Reno: Mellow Fellow Gastropub

Subject: FOOD & DRINK

Place: Mellow Fellow Gastropub

Locale: Reno (Aces Stadium area)

Mellow Fellow Gastropub  Website

Visits: Once

Food:    4 out of 5 on the Fork-O-Meter

Drinks: 4 out of 5 on the Burp-O-Meter

Venue:  4 out of 5 on the Vibe-O-Meter

NARRATIVE:

Okay, so I am sort of breaking one of my rules here since there exists more than one Mellow Fellow Gastropub. Since only one actually sits in Reno, I will instead say I am bending the "no chain" rule. And heck, I AM the boss of me anyhow! This place is worth it. The other iterations (both established prior to Reno's) are in King's Beach and Truckee.

Mellow Fellow Gastropub sits across the street from the Reno Aces stadium in a former pizza restaurant called "Slice of the Peak". The interior space is much larger than what it shows from the outside. Ample room not only to accommodate an L-shaped bar, but plenty of alternative seating including conventional dining tables/chairs, couches, and high-tops. A nice billiards table sits in the main room, but the noise created was negligible. A second room, visible from the main room sits off to one side, but still seemed to feel inclusive to the rest of the place and not exactly separated.

There is a fairly large opening on the kitchen wall allowing customers to catch views of the staff and likewise for the staff to see the customers - I prefer being able to see what is going on back there. Above the kitchen "window" rests a very large chalkboard on which many of the current choices, deals, and specials were listed.

Peek-A-Boo

MFG boasts 40 brews on tap, and the day I visited, they were quite varied in origin, potency, and type. Although the board here is not electronic like the one at BeerNV, I think there was more information provided on the chalk-based entries done the old-fashioned way. These descriptions made choices come easily, and the tastes matched what I read. They do have other beverage options besides beer...wine, ciders, hard drinks, etc.

Pork Pops!

Possibly the most interesting aspect here for me are the menu offerings. From creative appetizers to complete dishes, it sure seemed that there was something for everyone. On this first visit, I chose the "Pork Pops" entree (they offer single pops as an app also). The pops were excellent. Very tender pork shanks on the bone drizzled with a choice of three sauces. Barely took a breath between bites. 

This was only my first visit here, but I guarantee that I will be back - there are several menu items to which I need to introduce myself.

Revisit is a definite yes.

--BG

Reno: BeerNV

Subject: DRINK

Place: Beer NV

Locale: Reno (South)

Beer NV   Website

Visits: A few...

Drinks: 4 out of 5 on the Burp-O-Meter

Venue:  4 out of 5 on the Burp-O-Meter  

Will I return?: Already did more than once!

NARRATIVE:

First off, the name says it all. It can be translated as "beer envy", "beer Nevada", or whatever. Beer NV is a true beer lover's Chuck E. Cheese minus the Whack-A-Mole machines - a little bit of everything beer. The building itself is located at the corner of S. Virginia and Foothill Rd. After walking in, you soon realize how the priorities of the world have shifted. In BNV, the HD screens displaying a multitude of sporting events have been relegated to the non-primary walls. The primary wallspace here (that is, behind the bar) is dedicated to the conveyance of high-definition hops and the like.

BNV proudly displays 60+ different beers, ciders, and related bevs on four extremely large HD screens. Seems a little unusual to observe more eyes looking at the beer boards rather than on the handful of sporting events around the large L-shaped room, and that really works for me. Depending on the day of the week and time of day, it can be daunting to find multiple contiguous empty bar stools. On weekdays immediately after the normal workday (I forgot what that is), the place can become packed. For the lucky ducks that do sit at the bar, the decisions are plentiful. The bar seats are preferred for a couple of reasons that follow. During the warmer months, an ample outdoor seating area is provided. There are couches, regular old dining-style tables and chairs and good old standing around room as options.

Sitting at the bar provides much faster drink service. Being that close also means I can read the beer boards without glasses (for you old timers who understand that). That is not to say I don't also enjoy sitting away from the bar on the plentiful high-tops. The screens are also quite easy to read from that distance as well (okay, glasses on again). Problem with sitting away from the bar is that the servers do not get around quickly when things become crowded. Nothing worse than an empty glass in a drinking establishment. This is a minor knock however.

