Foodfinds

from Aug. 13, 2015

Advice Goddess

Gooey goodness

Mello Deli and Catering

185 E. Glendale Ave., 335-7956

For many of us, lunch is often last night’s leftovers or something equally cost-conscious. If you’re not brown baggin’ it, seeking an affordable and tasty lunch can often be an exercise in disappointment. But if you get away from the chain shops and office buildings to neighborhoods where people do physically demanding work, you’ll find hearty, affordable food like that served at Mello Deli and Catering. Beginning as a food wagon and catering operation which then moved into a tiny space at the back of a fast food joint, this family business knows how to work with what’s available. Its new, larger space isn’t fancy, but it gets the job done. A combination of picnic tables and booths provides room for perhaps 50, and the restaurant hosts catered dinners for amateur sports teams and other social groups. A 20 percent discount for vets and law enforcement is offered on all deli items. The menu is simple and fits on a single page, featuring a short breakfast section—omelet, burrito and a couple of egg sandwiches—preceding a much larger selection of sandwiches, burgers, dogs, snacks and some surprises. If you’re a vegetarian, just ask and they’ll make you something special. If you’re in a hurry, call in your order, and they’ll bring it to your vehicle—delivery is also available to many parts of town. The menu and signage declares this to be an Italian deli with “a taste of South Philly,” so you know my group had to try both meatball and cheesesteak sandwiches ($7 each, beverage included). Both foot-long Italian rolls were stuffed to the limit,

big enough to feed two people or one extremely hungry person. The by marinara wasn’t as zesty or dramatic Todd South as some—providing simple tomato flavor with a hint of garlic and seasoning to the sandwich—but the meatballs were huge and plentiful, nestled amongst provolone and parmesan. The cheesesteak was freshly grilled, lightly seasoned, topped with onion, bell pepper and melted provolone cheese. The “whiz” style of cheesesteak is also available. I forgot to ask or specify when ordering. Then again, I’ll eat it with any cheese so long as the steak is actually steak, and the chef knows his or her stuff. Mello Deli may just be my new go-to stop for gooey goodness. I’m a fan of daily specials that are actually special, and we were far from disappointed. A pork roast sandwich with provolone, peppers and onions served on the same Italian roll was just as enormous as the rest, while a serving of five mussels on the half-shell with a huge helping of linguine in red sauce stole the show (both specials $5, no beverage). The pasta special included half a sandwich roll split in half, broiled with garlic, seasonings, and cheese. Both dishes were delicious. This is one of the best lunch deals you’ll find, not to mention big enough to share with a friend. There are plenty of other items to choose from, but two in particular beckoned. The panzerotti ($5.50) is described as an inside-out pizza, essentially pizza dough stuffed with sauce, cheese and/or meat, deep-fried and served with housemade dipping sauce (cheddar, parmesan, bacon bits and ranch dressing). The flavor and texture is something like a savory doughnut. It’s not remotely healthy, and I loved every bite of cheesy, pepperoni pastry. The same can be said for The Craving ($4), a grilled polish dog topped with black bean chili, onion, and a fried egg rolled up and laid on top. I should probably book a date with a cardiologist after a meal like this. We finished things off with a giant cookie that was actually three cookies in one: oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, and chocolate chip ($1). Every dollar in cookie sales goes to benefit military veterans, a nice way to support a worthy cause while enjoying a damned good cookie the size of your head. Ω

Photo/Allison Youn G

Bob and Michelle Mello, pictured with grandson Nicolas and a Philly cheesesteak sandwich, own Mello Deli.

For more information, visit www.mellodeli.com. Gift certificates to local merchants for up to 50% off merchants for up to 50% off Gift certificates to local Not Just Crepes! Featuring Locally grown produce from Northern Nevada in our seasonal breakfast and lunch menu. Providing full service – Catering –from business meetings to formal celebrations! Tue-Sun • 8am-2pm 775•348•0571 www.cremecafereno.com 18 Saint Lawrence Ave. Midtown Reno,NV 89509 Try it Like a Thai! Lunch Specials thaimoodang.com www.newsreview.com 1565 S. Virginia St. • Reno 775-420-4267 Open Tues-Sat. 11-9 • Sunday 3-9 RN&R 775.589.2067 195 highway 50., stateline 1/2 mile north of the casinos sushipiertahoe.com all you can eat sushi all the time 775.589.2067 highest quality & fresh fish daily / take-out orders welcome / full bar with hot & cold sake 195 highway 50., stateline 1/2 mile north of the casinos Open 7 Days a Week / Monday - Saturday 11:30am - 9:30pm / Sunday 11:30am - 9:00pm sushipiertahoe.com

