Dining Around Town
A mish-mash of food-related thoughts for your Thursday morning:
I can’t believe I have heard exactly zero buzz about Billy Brown’s (Downtown in the former Great Wraps space on O Street), save for Jeff Korbelik’s review. There was a little excitement about the possibility of a 9 South Chargrill-style restaurant long before it opened, and then ... nothing. Have any of you been there? I love 9 South, so I definitely want to give Billy Brown’s a try.
The building that formerly housed P.O. Pears now sports a big 9 Red (or is it Red 9?) mural on the side.
Buffmeat gave Southwest Pit BBQ a try. I think that’s the first I had heard about the new restaurant in the high-turnover location on Sun Valley Boulevard.
I stopped at Lina’s late last night on the way home from a pair of cold and wet soccer matches. Maybe I was just in the right mood, but my pollo asado burrito was awesome.
The Missus and I may go to Omaha on Saturday night for supper. We have very little experience eating in Omaha. Where should we go?
The Comments
christopher says I'll be Ames, otherwise I'd October 23, 2008 at 8:21am
I’ll be Ames, otherwise I’d join you. I like Upstream Brewery (either in the Old Marker or at 168th and Center). Cheesecake Factory is another option if you haven’t been.
Mr. Wilson says RE: I'll be Ames, otherwise I'd October 23, 2008 at 8:33am
In Ames, eh? I guess that rules out the phone call I was going to make later today to see if you wanted to join us
I suppose I could chase you over to Ames. Do you think I’d get funny looks if I wore a Husker shirt to the ISU vs. TAMU game?
Christopher says RE: I'll be Ames, otherwise I'd October 23, 2008 at 1:25pm
Na, you’d fit in with the rest of the crowd wearing some shade of red (or yellow).
We sort of planned this trip a while ago, not expecting to follow through, but when you get free tickets to the game it’s kind of hard to say no. Plus the wife will get a chance to see her grandma.
Swid says RE: I'll be Ames, otherwise I'd October 23, 2008 at 8:55am
If you haven’t been to the Upstream before, whatever you do, DO NOT go to the west location; its ambiance approximates zero. The Old Market location is so, so much better.
I’m not a fan of sushi, but my friends who are all love Blue, which now has three locations in Omaha.
swoof says Blue charges for atmosphere October 24, 2008 at 12:38am
Blue is the hip place for sushi in Omaha but places like Sakura Bana (formerly Sushi Ichiban, Omaha’s first sushi place) at 74th & Dodge does the same or better food with better service.
beerorkid says Stokes in the old market October 23, 2008 at 8:31am
Stokes in the old market is fancy mex (new wave?) stuff. If my wife liked that stuff i would be there often.
I am really looking forward to trying Billy Browns.
foxspit says I've been meaning to try October 23, 2008 at 8:37am
I’ve been meaning to try Lo Sole Mio in Omaha. I hear great things.
Also, Dixie Quick was featured on the Food Channel a couple of months ago. I haven’t been there either.
I like the locally owned joints though. If that’s not your cup of tea, you might not like these places.
We’re going to Omaha on Tuesday and plan to eat at Dundee Dell.
Jeff R says RE: I've been meaning to try October 23, 2008 at 9:28am
Dixie Quick is great. I’ve only gone for breakfast, but the lunch/dinner menu looked tasty. It is, however, the most awkward restaurant I’ve been in. It’s like the illegitimate child of a small town diner and a classier bistro.
Gene says RE: I've been meaning to try October 23, 2008 at 9:33am
My sis-in-law says Le Sole Mio is really good.
Mr. T says RE: I've been meaning to try October 24, 2008 at 12:36pm
I’m surprised you haven’t suggested DaVinci’s yet Gene.
Duffman says RE: I've been meaning to try October 23, 2008 at 10:03am
Lo Sole Mio is good and expensive. I have been there once and it was great! I would recommend going early if you go it is hard to get into.
