Dirty Martini at Silver Peak Restaurant & Brewery

After a show, my pal Stacy (of Utility Players fame) and I went to get some after show drinks and snacks at Silver Peak in Midtown.

It was fairly late at night and we sat in the bar area.  Service was a bit slow, but after a little while I finally had a dirty martini in front of me.  It was shortly afterwards that I found the specialty drink menu hidden under some things under the table.  Next time I'll order off of that one.


I asked for it very dirty, but it came out slightly naughty instead.  It tasted very much like the well drink liquor version of the "Well Mannered Martini" from Cheesecake Factory.  (Note to self, go there next.)

Nothing great, but their grilled cheese is my favorite in town.

Silver Peak Restaurant and Brewery 
124 Wonder St
Reno, NV 89502
775-324-1864

Open Sunday-Thursday 11:00 AM- 10:00 PM
Friday and Saturday 11:00 AM-11:00 PM

The Asskicker from The Little Nugget

I hate dives.

Whew.  There.  I said it.

I hate dives.  I hate sticky floors, "well" drinks that are anything but, and dirty bathrooms.  I don't like having to wonder what else is in my drink besides booze.

That being said, there are exceptions to this rule.  I love Gold N Silver, and now that I've been, I've also become fond of The Little Nugget.

I know, I know...I'm a terrible local for having never been there.  I've still never had an Awful Awful, but I did want to have an Asskicker as soon as I saw that it came with a souvenir sports bottle.  Plus a drink called the ass kicker, I had to be like "challenge accepted."

I should have gotten the original, which is to the right in the photo and is a delightful margarita.  Instead I decided to turn my tongue blue with a raspberry vodka.  It was slushy, didn't taste that strong, and was delightful.  I only finished about as much as you see in the photo that night, then I took it home to throw in my freezer to finish it the next day.  Yep, it kicked my ass that much, and I ain't even mad at it.

It's totally worth the $8 price tag, although mine was actually purchased by my friend Ryan Kelly, who is acting in The Shape of Things at Bruka this week.  It's an amazing love story with a hellva twist, and you should purchase tickets right away, as it closes at the end of the month.

I think the Asskicker should be a major contender for the official state drink.  The experience of the divey casino and the strongness (and tastiness) of the drink makes for an original experience that you can't get in another state.

The Little Nugget
233 N Virginia St Reno NV 89501
Open 24 Hours

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

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.

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

 

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  

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.

Dirty Martini at Sierra Gold

Sierra Gold doesn't have it's own drink menu.  It's a "locals" bar, but they can make any drink you want.  I always go for a dirty martini to see what the bartender can do.

Sadly we were a little late for happy hour (as pictured) so I ended up paying a crazy $11 for this drink.  However, it was a well made drink...it was really dirty.

Like, Christina Aguilera Stripped Dirrty.  Yep, two Rs worth of dirty.  This felt like that one night in Vegas when you are young and have no where to be the next day, and you could swear that you saw it snow on the dance floor in the club.  Which might or might not be a true story from my past.

It seriously tasted like the beginning of a porn movie dirty.  It was in the good/bad way, but I don't think it's suitable to be Nevada's official drink.  Looks like I'm living to drink another day, with something a little less X rated.

Sierra Gold
680 S Meadows Pkwy, Reno, NV 89521
(775) 850-1112
Open 24 Hours  

Mudslide at the Fireside Lounge @RenoPeppermill

 

During a Staycation last month, Neon Beast and I decided to hit up the Fireside Lounge at the Peppermill before heading to our room in the West Wing.  Side Note: Beauty and the Beast?  He didn't want her to go to the West Wing because it was TOO FAR AWAY FROM THE CASINO/LOBBY!!!  Over 500 steps according to my Fitbit.  Don't let my Fitbit know that I had this drink please?

