HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY SELLS TOYS FOR YOUNG AND OLD IN MIDTOWN RENO

Happy Happy Joy Joy, a toy and gift store for kids of all ages, is a nice new addition to Reno’s up-and-coming Midtown neighborhood.  

Located at 955 S. Virginia St., Suite 102, Happy Happy Joy Joy specializes in retro playthings and novelty items.  A one-month anniversary celebration on Saturday, May 25 featured refreshments, balloons and costumes on both real people and mannequins. 

(The name Happy Happy Joy Joy is most likely derived from a song from the "Ren and Stimpy" cartoon series, although there was no sign of these characters at the event.)

Need some zany tub toys?  Happy Happy Joy Joy has them.

How about a hula hoop?

And think of all the ways you could impress —or traumatize — your closest friends with a squirrel mask!

Happy Happy Joy Joy features some products from Seattle's beloved Archie McPhee, an emporium of gag gifts. (Think along the lines of fake vomit, gnarly teeth and nerd goggles.)


And I've also seen these gangster shot glasses, offered at Happy Happy Joy Joy,  in a gift shop at Chicago's Navy Pier.  A little something for the history buffs?

Happy Happy Joy Joy's nearby neighbors include a recently-opened children's clothing store named Sippee's, as well as Junkee Clothing Exchange and Antiques and a beer and wine bar called Craft.

Businesses like these are making the Midtown Reno area (just south of Downtown Reno) a popular place to stroll, shop, dine and drink.  

Parking and pedestrian crossings on busy South Virginia Street in Midtown Reno can be challenging.  And certain local businesses (including seedy motels, a porn shop and a topless bar) don't fit in with the goal of turning this neighborhood into a showplace for locals and a major draw for visitors.

But progress is being made.  Good luck to Happy Happy Joy Joy and other family-friendly businesses on the right track.

The owner of Happy Happy Joy Joy is a Reno native with a colorful background.  To learn more, visit http://www.happyhappyreno.com/about-us.html .

Happy Happy Joy Joy is open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.  Call (775) 562-1113 for details.

Not all of the businesses situated in Midtown Reno are members of the MidTown District consortium, but the MidTown District's Web site provides lots of information about the vision for this neighborhood.   Visit  http://midtowndistrictreno.com/ .

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PINING FOR POLISH CUISINE IN SOUTH RENO (PART 2)

My “Ethnic Chicago Cookbook” states, “Chicago is a cultural crossroads. At last count, more than eighty different ethnic groups are represented in the city and its suburbs.”

Downtown Chicago as seen from Lake Michigan

That diversity has always made my hometown a magnet for international foodies.  In addition to vibrant neighborhoods like Chinatown, Greektown and Little Italy, Chicago and its suburbs have countless other ethnic enclaves where you can find authentic cuisine from Ireland, Poland, Lithuania, India, Vietnam and more.

Even Chicago-area supermarkets stock special items imported from Eastern Europe.  I spotted this sign for Polska items at the Jewel-Osco store in southwest suburban Hickory Hills, Illinois.

Here in South Reno, there’s no shortage of Asian or Mexican food, but while recently craving Polish comfort food, I’ve found very slim pickings.

I can always make a batch of  my family’s famous golambki (Polish cabbage rolls, as seen here).

Homemade golambki (Polish cabbage rolls)

I also decided to take a good look at what sort of Polish menu items I might find in deli or freezer cases at South Reno supermarkets.  Of course, all of them stock national brands of  Polish sausage such as Johnsonville or Hillshire Farm.  But I rarely buy those, because they’re heavy on salt and preservatives.  I was searching for healthier options.

The South Reno Whole Foods Market at  6139 S. Virginia St. sells the Wellshire brand of All Natural Smoked Polska Kielbasa, made from pork raised without antibiotics.  Also at Whole Foods, I found hearty, whole-grain rye bread which isn’t labeled as Polish but is similar to what I’d find at Polish bakeries in Chicago.

Found at Whole Foods Market in South Reno

Trader Joe’s, 5035 S. McCarran Blvd. in South Reno, offers its own brand of Fat-Free Smoked Fresh Turkey Kielbasa which is all natural, with no artificial ingredients and is minimally processed.  Trader Joe’s also has frozen Potato Pancakes like those you might find at a Polish buffet, often served with sour cream or applesauce.

Found at Trader Joe's in South Reno

The Celebrity brand of Healthy Ham at Trader Joe’s is a product of  Canada but has a great flavor and lean texture reminiscent of the Krakus brand Polish ham which is readily available in Chicago, but not in South Reno.