Depending on the beverage, BNV offers great tasting options (including flights) at different sizes. Each specific size and cost is posted on the before-mentioned displays. Being able to sample a 4-oz taste of a new beer before to committing to anything more is a great thing. Additionally, on nearly every visit, the staff offers quick complimentary tastes -- another great way to introduce a newer taste.

Because BNV does not currently offer food, they are more than happy to permit folks to bring dinner into the building. In fact, they carry menus for Los Compadres, Yosh's Deli, and South Creek Pizza Co., at BNV (they are all located in the same center). We eyed many patrons ordering dinner over the phone and having it carried into BNV without leaving their seats - convenient!

The beers and other offerings (including some wines) rotate often. The selections cover a broad spectrum of tastes and strengths. The software used to display the current beverages is state of the art and very informative. They bring brews in from all over the country and several from overseas. Something for everyone.

Highly recommended.

-BG

Reno: Butcher's Kitchen Char-B-Que

Subject: FOOD

Place: Butcher's Kitchen Char-B-Que

Locale: Reno (South)

Butcher's Kitchen Website

Visits: 1

Food:    4 out of 5 on the Fork-O-Meter

Venue:  4 out of 5 on the Fork-O-Meter  

Will I return?: Yes

NARRATIVE:

After hearing about this new place (thank you Jerianne), we popped in for lunch. This family-run restaurant had only been open for eight days. Although located in a large, older strip mall, the interior is entirely new. Everything from the bar (more later), to the garage door leading to an outdoor seating area, to the tables and chairs screamed new. An easy-to-read menu was mounted directly behind and above the ordering counter.

Generally, I prefer to not try a restaurant this close to a "grand opening", but the word "Char-B-Que" sucked me right in. It was clear through the ordering process these folks were still in a dress rehearsal mode. I could tell that they were somewhat feeling their way through things, and while it was a little awkward for everyone involved, it was not unexpected. This is a counter-ordering establishment, after which the counter folks table deliver the food. 

One thing that I really enjoy about places like Butcher's Kitchen is that the menu tends to NOT be static. Depending on the day, and further yet, depending on the time of day, some items can disappear (or conversely, appear) from/onto the menu boards. This unpredictability for me is attractive, it makes me rethink what I thought I wanted to eat and try something new - love it. This is not McDonald's. 

We settled on a brisket sandwich, a pulled-pork sandwich, sweet potato fries, and a side of mac and cheese. On my brisket sammy, I asked for nothing but the bbq sauce they usually put onto the roll as I did not want to add anything that might mask or alter the taste of the smoke (onions, pickles, slaw, etc). It was one of the best smoked brisket bites I can recall. Linda was really happy with the pulled pork sandwich. The sweet potato fries were perfectly executed. 

Pulled Pork Sammy

Beef Brisket, no add-ons for me except their BBQ sauce

Side of Mac 'n Cheese

I mentioned a bar higher up in this blog. At the time of our visit, they were still a few days away from obtaining their alcohol license. The bar sits in a nice spot away from the ordering counters and only adds to the well-rounded atmosphere in the joint. Once the weather warms up a bit, I can envision the large garage door being opened, diners enjoying the outdoor seating, and everyone listening to good tunes while savoring what to this point is really good chow.

Risky to put such lofty praise on a new place based on a single visit, however there are certain places that have the basis (good food) to succeed all things considered.

To quote General Douglas McArthur, "I shall return!". Further Reviews to come!

-BG

Hello Blog World

January 18, 2016 : Okay, after some prodding (and several influential beers) by good friends and the wife, I reluctantly agreed to explore the blogging universe. Not exactly sure what my brainspill might offer others, but I am game and always willing to share.

What I will share:

My thoughts and opinions on the many unique (read into that, "non-chain") restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and events we have the opportunity to enjoy up here in the Northern part of Nevada as well as the nearby Lake Tahoe region. In some posts, I will provide photographs and or video snippets where possible.

What I will NOT share here:

• Political opinions
• Financial advice
• Weather forecasts
• World events

I am quite positive you can obtain any of the above-listed items on your own.

By the way, I have a zero-based schedule, so it is anyone's guess when I decide to spout...stay posted (pun intended).
  
-BG