It was pretty good. Small plates, higher price sort of place. The wait staff was friendly. It's definitely in a nice underground area to escape the summertime heat. Decent wine selection. read more

Warm and cosy ambiance nestled in the Passageway in the Old Market. Great choice for a special date night, proposal or celebration dinner. Menu highlights include the extensive range of ingredients, thoughtful food pairings and ingenuity of the chef's rotating menus. We've had some of a few of some of the best meals of our life at V. Mertz but then have experienced a number that have just been so-so. It's unfortunately hard to relive their greatest hits. For the pricepoint, we've been disappointed a few times when the food was just ok. Finally, sometimes servers go into too much detail explaining every ingredient in each entree. When dining with a large group, this has taken 4-5 minutes and seemed unnecessary as our food was cold by then. read more

V. Mertz - Risotto - New American Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

I lived in Omaha for 5 years in the 1980's. I have made it my business to get back annually if only to dine at one of my favorite restaurants anywhere--V. Mertz in the Old Market. This past week I attended a Board meeting at Creighton Law School and we all had dinner together at V. Mertz. I was elated at the choice in restaurants because of their ever evolving and always eclectic food and cocktail menus. I was not disappointed! A wide array of fine wines, classic cocktail offerings including their famous Rye Old Fashion with Luxardo cherries, and outstanding three course dinner options. As an appetizer I had the Coastal Cheddar Tart; shrimp, artichoke & olive relish baked with tomato powder. My first time ever having this dish, but it was absolutely delectable so it won't be my last time ordering it. For my entree I had the 8oz Morgan Ranch Nebraska Waygu Beef NY Strip with rainbow chard, potato Rostock and a peppercorn brandy cream on the side. In popular parlance: "To die for!" The steak was prepared to a perfect medium-rare, seasoned exquisitely, and the only thing that kept it from melting on my palate was the char on the steak! Outstanding!!!! Finally, I ended the meal with a cup of cappuccino (Bailey's added) and an absolutely decadent farm egg creme brûlée for dessert. This is THE BEST dining experience in Omaha! read more

Food and ambience were both quite nice. Portions are on the small side but the quality good. A nice atmosphere with good service and quality choices prepared well. read more

Fantastic food. There was not a bite that disappointed. However....our 1-course meal took over 2 hours. The service was so slow that it went beyond relaxed...to bored. Upon returning home my companion said, "I don't really like fine dining because it takes so long". A restaurant should not leave you thinking that you don't want to go back! The atmosphere is spot-on for a romantic evening or special occasion. The menu was fairly restrictive, but it was innovative. The waiter, when present, was very good. But in sum, although the food was absolutely wonderful, the service left a bad taste in our mouth. :-/ read more

This place has a very appealing ambiance but the food was way overpriced for the food . I do not mind paying for great quality and preparation . My experience at this place at this time had neither . We have eaten here before and it was expensive but good . New chef or supplier ? Not sure but we will not be back :) read more

Wow wow wow It was super hot out BUT the downstairs area and food was superb. I did the tasting menu paired with wine Others had the Bison and Filet Dinner was ON point and perfect. Really is a must try for anyone wanting a great experience in the downtown area or visiting. read more

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Wow what an amazing experience at V. Mertz! Everything about our time here was wonderful! Our waitress was beyond helpful and knew every little detail about the menu. I got the risotto which was by far the best risotto I've ever had. The fish was delicious. We started with the bread service and agnolotti which were both incredible. It's also located in such a cute place tucked away. I will definitely be back! read more

V. Mertz - Risotto - New American Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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I called ahead to let them know this was our 32nd anniversary and they did not disappoint. From the single red rose in a vase for my bride, very special meaning and too long to describe here, to Johanna remembering every detail I discussed with the manager, it was perfect. Look at the personalized menu! We started with a couple cocktails, never rushed as we sipped and enjoyed each other. The first course was the salmon, pictured, and the pickled shallots with avocado crème added a delicious twist. She had the black cod, the memory of that flavor and texture will swim around in our heads for a while. My tenderloin was prepared perfectly and speaking of swimming, the sauce served with it I would bathe in. We finished with THE BEST crème brûlée we have ever had. The room was warm and comfortable and the noise level was enchanting. Bravo to V Mertz for making our night so special! read more

