Hungry Hungry Hippomaha

10. Zio’s

9. Saigon Surface

8. Big Momma’s Kitchen

7. El Aguila

6. Mother India

5. Baxter’s

4. Taquiera Tijuana

3. Lighthouse Pizza

2. Marrakech

1. Benson Brewery

42. Night Owl – Midtown, 39th and Farnam

            Well, we were going to make our second go-around to go to King Fong (one of the oldest restaurants in Omaha), but to no avail. Trust me when I say it is a challenge to find a parking spot anywhere near the Orpheum when there is a show going on!

            With Lance along for the ride, the three of us drove around trying to find something new. We had driven by Night Owl before it had opened, and I had read the article in the paper about the restaurant’s intention to serve the late night crowd. To our surprise, it had officially opened, and we were able to find a parking spot.

What we ordered:

            Adam: Night Owl Burger with fries

            Me: Night Owl Burger with tots

            Lance: Big Frita with Chicken Noodle soup

The result: Things that are pretty cool: serves food until close, lots of tots, and that area in Midtown has really opened some awesome restaurants. I was a little underwhelmed by the burger to tot ratio (burger was ¼ of my plate and the rest were tots). For some reason, I was overall just expecting something else. But I know that this location will become very popular due to the audience that it serves. Being close to the hospital, bars, and the midtown neighborhood, everyone will take to the vintage 1970’s feel and will stay to watch the obscure films showing in the background.

41. Spin! Neapolitan Pizza – 84th and Highway 370

            I had to at least get past 40 on this new restaurant resolution, and we really wanted pizza. Thank God for UrbanSpoon. We found Spin! (I love the excitement in the name!) And there were so many kinds of pizza on their menu!

So we headed that way. Adam and I hadn’t been in that plaza in quite a while, and I had only remembered that the old Farmer Brown’s Steakhouse used to be over there. That’s not to say that we haven’t driven in that direction in a while, because it’s not that fair from Shadow Lake . . . but apparently we just aren’t that observant.

Right away, Adam and I were greeted and given a quick explanation of the menu, and we were impressed with the vibe of the place pretty immediately.

What we ordered:

Adam: Mini Mia (a personal pizza with any soup/salad) with 22 (Italian Sausage + Apple) and BLT Salad

Me: Mini Mia with 19 (Fig Onion Marmalade + Chevre) and Sonoma Salad (SO MUCH GOAT CHEESE!)

40. Pieocracy – Nebraska Crossing

            You know that curiosity that surrounds a store that is new to the area? Okay, maybe that’s just me. I would compare it to the feeling that everyone had when Forever 21 or H&M opened. Well, maybe it wasn’t that exciting, but I know that every time I went to the outlets I’d think to myself, “OOOHHH, a NEW pizza place.” So when Adam and I headed out there to spend some of his birthday cash, I was surprised to see that we caught Pieocracy on its opening weekend. Someone explained the menu, and Adam and I did our standard order-two-different-kinds-of-pizza-and-split thing.

What we ordered:

            Adam: Bianca Pollo

            Me: BLT 

39. Which Wich – Papillion

            Once Thanksgiving had come and gone, I think both Adam and I were doomed to not finish our 52 new restaurants. So this was one our last ditch efforts to keep picking at the list. So here we were at Which Wich.

What we ordered:

            Adam and I: Wicked Sandwich

The result: A good alternative to Jimmy Johns. Adam and I would not turn this place down, and I think that it trumps that infamous Chick-fil-a that looms right across the way (I’m not in love with their chicken or their sauces).

38. Salt 88 – West Omaha, 129th and Maple

            With Adam in tow, my girlfriends and I had planned a dinner and a movie night. Our effort to keep up with our new restaurant grind led us out to Salt 88, even though our movie was at Aksarben Theater. I employed the app, OpenTable that allowed us to make a reservation without actually calling the restaurant, which appeals to my desire to not be forced to interact with strangers.

What we ordered:

            Adam: The Other Calamari

            Meagan: Chicken Caprese Salad

Sara and I (we both wanted the same things on the menu, so we split two meals): Ravioli Ast and Jo Geez

37. Over Easy – West Omaha, 168th and Q St

            This was our second attempt to make it to this popular brunch spot, and the second time around, we did our best to beat the church crowd. Over Easy is a farm-to-table restaurant that has homemade pop tarts and a DRIVE THRU! Once seated, we were provided very trendy mason jar cups, and we complimented the repurposed wood decorating the walls.

