OK. blog, I need your help and this has nothing to do with real estate, foreclosures, development, downtown or design. Mom and Dad are coming into town to visit next week and I need to pick a place for a birthday dinner on the 23rd.
– Dad (The Coach) – Eats meat. No rice, pasta, tomatoes, onions, salad, or vegetables beyond corn and, well, corn. Pepper is an exotic spice for him.
– Mom (The Keeb – looks just like a Keebler Elf) – She’ll go exotic and order some seafood entire with a cream sauce that will make her sick. Pretty open, but can’t handle garlic in any form.
– Birthday Boy – Would eat about anything, since he hasn’t had a meal out without a spork in a long time. Venison carpaccio would be nice.Is frightened by the concept of a blooming union THING and its impact on heart health.
They are on the road between winter in Tucson and summer in central Minnesota, so they will be living out of a suitcase without dress up clothes. I think Harrah’s steak house is out of the picture! I thought that the Cactus Grille at the Bonanza Casino might work out just fine,but they have gotten really expensive and are rivaling the downtown venues on price.
So a casual, extraordinary, reasonably affordable and memorable dinner with beef for Dad and seafood that won’t make Mom barf. Any suggestions from you epicures?
Guy Johnson
That’s funny that you mentioned the Cactus Creek Steakhouse at the Bonanza Casino. I was going to suggest them. It’s one of our favorite places to go for dinner. As an FYI, they’ve recently added some new items to their menu: lobster sliders, coconut prawns, as well as a skirt steak (for a lower price option).
Zen
Whenever I try to initiate going out for a steak, my wife reminds me that the best steak in town is in my backyard with me at the grill. Got to love her. With that said, one of my favorite, don’t want to break the bank, just want the food good and hot, and the beer cold, is the Outback Steakhouse. I tend to go their at the end of a big work day in the yard day, when I don’t have it in me to fire up the Big Green Egg (my favorite grill). The Ruby River Steakhouse can be pretty good too. They might not meet your requirement to be “extraordinary”, but I can’t think of an “extraordinary” one that meets the rest of the requirements, hopefully someone else will, so I can try it out. I am sorry to hear about the Cactus Creek, I keep meaning to go their, but thats because I have heard that it is reasonably priced. I won’t make that trek if that’s not the case anymore. One last thought, if the dinner is on your birthday, you eat free at Ichiban Japanese Steak House on your birthday. You do have to get the birthday meal, but it is really good. If you only have to pay for two meals, that brings the price way down. You also have to show them identification. I always have a good time their. It is quite a cool experience. I would definitely go their if it’s on your birthday. That’s all I have for now.
Tofu Mary
How about the buffet at the Grand Sierra or whatever they’re calling it these days? Something for everyone there. Either that or that fancy mermaid-encrusted steak and seafood place at the Peppermill, Oceana or something like that? Then there’s always the Lone Eagle Grill at sunset… mmmm, can’t go wrong with that one!
Jackpile
Anyplace that serves a cow hoof as an appetizer… a hair hoof. 🙂 I might suggest The Washoe, although I’m not partial to it, but they might serve a hoof.
Sully
Steak house at Western Village. Dress code is relaxed, food good. Also, variety on the menu. Prices similar to Nugget steak house.
High roller
Although pricey, Charlie Palmer steakhouse at GSR is really good with impeccable service. It’s ala carte so dad can have that steak and nothing else. You don’t have to dress nice there. I’m usually dressed like a thug and thanks to the comps get to eat free there.
Tom
Sounds like a trip up the Hill to the Sage Room at Harvey’s is appropriate for this event.
Southern
Sully is right on with the Western Village Steak house. Nothing in town can compare.
Kenny
Rapscallion would fit the bill.
Gurlie1040
Why don’t you try the Vista Grille in Sparks? Steak and Seafood is always on par and since they also serve pizza, the dress code is relaxed. The wine list is not bad either.
Comeback Kid
Downstairs at Harrahs – spend the money. Be the good son. Hey , how often do your parents visit?
john
bummer I was going to suggest going to Johnny’s. I love that place!!
Gadfly
I really enjoy both the NY strip and the plum chipotle salmon at the Wild River Grille. It is a little pricier than some of the suggestions above, but it is a great location.
As a second choice, I agree with Sully and Southern about the Western Village Steakhouse. I have never had a meal there that was less than great. The ambience leaves something to be desired, but otherwise a fine choice.
Mike McGonagle
Wow, thanks for the great feedback, y’all. Who knew that Western Village even had a steak house, not to mention a local gem? Wild River was under my radar, and looks like it would fit the culinary restrictions (retardation) quite nicely. We ate at the Glory Hole as it was transforming to Washoe Grill years ago when I first moved in, and did Johnny’s last visit (loved it!) a couple years ago. Still intrigued by the Bonanza Cactus Creek, but the reported smoke infiltration from the casino is in issue for Mom. But if Mrs. Guy will eat there, I think it is aseptic and safe.
Again, thanks to all of you for your help and suggestions, and keep ’em coming!