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I was in town for business and a colleague of mine suggested having dinner at the V. From the moment we arrived I was impressed with the vibe and ambiance of the location. We were greeted immediately upon arrival and were shown to our seats. In less than a minute our waiter greeted us and began pouring water for us as we decided on a cocktail. One of the specials was a 5 course tasting menu. There was also an option for a wine paring with each course if you'd like. From start to finish each course was absolutely delicious and prepared to perfection. I honestly didn't think it was possible to serve hit after hit. A few months back I had the pleasure and opportunity to experience The French Laundry in Napa. I have to say the food experience here was just as good if not better. I do not frequent Omaha that often but if I am ever back there for business, I am eating here once again and will absolutely do the course tasting option as well. See photos below with descriptions of each course! read more

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Had an amazing meal here. If you're looking for a romantic or intimate dinner experience, this is your spot. Good service and amazing food. I was surprised however that our server didn't offer us the tasting menu since I thought they have one. Would definitely recommend getting the short rib + potato rosti and the bread service. Pass on the risotto. read more

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This is the most fancy, while also being cozy, restaurant that I've ever been to in Omaha. My boyfriend and I decided to have a late Valentine's weekend and wanted to spoil ourselves. The atmosphere made you feel like you weren't even in Omaha anymore. The exposed brick and the wall of wine were so aesthetically pleasing. We started out with the 2018 Chardonnay and the carrot and celery root remoulade - the crab and brown better were so good together. I could have had the whole thing to myself. For the entrees - I ordered the shakshouka and my boyfriend got the roasted monkfish. Now, I'd you google either of these dishes, the photos and descriptions would not do them justice. The shakshouka hardly even tasted like butternut squash because the sweet corn, cilantro and other spices were so present throughout the entire squash. The fish was melt in your mouth delicious. This was an amazing experience and such a great restaurant to go to for a special occasion. read more

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So much has already been written here about V Mertz. It's truly an outstanding eatery. So rather than simply reiterate what others have already said, I want to mention some things that were especially delightful and talk a bit about how they handle special dietary needs. CULTURE OF CARING Hubby brought me to V Mertz for my birthday dinner. This was our first time here, and from start to finish it exceeded my expectations in every way possible. Setting the tone for our whole experience was the menu. On top of my menu just under the date was printed "Happy Birthday!" (Not handwritten, but actually printed as part of the menu itself.) They did that as just a little warm gesture to make me feel special and welcome. As we proceeded through the evening, I saw that really the essence of the culture at V Mertz is a whole collection of special little gestures. I can't really say that any single thing was a hallelujah moment, but it is the collection of those bits and pieces of personal and caring touches that sets V Mertz apart from anywhere else. CULINARY SHEPHERD Our server was Kendra. She was just outstanding. She loves V Mertz and truly believes that the entire staff is the finest in Omaha. To hear her say such kind things and show such obvious admiration and respect for her coworkers was heartwarming. And she was so knowledgeable about every aspect of the food, explaining the cheeses (including what sort of milk they were made from and their country of origin), the sauces and unique jams, the methods, and even in what ways the meats are each different and enhanced by the accompanying vegetables. She knows each item so well and uses such vivid ways to describe them. I felt that I could almost taste items before actually eating them, just by the vibrant and interesting ways she spoke of them. Kendra was the perfect person to expertly shepherd us through this culinary adventure. GLUTEN-FREE When we mentioned to Kendra that we are gluten-free and asked for her to help us safely navigate the menu, she immediately said she would have a chat with the chef and come up with a menu for us that would meet our needs. About 15 minutes later she came and showed me what items were safe for us on the menu. And of the items that were not safe, Kendra told me what the chef would do to alter the dish to make it appropriate for a gluten-free diet. Kendra explained that the owner is Celiac, so the staff is very well trained in how to keep gluten intolerant and celiacs safe. I placed myself and my health in their hands and did not worry for even a moment about whether or not they would truly keep us safe. And I know that sounds like a no-brainer, but it's not a "given". We learned the hard way that there are several places that are either poorly trained or just don't care. And many restaurants, even the best ones, sometimes act like we are a nuisance or a burden when we ask what the gluten-free options are. A server at a West Omaha restaurant was horrified when I asked for a substitution so we didn't get "glutened". The server told us the chef gets very upset when his special creations have to be altered. And I only bring that unpleasant memory up now because it's so different at V Mertz. Special requests are welcomed and given the utmost respect. Kendra explained that the focus isn't on the chef or egos or recipes that absolutely must not be deviated from. The focus is ALWAYS on the guest and what will delight us. And most definitely those with a gluten-free diet will find an abundance of excellent safe food at V Mertz. BIRTHDAY TREAT After one of the best meals we had ever eaten, and as we were settling the bill and preparing to leave, Kendra came to our table one more time. She brought me a plate with a lit candle and two raspberry chocolate bonbons. Hubby quietly sang Happy Birthday to me, I blew out the candle, but I didn't have to make a wish--all the important wishes I could have wanted this evening I already had. A loving hubby, an excellent meal, and a restaurant team who paid attention to the little things because they truly care. read more