  What we ordered:

            Adam: Biscuits and Gravy with sausage

            Sara: French Toast made with bread pudding

            Me: Chicken and Waffles

36. The French Bulldog – Dundee

            Upon recommendation via my second Facebook restaurant request, The French Bulldog was said to be top 3 restaurants in Omaha. Still in our work attire, Adam and I went there for an early dinner on a Friday evening.

What we ordered:

            Adam: Banh Mi Sandwich and a cup of Potato Soup

            Me: Bulldog Deli Sandwich

The result: It’s funny that we had gone here soon after we had gone to Bulldog Burger since they had a similar name. In contrast, The French Bulldog is a locally owned restaurant that seems to pride itself on being a classy pub-style restaurant. While the food was good, we didn’t feel that it had earned the reputation as one of the best restaurants in Omaha. In saying that, we wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to return if someone suggested it.

35. Bulldog Burger – 120th and Fort St

            In an effort to persevere through the new restaurant tour, Adam drove northwest (for us) to this very clearly family-owned burger joint. The wall is lined with an old church pew as the main bench and simple tables and chairs sit adjacent. A large chalkboard wall has all the menu items with a variety of burger options as well as a list of ingredients for you to construct your know burger. The only thing that was slightly off-putting was that “chipotle” was misspelled on every sign…

What we ordered:

            Adam: Breakfast Burger

            Me: Citrus Burger

            Dessert: Puppy Chow

The result: Adam had to remind me that this was a family-owned place, because I kept getting hung up on the cheesy Fat Head bulldog wall clings and the simplicity of the restaurant. He explained that the guy who owned it was probably told that he made really good burgers, so he opened it without regard to the décor. And the burgers were definitely good. But I just wonder if a person should consider all aspects of owning a restaurant…

…but one saving grace was that if you brought in a photo of your dog, they will give you a free dessert and hang your photo on their dog wall. I can get behind that.

34. Mother India – 36th and Leavenworth

            HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LANCE! To celebrate Lance and his life, Adam and I took him to his favorite Omaha restaurant. Although I love Indian food and I love Omaha, I hadn’t been to the very best Indian restaurant. Mother India is small and only accommodates about 7 tables, but they have a sizable patio, which is perfect for the majority of the year (just not chilly November evenings).

What we ordered:

Appetizer – Cheese Naan     

            Adam: Chicken Tiki Makahani

            Me: Saag Chicken

            Lance: Chicken Tiki Masala

The result: I had been told how good Mother India was, and the food did not disappoint. While it is a small place, it creates a sort of intimacy for the patrons. The only catch with this restaurant is that the owners will sometimes shut down for about month at a time while they travel, so you may have to make a couple attempts to actually get there. But I promise it is completely worth it. And I have provided a list of backups just in case they aren’t open {see above and below}. 

33. Egg and I – 168th and Center

            This was our first attempt to go to Over Easy in West Omaha, but quickly walked away when we were told there was a 45 minute wait (the risk you take trying to beat the church crowd). We drove toward 168th and Center knowing that in the area of the Shoppes of Legacy or surrounding strip malls, we were bound to find a place we hadn’t eaten at before. The Egg and I was the first location on the right side of the street.

Comparable to Village Inn or Perkins, there was a short wait and a vast amount of tables.

What we ordered:

            Adam: Raisin French Toast

            Me: Huevos Rancheros

            Sara: Pumpkin Pecan Waffles

The result: While nothing was wrong with our food or the service (even though another customer was fairly rude to Sara), I can’t imagine that we’d find ourselves there again. There are several other really great breakfast places around Omaha – Lisa’s Radial Café, Leo’s Diner, or Dixie Quicks, just to name a few. But if you’re in a bind and you need a new breakfast place just to mix it up, The Egg and I was inoffensive and easy to get in and out.

32. Boyd Charlies BBQ – Downtown Elkhorn

            Family Dinner. My dad wanted to go to Johnny Sortino’s or Big Fred’s, and while these two pizza places may have been good at one point, I don’t know that I would recommend them to anyone. So my sister knew that both Adam and I hadn’t been to Boyd Charlie’s and that we were/are desperately working our way to 52 new restaurants, so we talked our dad into his favorite BBQ place. And for being a BBQ place, it is exactly what you expect: taxidermy on the walls, sports on the TV, and a back-country feel.

