Have You Ever Eaten Basque Style?

Last night we found ourselves in Fallon, NV at dinnertime. One of the locals recommended the Overland Hotel. Walking in, you are immediately struck by the old time ambience, wood plank floors, 12 ft ceilings. Basque restaurants always serve family style, which means you sit at long tables with any other diners who happen to be eating at the same time. These tables have metal folding chairs, plastic red checked tablecloths, mismatched dishes and paper napkins.

The Basque people moved into Northern Nevada in the mid-1800’s to provide meat and wool the miners during the Gold Rush. Because the terrain was much like their native land, good for grazing sheep, they are known for their lamb dishes.

But the reason you eat Basque is the food, not the atmosphere. Brad ordered rib eye, Tim had the lamb chops, and for $10 I chose “sides only.” Honestly, with your meal you get separate courses of soup, bread, salad, beans, French fries, and a side dish (which was a delicious rice). All of this is served in large bowls to the table, which means you can have as many helpings of each dish as you want. Oh, and a bottle of red wine is part of the deal, as well. Now, could I possibly eat a main course after all that? No, the “sides only” was the right decision.