Autumn always feels as if it’s a season made for nostalgia and reflection, for some reason – a time to think back on good times with friends and family. And I’ve come to realize that so many of those good times happen to center around food. So this week, I want to share with you a few of the area’s eateries, past and present, that have been on are at the top of my list when I’ve had folks in from out of town and wanted to make new memories over a great meal. Photo at left: Pixabay, Jill Wellington.
First up, who could make a list like this and not include Adele’s in Carson City? Its location in the downtown area so close to the government complex (not to mention the good food) always made this restaurant a hit when I wanted to impress co-workers or business acquaintances. The ambiance and history of this spot just couldn’t be beat, and if you happened to spot one of Nevada's elected movers and shakers dining here, so much the better. If you’re from out of the area and you haven’t been to Carson for a couple of years, you’ll notice I’m writing in the past tense. It was a real blow about a year and a half ago, in March of 2019, when a fire caused just too much smoke damage and the restaurant closed for good. A lot of things just happened to come together all at once for owners Charlie and Karen Abowd, and they decided not to reopen after the incident. The actual building itself was demolished earlier this year in April, but the Abowd family isn’t quite through with food yet. You can still tap into Charlie’s famous epicurean skills through his private professional chef services or, the next best step, check out his trove of recipes (heavy on the local and sustainable side of cooking). Plus, there’s still the Stone House Café in Reno, owned and operated by Charlie’s father and sister. More info on all things related to Adele’s is online, including some words from legendary Nevada journalist Jon Ralston about the loss of this culinary landmark. Photo at right: Facebook, Cafe at Adele's.
Another dining icon in these parts is the J.T. Basque Bar & Dining Room in Gardnerville. I’ve mentioned before that I’m from here in the great American West but a bit farther north, with family scattered across Montana and Idaho. And although I may not be able to lay claim to any Basque heritage, there is one thing my people do share in common with the Basque, and that’s sheep. I grew up following trails through the mountains that were carved there from years of sheep being herded to and from their summer pastures, and our family heirlooms included a sheep wagon and a large wooden frame designed to hold the burlap bag into which wool was stuffed during the shearing season. So when my parents came to visit after I moved to Douglas County, we went to dinner for the family-style meal at the J.T. restaurant. Between the local meats and veggies, the rich history of the establishment and the old-style, down-home atmosphere, the whole evening was quite a success. Photo at left: Facebook, JT Basque Bar & Dining Room.
My final eat-to-impress spot dates me in much the way my memories of Adele’s do. I always really enjoyed the Hungry Bear Restaurant up at the Tahoe Ridge Resort. I know that people often dismiss the Ridge as more Tahoe than Carson, but it is technically outside the Basin on the Carson Valley side of the watershed, and the views of the valley that you get from up there are certainly worth the short drive up Kingsbury Grade. Back in the day, the food at the Hungry Bear was simply outstanding, the staff was super friendly and, when combined with the high-altitude setting, dinner here was a real event. This is where I would take family out to dinner who were visiting and who I really wanted to make jealous of the fact that I live in such a cool place. But the Ridge has undergone yet another ownership change and is currently identified as being part of the Holiday Inn Club Vacations network. When I called to see what is happening with the restaurant here, they told me that things aren’t quite settled yet, and the official word is that the available food options at the resort are “the Bistro with limited take-away menu and reduced hours of operation.” So, like so many other places, things seem to be up in the air right now. But I’ll be interested to see what is available when all of the dust settles from both the latest change in management and the pandemic-related health protocols. Photo at right: Facebook, The Hungry Bear.
It practically goes without saying that I likely overlooked your own personal favorite choice for taking out-of-towners out to eat. Don’t be shy, let me know about it. As long as we all follow all the precautions to stay safe, there’s no reason not to make some new dining memories this fall.
About the Author Keith Rugg
R. Keith Rugg has worked on staff for a number of local publications, including Lake Tahoe Action Magazine, the Tahoe Daily Tribune and the Reno Gazette-Journal.