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Overpriced food. Tries to be a fancy upscale restaurant in Vegas but just falls flat.

Came here on a Friday night and the food was amazing. Great location, parking was a bit tough but overall would highly recommend for a higher end dinner experience read more

I have always recommended the tasting menu. Top notch. Great service. Amazing food. Beautiful location.

Caviar was decent. Enjoyed the waffle style toast points. Foie gras was cooked fine but ginger does not complement this luxurious liver. Got the Wagyu filet and NY Wagyu. The filet was ehh and the NY wasn't a NY at all with an unappetizing amount of chew. Both were bland with a black peppercorn sauce that was a miss for me. The sides which included fava beans and grilled asparagus were ambitious but ultimately missed the mark on both flavor and preparation. The server was attentive and friendly promoting the menu with genuine enthusiasm. Love the wine cellar vibe but the chairs are in desperate need of replacement. read more

Everything was PERFECT!!! Ambiance, service, food quality and the little personal touches !! I give it a 10!! read more

After running into the general manager at a wine function, we reacquainted ourselves with V Mertz after having not been there for over 10 years (we do not get downtown much). Disappointing that the general manager - with whom we made the reservation with and indicated that he might even arrange a special tasting menu depending upon the wine we brought with us given that we only had about 1 hour and 45 minutes and the regular tasting menu usually takes 2+ hours - did not check on our table once even though we inquired with the server (although she was aware that we were attending a play at the Orpheum - so he did communicate that to her). We ordered focaccia to start the meal and inquired if it would be sharable for our table of 4 - the server responded that it would as it was served in a long piece. However, when it was brought to the table, it included 3 small pieces for our table of 4? When we commented, she later brought another piece. Again, customer service? We were also surprised that the menu only included one item that could be remotely called a salad - it was not really a traditional salad (even their version) or caesar, etc. Three of us ordered the cabbage wrapped halibut and one in our party ordered the scallops. Lets start with the scallops, the order came with 3 scallops and asparagus. The asparagus was tender and interestingly came sliced length wise. Again, none of us are big eaters, but the 3 medium to small sized scallops were not much but OK as they were served to the lightest eater of the group. The cabbage wrapped halibut was very good - problem was, it was about 4 bites max. The piece of halibut wrapped in the cabbage was lucky if it was 2 ounces - all for $35. The deserts, creme brulee and a flourless chocolate cake were excellent but we left a little hungry - which is hard to do since none of us are big eaters. We were not charged a corkage fee on our wine but were disappointed that the general manager did not make an effort to even visit with us (we love to talk wine and thought he did too). There are better choices for that price point especially when we have to make the effort to go there by going downtown, paying for parking, etc. Show less read more

Loved it. Very small intimate feeling restaurant. We got the tasting menu to be adventurous and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT. The bread is amazing by the way! We had 2 orders. The waiters are VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE about the ingredients and what you might like. They aim to please. It was a fabulous evening read more

