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Welcome to Bill Harrah’s House –
Experience the Legend…
 Harrah’s
Hotel Casino in downtown Reno is truly one of the legendary
landmarks of “The Biggest Little City”. And its founder, the
late William Fisk (Bill) Harrah, was the most influential figure
in the history of casino gaming in Nevada, and one of the least
accessible. Nevada casinos of the 1930s were rough-and-tumble
businesses, deeply rooted in the frontier ethos from which
legalized gaming emerged. By background and temperament, Bill
Harrah was ill-prepared to succeed in such a business when he
opened a small bingo parlor in Reno in 1937, but by the
mid-1960s his Harrah's Clubs were the most profitable casino
gaming operations in America and he had become the de facto
leader of the industry.
Bill Harrah's life and career were
marked by paradox. The privileged son of a southern California
attorney, he lasted less than one term in college before sliding
into a line of work which at the time was largely populated with
cheap hustlers and petty crooks. From a slow start operating a
little bingo parlor in a downtown Reno alley, Harrah went on to
build hugely successful hotel-casinos in Reno and at Lake Tahoe
that were glittering examples for the industry, replete with
gourmet restaurants, lavish accommodations for guests, and the
very finest in service and hospitality.
 Today,
sitting in the center of the downtown casino district, Harrah’s
offers great entertainment and outstanding food. In fact,
The Steakhouse at Harrah’s has a worldwide following.
Michael Kerivan has been the Maitre d’ of this room for two
decades. He vividly recalls, “When I first walked into the room
I could feel the great heritage and charm as well as knowing all
the wonderful stories that had earned this subterranean bastion
of beef a worldwide reputation.” A signature of The Steakhouse
is that all the Captains wear tuxedos even though the dress
codes of the customers have changed from suits and ties to blue
jeans and casual shirts. Michael says with pride, “Yes, even
tennis shoes, but that doesn’t change the way we serve our
customers…they are always king at the Steakhouse. No matter how
the times have changed, the magic that has made this room
legendary is as keen as it ever has been, and as long as my
staff and I are here that will never change”.
Being a waiter in the restaurant
business is, for the most part, a transient job. But in
Michael’s room..."When I am working, the place is an extension
of my heart and sole and my Captains are a true extension of my
feelings. They convey that to our customers everyday at the
level of masterful service found nowhere else in this part of
the world! Only two of my Captains have been with me under 15
years, the others: Bong 32, Arland 30. Tony 27, Brian 26, Pat
25, Hour 24, Marjorie, Tommy and Ali 17, and Ozzie 16 years".
With extreme pride and showmanship, these tuxedo-clad sultans of
sizzle and panache perform the magic every night of the year.
 “I
like to think that the Steakhouse is THE “Special Occasion”
restaurant of Reno. On any given night, there is usually a half
dozen birthdays and a few anniversaries being celebrated and
that’s when we really like to shine. If you’re coming for a
special event like and let us know, we’ll have the kitchen
prepare something special. It’s what we do best; we are always
striving to make a memory for the customer, that’s what Harrah’s
Steakhouse is all about. Our table-side service is where the
signature magic dazzles…whether we’re doing a Caesar salad,
Steak Diane with brandy, Strawberries Romanoff or Coffee
Diablo…through the flames, it’s our chance to get to know the
customer and truly make them feel welcome. It’s almost a lost
art and not many places are doing it any longer. I happen to
think our Captains are the true masters of this magical art
form,” Kerivan explains.
When there are celebrities in
town, they will usually find their way to the Steakhouse because
they have heard about its reputation. And that reputation
includes the same experience everyone else gets but with a
little more privacy. Michael’s secret, “The only way I can do
that is to put them away from the main room so they will enjoy
their evening. Some of the many celebrities we have served over
the years are Sean Penn, Jack Nicholson, Billy Crystal, Robin
Williams, Francis Ford Coppola, Barbara Streisand and our
all-time favorite, Gordie Brown.” Dinner is served nightly
beginning at 5 p.m. Say Hi to Jackie, she’s in charge of a
classy bar and a wine list that is one of the finest in the
area. Reservations are recommended. (775)788-3232.
 If
you are looking for a taste of Italy, Andreotti Italian
Restaurant offers guests a weekly “Tour of Italy” event,
featuring appetizers paired with wines from all regions of the
country. Sommelier Joel Tennyson and Chef Stephen Tucker will
host the two-hour event every Friday evening starting at 4:00
p.m. with four Italian wines paired with a perfected appetizer.
Guests are invited to taste wines
selected and expertly paired from thirteen wine growing regions
of Italy. Also new to the restaurant is an Italian regional
prix fixed menu, which includes several appetizer, entrée and
dessert selections from the featured regions of Italy. Italian
dishes include roasted veal chop in a traditional cream sauce
and the Penne Primavera il Forno. Even the pizzas are upgraded
to accommodate the classic essence of Italy.
