Diners may remember the closing of Un Caffé Italian Bistro at its original location off Double R Blvd. and Prototype Drive in south Reno. The owners of the original location parted ways when one of them was called away with personal matters. Cheri’ Rhodes, chef and now sole-owner, recently opened a new location on the corner of West Moana Lane and Warren Way inside the Lakeside Crossing business complex. Un Caffé, open for about two and a half weeks now, expertly combines casual and fine dining.
Unlike the original location, the new location is not currently offering a dinner menu. The breakfast and lunch menus, though, include some options from the old restaurant as well as some tasty new additions. One old favorite back by request is the calamari. Some new items are the hot sandwiches including meatball, sausage and pepper, and chicken parmesan. Lovers of fresh pasta will enjoy the spaghetti marinara, gnocchi pesto, and lasagna.
If you can’t get away for breakfast or lunch, don’t fret. “We’re in that flux where we’re waiting for dinner to open up,” says Rhodes. Check Un Caffé’s website soon for information on when Rhodes and her team will begin serving dinner.
The breakfast menu offers breakfast sandwiches, fritatas, stratas, egg in a basket, and various pastries. The lunch menu includes deli sandwiches, the hot sandwiches mentioned above, paninis, salads, soup and pizza of the day, and the pastas mentioned above.
I asked Rhodes what it’s like to be a small business owner in Reno right now. “It’s challenging for any small business in any city. For Reno, it’s a great opportunity, because there are so many new people coming to town that you’re able to offer a varied menu,” says Rhodes. She went on to say that other places besides the East and West coasts now have better opportunities to help shape food trends.
My fiancé and I shared the gnocchi pesto and the pear, gorgonzola, and prosciutto panini for lunch. The gnocchi struck an excellent balance of firm, springy, and delicate textures. The basil, pine nut, parmesan, and olive oil created a rich nutty sauce with a touch of salt. The panini was served on a lightly toasted ciabatta roll. The pear, cheese, and cured meat worked well to create a light sandwich that hit the sweet and salty notes we sought. Also included with the panini were house-made potato chips. The thin-cut chips were salty, spicy, buttery, and seemed to have a touch of celery salt – delicious!
Rhodes kindly offered the Italian Crème Cake. We gladly accepted and ordered a latte and espresso to accompany the dessert.
Coffee enthusiasts will appreciate that Rhodes proudly serves imported coffee from the Italian roaster Filicori Zecchini. Rhodes advised that Filicori is the second oldest roaster in Italy.
The espresso and latte were on point. One order of espresso comes with two shots of well-brewed coffee in a single demitasse (small mug). The drink was strong with a touch of dark chocolate and a satisfying crema. The latte was rich and creamy. The house-made delectable cake was made with coconut, pecans, and crème. I especially enjoyed that the cake was not too sweet. It’s clear that all the menu offerings are made by a skilled hand.
Un Caffé Italian Bistro is excellent for a solo breakfast or lunch, a business meeting, or brunch with the family. The décor provides a beautiful fine dining atmosphere, while the gourmet food gets sold at reasonable prices.
Reach out to Rhodes and her team in about two weeks to learn more about The Supper Club. These dinners, showcasing Rhodes’ very best, will be half pre-fixe and half classic favorites. The Supper Club will be served on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. Until then, their breakfast and lunch menus will keep you hungry for more.
Pay Un Caffé Italian Bistro a visit at 900 W. Moana Lane, Suite 101. Direct your to-go orders or restaurant questions to 775-853-7801. Operating hours are Tuesday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and closed Sundays and Mondays. Learn more at: http://uncaffeitalianbistro.com/.
