Wild River Grille placed third in the best places for a business lunch. Wild River Grille also placed second in the “Best Pet Friendly category.” Courtesy
Whether you’re taking your team out to lunch or needing to grab a bite with your coworkers, you want a delicious hearty meal that gets you through the rest of a productive day. Here are the best places to go in Northern Nevada for a business lunch as voted on during the NNBW’s 2024 Best in Business contest:
First: Brasserie Saint James
Offering “world class beer and elevated comfort food” in the historic Crystal Springs ice building in Midtown Reno, this rustic style restaurant provides a new spin on traditional old world European dishes and American classics.
“I think people come here for the atmosphere, it’s a big restaurant. We have a lot of space, a big beer list, healthy food options, and small indulgences,” says owner Chloe Ure. Brasserie Saint James also hosts the Prospectors Club which is Nevada’s oldest social club with about 400 members.
“We host the Prospectors Club every day; they take up one side of the restaurant and other businesspeople generally take up the other,” Ure adds.
Brasserie Saint James has been around since 2012, and Ure believes the most popular items on the menu are the grilled flank steak salad and the porchetta sandwich, with the pork roasted inhouse.
“The onion soup is also popular this time of the year,” Ure says.
Brasserie Saint James also placed first in the “Best Pet Friendly” category.
“We love when people bring their dogs on the patio. We have dog hooks installed by the tables so the owners can eat comfortably. We bring a fresh bowl of water for every pet, and we also offer complimentary doggy bacon,” Ure says.
Second: The Cheese Board
With locations in Midtown and South Reno, The Cheese Board is also a great place to go for a business lunch. “Sweet and salty since 1981,” it has sandwiches, salads, soups, and a “for the lil’ cheese curds” menu. The Yelp reviews note its fresh food, great service, and impressive selection of cheese and wine.
“We worked for the original owner Debbie Branby; Caitlin came on in 2005 as the assistant manager and I came on in 2006 as the catering manager. We were both operating both sides of the business that it makes money on, and she was ready to retire,” says owner Krista Phillips. She adds that she loves the customers and has become close with everybody since buying the business in 2017.
“When I was the catering manager, we did everything from weddings to baby showers to memorials. We formed a deep connection with the community… even with memorials people would call us and tell us how their loved ones came here and what their favorite thing was at The Cheese Board,” she adds.
Hospitality is also in her sister (and co-owner) Caitlin Fletcher’s DNA. “Hospitality is making the customer feel totally seen and nurtured, make this feel like it’s their second home.” Their customer-centric attitude and excellent food is likely what also helped them open their second location in August 2023 off 15435 Wedge Parkway, Suite 101 in Reno.
“We absolutely thrive at lunch. We’re easily accessible to the downtown and midtown workers. It’s counter service, and it’s relaxed yet an upscale environment,” Fletcher adds.
The Cheese Board’s most popular dish is the Trio Plate, which includes a small grilled cheese sandwich, cup of soup (people love the tomato soup), and small salad with homemade dressing.
“It encompasses everything, it’s what The Cheese Board is. If you’ve never been here before, that’s a good starter,” Fletcher says. People also love the chicken croissant, on the sundried tomato version.
“If you talk to our guests, they all swear by one particular item; they just crave it. It’s like coming home to that one thing you love,” Phillips says.
The Cheese Board also took 2nd place in the “Best Family Owned Place” category.
Third: Wild River Grille
Located right on the Riverwalk in downtown Reno, it’s easy to see how Wild River Grille would place high up there on the list for “Best Business Lunch” place as well. Offering drinks, dinner, and lunch on the banks of the Truckee River in the historic Riverside Hotel building, Wild River Grille specializes in contemporary cuisine with unparalleled views from the patio.
Chuck Shapiro and his late business partner Doug Holter opened Wild River Grill in June 2007 and the Shapiros continue to pour their hearts and souls into the place. It also has a special River Room — an ideal space to host group gatherings and business banquets that overlooks the Virginia Street Bridge and downtown area.
“We try to accommodate as best as possible. We understand time constraints and have a good vibrant atmosphere,” says Wild River Grille Manager Matthew Taylor. “People love our appetizers—crab cakes and salmon cakes. And for dinner they love our housemade meatloaf, house medallions, and salmon. The prime rib melt and signature burgers are popular for lunch.”
Wild River Grille also placed second in the “Best Pet Friendly category.”
“During the summertime, this place is very popular, as it’s one of the only places that allows pets. We have a ‘Dinner with Your Dog’ event every Monday where we pick a charity to donate to, like the ASPCA or the Shakespeare Animal Fund,” Taylor says. The dinners are offered throughout the summer, and people like to come out with their pups during the summer concert series.
