Troon Dines
Embracing Aloha
He’s called “Chef Maui Mike,” and with nearly 30 years of culinary experience decorating his past, Chef de Cuisine Michael Lloyd inherited his passion for cooking from his beloved “Auntie” back in his home state of Hawaii. Now, he serves as the inspirational energy behind The Club at ArrowCreek’s vibrant sushi scene.
Above all, Lloyd credits his Auntie for his understanding and adoption of the “Aloha spirit,” a Hawaiian philosophy that embodies kindness, hospitality, and harmony. “My fondest memories are of my Auntie’s cooking at family gatherings,” he remembers. “Everyone would bring different dishes, different styles, and everyone would enjoy each other’s company. This is what gave me my passion for cooking for others.”
The Club at ArrowCreek in Reno, Nevada, amasses across 82,000 square feet, backdropped by two championship-caliber golf courses, the twinkling Reno skyline, and the rolling ranges of the Sierra Nevada. Jeanne and Ray Conrad, who were initially members at the club, saw the opportunity to re-envision ArrowCreek’s destiny. In 2018 they purchased the property, which is centered in a gated community of 1,100 homes and now managed by Troon Privé. Anchored by a multi-million-dollar expansion and renovation completed in the summer of 2022, the Conrads bestowed ArrowCreek a future of excellence in lifestyle, dining, and social entertainment.
The club’s live sushi experience was never quite planned, though. “I lived on Maui for two years and swore to never eat sushi anywhere else,” said David Medina, director of food and beverage at ArrowCreek, “until I got here.”
Chef Maui Mike demonstrated his creative expression and sushi acumen when he transported his guests to his homeland at a club-hosted event called the Maui Experience. Growing up on Maui, Lloyd recalls, “It was peaceful and very laid back. I could hear and smell the ocean every day.”
“The compliments were endless, but the production was hidden in the kitchen,” Medina shared. “So, we wanted to make a focal point of the overall dining experience by making sushi live. Members now have a unique opportunity to personally engage with our chefs the minute they walk into the dining room.”
ArrowCreek’s now thriving sushi program features three main fish — salmon, ahi, and hamachi (Japanese yellowtail tuna). Each season, the menu is reinvented with new flavor profiles and pairings. Long rolls, hand rolls, poke, and nigiri surprise and delight in every way.
“The offerings will never be ordinary,” said Medina. “The team will continue to push the limits on creativity, always sourcing the finest and freshest product.”
The Club at ArrowCreek’s live action sushi counter, a welcome addition to the dining experience, pairs perfectly with the ambiance of Tony’s Fireside Lounge, regular live jazz entertainment, and the spectacular setting.
“From start to finish, passion is in everything,” Lloyd said. “My love for my culture continuously shows through my flavors and I enjoy sharing this with everyone.”
