Casino Food

Reno may not be as over-the-top as Las Vegas; but its casinos take the same approach to dining.
Each gaming resort must offer at least one 24-hour cafe, several high-end restaurants, a coffee bar or two, and at least one giant buffet center.

Staying at the Atlantis this weekend (drawn here for the Alliance for Community Media Western Region conference and award ceremony), one of my first tasks was food reconnaissance. And while the food service here will never be rated green, there are some healthy choices among the offerings.

As we arrived hungry and tired, the buffet provided a quick and easy way to sample whatever looked good, without having to deal with menu limitations. Wheat was certainly available, but easy to avoid; and with many good alternatives, I did not miss it. I enjoyed the roasted veggies, Chinese stir-fry, cold salads, and mashed potatoes with barbecued beef especially.

Today we chose to eat light, and opted for the cafe with the best entree salads. The southwest chicken salad was quite good; but the Thai crunch salad really rocked. Lots of shredded cabbage, blanched bean sprouts, nuts, shredded carrot, and a light peanut sauce formed the core, with hints of cilantro and other incidentals in the mix. Lime wedges and two sesame-encrusted crackers added more than just a decorative touch.

Even in a place where indulging oneself and acting impulsively are encouraged in every aspect of design, it is possible to have a delicious adventure without suffering a hangover of regret.
Tonight? Some fresh, house-made gelato!