Carson City to be second home for historic Martin Hotel

To residents and visitors of Winnemucca, the name Martin means food and family.

The historic Martin Hotel, constructed in 1878, has stood as a pillar of both for more than a century.

Since 1914, when the Martin family purchased the building, the storied Nevada establishment has provided an authentic Basque dining experience for generations of customers.

Now that beloved institution is expanding to Carson City, where owner John Arant hopes the Martin name will take root just as it did in Winnemucca decades ago.

"I see Carson City as a natural fit," said Arant, noting that the area shares in the region's rich Basque heritage. "Northern Nevada is particularly connected to the Basque culture."

In fact, the Nevada state capital has been on Arant's radar for years since taking over ownership of the business from his uncle in 2004.

"I've been interested in Carson for a long time, because it does not have a Basque restaurant," Arant said. "It's just one where serendipity happened and it all just came together."

Arant said he likes Carson City's proximity to the Truckee Meadows, now linked by Interstate 580, as well as to communities around Lake Tahoe.

But more importantly, Arant said, Carson City has retained the sort of vintage small town charm that The Martin Hotel has thrived in for over 100 years.

"I like Carson as a town, it's a really neat place," he said. "I love the historic area, and everybody I've met has just been wonderful."

The newest Martin Hotel restaurant will occupy about 4,600 square feet of ground level space at 308 North Curry Street, part of the Hop and Mae Adams Foundation mixed use project currently under construction.

Arant said the Carson City restaurant's blueprint will be cut from the same mold as the iconic Winnemucca original, because a good Basque restaurant takes tradition very seriously.

"The success of The Martin and of any Basque restaurant is that they are at core completely respectful of original recipes," he said.

Featuring many of the traditional Basque favorites passed down from The Martin's past owners, Carson City's Martin Hotel Restaurant will have much the same tastes, smells, look and feel as the Winnemucca landmark.

There will be steak, lamb, fish, Solomo, marinated pork and even sweet breads on the menu — all served with traditional Basque sides such as homemade soup, salad, beans, fresh-baked bread, hand-cut french fries, and The Martin's signature original bread pudding dessert.

And don't forget about the region's best Picon Punch, Arant said. The traditional Basque drink is enjoyed regionwide and has a particularly loyal following at The Martin.

"There have been attempts in the past to designate Picon as the state drink," he said. "Perhaps having the best Picon Punch around in Carson City will make that happen."

Arant said The Martin's menu of old-world classics brought over from Europe's Basque region between Spain and France speaks for itself.

But just as unique as the food is to Basque culture, so is the dining experience.

"At dinner it's family style," said Arant, who describes that as people sitting together around one table, sharing food and conversation. "It's unique. People really like to talk to other people."

In a town where things tend to get done by breaking bread, Arant said Carson City couldn't be more poised to embrace the Basque tradition.

"Deep inside that's what people are experiencing at The Martin when they eat," he said.

Arant said he is hopeful the new Carson City expansion will be ready to open before the end of summer 2018. Once hiring begins, he said the opening should only be a matter of weeks.

The Martin Hotel Restaurant in Carson City will be looking to fill about 25 positions, Arant said, will include about a half dozen wait staff who had worked several years at the original Winnemucca restaurant.

Consistent with Basque culture, Arant said The Martin regards its employees as family. He doesn't hire with the intent of replacing people.

"Of my 25 employees, we have been through their dating, engagements, weddings and at least two of their kids," he said. "Family is what we do."

The average Martin staff member has been with the restaurant for about a decade, Arant said.

"That contributed a lot to my ability to look at Carson," he said.

Arant said he also favors local high school talent, especially 4-H and Future Farmers of America club members as well as student athletes.

"We like kids who do extracurricular activities," he said.

Arant said he expects to be recruiting at local high schools soon for positions at The Martin Hotel Restaurant in Carson City once start dates have been determined.

Visit The Martin Hotel web site for more information about the establishment.