Spill the beans

From longtime favorites to up-and-coming hot spots, there’s a lot going on in Reno’s restaurant scene. And the experiences of the people in the kitchen are as varied as the food they serve. Every year, we send out a survey to local chefs and restaurant owners to find out a little more about them. We even have them comment on their favorite local competitors. Here’s what they said.

Tim Magee
Chef at Calafuria, 725 S. Center St., 360-5175

Years in the industry?
Over 25 years
What’s your least favorite meal?
Anything processed. So, fast food, pre-cooked stuff from the grocery store, etc.
What’s one thing everyone should know how to cook?
I think everyone should know how to make a simple plate of pasta. It’s so easy to do and so good when it’s done well.
What’s your favorite local restaurant—other than your own?
Arario. The food is great and so is the service. They are very friendly, and the product is very consistent.

Nick Strowmatt
Executive chef at the Depot, 325 E. Fourth St., 737-4330

Years in the industry?
10 years.
What’s your least favorite meal?
Everything is good if you prepare it right!
What’s one thing everyone should know how to cook?
Soup. If you can balance the flavors in a broth, you’re half way to creating a great dish.
What’s your favorite local restaurant—other than your own?
Kauboi Izakaya

Elizabeth Carter
Owner of Creme Cafe & Catering, 18 St. Lawrence Ave., 348-0571

Years in the industry?
15 years.
What’s your least favorite meal?
I really don’t care for eggs, which is funny because I own a breakfast place.
What’s one thing everyone should know how to cook?
I think everyone should know how to cook rice. If you can make rice, you can always add other ingredients and/or sauces and have a meal.
What’s your favorite local restaurant—other than your own?
My favorite place is 4th Street Bistro. Natalie and Carol are the best.

Curtis Taylor
Chef at Toiyabe Golf Club, 19 Lighting W. Ranch Road, Washoe City, 882-0882

Years in the industry?
Over 25 years.
What’s your least favorite meal?
Lima beans. Seems no matter how they are cooked they still have a chalky taste and feel in your mouth. Never met a lima bean I liked.
What’s one thing everyone should know how to cook?
Everyone should know how to cook chicken. It is a very versatile food that can be easily prepared and served as a basic protein with simple sides.
What’s your favorite local restaurant—other than your own?
When I’m not at Toiyabe, I frequent Tokyo Sushi (on Virginia Street and Plumb Lane).

Nate Alder
Chef at Oxbow Cafe and Bistro, 2365 Dickerson Road, 453-1160

Years in the industry?
23 years.
What’s your least favorite meal?
Probably anything with MSG in it or any other heavy preservatives, which covers a lot of processed snack foods. I don’t care if the color or texture fades from the product.
What’s one thing everyone should know how to cook?
Boiled water. If you’re stuck in a survival situation, definitely a must. Also, it’s the first step to cooking all the easy stuff.
What’s your favorite local restaurant—other than your own?
The Perros Calientes stand (Mexican hotdogs) near my house. … I guess currently my favorite brick-and-mortar restaurant is Royal India, just off the Keystone exit. I asked for flat bread and they said they had naan.

Colin Smith
Owner of Roundabout Grill & Catering, 255 N. Virginia St., 398-5454>/p>

Years in the industry?
Over 24 years.
What’s your least favorite meal?
Broccoli in the commercial kitchen. We cook it in such large quantities that when we blanch 30 pounds of broccoli, the whole place smells bad.
What’s one thing everyone should know how to cook?
Everyone should know how to properly roast a chicken. It becomes such a glorious meal, and then you have the remaining for things like soup or chicken salad.
What’s your favorite local restaurant—other than your own?
Wherever Troy [Canan], Dave [Holman] or Mark [Estee] are cooking.

Jesus “Chuy” Gutierrez
Owner of Mari Chuy’s Mexican Kitchen, 764 S. Virginia St., 322-6866

Years in the industry?
47 years.
What’s your least favorite meal?
Ramen noodles. They have way too much sodium and have no nutrients.
What’s one thing everyone should know how to cook?
Beans and rice. They are some of the basic staples of food, and they’re not expensive if you’re on a budget.
What’s your favorite local restaurant—other than your own?
Luchiano’s Italian Restaurant on Lakeside and McCarren.

Bill Gilbert
Chef at Beaujolais Bistro, 753 Riverside Drive, 323-2227

Years in the industry?
39 years.
What’s your least favorite meal?
Fast food in general. The experience really isn’t that satisfying for me.
What’s one thing everyone should know how to cook?
I’d probably go with chicken and vegetables. It’s enjoyable to eat by yourself or with other people. It’s good to have a meal that can bring some camaraderie. People enjoy that.
What’s your favorite local restaurant—other than your own?
Calafuria. The food’s made from scratch. It’s simple but well-prepared, and the wine list goes a long way. Ω