EAT LOCAL

Feed your hunger EAT LOCAL

An abbreviated guide to eating and drinking your way through the best local eateries in the Reno–Tahoe region

Two Chicks 752 South Virginia & 5851 South Virginia 775 323 0600 twochicksreno.com Women owned food truck turned restaurant.

Arario 777 South Center St, Ste 200 Second Floor 775 870 8202 arariomidtown.com Family owned Korean Restaurant, hidden local treasure.

Centro 236 California Ave 775 737 9062 centroreno.com Small, contemporary and award winning cuisine. Zozo’s Restaurant 3446 Lakeside Dr 775 829 9449 zozosreno.com Executive chef has 200k followers on Tik Tok, family owned Italian American Dining.

Noble Pie Pizza 777 S Center St #100 & 13979 S Virginia St #505 775 323 1494 & 775 298 1261 noblepieparlor.com East Coast style, oven-fired pizzas.

Beaujolais Bistro 753 Riverside Dr, Reno 775 323 2227 beaujolaisbistro.com French restaurant, French owned on the river.

Full Belly Deli 517 Forest St & 3064 Mill St, Reno, NV & 10825 Pioneer Trail #103, Truckee, NV 775 657 8448 & 530 550 9516 eatfullbellydeli.com Innovative sandwiches, big portions. Featured on Food Networks’ Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.

The Rattlesnake Club 606 W Plumb Ln, Reno, NV 775 384 2470 rattlesnakeclubreno.com Upscale American meals, freshly roasted coffee, and on-property greenhouse.

JT Basque Bar and BBQ 1426 US-395, Gardnerville, NV 775 782 2074 jtbasquenv.com Family style Basque cuisine and cocktails, be sure to bring your appetite!

Sassafras 1500 Old Hot Springs Rd, Carson City, NV 775 884 4471 sassafrascarsoncity.com Globally inspired and unique dishes paired with specialty cocktails and local beer.

T’s Mesquite Rotisserie 901 Tahoe Blvd, Incline Village, NV 775 831 2832 tsrotisserie.com A quick stop for healthy rotisserie meats with a taste for Latin insipred flair. Alibi Ale Works - Incline Public House 931 Tahoe Blvd, Incline Village, NV 775 831 8300 alibialeworks.com An adventurous menu with an xtensive list of beer that pairs well with each other.

The Naked Fish 3940 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 530 541 3474 thenakedfish.com Known for having fresh fish and creative Japanese insipred dishes, a local favorite for sushi.

Heidi’s Pancake House 3485 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 530 544 8113 heidislaketahoe.com A local favorite and Swiss themed breakfast spot featuring homestyle pancakes.

Drunken Monkey Sushi 11253 Brockway Rd Suite #105, Truckee, CA 530 582 9755 drunkenmonkeysushi.com Sushi, noodles, and more that respect the traditions, but are not affraid to be creative.

LOST IN HER ART

An interview with artist Gina Lijoi

by Sandi Solomonson

THE HARDEST THING FOR ME IS TO KNOW WHEN TO STOP AND WHEN TO SIGN MY NAME ON A PIECE

Busy at her desk, Gina is juggling incoming calls, agent questions, and daily emails. With 15 years experience as the Regional Office Manager for Chase International, she’s accustomed to managing multiple projects at once. She glides through her busy day like an artist weilding a fine brush stroke. In fact, Gina is a gifted painter and in this edition, we are honored to showcase her talents.

Growing up in West Virginia and spending warm summers in Sant’ Andrea Italy, Gina recalls having a childhood love of art with her favorite pre-school pastime was drawing and painting. Her affection for art continued with securing a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from East Tennessee State University.

After pursuing a career in graphic arts for years and painting with acrylics and oils, she discovered watercolor. “As a young mother,” she says, “I remember putting my 2 small children to bed, then staying up to 2:00 am, lost in my art.”

From early on, she was drawn to sunlight and shadows which have, in fact, become her signature style. “Shadows, especially elongated shadows, are my strength as they reflect every color in the sky. I enjoy painting whatever is casting the shadow, yet isn’t visible.” You can see this represented in a painting where bottles of Chianti wine are highlighted by the shadow of an unseen iron railing. It’s simply extraordinary.

Being the recipient of more awards and ribbons than you can count, Gina’s entries have been accepted in local, national, and international art shows; a true honor. She is a member of multiple societies including the San Diego Watercolor Society, and the Nevada Museum of Art, where she has inspired artists through demonstrations and workshops.

Each painting takes weeks of meticulous, detailed artistry. She starts with a photo, either her own or one provided for a commissioned piece, then delicately sketches the composition before pain-stakingly bringing life and color to the canvas. A whisk of paint here, a tender brush stroke there, layer by layer bringing forth a palette of life captured in a fleeting moment. Once completed, maybe it will hang in a gallery, define a corporate office, or instantly become a cherished family heirloom. “The hardest thing for me is to know when to stop and when to sign my name on a piece,” says Gina-spoken like a true perfectionist.

Always one to embrace her artistic license, Gina painted a bicycle that was “just always at my Uncle’s property in Italy,” she recalled. Yet, the painting needed more. So, I added some chickens from my hairdressers property in Reno. It became a true international combination of Reno chickens and an Italian bicycle.” In fact, upon viewing her beautiful website, I was awe-struck by her ability to transform everyday scenes or objects into timeless masterpieces, or “copolavori” as this petite Italian would say.

So, what does the future hold for Gina and her art? With deep Italian roots, she is currently securing her dual American/Italian citizenship and is excited to spend more time at her studio in Southern Italy. As with all her travels, she is inspired by a spinning color wheel of life. Additionally, she wants to combine her love of golf and the outdoors with her artwork; in particular, painting famous golf clubhouses. As a 20+ year veteran of the sport, she is eager to diversify her art portfolio, all while traveling to play famous courses worldwide. Now, there’s a “brush” stroke of genius.

You can commission a painting or invest in one of her diverse pieces by visiting her website at artistGina.com, where you can message her directly.