Cucina Lupo, Best New Restaurant in Carson City

Pictured above is Pappardelle Bolognese, from the lunch menu, prepared with Bently Beef.

How does an authentic Italian meal for your next date night or family gathering sound? I would like to recommend Cucina Lupo as one of my new favorites, and it just might be considered one of the best restaurants in Carson City. The Cucina Lupo menu is the heart and soul of their farm to table mission. This is evident from their seasonally inspired dishes made with sourced ingredients from local farmers and purveyors in Northern Nevada. Don’t get me started on their delicious pasta and bread. It is homemade from their sister restaurant, Liberty Food & Wine Exchange. Everything they do is made from scratch.

Steve Sanchez, the Wine Sommelier has created an excellent selection of new and old-world wines. The highlight is The Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, from Paso Robles, which is #10 on Wine Enthusiast Top 100 List 2019. They also have classic cocktails with a modern twist. Seriously, wouldn’t you like to order a Spaghett or The Martin Picon? If you order the Martin Picon, a portion of the proceeds goes to the Carson City 4-H Club. 

Cucina Lupo Quick Guide:

Menu:
For the complete menu, please go to the
​bottom of the page.
Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday
11:00 am to 9:00 pm

​Owner:
Mark Estes
Chef:
Luis Fragoso
General Manager:
James Vandegrift

Address/Contact:
308 N. Curry Street, Carson City, NV 89703
775-461-0441
Reservations:
Cucina Lupo accepts reservations,
Please visit their website here

I first visited Cucina Lupo for lunch. Both menus are given below.

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For a lunch starter, we ordered 4 Bruschettas,  Pictured from left to right are Tomato & Pesto, Roasted Garlic & Artichoke, Fresh Mozzarella & Fig Jam, and Avocado & Radish. Besides the bursts of freshness from the vegetables, their fresh homemade bread, ​grilled, accentuated the bite to perfection. My favorite was the Tomato & Pesto. 

Brown Butter Gnocchi, Squash, Sage, Amaretti Crumbs, and Pecorino. I absolutely loved the sweet taste of the squash and Amaretti cookies gave a nice texture to the dish. I could have eaten it for dessert. 

Cucina Lupo Vision 

​James Vendegrift, General Manager, said, "We all had a vision of what Carson City needed. A restaurant for a date night, romance, and with an Italian feeling. We worked with that. We also wanted to work with local farmers, Bently Meats, and Distilleries. This is our second restaurant in Carson. We also have Liberty Food & Wine Exchange. The more we grow, the more it helps local farmers. We are hoping to make downtown Carson City a hip foodie area and work together with the other restaurants to make it a fun spot to visit." 

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Pictured below are dinner menu items at Cucina Lupo.

Cucina Lupa's Paella. Calasparra rice, saffron, chicken, clams, shrimp, and chorizo. All the nooks and crannies where filled with flavor and perfect seasoning. Once I tried it, there was no turning back. I was happily content to the flavorful end. 

Gluten Free Pasta is an option on all Cucina Lupo's dishes. Honestly, it was hard to tell the difference with their homemade version. Pictured above is the Borda Ranch Lamb Sugo Rigatoni. The dish is made with fire roasted bell peppers, olives, red wine, and Pecorino.

Cucina Lupo's nightly special was Bouillabaisse, well... I could eat this everyday of my life! Fresh mussels, clams, shrimp, and white fish in an unbelievably delicious bright broth that enhanced every bite of the seafood. Topped with homemade toasted garlic bread from Liberty Food & Exchange.

It warms my heart (or was it the booze) to see Cucina Lupo give back to the community! If you order the Martin Picon Cocktail, a salute to the Basque Country, a portion of the proceeds goes to the Carson City 4-H Club. 

End you meal with a heavenly dessert. Pictured above are; left - Warm Chocolate Cake (Gluten Free). Espresso chocolate sauce, cherry agrodolce & vanilla bean ice cream. Right - Cannoli Duo, pistachio and Nutella. 

Cucina Lupo's attention to detail was a welcoming delight. The service was friendly, genuine, and professional. They serve coffees, lattes, cappuccinos, espressos, and salted caramel coffee. 

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Cucina Lupo's, chic, romantic decor is casual and elegant at the same time. You will feel immediately comfortable, especially with their excellent service. ​
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Why eat at a Farm to Table Restaurant?

​There are many benefits to eating at a farm to table restaurant. The food is healthier because it wasn't shipped so far.  Less shipping also means it is better for the environment.  Fresh ingredients also don't need preservatives. Just take one bite, and you will know the difference. All this adds up to improved nutrition. 

When you visit a farm to table restaurant, you are also supporting ALL the local farmers and businesses involved. The local economy improves because revenue, employment, and dollars stay local. 

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Cucina Lupo's Lunch, Dinner, Wine, and Dessert Menu as of 12/2019

Cucina Lupo's Mission Statement:

• Quality Ingredients - Cucina Lupo uses quality ingredients from reputable origins and sources that are socially and regionally responsible. In other words, nothing is processed.
• Local Programs - They use existing programs (i.e. Nevada Grown, D.R.O.P.P.) to educate guests and staff and will promote the Reno/Tahoe region at all times.
• Positive Synergy - They will speak in a positive manner about others, about our guests, our fellow employees and peers for the goal of working cohesively and cooperatively.
• Education - They will teach, not preach, about the things we do and what we have learned. We will share our information with others.
• Community - They will cultivate a sense of community and pride in all of our establishments, from greasy spoon diners to fine dining establishments.
• Modernization - They will work to develop cutting edge and new approaches to food, beverage and service that will put Reno/Tahoe on the map.
• Farmers & Ranchers - They will work with local farmers and ranchers to use what they grow and produce.
• Healthy Alternatives - They will do our best to be health conscious. We will have the ability to change and adapt to dietary concerns and restrictions, portion sizes and allergies.
• Hospitality - They all want to promote our own version of hospitality. We want our guests and employees to feel welcome. We want the Reno/Carson Valley hospitality experience to be unforgettable from start to finish.
• Good Life - They shall celebrate our contribution of good food, good people and goodness of life in our community through our foods.

Cucina Lupo means 'Wolf's Kitchen.'  It also pays homage to the wolf pack of Nevada State University.

I would love to hear from you. What is your favorite dish, or experience at Cucina Lupo? Drop me a message. Thank you, Linda