I was so tired after walking all over the casino, moving the car, and having a pretty terrible AYCE Sushi experience at Oceano (the quality of the fish was not sushi-grade, but everything else was good), that I just wanted to have a drink that would be dessert as well as booze to help me sleep through the construction of those new houses by Virginia Lake.  That being said, our room was very beautiful and comfy.  We almost left the TV on one of the channels where they show other places because the music was so soothing.

It was a pricey drink at $11.00, but it really was tasty.  I'd been waiting to go to the Fireside Lounge since I turned 21.  I had this big dream that I would have my 21st birthday celebration there, and imagined how cool it would be.  As it turns out my birthday fell on Spring Break so everyone was out of town and I ended up at a steakhouse with my parents and having a fishbowl drink with Neon Beast at the now defunct Trader Dicks.

I've had quite a few mudslides in my time, but I must say that this is the best I've ever had.  The fireside lounge has seen better days I'm sure, but it's still nice and cozy and looks like the old coffee shop, which is oddly comforting.  Even though it's a lot of money, I would come back here with a group of friends and pretend it was for my birthday.

Peppermill

2707 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502
1-866-821-9996
Open 24 Hours

The Heirloom Martini @ZBarReno

I ordered a dirty martini from KJ the other day, and he told me I didn't want it.  He told me I wanted an Heirloom Martini instead.

Maybe he was right, or maybe he was just out of olives that day.  I went along with it because I know better than to argue with KJ.  I want to be able to come back to Z Bar anytime I want.

Although what I was looking for was more briney, the savory flavors were totally amazing.

It reminded me of the time I went to Molto Vegas, now called Bet the Farm.  We picked up these amazing tomatoes that tasted like nothing else I've ever had.  This was totally the drink equivalent of that.  The only thing that sucks is that one of the garnishes, the basil leaf, isn't quite the snack that I'd like it to be.  Cherry tomatoes are the bomb though.

I think that the moral of the story here is to always listen to your bartender.  Especially if he is KJ.  No joke.

P.S. Try not to be too mean with your April Fools today.  Only fun things!

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

Moscow Mule with @TahoeBlueVodka @RedRockBar

Belly up to the Red Rock Bar and chill out to Reese's tunes.  He was hitting the Beatles hard while we were there last weekend, and I was loving it.  I'm not sure where he finds his remixes, but they are pretty amazing.

If music isn't your thing, Reese is from New Zealand and has a fantastic accent, as well as does an awesomely killer impression of Rodney Dangerfield.

If you are just in this for the drinks, then Reese is also a kick-ass bartender.

When Neon Beast and I got to the bar, our friends were already deep into their Moscow Mules.  Their copper glasses were advertising local awesomeness Tahoe Blue Vodka, so I thought I'd go ahead and give it a go.   Since I'm not overly fond of beer, this was my first full Moscow Mule, although I had tried someone else's at another bar recently.

I think Reese set out to get us "up to speed" with our friends, and made that drink really strong.  I loved the strong flavor of the beer mixed with the lime juice, which is my favorite mixer in drinks.  The vodka did sort of get lost in the rest of the flavors for me, but I'll have to try it by itself sometime in the future.

The drink was delicious, but it set me back.  I was glad that I didn't drive, in fact I didn't even really want another drink.  Reese seemed really disappointed that I ordered just a water afterwards, but since they came to about $8 each, my money was spent for the night.  Unemployment will do that to you I guess.  Although $8 didn't really break the bank, it was a little on the pricer end for bar.

All in all it had an amazing kick to it, was very tasty.  The bar itself is a great space, with pool tables downstairs and a small bar upstairs.  It felt like a house party, and people drifted in and out for drinks.  If you are looking for a great drink and a good bar to hang around for awhile, I would strongly suggest Red Rock Bar.  I know I'll most likely be back soon.

