Thursday, July 11, 2013

A wise man once said...

“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is Freedom, in water there is bacteria.”
~Benjamin Franklin

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

So much more than bar food

We aren't usually moved to blog about food, but now we have to.




Wild River Grille just added Seared Mahi Tacos to their menu- and they're totally worth every bite. Cilantro, flaky fish, spicy guacamole and mango. The perfect compliment to our favorite drinks here: Strawberry Fields and Harvest Mule (with lime instead of lemon).

Summer doesn't get any better than this!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:S Sierra St,Reno,United States

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Special, Special Treat

We're at SoDo today. We ordered our cocktail list favorite, the Islander, with lunch. Our favorite server suggested that Kat, our bartender, can make original cocktails.

Kat came to our table and asked what we like. She had two profiles to work with: one fruity with no alcohol flavor, one spicy and refreshing.

She nailed it.



The drink on the left, we're calling "Bliss". Mango, house made
Sauvignon Blanc simple syrup, fresh lemon and orange juice. Yum. On the right, absolute cilantro and lime with muddled cilantro and ginger, topped with ginger beer. Refreshing with a bite. :)

Come for lunch an ask for Kat! She's amazing!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Hill St,Reno,United States

Friday, March 15, 2013

Fuego!

It's like a homecoming, returning to Fuego. The memorial park is a great buffer between the patio and the buzz of Virginia & Court Street. Perfect place to get away for Sangria and Tapas in the middle of your busy day.



After trying many other recipes around Reno, it is our expert Day Drinking Opinion this is THE BEST SANGRIA IN RENO. (If there's another you'd like to nominate, post it in the comments).

Favorite Tapas here: tiger prawns, stuffed dates, lobster puffs, pork medallions and skewers.

Get your sunshine patio drink on at Fuego!

Location:S Virginia St,Reno,United States

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Spring is springing!!

Spring is on the cocktail menu at SoDo! Our first two picks are perfect on the patio.



The Islander (right) has the right sweet mess of pineapple and coconut with vodka and rum. The Lemon Song is smooooth, - muddled mint in lemoncello with citron vodka and peach schnapps. Delicious, delightful, and a perfect complement to the spring air and sunshine. If you like mojitos, you'll love this.



The Velvetini is the smoothest cousin of the martini. Sweet, but not too sweet. "Elegant, classy and delicious" as the menu says. Not too strong- you could have two. :)

Location:Ridge St,Reno,United States

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Good advice

I only drink by myself or with somebody.

~Butch

Reprise - Granite Street Eatery

Day drinking is just a little more fun on the weekend, when you don't have to come up with excuses for avoiding work. :)

Granite Street cares enough about fresh ingredients and hand-made cocktails to bring us back for overtime on the weekend. It's too late for the egg nog, but plenty of warm winter treats are still available.



Starry night, with its bubbles, ginger liqueur and ginger syrup, served with a slice of candied ginger balanced precariously on the rim, is a deliciously refreshing beverage any time.

The "winter is coming" is a large version of the old-fashioned hot-toddy. Whiskey, allspice liqueur, honey and lemon served hot. It'll knock out any cold or virus you're fighting... Or at least, you won't care about anything attacking your immune system after you drink it. So yummy, and it'll clear your sinuses.



The Jefferson - scotch, Benedictine, fennel, clove & bitters - reminds us of a Mai tai with scotch. So delicious, served with an orange rind on the rocks.

Oh yeah- and the foods amazing too. The breakfast menu is available well after noon. Eggs in a frame, anyway you like 'em, with hollandaise.


Yummy!!

If you're day drinking in Reno on the weekend, you've got to stop at Granite Street. (The bloody Mary's are amazing too). :)

Location:S Sierra St,Reno,United States

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Strega (on Overtime)

Let's begin by admitting, this is not "day drinking". It's dark out. In our defense, it's not 7:00 p.m. yet.


Another taste of Portland, Strega prides itself on fresh squeezed fruits and house infused vodka. The house special is a raspberry and blueberry infused vodka in a tasty lemonade.


This place is loooong on character, ad short on pretense. There's no food menu- just handcrafted cocktails by bartenders who care about their craft. Every room of this house-turned law office- turned bar is designed for comfort.




Make it in time for 2 for 1 happy hour specials- they open at 4:00 p.m. until, "people stop drinking."


Location:S Arlington Ave,Reno,United States

Imperial Lounge

Looking for a Portland-esque vibe in Reno? There are a couple good bars for that- including Imperial lounge.


Exposed brick and infrastructure creates a wide-open, relaxed atmosphere, even in the cozy booths.

Ask for the cocktail menu, and you'll be directed to the chalkboard.


Every day has its own special:


For a refreshing afternoon cooler, get a John Daly. "The lush version of Arnold Palmer," says the bartender.


...and the food's amazing.


We tried the fish tacos, sliders, guacamole, Japanese chicken wings and pesto panini. Everything is soooo delicious, but we should've had more of the pesto panini.


If you're coming after work, plan on a crowd. This place gets packed after 8:00 or so.

Our service here was awesome!! Our servers professional advice is to enjoy the whiskey selection with water or soda.

Definitely worth your time for a great hangout, watching a game, playing pool, or flirting with bartenders! Come check out Imperial!