We splurged a little and got the caviar appetizer. Have to say it was the best presentation of caviar I have ever had. Definitely Michelin star worthy. We also had the Foie gras. We split the book a teeny for our main dish. It was House made an exceptional! read more

V. Mertz - Caviar - New American Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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This place is a hidden gem! Literally - this restaurant may be tucked away in the depths of the Old Market, but it is one of the most unique places downtown Omaha has to offer. Though it seems the menu changes regularly, I got the braised short rib and it was fantastic. My wife ordered the roasted duck and said it was also outstanding. Their wine selection is extensive, and the service was superb - our server explained every dish that we ordered (including desert!). I would highly recommend a reservation; the place is small so it fills up fast. Also don't go here looking for a cheap dinner. Overall, however, awesome restaurant! read more

V. Mertz - Braised Short Rib - New American Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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V Mertz was one of the greatest dining experiences I have ever had and will definitely make it a priority to return in the future. A meal at V Mertz is more than food, it is an elegant experience that feels fancy but also welcoming and cozy atmosphere which justifies the price entirely. Our waitress was exceedingly knowledgeable and helpful during the entire visit and even left the restaurant to take a photo of my significant other and I when she noticed us struggling! There is an attention to detail at V Mertz I have yet to see anywhere in Omaha. The dining experience of you, the diner, is clearly the priority and it shows. I plan to return years down the road even if I leave Omaha. read more

This is the second time we came to celebrate a special occasion in the family. This trip was to celebrate our daughter's 20th birthday. We had the cheese and charcuterie plates. I had the How About 'Dem Apples cocktail. All are amazing. For dinner I had the duck breast which was cooked to perfection. So flavorful and beautiful. All of our meals were. For dessert I had the tartufo (Italian ice cream and cookie or cake crumbs). The restaurant complimented our celebration with locally made chocolate truffles. A very attentive and knowledgeable wait staff and bartender are on duty with quick and friendly service. A dream of a white tablecloth restaurant from every angle. Come eat and celebrate a special occasion or the everyday! read more

V. Mertz - How About Dem Apples cocktail - New American Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

Overall good experience, appetizer, entree and dessert was pretty good. Little higher end of price but overall well worth it. Wish my gf was with me but she's not here. Will definitely be back to try the Tomahawk steak. Old fashioned was a little skimpy, only downfall which was disappointing. read more

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I'd always wanted to dine at V Mertz since my high school days of wandering the Passageway. I asked for a cozy spot with a view (perfect) and could hear the waterfall from across the Passageway. Erin was my server, and everyone was extremely attentive to making sure my dining experience was exceptional. I started with the Bread Service (highly recommend), and my main course was the Braised Lamb Ravioli (with an added touch of caviar). The combination of savory and sweet was en pointe as well as texture with the addition of the hazelnut. The Italian red that was paired, by itself was excellent, but not well paired with the flavors of the main dish. I ended the dining experience with the Dark Chocolate Cheesecake and French press coffee service, then off to the Arturo O'Farill concert at the Holland! All in all, this was an evening to remember. read more

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My husband made a reservation here for my birthday and we were both so excited because we heard such good things. We got there and were seated right away, the staff seemed friendly and knowledgeable, and the atmosphere was great. We ordered drinks and an appetizer. Both came out at a timely manner, but then the disappointment hit with main courses, which are $$$. We spent a lot of time waiting around for our meals, at least 45 minutes to an hour. I ordered a steak medium and my husband ordered duck. Not super complicated. At one point, the waitress told us about 5 minutes (after over 40 minutes of waiting). Needless to say, it was not another 5 minutes and the wait got so ridiculous we talked about just getting up and leaving. We finally got our food and both meals came out COLD! My steak was undercooked and it just did not meet explications at all. It's not like they had a very full house when we got there and even if they did, they should be able to handle it. We won't be coming back. Total waste of a night out for a celebration. There are better places in Omaha to go for a nice meal that are worth your money and time. read more

