out to it again.

Despite that, the space is nice, and it has a pool table you can see in the picture, which I'm always down to play.  If a place has pool or bocce ball I'm down to stay for awhile.  Horseshoes, not so much.  I digress, the staff seemed friendly and the patio was cute, although the whole place felt a little small.  Unless I start making way more money, I don't think I'll be back to Chapel anytime soon, although I still had a good time.

 

Chapel Tavern

1099 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502

 (775) 324-2244

Monday	2:00 pm – 4:00 am
Tuesday	2:00 pm – 4:00 am
Wednesday	2:00 pm – 4:00 am
Thursday	2:00 pm – 4:00 am
Friday	2:00 pm – 4:00 am
Saturday	10:00 am – 4:00 am
Sunday	10:00 am – 4:00 am

 

"Tray Chic" in Partnership with One Kings Lane

A basic bar tray on our basic prop table

Most of the time I'm a bit of a homebody.  I like being able to drink more than two drinks and then stumble up to bed and sleep it all off.  Then when my major became theatre, things changed a bit.  The time of rehearsal and performance is sacred; you know you are living on borrowed time.  That cast and crew will never be all together except for during that time, and you have to make the most of it.  In college none of us had great homes to hang out in, so we frequented bars whenever we left a performance or rehearsal.  If we got really lucky, we got to do a play about a bar.  There is no better in-between from a bar and home than a theater.

Since returning to Reno, I took advantage of the opportunity to jump back into the theatre scene, and was lucky enough to get one about a bar.  At "Last Call at the Old Southwest" we have exactly one tray acting as the bar for our show.  You won't see me onstage, I'm the Stage Manager.  Since the show is currently running, I'm more the prop master right now.  Since I'm staying with family, the show has sort of turned into my home away from home.  The cast and I frequent bars after work since Good Luck Macbeth is in the Midtown District, and there is lots to choose from.

Still, when I was approached for this post about making a tray your own, I thought of our little tray in the show.  This little tray is basically a symbol for the bar area happening backstage.  When (not if) you come see the show, it might slip by you completely.  But it means a lot to me, I've spent lots of time with it.  Sometimes all you need is a basic, no frills tray to get the job done.  I'm sure I'm the only one who is doing a post on a basic silver tray...but maybe you'll remember it more that way.

Of course, if you are looking for a nice tray for your home, then heading over to One Kings Lane for something that will actually impress someone when they come to your home.

Happy Hour Cosmopolitan @BJsRestaurants

I really dig happy hours that are more than one hour, at more than one time.  Usually I'm not in for that kind of rule breaking, but when it is more of a good thing how can you not allow it?

So when I was just getting into my PJ's and the BFF texted that she needed a drink, I got into my fancy sports bra and headed over to BJ's for their Happy Hour.  We split some SpinArt dip and some Avocado eggrolls, and I stepped out of my comfort zone for a Cosmopolitan.  

I could go off on a HUGE rant about Sex and the City right now.  How it was an important show for human sexuality, but the characters were stereotypical and the most terrible humans you could find.  I could also go off for hours about how Carrie was a writer but she NEVER carried around a pen.  I've got at least 4 pens in my purse at all times.  Terrible, terrible characters.  However, this is not about Sex and the City, but rather the drink they made famous.

Let me tell you right now, the drink is just as terrible as the show.  Maybe it was because they were an hour from closing, maybe it's just because a Cosmo is a horrible drink.  Either way, the mix of vodka, cranberry juice (which I couldn't taste at all), and triple sec, it just tasted like a watered down vodka.  I took that lime and squeezed the living live out of it.  Then it tasted like vodka lime juice.  Blech.

I'm not going to blame this drink on anyone but Darren Starr though.  BJ's is an amazing restaurant with fantastic food that I'll for sure be going back to.  Next time maybe a lemon drop.

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse

425 Sparks Blvd, Sparks, NV 89434

(775) 398-3550

11am-12am Monday-Thursday
11am-1am Friday
10am-1am Saturday
10am-12am Sunday  

Rekorderlig Hard Cider @CraftReno

While at The Foxy Olive the other week, I met an awesome guy named Riley who works at Craft.  I honestly thought that place was abandoned due to the blackout windows.  I was pleasantly surprised to go inside and find nice wood tables and an amazing walk in fridge that felt amazing after walking 20 minutes down midtown.

They have some amazing stuff to choose from, but the BFF and I decided to grab a couple of Rekorderlig Hard Ciders to cool off.  I'm really getting into hard ciders lately, and I really feel that this is one of the best ones.  We tried the Pear and the Passion Fruit, and I was equally impressed with both.  The Passion Fruit was clear as water, which was seriously impressive.  It was so tasty I could have hung out there all day drinking them.

I'll for sure be back to check out what else they have to offer.

Craft
Monday-Saturday 11:00 AM-9:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 PM-6:00 PM

22 Martin Street 

Reno, NV 89509

775-622-4333

Home Made White Russian (The Big Lebowski)

After giving my liver a few weeks off, I decided to get back into drinking mode after watching The Big Lebowski for the first time.

