Most people who visit Reno go for the gambling. Some describe northern Nevada’s gaming mecca as “the way Las Vegas used to be.”
The downtown area is home to three mega-resorts that are connected by an interior walkway: Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus.
Like its Las Vegas cousin, Circus Circus targets not only gamblers, but also families. It’s known as Reno’s kid-friendly resort.
In summary, Circus Circus is a family-friendly destination in a city known primarily for adults-only gaming.
Which makes the idea that it’s also home to some of Reno’s best wine dinners all the more incongruous.
But that’s a fact, Jack — as well as Queen, King and Ace — and the next wine dinner is just one week away at the Steakhouse at Circus. Monday, April 13 is the date, 6 o’clock is the starting time, and the featured estate will be Steele Winery.
Here is a description of the meal from a Circus Circus press release:
- The first course dishes up Chardonnay-poached crabmeat and a scallop tower on spaghetti squash with a saffron veloute and fresh papaya, paired with the 2013 Steele Durell Vineyard Chardonnay.
- In the second course, the chefs are serving bone marrow Meyer lemon jam with lobster and crab sushi bites, complemented by the 2012 Shooting Star Aligote.
- The deliciousness continues with the third course of fig-braised Muscovy duck on a sweet potato-mascarpone pancake with a poached farm egg and sage Hollandaise sauce, served with the 2010 Steele Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir.
- In the fourth course, the Steakhouse is plating up pan-fried sea bass with a blackberry foam sauce, kabocha puree, select mushrooms and shishito roasted peppers, paired with the 2013 Steele Old Vine Zinfandel from the Pacini Vineyard.
- The fifth course introduces pork belly apple pie on fresh phyllo with walnuts and a sweet corn relish, complemented by the 2010 Stymie Founders Reserve Merlot.
- Save room for dessert because you will not want to miss this. The berry crisp is topped with torched meringue and served alongside Shooting Star Black Bubble Syrah Sparkling Wine.
Whew! If you’re thinking about going to this dinner, I’d suggest booking a room at Circus Circus, because you’ll need to be rolled back to it. And with mid-week rates, you’ll pay far less for the room than for the worth-every-penny wine dinner, which is priced at $90, plus tax and gratuity.
To reserve a seat for what promises to be a memorable wine dinner in a most unexpected place, call 775-329-0711.