What we ordered:

Appetizers – Corn Fritters

            Adam: 2 meat – sausage and brisket

            Me: Beef Brisket

            Ryan and Nikki: 3 meat – chicken, ribs, and pork

            Stephanie: Chopped Pork Sandwich

            Mom: Chopped Pork Sandwich

            Dad: Beef Brisket Sandwich

The result: I think Adam and I both agree that BBQ always sounds better than ends up being. The food was satisfying, but we are spoiled. Adam’s dad and grandpa both make outstanding BBQ, and there is just really nothing that compares to well-made home cooking. In fact, I would contend that Adam’s grandpa’s featherbones rival Big Mama’s… (Those are fighting words.)

31. Pig and Finch – One Pacific Place

            DOUBLE DATE NIGHT! Since our friends, Amanda and Nic, wanted to participate in our new restaurant endeavor, we utilized our app OpenTable to reserve our table and make a date. Pig and Finch had opened within the past year and replaced the Ruby Tuesday in One Pacific Place. With our perfect placement next to the bar the boys were able to enjoy sports while Amanda and I lamented about the woes of working in a high school.  

What we ordered:

Appetizers – Grilled Oysters and Bacon Marmalade

            Adam: Griddled BLAT with Mac and Cheese

            Me: Bison Chili and Grilled Cheese

            Amanda: Griddled BLAT

            Nic: Grilled Pork Chops

The result: A great place for a nice date night or just when you want to treat yourself a bit. With the prices being a bit higher, it’s not some place that we would go to every week, but it will definitely always be an option when we want to “spring” a little bit. Food was wonderful, and it doesn’t hurt when you have great company.

30. Farnam House – 36th and Farnam, formerly Tommy Colina’s Kitchen

            Bummed that Tommy Colina’s Kitchen closed, Adam and I were anxious to see what would take its place. Not a year later, Adam and Lance had gone to Farnam House when they participated in Omaha Beer Week. The restaurant hadn’t been open for more than a month or so when we finally got there, and the crowd was still solid.  

What we ordered:

Appetizer – Wings (smothered in blu cheese dressing and big chunks of blu cheese)

            Adam: Flatbread with white queso, chorizo, and bacon

            Me: Farnam Burger

29. Big Mama’s Kitchen- Benson

Two years ago, Adam and I went to Taste of Omaha and tried Big Mama’s featherbones and that sold us on trying this place. But it took us two years and a dedication to our new resolution to actually go. Since it is part of the old Nebraska School for the Deaf, the actual restaurant was a little difficult to find. But I have to admit, this added to it’s lure.

            Once in the actual restaurant, both Adam and I thought we were in his grandma’s kitchen. With family photos and the dishes served on mismatched plates, we felt at home.

What we ordered: FEATHERBONES! I had been waiting 2 years for this. Last year at Taste of Omaha, they had already run out of them by the time Adam and I got to their stand.

            Adam: Big Mama’s Smothered Chicken with mac and cheese and mashed potatoes

            Me: Big Redd with French fries

            Dessert: Chocolate Brownie ice cream

The result: Bliss. Happiness. Everything.

            Adam and I were roaming Millard to get some errands done, so we thought we might as well try something new out on that side of town. We had driven out to Pudgy’s, but we didn’t know they were only open for dinner on Sundays. So Adam and I made a big loop down to Cilantro’s since we had to make a stop at the Goodwill down the street.    

What we ordered:

            Adam: Quesadilla Yucata

            Me: Pork Tamale Platter

The result: It reminded me of La Mesa or Romeo’s or any other large Mexican food restaurant that offers large potions. If I consider that, it wasn’t bad at all. Considering there are several chains on the west side of town, I wouldn’t rule it out if it was offered, but I also wouldn’t actively choose to go there. If I can stick to my traditional, authentic 24th Street Mexican restaurants, I will choose them any day of the week. 

27. Jackson St Tavern (between 11th and 12th St., on Jackson – Downtown)

            Lance had convinced us to try this location after telling Adam about Your New Favorite Sandwich (filet mignon, avocado, havarti, lettuce, tomato & sriracha mayo on ciabatta). The three of us were seated, and there was a small crowd with a guy playing acoustic versions of 90s rock songs.

