Happenings
Things will really heat up with the second Annual Soup Week, taking place Jan. 21-28 and benefiting STEP2, a Reno nonprofit whose mission is to break the cycle of addiction and violence in families. For $60, participants will receive packages containing an official 2024 soup passport; soup coins (which entitle the bearer to a cup of soup at each participating establishment); the official 2024 soup mug; a soup mix from Cherry Bomb Catering; and a cocoa spoon from Dorinda’s Chocolates. “Join us in celebrating and supporting nine fantastic local food and drink spots, all while raising awareness and funds for our organization,” said Mari Hutchinson, CEO of STEP2. “And, best of all, we get to enjoy some very tasty soups!” Participants include Süp, The Cheese Board, Bangkok Cuisine and Grafted Whiskey and Wine Bar. To purchase packages or learn more, head to renosoupweek.com.
Local farm and nonprofit Urban Roots, located at 1700 E. Second St. in Reno, is hosting its Humble Harvest–Plant to Plate dinner, from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 27. The event will be après ski-themed with dinner crafted by chef Chris Cowell with Rogue Chefs, featuring ingredients grown at the Urban Roots farm. Tickets for $175 include a four-course dinner as well as wine, all inside the farm’s hoop house. For tickets and information, head to urbanrootsnevada-bloom.kindful.com/e/humble-harvest.
Openings, Closings, Shifts
Edelweiss Pizza Pub and Pastries has opened at 13979 S. Virginia St., No. 505, at the Summit Reno. The concept, which replaced a Noble Pie Parlor location, is heavily inspired by owner Monika Marsh’s Austrian heritage. Menu items include schnitzel, Tyrolean-style pizzas and apple strudel. Follow www.instagram.com/edelweissreno for updates.
Cookie Plug, a hip hop-culture-inspired cookie chain, has opened at 748 S. Meadows Parkway, in south Reno. The cookies, which are thick and almost puck-like, come in a variety of flavors including the Pink Elephant (strawberry cheesecake), Firecracker (s’mores) and OG (chocolate chip). Learn more at cookieplug.com.
Shane Mathias, owner of the barbecue food truck and catering service Big Blue Q, is opening a brick-and-mortar location called The Reno Bar and Grill at 903 E. Fourth St. in downtown Reno. Mathias, who started Big Blue Q almost 11 years ago, said the concept will be, “a casual, relaxed atmosphere with good food.” The Reno Bar and Grill will be open for lunch and dinner, with menu items like wagyu burgers, jambalaya, house-smoked pork belly, house-made pasta and rotating specials. Watch bbqtahoe.com for updates
Popular bakery and lunch spot Homage, at 519 Ralston St. in downtown Reno, has closed, with owners citing a huge rent increase (325 percent!) as reason for closure. The future is unclear—in a social media post, owners said: “We don’t know what the future, holds but we are excited and motivated for what’s next.” Homage is asking fans to contribute photos and stories to a digital memory book.
https://www.homagereno.com/memories
The Stick, a sports bar on 95 N. Sierra St. in downtown Reno, has closed after being at the location for eight years. The bar cited its reason for closing on its Instagram: “The dynamics of downtown Reno have shifted.” See that page for yourself at www.instagram.com/thestickreno.