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

Sea Salt Caramel Milkshake from Sweets Handmade Candies

I have a confession.  I love milkshakes.  So.  Very.  Much.

Back when Super Sizing was a thing, I convinced a McDonald's employee to super size my chocolate milkshake.  I was young and stupid, but I don't regret it.  

Although chocolate is still my first love, I have branched out to my favorite being mint chocolate chip.  That being said, I will throw down with anything that is sea salt caramel.  It's my new favorite love.  So when I walked into Sweets and saw sea salt caramel ice cream I knew what I needed to do.

I got a weird sense of deja vu when I ordered, because the employee asked me if I was sure.  Age and wisdom told me I shouldn't be heady this time.  She saw the hesitation in my eyes and asked if I wanted to try the ice cream first.  I took that as a sign and I did ask for a sample.  

The sample was heaven.  I was worried for nothing.  I told her to go ahead and make me that awesome milkshake.  To quote my favorite Utility Player, "It was delightful."  In fact, I would name it Official Drink of Nevada right now, if it were for that weird look the employee gave me when I asked her.  When it comes to milkshakes, I'm emotionally too close to make that decision.

And yes, I totally threw up after drinking all of that super size milkshake.  Ah, it was still worth it.

Sweets Handmade Candies

Redfield Promenade, 4991 S Virginia St Reno, NV

(775) 827-8270

 

Oprah Cinnamon Chai Latte @Starbucks

According to the Starbucks site, the Oprah Cinnamon Chai latte is "created in partnership with Oprah Winfrey and Teavana teaologists, this distinctive chai blend features a bold infusion of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and cloves, blended with loose-leaf black tea and rooibos. Lightly sweetened and finished with milk and served over ice."

I'm going to be real about this...I do not like what Oprah represents.  I'm sure that she's a nice lady, but I hate how much hype she gets.  She reads a book, everyone has to go out and read that book.  She can do no wrong, and I hate that people will blindly follow anyone like that.  She's human, but no one treats her like she's human.  She's the golden calf idol.

That being said, she does seem to do some great things.  For example, buying this drink means that a portion of it is donated to "educational opportunities to the youth."  I'm not sure exactly what that entails, but it sure sounds like something positive, right?

I suppose that being said, they wouldn't really offer anything extra for charity.  When it comes to the quality, this tastes exactly like their regular chai latte.  The only difference was when I looked down with embarrassment when the guy announced he had an "Oprah" Latte instead of just a normal chai latte for pick up.

In the end it did what it was supposed to do, which is keep my caffeine headache at bay and taste pretty good.  I'm so sorry Oprah, but you aren't really on my list of official drinks of Nevada.

Mojitio at @Se7enbar

Mojitios are a pain in the butt to make.  I always feel bad ordering one.  Thankfully my new friend ordered one first to alleviate the guilt.  She's about to be a new momma, so my first one was a virgin.  The second one I ordered with booze to compare.

Our bartender was an awesome laid back chick (I accidentally got her cute mug in my photo of the drink), and was cool about us taking our drinks outside to the patio.  She didn't even judge us when we came back in minutes later because we were being eaten by bugs. 

The drinks actually tasted identical except for the booze addition.  If I was a designated driver for the night, that drink would hit the spot and keep me happily sober.  Both versions were incredibly tasty, and I would for sure go back and try what else they had.  Most of the time Mojitos are too sugary of a drink for me, but this one was the perfect amount of sweetness.  I'll for sure be back.

I know this isn't really a food blog, but I have to mention it.  While we were hanging out in the West Street Market we also had some dolmas from Niko's Greek Kitchen and some Ramen from Gamen Ramen.  Both were some of the best I've ever had, and now WSM is my new favorite spot for drinks and dinner.

Se7en Teahouse/Bar on West

148 West St Reno, NV 89501

(775) 284-3363

Wed - Thu:	3:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Fri:	3:00 pm - 2:00 am
Sat:	12:00 pm - 2:00 am
Sun:	12:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Happy Hour/Wednesday-Sunday /4-7 pm
Buy 1 get 1/2 off all wells drinks