I always hated going to Reno when I was a child. We had a family friend who used to live there and we could make the trecherous drive in the winters to visit them and day-trip to some ski resort near the beautiful Lake Tahoe areas. My memories of Reno were confined to cheesy outdated casinos, creepy motels, and little old ladies blowing cigarette smoke into my face as we made a B-line to the casino’s arcade. However, this month we made the trip over to Reno on a business trip. I was sent there to cover the Third Annual CANFEST (which was a totally awesome event). Before heading to the Silver State, I made it a point to do some research online to see where the younger locals go, and luckily (with the help of Yelp), I was able to find some awesome places just within walking distance to casino-land that really made me like Reno.

The first place on our Reno 411 adventure is an awesome coffee shop called The Hub Coffee Company. This relatively young coffee shop and roaster is the perfect way to start your day with locally roasted beans and artfully made espresso drinks. We liked this place so much, we came here each morning we were in town. Small, cozy, and hip with a very strong local vibe. The baristas were knowledgable and friendly. On our first visit we had cappucinos courtesy of Ashlyn; perfect, well-rounded, and delightful while sitting out in the morning cold. The next day we met Ian and Mark (the owner), who were a dream team if we ever did see one. You can’t go wrong with anything on their menu, nor can you help but love the sense of community here. Laptops, dogs (on the patio), and lingering is welcome. www.thehubcoffeeco.blogspot.com 

Just a minute drive away (or a short walk, really), we grabbed a late breakfast at a cute little creperie called Creme. This little house reminded me a lot of places that I used to frequent in Phoenix, AZ. The prices here and the quality of food are out of this world. With nothing over $6, we were very pleased with our crepes and the freshly cut fruit (which they can customize for you if you have any allergies). Ryan went with the Ranchero crepes (eggs, black beans, guacamole, onions, and bacon) and I opted for the Spinach/Bacon/Cheese crepes.  Two rolled filled with fresh ingredients were perfect for a filling yet light brunch. Their crepes were on the eggier side with what tasted like a touch of citrus in the batter. Make sure to plan ahead though, they close at 2 p.m, but are open daily. www.cremecafereno.com

Our next stop was just another few blocks away at a fairly new shop called Craft. Specializing in craft beer and wine, this place is one of the better bottle shops I have seen on this side of the country. While the wine selections aren’t much, it’s their incredibly well-stocked beer fridge that is the star. They had an incredible amount of international selections- better than most larger stores with ties to major distributors. I came home with a few prized bottles including 3 Belgian gems including a beautiful farmhouse Saison from Fantome. Prices were reasonable and there is also a tasting area for those who want to open up their bottles or try any of their wine and cheese pairings. www.craftreno.net

Lastly, we dropped in on what could possibly be one of my favorite new bookstores in the west. Sundance Books & Music is a beautiful old home restored and converted into a giant independent bookstore. Similar to the Old Julian Book House, this store was well-stocked with popular titles and smaller-press indie authors as well. The used sections were a little bare, but room after room, we fell in love with the atmosphere and the vast selections. Prices were competitive with other major bookstores and the staff we encountered were very friendly. www.sundancebookstore.com 

There are many former houses-turned-restaurants in the greater Phoenix area, but one that will always hold a candle in my heart is the romantic little French hideaway that could: Coup des Tartes. I’ve been to this adorable Phoenix spot a handful of times over the years, but ironically, each time I’ve gone it was on a horrendously bad date. There was the guy who wanted to impress me no matter how big of an egotistical jerk he was…then there was the guy who took me there because it was my birthday but he secretly had a girlfriend…oy vey. Each memory I have of this place was bittersweet– amazing food and ambiance, bad dining companions.

This time, the boyfriend and I decided to do it right. Our best friends gifted us with a Groupon to Coup des Tartes last month so we made it a point to have a date night while visiting them. The place was exactly as I remembered it. Just this time, I’d remember every part of the meal with warm smiles and happy thoughts.

You can’t come here without trying their amazing onion tart appetizer which is delicate, savory perfection. For our entrees the Mr. went with the steak, while I went for their tender and juicy pork loin with goat cheese and a wonderfully tart raspberry sauce. For dessert, their brown butter and poached pear tart which was served warm.

When you think about the intimate atmosphere, attentive service, and well-executed menu, price is no object (although to be fair, their prices are pretty reasonable for the quality and value). Factor in the fact that they are BYOB (with corkage), and you’ve got a solid date sure to impress.

There was a time when I can remember being absolutely horrified of Brussels sprouts. When I was little my mother hardly made them, and whenever we had them at friends’ houses they were always the over-cooked, mushy, previously frozen kind. In high school I participated in a journalism program in Berkeley. A friend of mine had made dinner reservations at Chez Panisse, and after that glorious meal, I was a devout Brussels fan.

It turns out most people are afraid of foods because of their bad experiences with them during childhood. It’s different from when you’re an adult and have a bad dish here and there; more than likely, you’ll be more likely to try that thing again. After getting a taste of Alice Waters’ Brussels sprouts with bacon and onions,I knew this was an vegetable that I would have to get acquainted with.

A couple of years ago, I was gifted with a copy of Alice Waters’ “The Art of Simple Food.” To this day, it is one of my most favorite resources when cooking at home, and it’s one of the only cookbooks that I have read cover to cover. I have taken her recipe for Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Onions and modified it for this delicious autumnal side dish. 

Roasted Brussels Sprouts w/ Bacon (serves 4)

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
2. Arrange bacon (preferably slab bacon or lardons) on a baking sheet
3. Cook bacon until crisp (times will vary) then remove from oven (keep oven on)
4. Place bacon on a paper towl to drain and reserve rendered fat on the sheet
5. Rinse one pound of fresh Brussels sprouts and remove any damaged outer leaves
6. Trim stem and then cut sprouts in half (or into quarters if they’re large)
7. Toss sprouts in rendered bacon fat to coat evenly and place on baking sheet
8. Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste
9. If there is not enough fat to evenly coat the sprouts, drizzle one tablespoon onto them
10. Roast Brussels sprouts for 25-30 minutes (stirring every 10-15minutes) or until tender and carmelized
11. Roughly chop bacon and toss in with sprouts
12. Optional: serve with candied walnuts and/or dried cranberries or toss in one table spoon of apple cider vinegar