I wrote this on my Facebook about my experience while traveling from California:…read more Today I was at a super cute café and ordered breakfast. After a couple of minutes, I went back up to the counter and asked if they had already started making it, because I wanted to change my order. The kitchen was open, so I said to the cook, "Don't worry about it if you've already started. I know my indecision can impact people, and I don't want to be a problem." He looked at me and said, "No, it's totally fine. Would you like some veggies on the side?" "Yes, that would be amazing," I said, and walked back to my table... and burst into tears. It wasn't just what he said. It was the kind energy in his eyes. I felt someone who took pride in what he was making, and who genuinely wanted people to be happy. I found myself asking, why am I crying? Because in a world where so many people in power feel disconnected, where corporations can make us feel like numbers, being genuinely cared for in a small café reminded me how much I love humans. Most people have love in their hearts and are trying to share it in their own small ways. As the world cracks, these simple things are more meaningful than ever.

I've been here 3 or 4 times and I'm always surprised that it's not more crowded. Always space to…read moresit even though it's not a huge place. They have so many menu options, breakfast, lunch and specials. The Whole Bird is an absolute MUST as well as the breakfast sandwich on the biscuit. Their freshly made bread is perfection. I had the grilled eggplant sandwich which was INCREDIBLE. The hummus was especially pleasing. I do always find the popcorn side a little odd, but there's nothing really wrong with it.

Block 16 is always at the top of my recommendations for people coming into town. Their food is…read moreconsistently amazing and their specials keep things interesting. Their poutine burrito can be a little heavy, but you'll want to eat all of it. Their loaded fries can be a meal on their own if you're committed to it - their duck duck goose fries might be my favorite so far. If you're going to eat in, know it can get a little busy but it's definitely worth it. If you're more in a pinch for time, ordering ahead is a great option. It's such a fun spot to start your night - have a little drink with some amazing food!

Block16 is one of my favorite local spots, and I use any excuse to stop in for lunch…read more Parking has always been a challenge, and with all the current construction downtown, it is even harder. But do not let that detour you from trying this gem. I usually like to grab one of my go-to orders, like the poutine burrito or the Croque Garcon Burger, plus whatever the daily special is. Sometimes the specials do not hit for me, but that is not their fault. It is a seat yourself space, but I have never had any issues finding a spot, usually by the time you order, someone has left. Despite the space being crowded whenever I come by, they do a great job of keeping the tables cleared and clean. Service has always been top-notch for me.

Our second time at Cattle Call, and it was just as good as the first time. I love that their menu…read morechanges so the offerings were different this time around we stopped in before a show at the Steelhouse, it was an easy walk to and from the venue. We ordered several appetizers and had drinks. The servers were friendly and the food was delicious. The Crudo was fresh and bright with a bite of spice. Burrata was soft and creamy with tamarind, orange and mint. Highly recommend the Steak Tartare the meat was velvety and the timmur chips had a great crunch for a contrast in texture. Lastly, you can't go wrong with an order of Momos, we got them steamed pork and I could have had 3 more orders. We'll definitely be back!

We really enjoyed our date night at Cattle call! We were able to grab a reservation same day for an…read moreearly dinner and were seated right away. Overall, our server was great and attentive. We started with the pork momo. We've had these before and they're always a great choice. The filling was rich and flavorful, the dumpling dough was perfectly chewy and the dipping sauces added another level of depth and flavor. For mains we split the duck breast and the tagliatelle. The duck was cooked perfectly and the bok choy that came with it added a perfect amount of crunch and mustard flavor. The tagliatelle was rich and the variety of mushrooms in the sauce added so much umami. We look forward to returning!

Sadly I cannot recommend this restaurant at this time but I hope with time they will work out the…read morekinks. Availability of service was inconsistent when I stayed there, mainly breakfast (a couple days there was just no chef during their open hours). The servers were very kind and helpful and the ambience is there too! Also great cocktails but the food can be somewhat lacking. The smash burger was very dry and the bun tasted old. Hopefully they make some improvements!

