83873 Fri May 17 05:48:52 -0700 2002 3 3 California 0 465621 I will be in Reno for a conference (Reno Hilton) at the end of May. Unfortunately, I will be on a government per diem of $30, which,as best as I can determine, means possible starvation! To make matters worse, I have been appointed "Director of Dining" for my group, and the pressure is on! I read the posts from March, regarding Reno/ Sparks, and have noted the recommendations, but are there other places, including breakfast and lunch places, where some hungry New Yorkers can eat well on the paltry limits set by Uncle Sam? ANY kind of food, any kind of atmosphere (or the lack thereof...) Thanks, Renee Fri May 17 05:48:52 -0700 2002 0 Renee 1 465622 Go to a hotel buffet to eat on the cheap. If you are there on Friday evening some of the buffets may be spiffed up with seafood selections. We will be there next month, so please report back, any intelligence is appreciated. Fri May 17 09:40:44 -0700 2002 465621 0 Chino Wayne 1 465629 The Nugget diner is all you need! (Downtown Reno, awful-awful $3.50, three meals a day. You'll have a heart attack, but it'll be delicious getting there.) The Silver Legacy buffet has a reputation as by far the best value in Reno, and the buffet at Baldini's is definitely the best value in Sparks. Very good food, self-service drinks (so no need to tip), and very low prices, on top of which I think you can get 25% off if you sign up for a free player's card. Baldini's is on Rock Blvd about a mile south of I-80 in Sparks. For breakfast, it's hard to beat the $0.99 ham-and-eggs at the Cal-Neva, served 24 hours a day. It's tasty but somewhat smaller than you might expect. Fri May 17 17:48:06 -0700 2002 465621 0 toro-papa 1 465633 Its a bit off the beaten track, and accessibility will depend on how the nearby road construction is going, but for good food for a low price, you can't beat the lunch special at Blue Moon Pizza (corner of Lakeside and McCarran....). For $7.25 you get a (largish) individual pizza with one topping and a large serving of salad, also a drink. (choice of a couple of salad varieties....try the Blue Moon special salad: basically oriental chicken without the chicken). They have all kinds of toppings, and some think its the best pizza in town. Actually, two could split this and have enough to eat...... Another suggestion for an evening outing is Bertha Miranda's on Mill St (fairly close to the Reno Hilton). Pretty standard "tex mex" but try the specials...usually pretty good and cheap...and they make a good margarita. There is often live music on Friday and Saturday nights, and the patio is nice in summer. Try the "Seafood Soup" (not always on the menu but ask.....) For around $10 or $11 you'll get a very filling and delicious bowl filled with big hunks of fish, shrimp, and crab legs....served with rice and tortillas and condiments (chopped onion and cilantro). Its one of my favorites, and a meal in itself. The huevos rancheros here (around $5 or 6) might be a breakfast suggestion. The atmosphere at Bertha's is nice....no reservations, so enjoy those margaritas (there is often a wait on weekends.....) Your biggest problem will be that the Reno Hilton is sort of isolated from everything else....so you'll need to have a car or take a taxi to most places. There are a few ok restaurants within the casino; nothing that special. The asian place has some noodle dishes that might foot the bill. Another good place to try not too far away is Pinocchio's (on Moana Lane, near Kietzke). Good basic italian and inexpensive. Crowded at lunch. If you read earlier posts, you read about Pho777 which is a great cheap option; also Beto's. These are both downtown; I think the Hilton has a free shuttle to downtown. Fri May 17 23:54:06 -0700 2002 465621 0 Janet