Red Rock Bar
241 S Sierra St, Reno, NV 89501
(775) 324-2468

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

  

The Grapes of Wrath @ZBarRenoNV

I dare anyone to try and knock KJ of Z Bar out of the running for my favorite bartender/bar owner.  He's everything you want; cool, good looking, friendly.  He remembers you after only a few times in, and it makes me only want to go there.  During the day I even say "Hi KJ!" as I'm driving past the totally empty bar.

He's never made anything for me that I didn't like.  Although last time I was in there he lost faith in me and my ability to take spicy drinks to another level.

I'm stupidly the kind of person who takes the spicy level as a challenge.  If someone says "You can't handle the 10"  Then I make it a 10 and eat/drink it and say it's not that bad, even if it is.

KJ makes his own little infused blend that he puts into the vodka for the drink I ordered, called the Grapes of Wrath.  He asked me how I handle spice, and my head said "challenge accepted!"  and I told him to bring it all.  He looked at me with total disbelief and said "Are you sure?" and basically looked at me like I was crazy the entire time he was making the drink.

The Grapes of Wrath is a pretty simple drink, it only includes his Habanero infused vodka, lime, and simple syrup.  It pours out pretty clear, as you can see from the picture above.  The lime zest on top of the grapes was pretty fun in itself, but the drink was pretty amazing.  I did wimp out and ask for a water with it, which he brought me with a tiny slice of cucumber.  He really knows how to make a drink and take care of a girl.

It's certainly not for the faint of heart, but wow was it amazing.  I'm not sure if I would order it again, but if I was looking for just one drink and I was out for the night, it would certainly be this one.  Besides, he has so many of his well crafted cocktails on the constantly changing menu, I have to keep up trying them all!  No time to pick a favorite drink now, there are far too many to try.

Later on a guy ordered a drink with the vodka, and KJ asked me if he thought I should half it for him.  I asked the guy how his spice level was, he said "intermediate."  I smiled at KJ and told him "You better half it for him."

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

  

The Pipeline Lounge Dirty Martini @SandsReno

A few weeks back my good friend Ali of Raven and Rabbit agreed to meet up and see a Utility Players Show.  She and her business recently moved from Denver to the Reno area, and I couldn't be more happy to have a friend from my old digs.

When I got the diet talk from my doctor, she told me I had to go low carb.  I was sad of course, but I managed to look up some low carb cocktails and see that a dirty martini was the only one I was interested in.  I'm in for any drink that also comes with a small snack.  I was a little spoiled in Vegas when I tried my first one at Studio 54, and it was delicious.  The next best one was at GoldSpike, although their glasses were always just a tad too dirty for my taste. It's not the glassware that is supposed to be the dirty part, to all you dirty martini beginners.

After all that Vegas Neon, the Sand's is a little more colorful of a casino than I'm used to.  Let me put it this way...their ceilings are really low.  The filtration system could also use some work.  That being said, they have an awesome show in the Utility Players, and a nice bartender at the Pipeline Lounge.  I'm not much of a beer person, so I ordered a dirty martini with a pink tinge to my cheeks.  He didn't even make fun of me, he just asked if he could serve it in a regular glass, as they didn't have any martini glasses.  I was relieved that I wouldn't stand out with an obnoxious glass and wholeheartedly agreed.

As if to remind me that I was no longer in Viva Las Vagueness, an awesome retired gentlemen offered to pay for our drinks.  Ali and I ended up talking with him for bit while we waited for the doors to open to the show, and my cocktail was pretty darn good.  It's pretty easy to screw up a dirty martini, but this man was sitting up and paying attention in bartender school. Had I been wearing a hat, I would have tipped it to him.

Since it is one of my favorite drinks, I'd love to consider it for our state drink.  However, it does not have a local ingredient.  In fact, growing an olive tree is actually not that cool here.  Seeing as how olives pretty much make a dirty martini, it looks like the search continues.

Sands Regency Hotel & Casino
345 N Arlington Ave.
Reno, NV 89501
775.348.2200
Open 24 Hours