Every time I dine here, I can't believe I only visit them 2-3 times each year. V Mertz simply has Omaha's best combination of service, atmosphere, food, and drink. The servers are so personable and their knowledge of the menu is unending. I have never had a recommendation that wasn't amazing. From a start with charcuterie and cheese, through to dessert, I've never had a bad bite. The ambiance is intimate and exciting. You hear laughter and conversation everywhere, but it's never loud. You see deserts and cocktails being prepared for service. Two walls are lined with their great choices of wines. The dining experience is always first rate, I just need to double how often I visit them. It is that good. read more

V. Mertz - New American Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

The feel is very cozy and intimate. Definitely a good place for a romantic dinner. Server Georgina was an absolute delight, very sweet, attentive and knowledgeable. Everything was delicious and cooked to perfection and they have a HUGE wine selection to choose from. read more

Wonderful dining experience with bartender Erin. She picked a bottle of wine for us. I've never had meat with this taste before. Come here with a lot of coin I. Your pocket because you will want to empty your pockets on meat and wine. read more

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What a great little gem in the heart of downtown Omaha! My boyfriend wanted to take me here for a fancy night on the town (hehe!) And it was so lovely. It's a very cozy and welcoming environment. Our server was great and kept the pace of the courses flowing nicely. We started off with wine and a cocktail. To start we shared the bread course, an item in which I was wavering on. Do we really need it since we also ordered the foie gras (which came with bread, too)? Well YES you do need the bread! It was so soft and fluffy. The foie gras was excellent. Props to the kitchen for preparing it perfectly. It was melt in the mouth good. My black cod was cooked very nicely and was basically plated like a work of art! So many beautiful colors and sauces. Sadly, we were too full for dessert. But I would love to come back here again. Highly recommend it for a lovely night out. read more

Our favorite place for a cozy, intimate meal, and also the only place we celebrate anniversaries. The menu is always new, the chef has never disappointed us, and the drinks are top shelf. Over decades, we have never once been served anything but delicious and appetizing meals, friendly and observant service, and a wonderful experience. It's not cheap, but the prices are reflective of the quality of the food, not the trendiness of the place. Treat yourself! Next time we go I'll try to add a picture. This will always be a top 5 Omaha restaurant for us. read more

Have been meaning to try this place for a while now. My wife and I went for our 5th wedding anniversary. The ambiance is pretty cool, you walk into this passage way that hosts a couple of restaurants. We were greeted promptly and welcomed with a smile. Our waitress was knowledgeable and extremely helpful when it came to recommending dishes and wine. We really enjoyed the style of many small to medium plates to get a spectrum of different flavor combinations. Previously my wife and I were partial to prime steakhouse style dining but I think we found a new favorite in Omaha. We will be back again. read more

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We ordered Lion's mane mushrooms and black cod for appetizers and it was the best. We also had lambs and steaks for entrée and it was delicious. The crème brûlée was OK but the apple caramel dessert was tasty. The French sparkling wine was sweet and just perfect. Most importantly, We absolutely love the romantic ambience of the place. read more

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FOR CONTEXT: I was visiting from Dallas. I've had my fair share of delicious steaks in places known for steak, from Texas to Argentina. THE GOOD: - Coconut bread. At the end of the meal, we both agreed that the bread service had been the best part of the meal. Sort of obnoxious that they charge for it, but I guess that makes good financial sense in a world where so many people are scared of carbs and probably would just let this deliciousness sit there untouched, which would make me cry if I worked there and saw that happening over and over. - They let us order one of the dishes from the tasting menu (ricotta gnocchi with short rib sugo) as an appetizer, which was awesome. - The atmosphere in the alley is delightful, with the string lights and the greenery. Truly looks like a place you'd find in Europe, not Omaha. THE NOT SO GOOD: - My 7 oz tenderloin was...bizarrely poorly cooked. I ordered rare and got a medium rare steak that was rubbery, almost soft, on the outside. No crisp crust here. When dipped in the peppercorn brandy cream, it was amazing, but a good steak should be amazing on its own. Especially one that costs $51. - The lamb chops were ridiculously poor quality, so fatty there was hardly any meat. Perhaps it should have been a red flag that this is the only red meat on the menu without an identified provider/farm. The presentation was beautiful, but the taste and quality was a let-down. - The service started off strong but got spotty fast as we struggled to decide between the regular menu and the tasting menu. Our waitress was clearly trying to hide her annoyance with our indecision, which really doesn't make sense to me...it's not like they were rushing to turn over tables or anything. In terms of how (not) busy the restaurant was, we could have sat there and debated the menu for a while over a glass of wine*, but instead we felt rushed to make a decision. When at one point I apologized to our waitress for being "difficult" (even though I don't think indecisive = difficult, but I could sense her annoyance), she replied, "Oh, I'm used to it." Whoa, ouch. I felt pretty uncomfortable interacting with her after that, which isn't a great vibe for a nice dinner. - *Wouldn't it have been nice to have had a glass of wine already! The sommelier first recommended a wine that he then realized they'd run out of, then recommended in a replacement, then vanished for so long that we'd ordered our dinners, finished bread service, and had almost finished our ricotta gnocchi/short rib appetizer before he finally got our wine on the table. For what V.Mertz is supposed to be (an upscale steakhouse), this was a 2-star experience. We were pretty disappointed. read more