A decent substitute for Polish ham, available at Trader Joe's

At the Walmart located at  155 Damonte Ranch Pkwy. in South Reno, I found Mrs. T’s frozen pierogi and Lean Cuisine stuffed cabbage with whipped potatoes. They're convenience food versions of Polish delights, yet surprisingly tasty.

Found at the Damonte Ranch Walmart

And I just received a new Tastes of Chicago flyer listing Bobak’s Maxwell Street Polish Sausage Kits (10 Maxwell Street smoked Polish sausages, 10 poppy seed buns and 8 oz. yellow mustard) which can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. for $59.99.  My family has often ordered pizzas from Tastes of Chicago and it’s a reliable company with quality products: 

http://www.tastesofchicago.com/?utm_source=loushome&utm_medium=headerlink&utm_campaign=locations-option

I know I can’t be the only native Chicagoan now residing in South Reno or the only one of Polish descent, so I hope my discoveries help others in the same boat.  

“Do zobaczenia!”  (“See you later!”)

UPDATE!  I was doing some errands around Reno this morning (July 19, 2013) and cruised by the newer location of House of Bread at 530 W. Plumb Ln., in the Plumgate shopping center.

The original Reno location of House of Bread is 1185 California Ave.  Two Christmas seasons ago, I stopped by that store to inquire about rye bread.  Polish rye was always a tradition for my family's Christmas Eve "Wigilia" celebrations and I'd heard some buzz about the rye bread at House of Bread.  On that visit, they were out of rye.  And today at the Plumb Lane location, I got the day's last loaf of rye bread.

Found at House of Bread on Plumb Lane:  "It is without."

Well, as much as I like to support and promote small, local businesses, in my opinion, the rye bread from House of Bread "is without."  That comment is inspired by Heath Ledger's character in the movie "10 Things I Hate About You."  Essentially, when he said "she is without" about the popular girl in the movie, he meant that she was over-rated, lacking any stellar, stand-out qualities.

The rye bread I purchased at House of Bread was dry, bland and ... "without."  At $5.75 a loaf (albeit a large, heavy loaf), it was also not a bargain.  I prefer the aforementioned rye bread from Whole Foods or even the common rye breads I've found at South Reno supermarkets.

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PINING FOR POLISH CUISINE IN SOUTH RENO (PART 1)

When I talk to my folks in Chicago, they often regale me with glowing accounts of their latest visits to the area’s decadent, yet inexpensive, Polish buffets. 

Chicago, until recently, was said to have the largest Polish population outside of Warsaw.  Allegedly, New York City now holds that distinction. Regardless, the Chicago metro area has legions of  Polish and Polish-American residents and numerous, fabulous Polish delis and restaurants that keep them — and non-Poles, too — happy and well-fed.

The typical Chicago-style Polish buffet includes a full salad bar and American standards such as fried or roasted chicken, ham and roast beef. But the big draw is the traditional Polish cuisine.  Fresh and/or smoked kielbasa (Polish sausage) with kapusta (sauerkraut).  Pierogi (dumplings filled with potatoes, cheese, cabbage, fruit or meat).  Potato pancakes, crepes and blintzes.  Hearty soups such as mushroom or beet.  Stews like pork goulash. Golambki (meat-and-rice-filled cabbage rolls with tomato sauce).  Breads and pastries, jello molds, etc.

Many of these buffets are “all you can eat” for $10-17, depending on the day and time of your visit.  I haven’t found anything comparable in South Reno.

But to borrow a lyric from the Rolling Stones, “You can’t always get what you want, but you get what you need.”  And so I set out in search of  “tastes of Polonia” in South Reno.

My first stop was Manhattan Deli at Atlantis Resort and Casino, 3800 S. Virginia St. :

http://www.atlantiscasino.com/dining/manhattan-deli

Manhattan Deli is a New York/Jewish-style deli but has some dishes that can be found on many Eastern European menus.  I swung by at lunchtime, to see if I could get some a la carte, “heat at home” cabbage rolls from the deli case.

That wasn’t an option, but they offered me a Cabbage Rolls with Sweet and Sour Gravy meal to go.  The $12 meal included three cabbage rolls, vegetables and a choice of starch.  I opted for mashed potatoes.

The “Sweet and Sour Gravy” should have been a red flag because I’ve never heard of that ingredient in association with cabbage rolls, or golambki, as my family would call them.  (Pronounced “go-WOOMP-kee,” in case you were wondering.)  But hey, life is all about trying new things, right?