We grabbed dinner before going to The Orpheum on a Tuesday night. The restaurant is on the ground…read morefloor and has a seating area with various tables an a bar that seats about a dozen people. We wondered if we'd need a reservation, but it's much more casual than that, so none is necessary. The menu has a few entrees, handhelds, appetizers, and salads. The night we were there, one dessert was available as well. I should have taken a picture of the menu, but it is one page and a bit abbreviated from the one I saw at ZMenu and on Facebook. The bartender was the server for the bar and all the tables, but was able to keep up pretty well. We each ordered a glass of wine and they didn't have that one, so he upgraded us at no additional charge. For dinner, I got the Chicken BLT - it was very tasty, with fresh avocado, tasty bacon, fresh tomatoes (in March in Nebraska!), and tender grilled chicken. My wife got the Rice Bowl and added Salmon, Also, very fresh, tasty, and flavorful. Prices are on the high side, but not unexpected for a nice hotel. The rice bowl with salmon was $24 and my sandwich was $22. The wine selection was good, and they had a decent hard alcohol array as well. Wines were about the retail price of a bottle for each glass, and martinis and drinks were around $16. Service was good. Definitely worth a visit if you're staying here or to stop in for a casual bite to eat.

The restaurant is well lit and the decor is truly incredible and inviting. The music wasn't too…read moreloud either which allowed for conversation which was nice. The service was excellent and our server was attentive. Went there for their fried chicken which was highly recommended but was not a fan. The chicken is under seasoned and dry. Even with the dipping sauce it needed more flavor. Didn't even take a picture because it wasn't that good looking either. It was underwhelming to say the least. However, the biscuits were DELICIOUS. Crisp and amazing with butter and jam. We ordered the fried green tomatoes as well which were tasty and crunchy, they came with tasty goat cheese and some sauce, while I do wish there was a bit more sauce it was still a great choice. The Mimosa flight was good but it wasn't anything special, I do wish for the cost that there was a bit more going on or even bigger portions. Overall good place to go with a good variety of options.

We stopped here for brunch with family on Sunday, and I don't know how it wasn't packed! Every…read moresingle thing on the menu sounds fantastic. We started with the biscuits, which came out hot and fresh. These were so delicious and buttery, and the peach and blueberry jam took them to the next level. My husband and I both had the mountain morning bowl. To me, this is a perfect breakfast! Goat cheese grits, crispy potatoes, egg, a little spice...YUM. The other members of our party also loved their meals. I can't wait to come back and try more!

In town visiting our kids from Florida and we stopped in JST for lunch yesterday. My lunch was…read moreabsolutely delicious! I had The Cobblestone salad... Chef's kiss. The steak was cooked perfectly! We were sat right upfront to over look the old market and it was clean and I loved the home feel of the space, very casual and comfortable. Our server (ugh, can't remember his name) was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and attentive. The ONLY thing that was a downside is that on yelp it says the restaurant is pet friendly and that is not the case. We traveled with our puppy and we had to leave her back at my daughter's apartment downtown which was a big bummer. Other than that, not one single bad this to say.

