Clary’s Bar and Grill

Clary's is located across the street from the Peppermill Casino

Clary’s Bar and Grill
2780 S. Virginia St. | Reno
775. 823.9444

http://clarysbarandgrill.com

Neon casino lights tangle in the shuttered windows of the building. Cars whiz by as dusk settles in. Clary’s Bar and Grill—located across Virginia Street from the Peppermill—is a rough semi-circle, like half of a porcelain plate. The three-sided bar is near the center, where a main course would go, and about eight tables are set around the rim. This unique situation works well for Clary’s, coupling an intimate eating area with abounding bar space.

Restaurant and Bar Inside

Clary’s Bar and Grill has an array of beers on tap, but I order a classic: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Our waitress’s dinner suggestion is the Turkey Parmesan Sandwich ($9.75), which Aschley, my dining companion, opts for, while I go with fries and a Cajun Cheeseburger ($9.55).

“How would you like that cooked?” the waitress asked. This question, I wasn’t expecting.

“Rare,” I said. My surprise and delight only underline the double meaning in that response: cooked-to-order burgers are hard to find. This will prove to be a tender treat.

I peer over the brim of my beer to watch Game 5 of the World Series on a flat-screen. Monday Night Football is running on other TV sets. The waitress carries steaming dishes to the table adjacent ours. A man has ordered a “famous” stuffed burger. The meat (one pound!) is almost two inches high, and I hear him utter “holy smokes” in excitement. The menu—which offers everything from New Orleans style gumbo, to meatloaf, to New York steak with prawns—assures: “You won’t go home hungry!”

The Phillies are up and my beer is a third gone when our food arrives. Aschley’s sandwich is layered with a smoked turkey breast, bacon, avocado, tomato, melted Swiss cheese, and parmesan bread. My burger is juicy and red; each bite dissolves in my mouth.

Outside Patio

A haze of elegant dim light mixes with aromas of American food. I am transfixed on my plate. Clary’s Bar and Grill has raised classic dishes to a level of delicacy.