Well, I wouldn’t say that Manhattan Deli’s cabbage rolls were the worst I’ve ever eaten.  That dishonor would go to the cabbage rolls from the deli case at the QFC (Kroger) store in Redmond, Washington.  QFC’s version of cabbage rolls was a truly ghastly recipe, with the meat filling tasting like Oscar Mayer liver sausage.

Yet Manhattan Deli’s cabbage rolls also had a flavor and texture unlike any I’ve consumed in Chicago’s Polish restaurants or at family gatherings.  The cabbage was limp, the meat and rice mixture within was bland and mushy, and the so-called sweet and sour gravy was watery and just plain sour.  Dotting the cabbage rolls was something small and yellow.  Corn kernels,  I suspected.  No, more like pickled grapes.  Odd, indeed.

I honestly didn’t give a hoot about the accompanying veggies and potatoes.  At least they were fresh, steamed vegetables and the potatoes were fine — not too lumpy, not too smooth.   Unfortunately,  I really wanted memorable cabbage rolls and these fell short of expectations.

But on a previous trip to Manhattan Deli, I had a rave-worthy Reuben sandwich.  Although it wasn’t cheap ($14 for the sandwich alone), the corned beef was super-tender and flavorful and the sandwich was so large that I got two meals out of it.  So I’m not suggesting that you avoid Manhattan Deli.  I just wouldn’t order the cabbage rolls again.

If you go to Manhattan Deli, you can get table service or ask for take-out, as I did.  The clean dining room is nicely decked out in red, black and white, with sepia-toned photos of New York City on the walls.  

The room overlooks the casino floor at Atlantis, so for ambiance, you’ll get the sights and sounds of whatever is going on there. 

While I waited for my carry-out order, I relaxed to the piped-in strains of  “If You Leave” by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, from the “Pretty in Pink” soundtrack.   Ah, nostalgia!

But that pleasant musical interlude didn’t change the fact that my stab at finding Polish Paradise at Manhattan Deli didn’t pan out.  Still, I’m not ready to give up my quest for Chicago-style Polish comfort food in South Reno.  To be continued ….

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BLUE RIBBON MEAT CO., AN OLD-FASHIONED BUTCHER SHOP SERVING RENO AND SPARKS

In the days before modern refrigeration, same-day shopping for perishables was a must.  A block of ice didn’t last long on a warm day and so people would make special trips to buy just the right amount of meat or seafood for immediate consumption.   And every neighborhood had its "mom and pop-owned" meat markets where you could gossip or haggle with the local butchers.

Now, in the era of Costco and WinCo, it’s not uncommon to see individuals loading up on weeks’ worth of groceries —including meat — all at once.  I guess I’ve lived through too many power outages, and lost too much good food as a consequence,  to feel confident about doing that.

In addition, I just prefer to buy meat and seafood on a whim.  I can’t predict what I’ll feel like cooking next week.  And I enjoy the “adventure” of visiting specialty grocery stores.

For example, I'd heard rave reviews for Blue Ribbon Meat Co., 1436 Prater Way in nearby Sparks, Nevada.

Hoping we’d get a chance to grill on Sunday, my husband and I headed over to Blue Ribbon on Saturday.  (The place is closed on Sundays and Mondays.)

As I’d been told, Blue Ribbon has a vast selection of premium meats: chicken, beef, pork, lamb and a wide variety of sausages.

Service is prompt and friendly and the prices are fair for very fresh meat.  While I was perusing the meat cases, my husband noticed a guy carrying in two whole pigs.  

We were pleased with our purchases of bone-in chicken breasts and fresh Polish sausage.  Our plans to use our charcoal grill fell through, since it was too windy to light a fire, but we’ll definitely go back to Blue Ribbon and try other items soon.

As for meat sellers in South Reno, the WinCo supermarket at 9750 S. Virginia St. has great bargains on family-sized packs of meat and some unusual items such as Hot Italian Bratwurst.  

I did a double-take when I saw this.  Is it Italian sausage or  Bratwurst?  I’ve always thought the two were distinctively different.

We tried a pack and decided it tasted more like Italian than Bratwurst.  Not terrible, but not something we’d crave.

Meanwhile, South Reno’s Market on South Virginia, which previously was home to Butcher Boys, European Food Emporium and briefly, Bronx Pizzeria, has been vacant for quite a while.  Maybe that’s why the cow looks grumpy.