“We’re hoping the new Tour of
Italy wine tasting event, along with the menu changes and the
Italian regional prix fixed menu will give our guest the true
taste of the country,” said Tennyson. “The fun atmosphere and
friendly service already attracts a wide group of people to the
restaurant, but with these upscale additions, we’re able to
provide an even more elegant environment, which will accommodate
an even wider group of diners.”
 The
Tour of Italy is every Friday from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. in
Andreotti’s located on the skyway; the cost is $20. The new
menu features cuisine of the region and changes every month; the
cost is $35 per person and $55 paired with selected regional
wines. Andreotti is open seven days a week from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday through Thursday and 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Friday and
Saturday. There is a full bar and an exceptional wine list. On
Friday and Saturday, enjoy the piano music of the King of Reno,
Corky Bennett. For Reservations (775)788-2908.
One of the great family affairs at
Harrah’s is the newly refitted Carvings. Formerly known
as “The Fresh Market Square Buffet,” Carvings provides guests
with a fresh approach in casino dining. Visitors will
immediately notice the classy and sophisticated setting the
moment they walk through the door. Dine in a welcome setting of
warm cherry wood, while fresh new materials provide a
contemporary feel to furnished areas. The food, however, is the
hook that Harrah’s executives believe will keep guests coming
back for more.
If you have kids, this eatery is
the ticket. Start out with a trip
to the salad bar where crisp greens and fresh juicy fruit
compliment a variety of crab and shrimp options. Next, follow
your nose down the line of entrees where you can sample or feast
on your choice of golden fried chicken and mashed potatoes, beef
or shrimp fajitas, or seafood Cioppino. Make your own pasta at
the Italian Bar, where guests can choose from a variety of
pastas, spices and sauces cooked to perfection.
From Bananas Foster to hand-made
crepes, sweeten your dining experience with an array of
mouth-watering desserts. There is also a large selection of
chocolate cakes, cookies, pies, make-it-yourself ice cream
sundaes as well as a nice selection of sugar-free offerings.
Carvings is open 7 days a week.
Weekday Brunch will be served Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.
- 2 p.m. for $10.99. Champagne Brunch every Saturday and Sunday
from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. for $12.99. The Dinner Buffet is
served Monday through Thursday from 4:30 p.m. until close for
$13.99 and the Seafood Buffet is served every Friday from 4:30
p.m. until close for $17.99. Steak and Seafood Saturday
is from 4:30 p.m. until close and starts at $18.99 or experience
the International Buffet every Sunday from 4:30 p.m. until close
for $14.99.
 Café
Napa is the 24 hour coffee house with
a little more flair. Cafe Napa's $9.99 Asian
Dinner Special offers your choice of Walnut Shrimp or General's
Chicken, served with soup, spring roll and fried rice. Served
Sunday - Thursday 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Two bacon wrapped
beef filets take center stage in Cafe Napa's Filet Mignon Dinner
Special served 24 hours a day with all the trimmings for only
$9.99!
A great
beginning, or end to the perfect day is the $3.99 Breakfast
Special which includes two pancakes, two eggs, sausage, bacon
and muffin. Served Sunday - Thursday 11 p.m – 7 a.m. A full
menu of burgers, fish, chicken and pasta are all part of this
more-than-a-coffee-shop, coffee shop! Café Napa is located on
the second floor of the Virginia Street casino.
 Ichiban
- Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar –
in Harrah’s
is nothing but pure fun and excellent food complimented by
artistry and showmanship of Teppanyaki style cooking as skilled
chefs prepare sizzling steak, lobster, shrimp, scallops, chicken
and more right at your table. Savor house specialties in endless
combinations as well as taste-tempting salads and noodle dishes
or sample the all-you-can-eat sushi and tempura bar. The menu
also offers traditional Japanese food. Chop stixs are
optional. There’s a full bar and a respectable wine list.
This is show biz, kitchen style,
so get to know your neighbors because seating is for several,
not just your party. The Chefs go to a special school abroad to
learn and master their knife-wielding, egg-flipping, ruckus
approach to food preparation. But the onion volcano takes the
cake. And it’s one of the few dining experiences where you
better applaud the Chef or no telling what he might fling your
way. It’s a fun and unforgettable eating event that is always a
good choice. They have a full bar including Sake and Japanese
beers and a reasonable wine list and specialty drinks. Ichiban
is on the corner of Virginia and Second Street inside the
casino. Reservations are recommended (775)323-5550.
Cars, casinos and the culinary
arts are all part of the legend a man named Bill started over 70
years ago and has left for everyone to come and enjoy. Good
night and cheers Mr. Harrah, wherever you are.
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