What we ordered:

            Adam and Lance: Your New Favorite sandwich (see above)

            Me: Tavern burger (avocado, bacon, and pepperjack cheese)      with sweet potato fries

The result: I was less than impressed, but I think the guys really enjoyed their sandwich. For me, the restaurant was an odd combination of a pricier menu but a casual downtown feel, especially on game days and really beautiful summer evenings when they open the garage door to the bustling downtown activity. I would feel more intrigued with the location had been one of those beautiful summer evenings. I feel like for what you get, you could go down the street and pay a little less for the same thing. 

26. Mula - Midtown, 40th and Farnam

            Mula just opened fairly recently, taking the place of the Reading Grounds (a vacant bookstore, which had been unoccupied for well over 5 years). With the hip new world décor, Adam was concerned about our dress, and we were pleasantly surprised to find that the crowd was a mix. The three of us were greeted by a vivacious waiter, who quickly swayed us into certain food selections promising that these dishes would change our lives. Collectively, we appreciated his attentiveness, but I think Lance got a little annoyed when we were told that they ran out of avocados to make guacamole.

What we ordered:

            Charred Pineapple Salsa - that was supposed to rock our world

            Adam: tacos - carne asada, carnitas, chicken tinga,       and camarón

            Lance: tacos - carne asada, caramón, chicken tinga, and baja                 fish

            Me: carne asada torta 

The result: While we weren’t able to try their guacamole, I think the experience was positive enough for me to go again. The menu was comparable to the little mom and pop Mexican restaurants on 24th Street, but the differentiation came in the atmosphere, which kept it upscale. It was a restaurant that suited all kinds of people, those from hospital to couples out on a date to a group of friends just wanting to try a new place! 

25. Surfside Club - North - Ponca Hills, against the Missouri River

            I am not sure why or what led us to Surfside except the possible Facebook suggestion, but we headed North to Surfside Club. While giving Adam turn by turn directions, both he and Lance thought that we might end up in South Dakota with how long we had been driving. But we finally arrived, greeted by the beautiful view. Once in the actual restaurant, we were a little surprised by the almost VFW feel, not to mention their uncomplicated menu...so we ordered everything.

What we ordered:

            Corn fritters

            Adam: Catfish dinner 

            Lance: Chicken dinner

            Me: 2 piece/ “children’s” dinner

            Since Adam and I hadn’t found parking the previous weekend to try 1912, Adam, my friend, Sara, and I tried one more time. I figured that the 90 degree weather may keep the larger crowd at bay, and we would have an easier time finding a table. Sure enough, we were able to find a great spot on the rooftop in the shade. But unbeknownst to us, the restaurant hadn’t opened their kitchen, yet. We were offered menus from the neighboring restaurants, Lot 2 and Baxter’s to call and order food and have it delivered. Because we were already there, we ordered drinks from 1912 and pizza from Baxter’s, which we already knew we loved. 

What we ordered

            Adam: New Holland Dragon’s Milk Bourbon Barrel Stout

            Sara: Black and Tan

            Me: Strongbow

From Baxter’s

            Adam: California Club and sweet potato tots

            Sara: a slice of Margarita pizza and sweet potato tots

            Me: Pepperoni pizza and sweet potato tots

The result: I don’t know that we can fairly evaluate our experience, mostly because we only had drinks there. We knew we’d love Baxter’s pizza because we frequent that restaurant quite a bit, but Adam and Sara enjoyed their drinks! The only downside was the drinks were served in plastic 8 oz cups, which seemed a little cheap and made the drink seem really small for the price tag. The rooftop was great, though. We saw a beautiful sunset, the crowd wasn’t disruptive, and we had great weather. Hopefully, their kitchen will open for operation soon and live up to the environment that has been created!

23. Alpine Inn - Ponca Hills

            I told Adam we needed to get recommitted to this new restaurant list, but after our efforts to find parking in Benson failed, we felt discouraged. I told Adam I’d just give him directions to secretly lead him somewhere - Alpine Inn. This is admittedly another cheat because I had been there a year prior with my best friend, Ashley and her family, but I wanted to A. have Adam try their really delicious fried chicken and B. watch the raccoons and kittens eat the leftovers. That’s right! If you’ve never been, Alpine Inn has a cabin/tree house vibe, and they toss the leftovers to the raccoons and cats that inhabit the woods-y area that sits behind the restaurant.

What we ordered:

            Adam: Chicken Dinner - wing, thigh, leg, and breast on top of                 potato wedges

            Me: Chicken Tenders

The result: We already have every intention of taking his parents here, because Adam’s dad loves gizzards. I think this would be a great restaurant for out-of-towners, because it definitely solidifies the Nebraska backwoods stereotype and the animals put on a good show. 