If not motivated to drive to Sparks, we can always rely on finding good steaks, chicken, sausages and seafood at the South Reno Whole Foods, 6139 S. Virginia St. or Trader Joe’s, 5035 S. McCarran Blvd.  The latter is the cheaper place to shop, although the meat products are pre-packaged. If you want meat cut to your specifications, Blue Ribbon or Whole Foods are the best choices for personal service.

Blue Ribbon Meat Co. doesn't have a Web site, but for more information, call (775) 358-8116.

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SOUTH RENO'S YOGURT BEACH HOSTING BENEFIT FOR SIERRA THERAPY GROUP

I just heard from one of my husband’s colleagues that today (Thursday, May 9, 2013), the Yogurt Beach store at 748 S. Meadows Pkwy. in South Reno is working in collaboration with the JUSTin HOPE Foundation and Sierra Therapy Group to benefit a special population of children.

If you mention Sierra Therapy Group when you purchase your yogurt at this Yogurt Beach location, 30 percent of proceeds will be donated to unique Social Thinking summer camps for children with social cognitive deficits, including children on the Autism Spectrum.

Yogurt Beach is a great little shop where you can choose from many delicious varieties of yogurt and add your own toppings, including fruit, nuts, chocolate and more.   It’s a self-serve set-up.  You dole out your own portions and pay for your treat according to the net weight, rather than the number of yogurt flavors or toppings that you put into your cup.

It's a gorgeous day in South Reno.  A perfect excuse to buy a healthy, refreshing snack at Yogurt Beach!  And be sure to mention Sierra Therapy Group, to participate in this local fundraising endeavor.  The South Reno Yogurt Beach is open until 9:30 p.m. tonight.

To learn more Sierra Therapy Group, visit http://sierraspeech.com/ .

For more info about Yogurt Beach, visit http://yogurtbeach.com/ .

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THE LONELY WEBER GRILL OF SOUTH RENO

What’s wrong with this picture? 

No, it's not the "DANGER MEN COOKING" sign.  That's just a little accessory I picked up for my husband, to encourage him to cook as much as possible.

What's wrong is that our lonely Weber Grill hasn’t been used — or even dusted off — since last fall.

And why is it wearing a bungee cord?  Because throughout the winter, South Reno had some whopper wind storms with gusts of 60-70 mph.  When the wind is that vicious, even heavy objects like a Weber Grill lid can go flying like a kite.

Notice, too, that there is rain on the patio?  It hardly ever rains in South Reno!  When it does, it’s cause for either mass confusion (because South Renoites don't know how to drive in the rain) or celebration (for instance, when we’re on high alert for wildfires).

In the Midwest, everyone and their brother owns a Weber Grill.  There even are awesome Weber Grill restaurants, where everything and anything, including dessert, is prepared on a Weber Grill:  http://www.webergrillrestaurant.com/index.html

The traditional, charcoal Weber Grill was invented in 1951 by George Stephen, a welder from Chicago, who worked at Weber Brothers Metal Works.  The design was inspired by the large metal spheres that the company welded together to make buoys for the Coast Guard.

At first, George Stephen's neighbors laughed at his rounded cooking contraption.  But tasting was believing, as he offered them samples of delicious steak cooked under the dome.

With the help of a former salesman from Chicago’s Montgomery Ward department store, the Weber-Stephen Products Co. launched a series of live grilling demonstrations that made the Weber Grill a hot commodity — pun intended.

Before we moved to South Reno, we were told that Northern Nevada enjoys four seasons.  That’s not quite true.  Two seasons would be more accurate: hot and cold.  Windy applies to both.

Thus, we don’t get to use our beloved Weber Grill as often as we did in Chicago or Seattle, in spite of the abundance of rain in those locations.

One of these days, when the planets are in ideal alignment — or at least when it’s not too windy here in the high desert  —we’ll unfurl the bungee cord and break out Weber’s Big Book of Grilling. 

This great cookbook, published in Canada in 2001, features beautiful photos by James Beard Award-winning photographer Tim Turner and more than 300 recipes for everything from burgers and bratwurst to Pizza Margherita, Bananas Calypso and barbecued cabbage.    I got my copy for a steal, $9.98 at Half-Price Books in Redmond, Washington.  Original price was $22.95 U.S.

Several newer cookbooks for the Weber Grill, if you are lucky enough to own one, are available at South Reno’s Barnes and Noble, 5555 S. Virginia St.

http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/2938

That book store's also a good place to hang out when the weather's too crummy to use your grill.  "Winner, winner, chicken dinner!"  Summer can't arrive soon enough.

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