Happenings
Celebrate Independence Day on Thursday, July 4, at the Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe, 4130 Lake Tahoe Blvd., with the exclusive Skyline Soiree—a lakeside fireworks celebration, where guests can watch South Lake Tahoe’s fireworks show from the hotel’s seventh-floor balcony overlooking the lake. Tickets are $200 and include light bites, two drinks and access to a full bar. For tickets and more information, search for the event on Eventbrite.
Dancing in the Streets, a celebration of all things Midtown, takes place Saturday, July 13, starting at 4 p.m. Virginia Street will be closed from California Avenue to Mount Rose Street to host eight music stages and dozens of food and drink vendors. While the event itself is free, VIP experience tickets are available. For more information, visit www.renomidtown.com/dancinginthestreets.
The Sierra Nevada Lavender and Honey Festival is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, July 14, in Idlewild Park. The free event celebrates local lavender and honey with honey tastings by the Northern Nevada Beekeepers Association alongside arts and crafts, demonstrations, music and more. Get details at www.lavenderandhoneyfest.com.
Hot Havana Nights, a fundraiser for Safe Embrace—a nonprofit working to provide resources and support to victims of domestic and sexual violence—will take place at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, July 20, at the National Automobile Museum, 1 Museum Drive, in Reno. The Cuban-inspired event will feature Latin music and dance performances, libations and Cuban treats from the Renaissance Reno catering team, and hand-rolled cigars from Ruiz Cigars. For tickets, which start at $100, or more information, visit e.givesmart.com/events/CAl.
The annual Reno Garlic Fest is scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 3, at the McKinley Arts and Culture Center, at 925 Riverside Drive. Local farmers will sell a variety of garlic goodness like pickled garlic, garlic fries, garlic popcorn and even garlic beer. Learn more about this Reno Food Systems event at www.facebook.com/RenoGarlicFest.
News, Openings and Closings
Grafted Whiskey and Wine Bar, at 7300 Rancharrah Parkway, in Reno, and owned by Jade and Chad Bogan, is launching a nonprofit organization, Grafted Kitchen, to provide culinary education to at-risk 15-to-19-year-olds. The kitchen is a 2,500-square-foot culinary training facility on Oddie Boulevard in Sparks. The nonprofit will offer the opportunity to participate in a one-year, paid internship where students will receive culinary, business and hospitality training. “Our hope is that Grafted Kitchen can create a safe and supportive space for youth in our community to learn new skills and be empowered to change the trajectory of their lives,” said Jade. “On top of culinary mentorship, this internship will also give wraparound services including GED and education support, mental health support, and other needs determined by on-staff social workers.” Learn more at graftedkitchen.com.
Laughing Cat Coffee, Reno’s first specialty coffee roaster, established in 1990, has re-opened under new ownership at 3545 Airway Drive, Suite 110, in Reno. Focusing on quality and master blending, Laughing Cat is introducing new signature drinks, carefully crafted blends and a rotating selection of single-origin coffees. Find out more at www.laughingcatcoffee.com.
Popular Incline Village spot Wing’s Korean Chicken has opened a new location at 2134 Greenbrae Drive, in Sparks. The concept offers Korean fried chicken wings and tenders with a variety of sauce options, such as honey butter and Korean super spicy, alongside other popular Korean street foods like Korean corn dogs and kimbap. We could not find a web presence for the new location, but the website for the Incline Village spot is wingskoreanchickenblog.wordpress.com.
The Reno branch of Sizzle Pie, the Portland, Ore.,-based pizza chain, at 190 S. Center St., has closed due to delinquent rent payments, as reported by the Reno Gazette-Journal. While the company had not yet issued a public statement as of this writing, its website link yields a “404 – Not Found” page.
Have local food, drink or restaurant news? Email foodnews@renonr.com.
—Maude Ballinger
Garlic and other fresh produce will be available at the Reno Garlic Fest.
A range of fresh produce will be available at the Reno Garlic Fest.