Across the Country We Go: Reno, Nevada

There are five crucial questions a journalist must ask (and answer) when researching and developing a story: Who, What, Where, When, and Why. These Five W's, along with a bonus "How" for further clarity, will preclude each blog post to provide proper insight into this weird, wild nomadic journey. ​​

The Five W's + H:
​Who: The same triumphant trio of my fiancé, Sophie the cat and yours truly
What: Top 5 places to drink up 
Where: Reno, Nevada
When: June 2018 - December 2018
Why: Manifest Destiny. That's why. 
​+
How: In our longest drive to date, we motored by the plains of the Midwest stopping in Cedar Lake (about an hour outside of Chicago), Indiana; plowed through the corn fields making our way to Omaha, Nebraska; ventured into the vastness of Cheyenne, Wyoming; admired the mountains in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah; and sauntered through the salt plains of the Nevada desert. After five days, approximately 40 hours of drive time, and more than 2600 miles passing under our feet we finally reached our temporary home sweet home: Reno, Nevada. 

(Note: As of this writing, Covid-19—aka the plague—has infected more than five million Americans and killed at least 150,000 people here in the United States alone. Because of the pandemic, many restaurants have closed either temporarily or for good. It's especially important to support local businesses during these tough times, and all but one of the restaurants on this list are locally owned and operated. Also to keep with the times, five out of the six restaurants on this list feature outdoor eating areas and all of them offer to-go ordering. Be safe out there everybody.)

Reno, Nevada: Five Places to Drink Up

Noble Pie Parlor (777 S Center St #100, Reno, NV 89501)

Part dive bar, part trendy restaurant, part scratch kitchen and pure deliciousness in totality, Noble Pie Parlor is our pizza spot of choice located about a mile south of Truckee River in downtown Reno. The aptly self-proclaimed "favorite neighborhood pizza joint" is locally owned and specializes in artisan style, East Coast oven baked pies and local draft beer and cocktails. 

One of the most unique and interesting ways to start your meal here is with their famous Frachos. Noble takes their already tasty Parmesan Garlic Fries and adds roasted onions and peppers, loads on the melty mozzarella, and finishes with a hearty helping of fiery wing sauce. Make it vegan with Daiya cheese and their homemade bbq sauce, or get meaty with it with homemade sausage or rotisserie chicken.  

It's 2020 but I'll still ask this rhetorical question anyway: Who's ready to get their drink on? Two distinct but decidedly delicious cocktails are the Buonissimo ("very good" in Italian for all the moronic monolinguals out there like myself) Fashion and the Fallon Fizz. The Buonissimo is Noble's take on an Old Fashioned featuring rye whiskey mixed with Amaro Montenegro liqueur, vanilla simple syrup, bitters, and an orange peel. Delizioso! The Fallon Fizz is on the lighter side with gin, limoncello, lemon, a splash of simple syrup, egg white and grapefruit bitters with a sprinkle of lemon zest. 

Let's talk pizza. It all starts with freshness as both the delicious Sicilian Dough and spicy Brooklyn Red Sauce are made in house. Big, single slices are also made to order, but Noble's speciality pies are the star attraction. The Resa Special features the famous red sauce along with a veggie medley of tomato, roasted garlic, jalapeño, and red onion and is topped with spinach leaves. Looking for something outside the box? Try the PB and J pie with Pineapple, sweet Basil and hearty Jalapeño.  

No matter how you slice it (oh yes I've been waiting all section to make that cheesy—hehe—pun), Noble Pie Parlor features an array of tasty treats and delicious drinks. 

Silver Peak Brewery and Restaurant (124 Wonder St Reno, NV 89502)

A hidden gem with some of the best rooftop views in Reno, Silver Peak Restaurant and Brewery is a great spot to stop for lunch or dinner. 

As a starter or your main course, you can't go wrong with the Black Bean Nachos. Simple yet scrumptious, this mound of chips, melted shredded cheese, black beans and tasty cilantro cream is accented nicely with fresh guacamole and pico de gallo 

Did I mention this restaurant features it's own brewery? With dozens of rotating and seasonal taps, there are plenty of choices for beer buffs. The Silver Peak IPA packs quite the punch but tones down the hops, while the Vienna Lager has great light beer taste but won't pop that top button on your britches. 

The best/most unique item on the menu (which I could not for the life of me find a damn picture of) is the Salmon Fish and Chips. Over the course of our more than three years of traveling the country, I have not tasted a better fish and chips. It starts with the fresh Atlantic salmon and perfectly fried in-house Red Ale beer batter. Melt-in-your-mouth is just about the only way to describe this dish. 