Location:N Arlington Ave,Reno,United States

Monday, January 21, 2013

Wisdom....

"Booze is the answer. I don't remember the question."
Anonymous

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Mmmmm... Beeeer...





Granite Street Eatery

Let's start with soup. No really, do. The creamy tomato soup garnished with fresh house croutons and fresh Parmesan, is smoother than silk. The roasted basil flavor is not just in your imagination. Seriously, it's a great way to start a warm winter meal in the kitchen-style cozy dining room. The black and white tile floors and dark wood tables and chairs give the feel of an intimate kitchen setting, where amazing smells waft from the stoves and ovens nearby.

As for drinks, we started with the Dark & Stormy, Snow Day and Granite Hot Chocolate.

The Dark & Stormy is a lovely mix of gosling's rum & ginger beer. Served with a lime, it is a light bodied, sparkling drink with a charming bite at the finish. Please beware- this is a very strong drink.




The Granite Hot Chocolate is easily the BEST alcoholic hot chocolate in Reno. (If you'd like to compete, please say so in the comments.) The hot cocoa and root liqueur is served with a marshmallow created right here in the kitchen. Smooth and easy.



The favorite at the table is the Snow Day. This house infused maple vodka & coffee liqueur with in house egg nog will bring out your holiday spirit, no matter what holidays you celebrate. Rimmed with sugar and nutmeg, this smooth beverage will sweep you off your feet.



Add Granite Street to your list of day drinking establishments!

Location:S Virginia St,Reno,United States

Friday, January 11, 2013

"Somebody left the cork out of my lunch." ~ W.C. Fields


Scampi

You would think a restaurant located under an office tower, across from the federal courthouse and several banks would be packed at lunch. Although this place gets hopping at happy hour, this is a quiet little secret at the lunch hour.

From the doormat to the menu, Scampi boasts its pasta and its bar. The cocktail list includes truly classic favorites- Old Fashioned, Blood & Sand, Clover Club, Gimlet and house Limoncello. There are also house cocktails with fun names and complicated recipes. Like the Aviation Blush Sour, for example, or the Latin Lover. House cocktails incorporate classic flavors and textures- like egg white- with non traditional, an surprising garnishes- like red bell pepper.

The music nearly fits the decor- Sinatra, Crosby, Sammy, all crooning the afternoon away. Dark wood paneling and painted walls temper the only daylight from the glass block wall that faces Virginia Street, keeping the cozy dark bar feel even at noon.



When we asked for a warm cocktail, sans coffee, our gracious bartender wandered off the menu and created a delightful hot chocolate with chocolate liqueur and vanilla vodka, garnished with powdered sugar.


The food presents tremendous flavors, although textures weren't quite right. The pasta is a bit on the done side, the meats a little dry or chewy, but the sauces are delicious.

All in all, the bar here has captured our hearts. We'll be back for more.

Location:S Virginia St,Reno,United States

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Why We Day Drink....

Great article from the New York Times:
 
Why We Day Drink

Wild River Grille

Wild River Grille is definitely our old standby for delicious food and good drinks. We've been regulars here over a year, and have never been disappointed.

Winter food specials include amazing soups- tomato bisque, for instance is amazing with a pork belly grilled cheese sandwich. The French onion will change the way you think about French onion soup.

Although the food is worth a visit by itself, we come for the drinks!

Our winter favorite is the Wild River Cider. Served with a stick of cinnamon, this hot blend of Sailor Jerry Rum, orange brandy, and apple cider will warm you sweetly from the inside out. Also delicious in winter is the Smug Snuggler- hot chocolate with cinnamon and peppermint schnapps topped with whipped cream that's just as cozy as it sounds.



The lighter side of the cocktail menu includes a refreshing Cucumber Martini, Raspberry Lemondrop, and Tru Martini.



In warmer weather, live entertainment will perform on the ample patio, located right on the Truckee Riverwalk. Enjoy a beautiful view of the river and wide open Nevada sky from the heart of downtown Reno.

In the late afternoon enjoy tapas at the Wild River Tap room, where a second bar is located in the middle of large windows that let in amazing views of the Reno arch and the historic post office. Translucent photos of historic Reno adorn the windows and offer the surreal experience of looking at the present through the past.




The staff are friendly, the chefs are professional and the bartender knows what he's doing. Check out Wild River Grille for your next lunch or happy hour!!

Location:S Virginia St,Reno,United States

Friday, January 4, 2013

SoDo

Happy 1st Drinking Lunch of the New Year!!

Today we left the office on foot, our faces towards the sun, and immediately froze our butts of because it's only 16 degrees outside.

Needless to say, we didn't travel far. Good thing the office is close to one of the best Bloody Mary's in Reno!

SoDo is a small and very fashionable restaurant with typically decent daily good specials and soups. Today, for example, featured a creamy clam chowder and a tomato parmesan soup.

But really, we came for the Bloody Mary's. Even served on ice, these spicy beverages will warm you up in no time. The homemade blend is served with a skewer of onion, green olive and lemon. The citrus kick is a sweet complement to the tomato and spices.

The wine and beer lists provide ample selection, and there are several delightful SoDo cocktails available.

Next time you're out for a day drink, check out SoDo! (There's even a great patio if the weather ever breaks 32 degrees) 😄


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Court St,Reno,United States