Reel in the latest highlights from our local food-and-drink community.

Toro Bravo, a collaboration between Sergio Romero from La Condesa and Rene Preciado from Mexcal, opened mid-March on the Riverwalk in Reno. The upscale Mexican steakhouse has taken over the location on Sierra Street that was formerly Smith and River.

 

The community is mourning the loss of Jesus “Chuy” Gutierrez, the owner of three Mari Chuy’s restaurants in the Reno area (in Midtown, the Village at Rancharrah, and the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. His Sparks location was closed in early 2025). The prominent community figure suffered severe lung complications related to several bouts of COVID-19. He died on March 18.

 

Valerie Gray, the owner behind Italian Hearts Gourmet Foods LLC, which includes Italian Hearts Pasta Sauces, is looking to sell.

 

John Sande IV and Sepideh Arya-Sande opened The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill in Damonte Ranch Town Center in Reno on Jan. 27. They are franchisees of the growing brand, which started in Las Vegas and has achieved record growth this year. The husband-and-wife team also bought rights to additional  restaurants and may be opening more locations in the months and years to come.

 

Reno’s Atlantis Casino Resort Spa was featured on three episodes of What Would You Do? on ABC, airing Jan. 15, Feb. 5, and March 5. Clips of the episodes are available on YouTube.

West Street Cafe and Bistro opened in West Street Market in Reno where Sabrina’s West Street Kitchen recently celebrated its last day in early February.  

Lillo Eatery is the new Reno restaurant concept from Brittany Walshaw, who owned Pola Poke Bowls until recently. Lillo, which opened in March, is located in the same storefront she ran Pola out of. In addition to salads and a collection of bowls spanning international cuisines, Walshaw kept a few poke bowls on the menu. She also serves creative mocktails and breakfast, made largely using goods baked by Off Center Bagel, which bakes out of the Plumb Lane cafe. 

 

 

People often frequent restaurants to avoid the shopping, prep, and cooking involved in creating a meal at home. But every once in a while, a restaurant dining experience comes along for which it’s worth rolling up your sleeves. At Everline Resort & Spa in Olympic Valley, diners are invited to catch their own dinner in the property’s trout-stocked lake.

 

The culinary journey of the plantain is complex. It includes travels through the trade routes of Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, its introduction to Europe by Alexander the Great, and its arrival on the African continent via Trans-Saharan Arab merchants. The plant made it to the Caribbean basin — in the bellies of slave ships — where it has been adopted for users in many Latin American dishes.

 

Ignite your inner carnivore at Momma’s Meat Co. In today’s world of industrialized meat processing, Momma’s Meat Co. in Fallon is bringing back the old-fashioned local butcher shop, with an emphasis on hometown service, creative meat products, and wild game processing.