If the ambiance wasn't enough, the friendly service and delicious eats are enough to keep coming back to Silver Peak. 

Walden's Coffeehouse (1170 S Wells Ave Reno, NV 89502)

Located just a block from our temporary Reno abode, Walden's Coffeehouse is known for more than just it's delicious roasted beans. In fact, this place should be known for exactly one thing: having the best breakfast burritos in Reno. 

Roasted breakfast potatoes seasoned to perfection? Check.

Fluffy scrambled eggs topped with gooey shredded cheese and spicy cilantro salsa? Bingo.

Option to "Make it Super" with hot green chiles and fresh sliced avocado? Hoo boy.

Yet another option to make it even super-er by topping it with an obscene level of more melted cheese, enchilada sauce and turkey chili? Ding ding ding! 

Particularly on those mornings when you're not quite 100 percent (aka hungover) this burrito hits the spot. Treat yourself x2 with a freshly baked cookie or brownie from their in-house bakery, or enjoy freshly brewed Jasmine Pearl Green Tea.  

Campo (50 North Sierra St. Reno, NV  89501)

Smack dab on the Truckee River lies Campo, a unique Italian eatery that prides itself on procuring as many local ingredients as possible while creating all pasta and pizza dough from scratch. This mission is typified by the quality and care that's put into each dish. 

As a well-known, big-time healthy guy, it should be obvious to all that most of my favorite foods on the Campo menu revolve around their fresh and tasty vegetables. Starting with the Wood Fired Cauliflower, a smokey roasted mix of spicy chiles combined with an added crunch of croutons, this is a healthy starter that sticks to your ribs. 

Another go-to starter before stuffing your face with pizza is the Kale Salad. Munch on this combination of blanched and shredded kale, poached egg, and crispy fried Grana Padano (Italian cheese) splashed with a light and tangy lemon-garlic vinaigrette and you're in business.

What's better to pair with your crisp Kale Salad than a fresh rolled pizza? The straightforward Marinara—red sauce with mozzarella and basil—is a game changer. 

Team these three courses with a gorgeous river view from the second floor patio and a carafe of local wine and you're l-i-v-i-n.  

Oceano (2707 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502)

The only restaurant on this list that doesn't feature an attached outside patio (you could always order your sushi to go and take it out to the pool area if you're really feeling baller), Oceano is located inside the Peppermill Resort and Casino. Previously voted Best Seafood in Reno by The Reno Gazette-Journal, freshness is the name of the game at this seafood mecca. 

Despite being posted up in the biggest little city, Oceano features fresh sushi and oysters that rival similar fare from top Las Vegas resorts. The Seasonal Harvest Oysters on the Half Shell do not disappoint, and the Bloody Mary Oyster Shooter provides the perfect amount of spice and freshness. 

Sushi-wise, the Maguro and Hamachi Nigiri (two pieces each) are top of the line. In terms of sushi rolls, the Rock Lobster Premium Maki Sushi with tempura lobster topped with snow crab, avocado, tempura crunch, Unagi sauce and a smidge of Sriracha was also top notch. 

Don't mind risking covid sitting indoors or willing to patiently wait until the plague is over? Throw down for all you can eat sushi. Choose from a varied selection of their sushi menu and get roll after roll delivered straight to your table.

The rest of the seafood outside of sushi and oysters could be terrible for all I know. What I do know is the crustaceans and raw fish selection was so good I didn't bother trying anything else.   

Bonus: Whitecaps Pizza  (8290 N. Lake Blvd. Kings Beach, CA 96143)

A scenic 45 minute drive from Reno lies the most beautiful lake in the country: Lake Tahoe. On the north side of this gorgeous lake lies the most delicious pizza place with the ultimate scenic view: Whitecaps Pizza.

Eat and drink like a king in Kings Beach, just steps away from an actual beach. Keep your reign simple and start with the mozzarella-infused, garlic topped Cheesy Garlic Bread.

Conquer your hunger with the hearty Four Cheese pie, with melty smoked gouda, gruyere, provolone and mozzarella entwined to please your royal tastebuds.

Grab your diamond encrusted chalice (royal diamond encrusted chalice not included) and enjoy some of the finest local ale or divine neighborhood wines. 

Or, hey. just come to Whitecaps to enjoy the view, grab some tasty pizza and enjoy a few adult beverages. The choice is yours, my liege.