After opening Canyon Creek Grill and Bar a week ago, father and son co-owners Paul and Justin Schmidt say they hope their business becomes a regular spot for locals.
"We realized there was a demand for a high-quality restaurant with good food and good drinks with a nice family-friendly atmosphere, and when we saw this place we thought this could be the site for that," said Justin Schmidt, 24.
Paul Schmidt, 54, who owns the Denny's locations in Carson City and South Lake Tahoe, said the restaurant will offer hamburgers, sandwiches, pizza, seafood and a variety of smoked meats such as pastrami that is cured in a smoker at the restaurant. Most of the menu items cost less than $10. They also have a breakfast menu.
"Local is absolutely the base that's going to make this succeed," Paul Schmidt said, adding the restaurant will offer "exotic" meats such as alligator, ostrich and buffalo.
Their bar has 12 beers on tap, including Schmidt Pale Ale, which they brew.
The Schmidts have spent months planning the restaurant, from designing menus to trying out coffee cups to taste testing their dishes.
"When you say you need 100 menus you just don't e-mail someone saying you need 100 menus," Justin Schmidt said. "Every single item you have to come up with."
While Paul Schmidt has been in the restaurant business for about 40 years, this is Justin's first time after working in real estate and construction, a background that came in handy when constructing Canyon Creek's outdoor patio that features a fireplace.
As for father and son working together?
"He's OK," Paul said with a smile, adding, "If you're working with family you absolutely know you can trust them."