22. Saigon Surface - 13th and Farnam (Downtown)

            We had been planning to save this gem for a dinner date with friends of ours, but our schedules never matched up. Instead Adam and I used this dinner experience to wave goodbye to the summer, since I had to start teaching the following day. Once we were seated, Adam and I were excited to play with the iPad that is at every booth. Patrons can pick any music on the playlist which will play throughout the whole restaurant. Surprisingly, we were the only ones trying to dictate this, but I imagine that occasionally there are music wars among those dining. I found the iPad problematic, because we found ourselves playing with the apps when the waiter was trying to take our order. I actually asked him if that was annoying (to walk up to a couple and have to fight for their attention), and he just said that he hated to interrupt. (Does this speak to a larger problem??)

What we ordered:

            Crab Rangoon

            Adam: Pineapple Fried Rice

            Me: Yellow Curry Chicken

21. V Mertz - Old Market Passageway

            To celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary, Adam and I decided to get dolled up and take advantage of another excellent Groupon for V Mertz ($100 for $50). We figured this was the only occasion all year that would warrant a visit to this particular location. The ambiance is warm and romantic, exactly what they were aiming for I’m sure. Our waitress was courteous and extremely kind as she assisted us to create the perfect cheese plate and sold us on the dessert. 

What we ordered:

            Artisan Cheese Plate: Gigi, Valdeon, Tome d’Aquitaine

            2 Caesar Salads

            Adam: Morgan Ranch Wagyu Bavette Steak

            Me: V Mertz Peppersteak

            Dessert: House-made Candy Bar - a cross between a Twix                      and a Snickers

20. Jams Bar and Grill

             Jams was another Facebook recommendation, but previously, Adam and I had heard several people tell us about Jams. I’m not 100% sure why it took us this long and this blog to get us to go there, but we finally did. Before we left the house, Adam confidently stated “It’s a bar and grill, so I can wear a hat and t-shirt.” (For you Omahans in the hardcore scene, Adam was sporting a Black Mask shirt, which I refer to as one of his “tough guy” shirts.) But for anyone who has been to Jams, you are well aware that that was the wrong assumption.

            Adam slowly took off his hat as we were seated, and we surveyed the room. This wasn’t a typical casual bar and grill, since everyone appeared as if they had just gotten off of work or on a date night. (In fact, we eavesdropped and heard our neighboring table say that on date night, they weren’t supposed to talk about their kids. Oh the glory of close proximity seating!)

What we ordered:

            Adam: Jam Burger with bacon and Gorgonzola cheese

            Me: Fried Coconut Chicken Salad

The result: We really enjoyed the food, and by the end of our meal, another guy had shown up in a t-shirt so Adam felt a little less concerned about the apparent dress code. The service wasn’t fantastic, but the food overrode that, for us. 

19. Maharaja Indian Cuisine - (Old Mill - 114th and Dodge)

            Adam and I had taken the evening to stop by his grandparents’ house after their Boston terriers-turned-escapees situation, so we definitely weren’t going to make dinner. Our standard conversation ensued in the car: “What do you want?” Shrug, “I don’t know, what are your thoughts?” Even after I had asked for recommendations from the Facebook world, we still couldn’t decide, so I turned to Groupon. Maharaja had a deal, so we bought it and headed there.

            The restaurant sat in a plaza tucked next to a bank, so it wasn’t the most easily identifiable location but once inside, Adam and I found that it was a very modern little restaurant. There was Gilligan’s Island on TV and popular Indian music videos play on the opposite TV. We were the only ones in the restaurant for about half our meal, so the waiter chatted with us and taught us about the Indian holiday, Holi (or the Festival of Colors).

What we ordered: Garlic Naan

          Adam: Lamb Curry

          Me: Chicken Tikka Tandoori

I put a call for restaurants on Facebook in hopes that I could compile a solid list, so I wouldn’t have to do too much researching when Adam and I are looking for a new place to try. Rivera’s had come up on several posts, and I promised a friend that it would be our next new-to-us restaurant. With Adam’s friend Lance in tow, we were put on a wait list, and both Adam and Lance remained skeptical since it wasn’t in South Omaha (a neighborhood FULL of amazing Mexican restaurants).

Although we were told it’d be a 45 minute wait, we were seated after 25 minutes.

What we ordered: chips and salsa - but there was a rule that if you wanted a refill, you had to shell out an extra $2.

