Visitreno

[remano]

Rollin' on the River starts tonight. This is a series of free music concerts in Wingfield Park (where Arlington crosses the river) nearly every Friday evening from 5 - 9 p.m. Lineups vary from rock to country to jazz, and from obscure local bands to regional headliners. Beer and food are available on the grounds, it's free and it's within walking distance from downtown and there are other restaurant and beverage options along the way. Check it out if you're looking for a break from the casinos.

The new Starbucks opened last week in the Palladio Condominiums at Sierra at the river. So far it's the only commercial business to lease space in the building. Although the rest of the place looks like it's about a year away from completion, today's RGJ reported that some units will be ready for move-in by next week.

Another new opening in the area is the Wild River Grille, in the old Riverside Hotel building on Virginia Street at the river. This is the location of the former EJ's Jazz Club, but it has been totally renovated. I didn't have time to eat but the menu looked very interesting, offering upscale casual dining. Don't know if that means anything but it's the only description I could come up with. Sandwiches and lunches are in the $9.00 range, entrees about $12 - $15.

The new Long's Drugs looks the same as it has for a couple months. They've finished the driveway for the pharmacy pickup and there are always cars parked in the parking lot, but nothing seems to be getting done inside. The shelves are set up, though, so I suppose they could be stocked with merchandise pretty quickly.

Farther up Virginia Street the entrance to the former Flamingo/Golden Phoenix still has the sign promising a new and expanded casino opening this summer. Everything's boarded up so you can't see if anything's going on inside. From the back building on Sierra Street, though, it looks like little has been done since Vino closed. Walking inside to the wedding chapel on the second floor the only thing that looks like construction is where they detached the bridge over Sierra Street to the old casino. If they're going to have something in place by summer they'd better get going. Given it's June already they're probably already too late.

We found ourselves at the Western Village last week, which is outside our usual range. They offer the best blackjack rules in town, and even on a packed Friday night table limits were $3 for BJ and $1 for craps (but only 2X odds). Watched some guy making a huge stink about another craps player sticking out his hand while the dice were on the way so one of them hit him. He was loudly complaining that they should have a beginner's table for the idiots who don't know craps etiquette. C'mon, it's a $1 table, which I think inherently qualifies as a beginners table.

Totally by surprise we found out that I qualified for a $15 food comp because it was my birthday. That might make a visit worthwhile for anyone on their birthday. All of the restaurants there are good and we ended up at their mid-level Vineyard. We both had a very good meal and the comp covered the whole tab, except tip. No desserts, we didn't have room for any.

Since we were in Sparks we decided to check out Rail City's new expansion. (Did I mention we're strictly low rollers?) Rail City offers the same good BJ rules (as does Boomtown, Siena, sometimes Peppermill and Atlantis). But I digress. The expansion nearly doubles Rail City's size. What had been a rather ordinary rectangular shell is now a much larger rather ordinary rectangular shell. To accomplish the expansion they simply added an "L" shaped extension to the west end and south side of the old building.

The expansion area is bright and open, with ample space between the new machines. Just inside the end entrance is the new restaurant called the Ale House. This looked inviting with an open kitchen serving area, but it wasn't open when we were there. It is supposed to open this weekend.

The old part of the casino hasn't changed a bit. It's still dark, dingy and smoky. I'm hoping they will be upgrading that next because the new expansion doesn't make much sense if the rest of the place isn't upgraded to match. The table games pit is still only 3 or 4 BJ tables, one carnival game and there are now two poker tables to replace what used to be a craps and roulette table. Minimums were still $3, double down on any first two cards. On the way out I noticed a video kiosk shaped like a BJ table with 5 seats and a terminal in front of each seat, offering 3 card poker against a digitized dealer. Table minimum, as I recall, was $1.

Had lunch at the Peppermill Sports Deli also this week. I got the 6" meatball sandwich, which was escellent and huge. I couldn't eat it all. I got a $5 coupon on the daily player's card swipe, so the whole thing only cost $1.02. Well worth it at full price, but I'll take a deal any time.

Also got a $50 food comp birthday card from Montbleu, which is great because we've been meaning to take a trip up to the lake and now we have the perfect excuse for it.

That's about it. Sort of a trip report without the trip. Hope you enjoy.

[CaSwede]

Thanks for the updated information. I was just about to post a question about the Rail City expansion. I checked the website, and the expansion update is from Feb. 2006.....way out of date. Rail City has a certain "charm", and was certainly needing a little freshening up.

Also, I don't know where to ask this question, so I guess I will just ask here. Has anyone traveled state hwy 512? On the map it looks like a shortcut from Carson City to Lake Tahoe. It starts just south of Carson City, and connects with 50 just east of Spooner Summit. There is a mention of 4 wheel drive, but how bad is the road? I can just imagine it has to be a very pretty drive. I thought I had been on every highway in the area, but this is a new one. I do have a 4 WD pick up, but I don't like to get it too dirty.

[Dave]

Thanks for the update Remano. I must have missed it but who bought the old Golden Phoenix? I just assumed it was going to be turned into more Condos! Have you driven by Cabellas yet? I think construction is supposively starting.
Thanks again for the update.
Dave

[remano]

CaSwede - We like the "charm" of Rail City too. It looks like a rough neighborhood and I wouldn't recommend walking from there to Victorian Square at 2 in the morning, but we've never had any problems. There's plenty of light from the parking lot to the casino, the staff has always been friendly, the drink service is good, the restaurant prices are better than reasonable and the gambling conditions are among the best. It ain't the Wynn, but if you're just looking for a gamblin' hall it's right up there. I'm just hoping that the Terrible's takeover doesn't change it too much.

Dave - it is my (perhaps unfounded) belief that the owners of the former Golden Phoenix still hold the unrestricted gaming license and the building(s) that formed the passageway from Virginia Street to the main hotel building. This is where they claim to be expanding. I don't think they have conveyed that part of the operation to any other entity. The hotel is being converted to condo's and, after a slow start seems to be progressing faster than any other condo project in town. The Golden Phoenix license is still valid for the store front on Virginia Street, passing through to the Sierra Street building. I think they could convert that into a very exciting gambling hall, without having to worry about hotel rooms and restaurants and all the rest, but that's just me - I don't own the place so the final decision isn't up to me. In fact, I don't even get a vote on it.

[ErininSD]

I've also enjoyed Rail City as well as the Western Village.

I seem to have more luck at the smaller, divey casinos...LOL

[Yo Man]

ErininSD: What's up with that there picture? What is that flashing?
I'm so darn old, I don't have a clue what in the heck is going on.

I just wanted to say that the Western Village is one hell'va lot fun. Probably the best low roller joint in Reno. I have said this before and I mean it, the Steak House at the WV can be outstanding.

Where else can anyone play $1 Craps or $2 or $3 Single Deck BJ. Kind of like the old Reno.

Yo Man ....................over and out, got to go figure out that dang picture.

[ErininSD]

Yo Man, you need to put on your reading glasses...LMAO.

The flashing says "Want Some".

I've heard great things about the WV steakhouse but have never been there. I'm definitely putting it on my to-do list next time I'm in town.

[Ryder]