I’ve found the best reason to skip dinner and go straight to dessert. The Arch Society, which took over the Simple Ice Cream Sandwich spot in December, reopened on Aug. 13 with quaint indoor and outdoor seating. The chic late night spot is serving up jazzy cocktails alongside baked goods from Batch Cupcakery, just down the street.
This is my favorite place to cruise to for post dinner cocktails, namely because I can order dessert while I continue the night’s festivities.
Open late Fridays and Saturdays (until midnight or later) and until 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, the dimly lit corner stop features cozy tables inside perfect for snuggling on a first date as well as chic outdoor tables for alcohol and dessert pairings with friends.
If you’re not familiar with the location, the front patio opens up to Virginia Street in Midtown, making it a cool spot for people watching.
When the dessert bar reopened its doors, it also debuted a new menu. At first I was wary of what desserts would be served at such a low price point, but each menu item, including the ice cream, comes from Batch and is brought over daily so goodies are fresh even when you’re indulging at night. And if you know Batch, you’re likely familiar with its long list of vegan and gluten-free goodies.
It would take a serious sweet tooth to make your way through the menu, but there were a couple of standouts on my first visit with the new offerings. For those who don’t want to dive into a rich, chocolatey plate, you can’t go wrong with the Strawberry Shortcake. The strawberry cake is dipped in a fresh strawberry glaze and served with a scoop of strawberry ice cream for a triple-dose of fruity goodness that is subtle but not easily ignored. The cake is light and fluffy but also moist with a thick frosting that doesn’t overwhelm.
For chocolate lovers, the (vegan) Decadent Brownie A La Mode is a better choice. Served warm, the gooey brownie is topped with an Almond Joy ice cream that melts over the top and finished with a—dare I say decadent?—chocolate drizzle.
Perhaps the best part of the evening is getting creative on how you pair these sweet treats with signature drinks. Skip the standard gin and tonic and instead get something just as fancy as dessert, like the Gin Pear Mule, a refreshing gin-based cocktail made with ginger beer, orange bitters, and pear juice.
Or, trade in your everyday margarita for a heavenly Pineapple Coconut Margarita made with a simple list of ingredients—tequila, pineapple juice, coconut water, agave, and lime juice. If you want something light and fresh, we suggest ordering up Basil Blueberry Lemonade, which combines the refreshing taste of basil with tart blueberries—plus it’s made with Tahoe Blue Vodka (support local!).
This is admittedly only a sampling of the offerings on the new menu, which features two pages of food and drinks good enough to incite an appetite. Other highlights include vegan ice cream, boozy milkshakes, and lemon lavender shortbread cookies.
Details
Visit: 960 S. Virginia St., Reno, NV 89502
Online: https://www.thearchsociety.com/
Call: 775-800-3000
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 5-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. – midnight