Adam: Chile Colorado

Lance: Enchiladas Rancheras

Me: Enchiladas Suizas

17. Tracks - Midtown (60th - inbetween Center and Pacific)

Tracks had been renovated fairly recently, so Adam had been insisting that we go there. It’s really close to us and one of his buddies works there, as well. On this particularly beautiful evening, we snagged an open table outside. There is no outdoor service, so Adam had to order inside since their menu is on a chalkboard wall at the end of that bar. Tracks’ claim on their sign is that they have the World’s Best Chicken, which meant we had to make sure we ordered that. 

Once we were settled, Adam and I found that we were in the middle of two loud parties of people that were carrying on with delightful conversation topics including, but not limited to, sexual habits and impending divorces.  

What we ordered:

Adam: 2 piece chicken with a side winder (mixture of curly fries and wedges)

Me: ¼ lb. hamburger with sweet potato fries

The result: Besides the colorful conversation from the other parties, Adam and I really enjoyed ourselves. Adam said that the chicken was good, but probably not the World’s Best, though. Additionally, it wasn’t crowded at all, which is usually a battle when there is a patio and lovely weather involved. We could walk there if we felt so inclined, but who am I kidding? Anyone else near the Aksarben area could walk there and enjoy themselves.

16. Saints Pub and Patio - Midtown Crossing

After a particularly frustrating day, I told Adam that we were going to get out of the house and get a drink. We were seated up against the floor to ceiling windows that hovered over Dodge Street. Adam and I weren’t 100% sure of all the specials, because they are only on a chalkboard right by the entrance but otherwise, we were given fair service.

What we ordered:

Adam: Moose Drool and Miller Lite

Me: Pomegranate Martini

We shared: Saints Nachos (nachos with waffle fries)

                     Honey Buffalo Wings

                     Jerk Chicken Egg Rolls       

15. Marrakech (Mediterranean)  - 33rd and Cass (across from California Taco - another Omaha staple)

To continue our effort to try new-to-us restaurants, Adam and I relied on UrbanSpoon (another very useful app) to help decide what we were going to have for dinner. When Marrakech popped up, I reviewed the menu and suggested it to Adam. I had brought it up a couple of times before, so we made our way to Midtown Crossing. When we drove down Farnam, I realized that I was a little off-base with my directions. Once in the right neighborhood (which really isn’t that far off from Midtown), we went into this hole-in-the-wall gem.

Adam and I found ourselves not talking to each other, because we became more focused on the traditional decorations scattered around. . . so maybe not go here on a first date?

What we ordered:

Appetizers: Beef Samosas with Mint Chutney and Cucumber Sauce

            Adam: Curry Chicken

            Me: Chicken Shawarma

The result: We absolutely loved it! Adam and I had never had samosas before, and we inhaled them. In Adam’s words: “The food there is just delicious.” The beginning of the following week, I found myself telling all of my coworkers about this place, and I think it’ll become another staple for when we don’t know what we want.

14. Indian Oven - Downtown Omaha:

I felt like Indian Oven had been talked about as the place to go for Indian food, so Adam, his best friend, Lance and I went to satisfy our craving that we had been having for Indian food. Conveniently, we had a Pinpoint coupon (again, Pinpoint is an awesome app that provides coupons to local businesses, mostly restaurants), so we made a late lunch of it.

What we ordered:

            Appetizers: Naan and Sweet Potato Fries

            Adam, Lance, and I: Rogan Gosht and Tandoori Chicken

13. FirstWatch -  72nd and Pacific (near Bed, Bath and Beyond):

Adam had driven by here a few times and had known they served breakfast. With Sunday brunch on our mind, we ventured to FirstWatch for its proximity. Inside, it was a glorified Village Inn, but it kept to the farm-fresh theme in its menu and décor.

What we ordered: Coffee (and Adam was pleased with their creamer selection)

Adam: Bacado (an omelet with bacon, avacodo, and Monterey Jack cheese)

Me: Cherry Chicken Quinoa (dried cherries, almonds, chicken, goat cheese, balsamic dressing)

The result: For being so close, we’d go again. It was easy to get in and out, since we beat the larger brunch crowd, and we both enjoyed what we got. We have even recreated the quinoa bowl at home and have eaten it several times ever since. The menu, much like Village Inn, offers several options (including Gluten-Free), so I think it’d please anyone.

