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

Chai Latte @HubCoffeeReno

Now that I'm back in town, getting together with old schoolmates is starting to come about, and it's been awesome.  It's so exciting to see what everyone grew up to be.  Maureen gave me some advise when we were in sixth grade; part my hair on the side.  It never occurred to me to change something like that up, and it changed my whole life.

Now she's a super awesome hair stylist at L'Essence Day Spa and Salon, and I would seriously suggest that if you need some awesome new hair color to make an appointment with her.

She has some of her cool transformations up on her Instagram,

We met up at Hub Coffee Roasters since she's a super busy momma, and I decided to go with my old standby of a Chai Latte.  Mo was nice enough to get it for me, so I'm going to have to get something for her next time we see each other.

The Chai was good, and very pretty.  In the end though, I don't think I like it as much as I like the one from Bibo's.  I know Hub is supposed to be better according to Yelp and Facebook reviews, so I'm willing to go back another time and give them a shot.

It's still a solid second in my book, and I would for sure go there again.  Their river side location was great for people-watching, and catching up with my old friend.  The parking lot was a little strange, but I got it figured out the second time around the block.  All in all, a great time with some great coffee.

Hub Coffee Roasters-Riverside
http://www.hubcoffeeroasters.com/

Visit: 727 Riverside Dr, Reno, NV 89503
Hours: Mon-Sat 7am to 8pm
Sun 7am to 6pm