all you can eat sushi all the time highest quality & fresh fish daily / take-out orders welcome / full bar with hot & cold sake Open 7 Days a Week / Monday - Saturday 11:30am - 9:30pm / Sunday 11:30am - 9:00pm 775.589.2067 195 highway 50., stateline 1/2 mile north of the casinos sushipiertahoe.com all you can eat sushi all the time highest quality & fresh fish daily / take-out orders welcome / full bar with hot & cold sake highest quality & fresh fi sh daily, take-out Open 7 Days a Week / Monday - Saturday 11:30am - 9:30pm / Sunday 11:30am - 9:00pm orders welcome, full bar with hot & cold sake

open 7 days a week at 11:00am Last Seating: Mon - Sat 9:30pm & Sun 9:00pm

1507 So. Virginia St. - Midtown, Reno - 775.825.5225

THAT’S HOW WE ROLL

Peruvian Restaurant ASK ABOUT OUR $695 ALL DAY SPECIAL MENTION THIS AD FOR 20% OFF OFF 775.827.5454 585 E. Moana Lane • Reno www.eltumi.webs.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF REPUBLIC RECORDS

BRITISH SINGERSONGWRITER JAMES BAY IS STORMING AMERICA WITH FESTIVAL APPEARANCES AND HITS LIKE “HOLD BACK THE RIVER.”

Bay Watch

UK singer-songwriter has his sights on America

by Mark Lore

“If you don’t have a good song, no matter how much you dress it up with synths and hi-hats, people are not going to come back.”

JAMES BAY

It wasn’t long ago that James Bay was playing open mics in Brighton, England, where the 24-year-old songwriter was studying. Two years later Bay has a successful debut fulllength “Chaos and the Calm,” and just played to massive North American audiences at Lollapalooza and Canada’s Osheaga Festival.

Bay is still somewhat unknown here in the States, but judging by the response he received during those hot afternoon timeslots, he feels things could change.

“It was a great weekend of festivals,” Bay says about playing to larger crowds. “It excites me. I’m hungry for it. It gets my juices flowing.”

Music got Bay’s juices flowing more than a decade ago, after the young man heard a song from another British guitarist named Eric Clapton. It was Derek and the Dominoes’ hit “Layla” that captured Bay’s imagination, and essentially set his path.

“It was a huge influence initially,” he says. “It blew my 11-year-old mind away.”

Bay played guitar along to Stones records, before taking his guitar to open mics to hone his playing and performance chops. He released his first EP, “The Dark of the Morning,” in 2013, and followed up with three more in just over a year. “Chaos and the Calm” garnered him a couple of Top 10 singles in the UK with “Let It Go” and “Hold Back the River,” which hit No. 8 in the U.S. on Billboard’s Hot Rock Songs chart.

While Bay’s music has reached more ears in a relatively short time, he still believes a good song should be able to translate even when stripped down to an acoustic guitar, like his days playing the Brighton open mics.

“One thing at the core — and it’s sort of my ethos — if you don’t have a good song, no matter how much you dress it up with synths and hi-hats, people are not going to come back. They’re not going to sing along,” he says.

Rock Reform

New Politics creates music with no rules

by Mike Blount

When a band has been together for a few years, it’s natural to want to evolve the sound. It becomes a delicate balancing act between keeping it interesting to attract new listeners and not alienating current fans by changing too much, too quickly. Lucky for New Politics, the members never had any rules for making music to begin with.

Lead singer and guitarist David Boyd says the band has always been open to experimenting in the studio. You can hear that experimentation on the band’s breakout hit “West End Kids.”

“Our music is very diverse,” Boyd says. “Sometimes, we capture a raw and live sound on tape. On another song, we might want [an electronic drum machine]. Our music kind of reflects the possibilities of new technology. We’re not afraid to try new things. We don’t have rules.”

Fans can expect more experimentation on the band’s new album “Vikings,” which comes out Friday, the day before the band performs at City of Trees. Boyd says he’s looking forward to playing some of the new tracks at the festival. Though it changes constantly, Boyd says his favorite new track right now is “50 Feet Tall.” “It was inspired by a classic movie poster I saw in a store in L.A.,” Boyd says. “It was for ‘Attack of the 50 Foot Woman,’ and I just thought it

“We’re not was a great concept — how afraid to try incredibly empowering for a woman. I came up with the new things. We don’t first line and we made the have rules.” song around it.” New Politics has played DAVID BOYD Lead vocalist and guitar in Sacramento once before, but Boyd says he’s looking forward to coming back and winning over some new fans in a festival environment. “I’m excited to play in Sacramento,” Boyd says. “It’s not a market we’ve had a lot of opportunity to play in. I just hope that the people of Sacramento give us a chance. It’s going to be fun. We have a party and just let go. There will be guitars thrown in the air and breakdancing. It’s going to be a good time.”