We found Jackson Street Tavern on Yelp while looking for a place to eat that was 1. walkable to our…read morehotel, and 2. would have hamburgers for the kids. This fit the bill so we walked over around 5pm one evening for an early dinner after spending the day exploring the zoo. When we arrived the place was pretty empty - think maybe two tables occupied, and the hostess asked us if we had a reservation. We did not, and honestly she seemed a bit put out for a bit. I kind of wondered if we were going to be able to eat in this empty restaurant, but alas she decided it was okay and we were seated. This is one of my pet peeves at restaurants. I know, I know, that there could have been a ton of business booked for later, but it's such a bad look to make such a big deal about reservations when the place is empty. Also - while it did start to fill it was by no means full by the time we left. At any rate, things perked up at that point and we all got seated, ordered drinks, food etc. and had a good time. The server was kind and thoughtful and the food was pretty tasty. I had the fish and chips and shared it with my husband as the entrees are a good size here. My six year old had the kids hamburger, though we did have a bit of a scare when the server said "your cheeseburger will be out soon!" we had a long wait on the kids meal and when she said cheeseburger I immediately said - "no cheese!" the menu item was described as a "hamburger" with no mention of cheese and our kid doesn't like cheese her burgers so that was a really close call. I sort of got the impression that server wasn't accustomed to kids, but when the burger came out it was right and even though she had to wait, my kiddo gave it two thumbs up. Overall this is a good pub style restaurant in Old Town. Nothing really to write home about, but they do have decent food and local beers which was all we really cared about after a long day at the zoo.

Mercury is always my go-to stop for a pre-show cocktail before heading to the Orpheum. The vibe is…read moresleek yet cozy, and the bartenders always seem genuinely excited about what they're mixing up. Their rotating cocktail menus are one of my favorite things about this spot -- each one has its own creative theme, and the current Halloween menu is such a fun touch. On my most recent visit, I tried the Poltergeist and the Bahama Rita on the recommendation of the bartenders -- both were absolute hits. The drinks here are always beautifully crafted and well-balanced, with a lot of thought behind the presentation and flavor combinations. My only complaint (and it's a small but sad one) is that they no longer serve entrées. I miss when Mercury had a full food menu -- their pasta and burger were truly underrated. These days, you'll only find light bar snacks, which pair well with the cocktails but don't quite replace a meal. Still, for creative cocktails, a stylish atmosphere, and great service, Mercury remains one of the best spots downtown.

Everything was fine! Street metered parking is around. Easy to find restaurant. Service was good,…read morethere was only us (table of 3) and 2 people at the bar for a couple hours after 5pm on a Monday. They were out of a couple food items, and having a limited menu does take a large hit on the experience, but not their servers fault. Lots of couch sitting, not lots of eating normal table height seating. Indoor & outdoor seats. Nice downtown location right across from The Orpheum!

Food - excellent Sunday brunch choices. The steak was perfectly medium rare and I went back for…read moreseconds! Service - just enough check ins by the waitress. Location. Convenient and free parking on Sundays. Mission - worthwhile to support

Ooh De Lally: Golly what a lovely evening. Sad we finally made it here for the first time while…read moreliving so close but so happy we have a new regular spot and suggestion for others. We went on a Wednesday evening for my wife's birthday. Reservation maybe not required but there were quite a few tables in use. We had our 18month old with us and they were very accommodating. The staff was great very friendly. One of our servers was training another and they were both great sad I can't remember their names for a shoutout. Drinks: I had the Thymekeeper which was a mezcal drink which I really enjoyed the thyme infused smokiness to it and the lemon and passion fruit gave it just enough sweet/sour to balance perfectly. My wife had the Açaí Cosmo and said it was her favorite cocktail of the last year at least. Fav cosmo ever also. Starters: Dundee Dip which is just cheesy goodness the bread soaks up the oils and was very tasty. The sausage had a really strong flavor which I enjoyed fennel in it I think. The banana peppers gave it a perfect hint of kick/crunch. Mains: Marks signature Mac and cheese which was great and had a really unique flavor this was ordered first and came out quick for the baby which was super nice they accommodated our request. We all loved it. I had the short rib grilled cheese and upgraded to the broccolini. It also came with an amazing herbed horseradish dip that was to die for. Perfect blend with the sandwich. Only ate half and had the other half for lunch the next day and was still very tasty. My wife had the smoked chicken lasagna which she really enjoyed it also had a super unique flavor that was great. They ended up giving us a free dessert for her birthday which we had to take to go as our daughter was acting up and we didn't want to ruin other guests experience. She went with the peach cobbler cheesecake I believe it was called and it was also delicious. They take and box up all the leftovers in the back which I always enjoy and use nice microwave safe containers which makes taking it to work or warming up a breeze. 10/10 all around for service, food quality, and atmosphere. Pricing is fair for the quality and service. Very cute place and the patio looks amazing for the warmer weather on the horizon. We will be back.

