A Top New Place to Nosh In Reno, Nevada: Bistro 7

I wasn’t sorry to see Ciao go away and Bistro 7 appear. Ciao was pricey with an overwrought menu and snotty service. Who needed it? I didn’t.

So apparently the owners/priniciples did some shuffling around and it’s now Bistro 7. Ron and I decided to finally give it a try the other evening, and plan on returning this evening with some friends from out of town.

I read Chowhounds review about the pricey nature of the menu. He’s right, but I’m not sure how much sympathy I can summon up when he “start(s) with a flight of wines”.  Yes, the tab came to $65. And he was surprised? Who could have seen that coming?

When I try a new spot, I’m looking for how they do the simple stuff and I don’t intend to break the bank on an unknown. That’s just me I guess, but my wallet has limits as does my plebian palette.

I did abandon my principles this time and ordered a ‘girly’ Chocolate and Pear martini. It was nice. Not too cloyingly sweet which would have turned me off. But the rimming with some kind of exotic chocolate was dry and rather unappealing. They need to work on this one. However, it was Happy Hour and essentially two fer … so I did. I had to make sure I didn’t really love it. I’ve had better chocolate martinis elsewhere …. obviously the Chocolate Bar, but also Bonefish Grille in Montgomery, Alabama of all places. Rons’ manhattan was rather watered down. But that’s what I expect with two fers. We simply asked that it be sent back for some reinforcement and then all was well.

Then on to the menu. I like small plates. Always have. We both have learned over the years (and as we, gasp, get older ) that giant portions of over worked gourmet ingredients doesn’t always make for a satisfying dining experience. Especially when you’re paying top buck for it.

The sliders menu is really different and I may give that a try this evening. But the other night I simply went for the Ahi Hand Rolls for $12. They had, well Ahi of course, but paired with avocado and fresh cantalope. They weren’t hand rolls in the usual sense as I think should have been. They were cut up on a sushi platter. But they were certainly tasty.

Ron had the Ziti Bolognese for $13 and it was killer. If I were in the mood for comfort food this is it. He will certainly order this again.

The service was snappy, knowlegeable and great to deal with. They really are trying hard. They want feedback.

So here’s their website and menu ( BTW the website needs a bit of going over, but I’d rather they concentrate on the restaurant, right?) : http://www.bistro7reno.com/about.html

Hope to see you there.

Update on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 20:57 by mavenandmeddler

As promised, we all went to Bistro 7 again this evening with out of town guests….always a bit of a risk. These people have been there done that worldwide ( airline folks, like us).

The sliders are killer. Ron had the pork which was succulent and flavorful beyond belief. One of our other guests had the veggie sliders and they were excellent. The truffle mac and cheese is so sinful. I’ll never actually order it myself ( my waistline) but will always be stabbing at it when others at the table do. It is so perfectly balanced with the truffle flavor and just enough cheese. My fish tacos were three to an order and alright. Nothing special but nice. The salsa was a little bland and perhaps sat a bit too long with darkening avocados.

My dining companion said the chicken dumpling soup was uninspired, but I didn’t taste it so can’t speak to that.

The service was great. The wine service was very professional…and the wine ( a cabernet ) exceptional. We all had a delightful evening and would go back again. I should point out that since we’re all ‘over 50’ the small plates were the real selling point for everybody.