This was my first time here and it was great! The service is top notch. I had the 22oz bone in New York steak and It was delicious. For desert I had creme brûlée. Man that was really good. If there is a downside it's in downtown and parking is on the street. read more

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V-mertz is of my favorite restaurants in Old market. Classy but still fancy. Me and my girls this week just went there for girls night on Tuesday and Thursday we went back for random dinner ^^ Pretty good foods and staffs really friendly. Highly recommendation !! read more

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Everything about VMertz is the best. Service is outstanding every time. Awesome food. Awesome cocktails. Just a can't-miss night out. Certainly the best restaurant in Omaha. read more

I'd been wanting to go to V.Mertz for a while, having always seen it in ratings and top restaurant lists for Omaha. I bought a groupon and figured it would be a good chance to see what all the fuss was about. I enjoyed my experience but wasn't wowed. The atmosphere was very dark and almost cavelike. It reminded me of the restaurants in underground alleys and passageways in Plaza Mayor in Madrid. The chairs had covers with logos and the table setup was nice, albeit very tiny. There's a wall of spirits in the middle and on the other side you can see the sous chefs prepping dishes. The food was good, and some dishes were quite tasty, but overall I was underwhelmed. Things got off to a good start... amuse-bouche was a perfect bite. It had great acid from the pickled dikon, a smooth creaminess from the swipe of squash soup and ricotta, nice crunchiness from the crispy chicken skin, and a sharp (but not overly so) pepperiness to finish. I ordered the pepper steak for my main dish. Cauliflower too peppery to me, almost like a radish. The sauce with peppercorns was almost sour and I didn't care for the taste that hit my tongue first. After a moment it wasn't bad but I didn't like the initial bite. Steak was cooked perfectly. While I enjoy a steak as much as the next person, I was disappointed at the menu offerings. Only two entrees sounded good to me. The service was attentive but not memorable. I can't remember the waiter's name or personality. He brought us our food and filled the water, but didn't do much to enhance the eating experience. Overall it wasn't a bad experience, but I probably won't be back. If I'm going out for a really nice dinner, I want to be impressed. read more

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Well, one year later and another Restaurant Week. Ironically I wasn't able to sample that menu as we were using a last-minute Groupon. Turns out, I'm glad we were able to try the regular menu because I had a much better meal this time around. I wonder how restaurant week menu would've been though because when I went back to rad last year's review it was hard to believe it transpired at the same place. This time we started with an amuse bouche of compressed watermelon and cucumber. A refreshing taste of summer... I easily wanted more. Next up was house onion roll & butter. (Drastically different than my last experience... This was good. Really good.) Appetizer was charcuterie, served with small rounds of the heartiest whole grain bread I've had recently. Interesting accompaniment, and different than the standard French baguette. My meal was the Magnolia Ranch Wagu Bavette. Peppersteak for Bill. I was hoping for a pork dish but was glad to settle for the tender Bavette dish, with corn bread and vegetable ratatouille. We didn't stuff any dessert on top of that, but did enough several Hoegaarden ales to wash everything down. Ultimately, after this meal I'd rank V. Mertz pretty highly up the scale on fine dining options in town. read more

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