12. The V (Skrach Restaurant) Bowling - Oakview Plaza:

Adam and I were invited to this relatively new place called The V out by Oakview Mall for Adam’s buddy’s birthday celebration, and it offered a combination of bowling, arcade games, and a restaurant. I had heard of The V from a coworker with the note that it was kind of pricey unless you took advantage of some of the deals they have - namely the 1 hour of bowling (with up to 6 people on one lane), pizza, arcade, and soda for $50 (I believe…). Even further west, there is a place on a larger scale out in Elkhorn called Sempack’s, which is essentially the same.

As expected, we were put on a wait list (14th on the list…) for bowling, so we dined at their restaurant. Which had me wondering if there is some way to reserve a lane, and if so, how one would to that? (I didn’t actually figure it out, but I’m sure it’s possible. Did I mention I’m fairly lazy?)

What we ordered: Soda (Later, I had had a Wild Banana mixed drink while we bowled.)

Appetizer: Colassal Onion Rings with pineapple jalapeño ketchup

Adam and I: shared the Buffalo Chicken Pizza

The result: First of all, the service was less than fantastic. We started with one waiter, who emphasized how slammed they had been, so another guy took over for him. For some reason, this is a pet peeve for Adam and me, because that’s the nature of a service job. I’ve worked in both a restaurant and a coffee shop, and I’d contend that it’s bad customer service to bemoan the booming business . . .because that’s a good thing, right?

As far the food goes, I think everyone that ate with us (save the birthday boy who got the sirloin) described their food as “fine.” For Adam and me, the pizza wasn’t great. We equated it to a Tombstone Pizza with the thin almost cardboard crust. Adam tried to offer the consolation that it’d maybe fall into our Top 50 Pizzas of Omaha, but I quickly countered that it’d be at the bottom. (This had me wondering if we could actually list 50 different pizza places . . . but DiGiorno pizza trumps this place.

I always feel like I’m cheating when Adam and I go to fast food chains for one of our new restaurants, but we were motivated by the PinPoint app on our phone and our impeccable timing. If you haven’t downloaded PinPoint, it gives you several buy-one-get-one entrée coupons, and if you have a better memory than Adam and I, you can scan your card at the different places to get points to get more coupons. I’m not that dedicated. (I just rely on the coupons provided and the birthday ones.)

Back to our impeccable timing . . . we made it just in time before the lunch rush, which served us well. It’s one of those places where they post signs that you can’t snag a table until you order your food. Which I get, I am just really territorial about an empty table when I spot one.

The actual restaurant was exactly as you would expect with a name like Voodoo Taco and a goofy demonic skull and crossbones logo. Everything was black with accents of red and the black chandeliers even had faux red flames. Additionally, there was 90’s rock music like Metallica playing. 

  What we ordered: Sodas

Appetizer: Chips and Queso - sizable helpings, enough for leftovers

Adam: Alligator Taco

Me: Barbacoa Taco

10. Black Oak Grill - Midtown Crossing:

First off, I’m fairly sure this particular location is cursed, because this is the third restaurant to be in this exact spot in the past 3 or 4 years. The first was called Lot 610, and I remember going once with my sister and not minding it. Then it closed. The second was Portovino, which, I think, specialized in pizza, and this should have intrigued me. Instead, the trouble reviews for that place kept me at bay. Then it closed. Now, it’s the glorious Black Oak Grill, where they have really cool décor, but play country music. This was confusing for both Adam and I, because we expect that in places like Texas Roadhouse or Lone Star or those restaurants that strive for a country vibe. As seen in the picture, this place was hipper than that.

Anyway, we went, because there was a coupon in the Omaha World-Herald for buy one, get one free entrées at one Midtown Crossing restaurant. I looked up the menu beforehand and was pleased with their Americana choices. Next to pizza, Adam and I really enjoy burgers. They also had me at the fried goat cheese appetizer. So, done deal. We were seated, and Adam quickly started to evaluate the place. (Since I’m started this blog, he’s become hypersensitive to a restaurant’s service, décor, etc. It’s endearing.) Besides the country music (which I suggested was maybe the least offensive choice, because I couldn’t think of anything else that would fit better), we enjoyed ourselves:

What we ordered:

            Appetizer: Fried Goat Cheese, which was delicious

Adam: Smoked Chicken and Avocado Club with fries

Me: Over-the-Top (Bacon, pepper jack sauce, and sneaky jalapeños I had to pick off) Burger with fries