Drive by Poster
La Ferme in Genoa. It’s a bit of a drive from Reno, but amazing.
geopower
Men Wielding Fire- I can’t swear to the steaks, but the ribs and the smoked half chicken are fantastic, and prices on entrées are around $10. They have fish also- salmon and ahi, though I haven’t tried them yet. And the desert of beer battered, deep fried corn bread and honey is amazing.
lb_Reno
I second the Cactus Creek, I have never detected an odor of smoke in the restaurant but walking through the Casino to get to it is another story.. If that’s a concern, would recommend the Bistro Napa http://www.atlantiscasino.com/dining/bistro-napa-menu.asp at the Atlantis- very nice menu, impeccable service and upstairs far away from any odor of cigarette smoke.
john
bistro napa?
sorry but that place tries be upscale and FAILS miserably. I won’t even go into detail lol.
Gadfly
I have never been to Bistro Napa, although I have heard folks I know rave about it. John, is it the food that fails, or the ambience (or both)? With only a few exceptions, I have found that the casino atmosphere can negatively impact the fine dining feel of almost any restaurant no matter how good the food is (and no matter how far away from the casino floor it is located).
Zack Sheppard
I always like Orozko at the Nugget. Good food, good ambiance, and it’s far enough from the casino that it’s not smokey. For a real Reno experience you can take them to good ol Louis Basque. Or for a view of the city Moxie’s in Caughlin Ranch which also has a menu that fits the bill.
Michael
Hands down Cactus Creek steak house at the Bonanza. Plus I guess Costco will be selling 2 $50 gift cards for $49.95 on Friday (15th) and Saturday (16th) so that will help with the cost. Every dining experience I’ve had at C.C. has been nothing but superb. The maitre d Jacque is an older french gentleman who makes it just a bit more special.
I’ve eaten at pretty much every fine dining restaurant in the area and C.C.’s service is up there. I would have to say the service at the Western Village Steakhouse is just a tad bit more formal. The atmosphere at C.C. is far from being pretentious such as Charlie Palmers or Harrah’s Steakhouse.
One of the most over-rated places is the Harrah’s Steakhouse. They used to be top notch but my recent visit there was less than special. For a 4 Diamond AAA rated establishment, I expected top notch service. The wait staff did not serve from the left and remove from the right, the Duck a L’Orange I ordered was dry, the Steak Diane (cooked tableside) was a bit too salty, and the plating wasn’t aesthetically appealing.
I could go on and on about each restaurant, but overall I think you’d like Reno’s diamond in the rough (Cactus Creek). In regards to the casino (smoke) smell, just make sure you are seated at least 10 feet from the entrance.
Bon Appetit!
P.S. If you do go, their rolls are to die for!
Comeback Kid
Gee, do you work there Michael?
lb_Reno
I just logged in to post exactly what Michael said..re the 1/2 price gift cards at Costco. It’s a great deal and I second Michael’s comments about Cactus Creek and I don’t work there. IMO they have the best beef I have ever eaten in a restaurant in Reno & my husband and I have made a science out of trying out various restaurants =)
lb_Reno
regarding Bistro Napa, I found the food to be excellent, well seasoned and well prepared. I didn’t feel like they were trying too hard at anything. We had a fantastic waiter from France who was extraordinarily knowledgeable about the wine list as well as the menu.
Michael
LOL for the record I don’t work there. I do however live to eat! If I like some place I will talk it up 🙂
Zen
Sadly, Reno is loosing one of its better and more interesting restaurants after tonight. This is the last night that Sezmu on Mt. Rose Street will be open. What I heard is that there was some disagreement between the restaurant owner and the building owner, so the lease was not renewed. What ever the reason, I think the culinary diversity in this town just took a big hit.
MikeZ
How about the buffet at the Grand Sierra or whatever they’re calling it these days? Something for everyone there. Either that or that fancy mermaid-encrusted steak and seafood place at the Peppermill, Oceana or something like that?
The GSR buffet took a sharp turn downhill at some point. It’s pretty bad now. Eldorado and Silver Legacy (or is it Circus Circus?) buffets are the best in town, IMO. For steaks, I hear very good things about the Peppermill’s steak house, but haven’t gone yet.
lb_Reno
Oceana is about as crappy as the Atlantis seafood thing in the “bridge across Virginia St”. Unchanging and uninspired menus…plastic wrapped sushi prepared God knows when.. I avoid both like the plague. I was in the Atlantis once and got a huge craving for a ginormous seafood cocktail. I tried to order one without scallops and was told that was impossible since ‘that’s how they come’ huh???that’s how they come from where? The freezer? I got scared and left
Tom
That oyster bar and seafood restaurant in the bridge over the street at Atlantis is puzzling to me. They offer a nice serving of fried shrimp or fried oysters, but decline despite my request on at least three visits, to add cole slaw to that menu item in the future. Don’t they talk to each other? Or is it like one comment above suggests, their attitude is `the way it comes is the way it comes.’ What kind of seafood place is it that serves fried shrimp without any way to order cole slaw with it? It is almost like a hot dog stand that refuses to sell mustard.
Walter
Maybe, Mike and Guy, you ought to change this to a food blog. This is the most number of posts for a thread in a while, including even one from the blog’s originator…..
Move to Reno
Definite sign that the bottom is in.
Guy Johnson
Walter, the same thought crossed my mind. 🙂
“It’s Time to Buy Again” | RRB Home
[…] – "Dinner for 3" will be at Cactus Creek on the 23rd thanks to the 2-fer $50 gift cards at Costco. Feel […]