Okay, okay...I know this was your face when you read that I haven't seen The Big Lebowski before:

I understand, I totally get it.  For someone who started her career working at a video store, this was a huge oversight on my part.  In the end I think I didn't watch it because I knew it wasn't really my kind of movie.  I was right, but I did find a lot more of it amusing than I thought.

My favorite, of course, was the way that The Dude always seems to have a White Russian in his hand.  In fact, my favorite scene was the "Hey, careful, man, there's a beverage here!" because I'm always careful about spilling my own drinks.

I also do love a White Russian, especially since my Amaretto ran out so I can't make Toasted Almonds anymore.  Since a WR is made from Vodka, Kahlua, and Milk, I went to our home bar to get out the ingredients.  I found an ancient bottle of Smirnoff that had literally evaporated into nothing under the bar.

White Russian, Antique Smirnoff bottle

I threw it into our recycling bin, but my mother was worried about our neighbors judging her for having a "full bottle of vodka."  I told her that they will know by the label that she took at least two decades to get through that bottle, and no one will judge her.

There is something about this drink that makes me feel warm and comfortable, which I'm sure is why The Dude abides so willingly.  I was ready to put this up as a potential drink, then I realized that this movie wasn't actually filmed at the Bowling Stadium, and I was mixing it up with Kingpin, another movie I've yet to see.  I don't think that one has as much drinking in it, so it might be awhile before it pops up on my Netflix queue.

Also, after writing this I found a great Cracked video about how The Big Lebowski is pretty much Alice in Wonderland.  I approve.

Vanilla Chai at Swill

I know, I know...another Chai.  You know, when I first tried one, I thought it was like drinking potpourri.  I totally hated it.  Then I really started to like them as an alternative to drinking real coffee, which I'm normally not a fan of.

I asked for my regular Chai the first time at Swill.  The cool guy behind the counter asked if I wanted a regular chai or a vanilla chai.  I said "Well shoot, if you are going to give me a choice I'm going to try a vanilla!  I didn't even see it as an option."

He seemed pretty amused by that, and several minutes later I got it delivered to my table.  It was amazing!  So smooth and creamy, and yet that potpourri flavor that I hated and first and came to love was amazing in this one.

I'll for sure be back for more of this one, and maybe try out some other things.  If they can make it taste this good, maybe regular coffee will taste good there too!


Swill Coffee and Wine Bar
Moana West Shopping Center, 3366 Lakeside Ct, Reno, NV 89509
(775) 823-9876

Monday	7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Tuesday	7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Wednesday	7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Thursday	7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Friday	7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday	7:30 am – 2:00 pm
Sunday	7:30 am – 2:00 pm

Cardamon Pisco Sour at Centro

I can't help but think of Iliza Shlesinger's stand up whenever someone wants to go to a tapas place.  I can't stop saying "It's small plates" lately.  

That's the thought I had when we decided to hit up Centro, is that 30 of us are going to share a flatbread and leave hungry.

But then I saw their drink menu and I could care less about hunger.  I had such a hard time deciding, but eventually I decided on the Cardamon Pisco Sour.  We'd recently made cardamon cookies at home for a Indian BBQ we were attending, and I really loved the smell.

The bartender was also our waiter, and he was really nice.  He asked if this was my first time trying the drink, and checked in with me afterwards.  I love anything with citrus, and the cardamon and lemon juice was just amazing together.  In fact all the ingredients complimented each other wonderfully.  I wanted to chuck my evening plans and just try all their drinks.  Alas, real life was calling, and I figured they'll be around for a long time.  The tapas were amazing as well, and I actually was full enough for it to take me long into the night without being hungry again.  I can't wait to go back and try something else out.

Centro

236 California Ave, Reno, NV 89509

(775) 737-9062

Mon	11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Tue	11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Wed	11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Thu	11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Fri	11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Sat	11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Sun	11:00 am - 11:00 pm

Stiegl at The Foxy Olive

As I've previously stated, I'm not a big beer drinker.  I tried, I really did.  It's just not for me at all.  I'm always down for sour, not so much for bitter.  Ume Shiso is as close as I get, and that's a more pickled taste than anything else.

That being said, I guess you can barely count my Salzburger Stiegl Radler as a "beer," as it is Grapefruit Soda with a small amount of beer.  However, that being said it's my new summer beverage.  It's just like a slightly boozy Grapefruit soda.  I had my second one with tequila, and that made it really awesome.  I pretty much agree on all counts with this guy.

I had said summer beverage Monday night while meeting some awesome new people (and one terrible one) at The Foxy Olive.

The first time I went to the Foxy Olive, it was a Friday night, and it's a really small bar.  I got really claustrophobic and decided to escape to the bathroom so as to not freak out.  I flipped the light switch in the bathroom and proceeded to freak out as I saw the half mannequin standing in the corner.  For a split second my brain just went straight to horror movie.  Needless to say, it wasn't a great time for me.  I didn't drink anything, and we left soon afterwards.

This time it was a Monday night, and much less busy.  Which is actually a little sad, since it is closing at the end of this month.  I would suggest going and giving this dive bar a great send off.  A great guy owns it, and my friend Ali will be tending bar on non-busy Monday nights.

Just don't let that bathroom mannequin scare you.  It's quite harmless once you get to know it.

The Foxy Olive
220 Mill St, Reno, NV 89501

(775) 997-3733