Even though Midtown is in the midst of an awkward transition period to becoming a more pedestrian-friendly, artcentric shopping district, it's still continues to thrive as one of Reno's largest hubs for small business.
It's a great place to explore hidden gems. Clothing boutiques like Sierra Belle, Nomad and the newest shop on St. Lawrence, Sittie and Sage.
Want something a bit more funky? Try Junkee's, Melting Pot or Culture for one-of-kind pieces you won't find at the mall.
Hungry? For brunch, Two Chicks(best eggs benny in town!), Creme Cafe(delicious breakfast crepes) or Great Full Gardens(liege waffle is a sweet kind of heaven) all have unique breakfast specialties you won't find at IHOP.
Just want some coffee and a sweet treat? Jostella's(great coffee, also try their bagels and quiche for a delicious quick bite; also a great space for working), Perenn bakery(delightful selection of pastries) and New World Coffee(excellent espresso drinks and regular cup of joe)
Lunch? Michael's for an amazing deli experience served up with a smile, SÜP for, well, soup and gourmet sammies and Laughing Planet for healthy and hearty bowls that punch your tongue with flavor. Oh! Almost forgot! The Cheese Board has excellent gourmet selections and wine!
Dinner? Where to begin? I'll just make a list.
Chuy's for Mexican
Kauboi Izakaya for some amazing Japanese cuisine that will leave you wondering if you're still in Reno
Fin and Filet for something a little more upscale
Fat Cat for grass fed giant burgers- also try their "Fat Cat" style fries and get ready to die happy
Rue Bourbon - excellent jazz entertainment to go along with your po'boy and other cajun inspired cuisine
Arario- yummy Korean fare with excellent service
Moo Dang- yummy Thai food!
Brasserie St. James- best wings in town!
Centro- excellent small plates, but watch the tally!
Finally, we can't forget about the drinks! Here's that list.
Craft beer? Piñon, The Saint, Craft, Public House
Cocktails? Rum Sugar Lime(does its name not speak for itself?), Death and Taxes, Chapel(best. Bartenders. In town. If you like Bloody Marys, this is the place!)
Wine? Whispering Vines( you can bring in food from neighboring businesses like Arario and Chuy's Mexican Kitchen), Midtown Wine Bar(they have nightly live entertainment and a Thursday trivia night)
Pizza? Noble Pie(they let you have more beer selections from Piñon next store)
Okay. There's more..much more, but I think I've covered most of my favorite spots. There's probably a new business opening in Midtown as I type this. And that's what's so exciting about Midtown right now! There's so much to discover on any given day! Speaking of hidden gems, don't forget to go on a Midtown Mural tour. Sierra Arts Foundation does them regularly or you can go on your own scavenger hunt! So get on down there and let me know what diamonds in the rough you uncover! Happy exploring! read more