For well-crafted nibbles and sips during happy hour or a hearty meal for lunch or dinner, this is one of my go-to places in the Reno area. Located at 275 Hill Street, this is an established restaurant in a somewhat residential area close to the co-op as well as within walking distance from the Truckee River and downtown. As much as I love trying new places, this is one of those reliable standout restaurants that is always comfortable, consistent and friendly.
https://www.washoepublichouse.com/
Here are some of the things I've enjoyed.
Lavender Grey Lemon Drop. The house-made lavender earl grey simple syrup was a very nice, aromatic touch. Freshly squeezed lemon juice really makes a difference and the vodka brings it all together. A very nice, well-balanced drink.
Last Farewell. Another well-balanced drink with whiskey, heirloom pineapple amaro, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white. This went down very easy with a gentle sweetness, fruity aroma from the whiskey and amaro, and a little pucker from the lemon juice at the end.
Scotch Egg. Only available during happy hour, this is a perfectly soft-boiled chicken egg encased in juicy, savory pork sausage. This was then tossed in breadcrumbs, fried until golden and served with a tangy beer mustard. Seemingly simple, this is a very tricky dish to accomplish, as the sausage can easily explode and release the egg while in the fryer, or the egg can get over cooked. This was expertly done, with a jam-like egg yolk, juicy, savory sausage and all together, very delicious.
Irish Nachos. Ireland has nothing to do with this dish, but it was tasty all the same. Crispy waffle fries were smothered in a three-cheese sauce, then topped with bacon and sour cream. We took the option to upgrade to pork belly and that became an excellent decision. This happy hour version was half the size of a normal portion, but was still hearty, with plenty to share.
Jalapeno-Cheddar Fritters. Served piping hot, these were crunchy on the outside and soft like a hush puppy on the inside. There were bits of jalapeno, which gave it a nice texture and flavor, and also played well with the cheddar cheese. The chipotle remoulade had just a little kick, but the creamy consistency went very well with the crunchy and savory fritter.
Street Tacos. Three bites of taco bliss. These were on the happy hour menu, and a bit smaller than an average taco, but packed a heap of flavor and texture. The blue corn tortillas were earthy and soft, the carnitas were tender with a bit of crunch from the griddle, the pickled jalapeno added some tang, the shredded carrot provided nice freshness, and the chili-seasoned aioli brought it all together very nicely.
Wild Boar Schnitzel. A juicy, tenderized piece of lean boar with a breadcrumb coating that was fried until very crunchy. The rye spätzle had a wheat-y, nuttier flavor, but still had that same pleasing chewy texture that fresh noodles have. I was pleasantly surprised by the pickled mushrooms; these were like little sponges with a bit of tangy vinegar soaked in them. The juice from these mixed with the savory meat and crunchy exterior when chewed, which made for a very enjoyable eating experience. The apple cider & onion gravy was chunky, savory, a little sour, and a little sweet. The fresh arugula added some color and a bit of freshness. A very nice entree. (Picture below was half an order)
Double Elk Chop. This hefty portion was incredibly savory, succulent, juicy and just a meaty piece of meat. Perfectly medium rare with a nice crust on the outside, this was big enough to feed two or more people. The lemon fork-crushed potatoes added a nice starch to soak up the juices and the winter squash hash made for a nice side. What took it over the top, however, was the luxardo cherry demi-glace. It was balanced, with a bit of fruity sweetness, but also savory and thick enough to just cling to each forkful to enhance the Elk flavor. Heaven.
Rock Candy Short Rib. This was a chunk of tender, succulent, falling apart piece of meat. The short rib is one of my favorite cuts of beef and it was treated very well in this application. The demi-glace sauce was salty, sweet and rich enough to enhance the flavor of the meat. The rock candy aspect is an Asian cooking technique that enhances savory flavors, if used properly. This was good and proper. The added salted potatoes and crispy onions made it a very fulfilling meal.
"it's it" S'mores Edition. For someone who does not have much of a sweet tooth, this was a big (pun intended) exception. This hand-sized dessert included thick and dense house made Graham cracker cookies stuffed with vanilla ice cream, then topped with torched house made marshmallow fluff, and a decadent dip in dark chocolate. A steak knife is included with each order and the leftovers are great after the ice cream melts and soaks into the cookies. An exceptionally made and presented treat that is big enough for the whole family.
Time and again I will come back specifically for the scotch egg, and massive dessert. After a few visits now, it's apparent that this place cares about quality and consistency and I can definitely appreciate that.
