In an article published last week (“A Reno Neighborhood Drinks in Style”), The New York Times declared “Reno is now a city of sustenance as well as indulgence.” This declaration came after some enthusiastic and positive writing on the happenings of Midtown District businesses. The article wandered from the Old Granite Street Eatery to Reno Public House to Hub Coffee Roasters, while also stopping over at other fine Midtown establishments along the way (Brasserie Saint James, Death and Taxes, and more). So, if an East Coast newspaper the likes of The New York Times is profiling an up and coming part of Reno, have we made it?

Yes, we have made it, but not because of The New York Times. Midtown, downtown and many parts of Reno/Sparks have made it because of the people creating the businesses and citizens of the area supporting them. At the same time, I can’t complain about good press at the national level. It really is quite awesome.

One thing I have to say about The New York Times’ declaration: It isn’t just “now” that we have become a city of sustenance as well as indulgence. I feel Reno has been that way for some time. Reno has definitely had an explosion of restaurants and bars of late, but we’ve had restaurants that can sustain or indulge us for as long as I can remember. Bricks, La Vecchia and Rapscallion come to mind; so do Peg’s Glorified Ham n Eggs, Silver Peak and Great Basin Brewing Co. Let’s not forget the myriad sushi places we have in town (all you can eat, of course) and the multitude of Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese restaurants. Reno has even had an Ethiopian restaurant for some years (Zagol; it’s quite good!).

I’ve digressed a bit from talking about Midtown, but as you can see, the Reno/Sparks area is alive with great restaurants and bars. So the next time you are heading out for food, think about giving the Midtown area a try. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.