By: Arthur Anderson

‘Tis the season to celebrate and be thankful for surviving another year.  Some of us will celebrate by shopping for ourselves and/or our family and friends.  Some of us will celebrate with food and drink, and most of us will do both.  However you celebrate the holidays don’t forget to do some of that celebration in MidTown.

You might be surprised at all the shopping options you have in MidTown and the fun you can have wandering around enjoying the different eateries, bars and coffee shops.  It gets you out of the mall and enjoying some brisk air and easy parking.  Yes, I said it, Easy Parking.  With the North bound lane of Virginia Street closed much of it has been converted to angled parking.  There is considerably more parking now than before the street was being torn up.  If you don’t want to drive check out Lyft, 50% off all rides into MidTown.

Here is a list of recommendations (not a complete list) for your MidTown adventure.

For Shopping:
Start at the North end of MidTown at The Sticks shopping area where you have some eclectic clothing and accessories stores; Sierra Belle boutique, Hello Yoga, and Nomad Boutique and across the street is Culture.  Heading South, walk if you need the steps or drive, like I said, lots of parking.  You have Junkee, which is a great place if you are looking for a holiday costume. Ace Hardware if you want to get a Green Egg for your significant other, a balsa wood airplane for a stocking stuffer, or you still need to get Christmas lights.

If you are looking for stuff for the home you have Transend Interiors at The Sticks and Micano Home and Garden a block past Ace’s.  A couple places for that out of the ordinary shopping; The Chocolate Walrus, Virginia Street Antique Mall and the Melting Pot.  Without wondering too far you have a great selection of places to eat, drink or enjoy a cup of coffee.

For Food:
During the Day
Great Full Gardens– has the Double Edge Paleo meal
Sup– Serves great soups and sandwiches, a MidTown original
Two Chicks– started in a food truck, has great breakfast plates, bloody Mary’s and kombucha
Café de Thai– Just opened in MidTown, quality Thai food
Chuy’s– good Mexican food and friendly service
Nobel Pie– Pizza, need I say more
Arario– Korean Fusion, friendly service and good food, shared plate style
Brauhaus– German/American Fusion, just opened in MidTown, a great selection of German beers and I hear the potato salad is a must order
Homegrown Gastro Pub– All-natural and good food, a lot of gluten free options
Laughing Planet Cafe– Quick service, natural food if you’re in a hurry
Beefy’s– Classic Burger and Milkshake experience
Mario’s Portofino– Great Italian food and dining experience.  A MidTown original

In the Evening
Kauboi Izakaya– Japanese shared plates but no sushi.  Owned by LuLou’s owners
LuLous – Great Fine Dining experience.  A MidTown original
Calafuria– Good food, not oversized portions and good prices

For Drink or Coffee
Pinon– Has a great selection of tap and bottled beers, plus you can order pizza from Noble Pie next door
Whispering Vine– Enjoy a glass of wine and people watch, new to MidTown
Reno Public House– Interesting selection of beers and drinks
Craft Wine & Beer– Great selection of beers and foreign wines
Z Bar– Special Craft drinks
40 Mile Saloon– Comfortable bar to hang out in, friendly staff
Midtown Wine Bar– Wines and beer and live music
JoStella Coffee Co– Nice coffee shop to relax with a coffee or tea
Coffee Bar– just opened behind the gym

If there are more places to add to this list, please feel free.  Have fun and post your experience on social media so we can encourage others outside our community to visit MidTown.  We already had two casualties from the Virginia Street Expansion, Under the Rose and Morgan’s Seafood, closed their doors last month.  I would hate to see more businesses lost due to the construction.