I didn't even know this restaurant was there since it's kind of far out. I was just walking by the…read moreold market and when the door opened, it smelled really good and fancy. I think they open at 5, so I told myself I'd come back at 5 and I actually did. The food was really good, you can tell from the picture lol. The service was great and everyone was super nice. The place looked nice too. It would've been better if the curtains were open though. I like when the sun hits my skin when I sit by the window.

We had an excellent dinner at Dynamite Woodier Grill recently while staying at the hotel the…read morerestaurant is located within. Actually, we enjoyed our meal and service so much we had dinner there twice. First off, the restaurant is really well designed inside. It's a really contemporary space with a great vibe. The service is exceptional (for dinner) and they go out of their way to take care of their guests. Then comes the cocktails, which were also quite excellent. And they have an extensive (VERY extensive) wine list! Impressive. The food is also (mostly) excellent. We dine in fine restaurants all over the world from Chicago to Paris to Tokyo and London and the food here was top quality, prepared exceptionally, and really delicious--largely due to their wood fire oven. I hadn't seen an oven like this since Grant Achatz's Roister/Fire in Chicago. I was very impressed. We started with Wood Fired Oysters, which were delicious. Their house corn bread and honey butter were also quite good. I normally don't care for corn bread but this was a really nice accompaniment. My wife and I shared the ribeye and truffle cava mac and cheese. Both were very good. On our second dinner we had Omaha Farmer's Board, a very good charcuterie and meats appetizer. But the Ricotta Agnolotti was our only complaint to this truly exceptional restaurant. The pasta dish felt like it was trying too hard to be fancy. A parmesan foam on top was cold, brining a nice hot dish down. The overall look of the plated dish was "overfull diaper." Not appetizing. The creme brûlée was very good. Overall, highly recommend this place as a steakhouse with an incredible wood fired grill. This place should be busier than when we went, to be sure. It deserves attention and it deserves to be recognized as one of the top restaurants in Omaha.

The best restaurant in Omaha. Hands down…read more Let's start with the architecture and interior design. One of the co-owners is an architect and it shows. On entering, I noticed the tiles on the floor. But once you get inside, you are astounded by the suspended wooden ceiling piece. Nothing else like it in Omaha. A signature detail. Worth every penny. The windows are perfect. We were on the west side. The shades can be lowered. They were lowered for a bit, but then raised. I appreciated the natural light so I could better enjoy my date's stunning beauty. She is a perfect combination of Southern charm, beauty and a razor keen intellect. The overall zeitgeist of the restaurant is that of a sophisticated NYC or West Coast restaurant. Great wine list with a superb collection of high quality wines that won't break the bank. The sommelier showed up, but we decided on an old favorite. Good to know that her knowledge was available. My charcoal chicken was fabulous; a very unique and flavorful taste. My date had the bolognese and she enjoyed it. She had the cheesecake and I had the chocolate cake. She had tea and I had coffee. It was an extremely memorable evening. My best first date in decades at Omaha's best restaurant. She was enchanting and delightful. I'm just happy we shared our time together and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The service was superb.

Scrumptious food, great staff, kid friendly, and overall such a fancy vibe!…read more Our waitress was so great with our daughter that I had to start my review with praising how fun she was! She played peek-a-boo and just emailed at her so often throughout our stay. Our daughter loved our waitress! The food was as delicious as it looks in the photos! I swear we ate the appetizer in less than a minute. I split the Filet Mignon so the portion is a half in the photo. Such a perfect size especially if you want to indulge in appetizers and dessert! I hope they never get rid of the milk & cereal sundae because I'd go just for that! Our friend has the flat steak and said it was absolutely incredible. We don't live close by but we certainly will be back soon!