Also you might like Trini’s Mexican Restaurant. It is in the old market. It is kind of hard to find because it is an old alley that has been closed in called the Passageway but it is good food and great atmosphere! My wife and I really enjoyed when we went.
christopher says RE: I've been meaning to try October 23, 2008 at 1:27pm
I’ll second Trini’s. Good stuff.
JT says This billy brown sounds sweet. October 23, 2008 at 11:17am
This billy brown sounds sweet. I will definitely be trying it. Shawn, one of the owners, works at my dad’s office (day job)
I will be dragging some of my biker friends down there for friday/saturday evening specials if the food is good.
Buffmeat says Omaha Dining October 23, 2008 at 12:31pm
We are planning to review Billy Browns on Friday. I’m excited for it.
As for Omaha, we like a few restaurants all owned by the same group. If you like Sushi, I would recommend Blue. If you like Italian, Bianco is one of the best I’ve been to. Neither offer much in the way of post-dining entertainment because they are in neighborhoods. But in terms of food, they are tops on our list. http://www.bluesushisakegrill.com/
JT says Planning on trying Billy Brown's October 23, 2008 at 1:08pm
Planning on trying Billy Brown’s Tuesday for lunch, snagged a menu the other day and it looks great.
I can vouch for Blue in Omaha, it’s really good. Try to get there for happy hour for half price drinks and cheaper sushi. Also easier to get a table.
JB says There is also Hiro (my October 23, 2008 at 1:17pm
There is also Hiro (my favorite sushi place) on 132nd and Maple right by Bianco, and Sushi Japan on 168th and Center, which I have not tried. Obviously V. Mertz is the best place in Nebraska in the Passageway mentioned earlier, but it will set you back at least $100. Downtown, Vivace and M’s Pub are good, Midtown has Mark’s and Dundee Dell, Bonefish at Regency has excellent fish dishes (especially for a chain, although a little upscale), The Drover on 72nd and Center has excellent whikey marinated steaks. There are too many choices there. That is another reason I am moving there and commuting to Lincoln starting in January.
JB says I forgot to mention that October 23, 2008 at 1:21pm
I forgot to mention that anything downtown will be more expensive (some extremely expensive), mostly about the same as Venue or Dish here, except the Upstream, which I only go to for the beer because I feel that the food is lacking other than their Asiago cheese and artichoke dip.
christopher says RE: I forgot to mention that October 23, 2008 at 1:26pm
There are plenty of nonexpensive options in the Old Market.
foxspit says A friend went to Billy October 23, 2008 at 2:01pm
A friend went to Billy Brown’s today. He didn’t talk too much about the food, but he said it was very similar to 9 South Chargrill (which he loves) and may have had even more on the menu.
avabee says You should try Espana, on October 23, 2008 at 5:08pm
You should try Espana, on @61st and Maple St. in Benson. It is my favorite restaurant in the state. It’s a fabulous Spanish restaurant, with a ton of tapa offerings as well as main-dish meals like paella. The menu is extremely creative--like nothing else you’ll find in Nebraska. The sangria is fabulous. The atmosphere is lively and fun, with live flamenco music, etc.
D.M.B. says RE: You should try Espana, on October 24, 2008 at 2:06am
That’s interesting. I live two blocks from there and have yet to try it.
I now will look forward to trying it the next time we’re looking for a place to go.
Benn says I Second Lo Sole Mio October 23, 2008 at 9:53pm
Lo Sole Mio ... go there!
I don’t think it’s expensive at all for what you get ... a ton of food and it’s really middle-of-the-road price-wise in my opinion.
Chuck says Upstream is terrific. Their microbrews October 23, 2008 at 10:57pm
Upstream is terrific. Their microbrews are better than Lazlo’s, IMO. I like the menu at the West O location better than in the Old Market. Dixie Quick’s is good, but you MUST make reservations--it’s very, very small. Kona Grill, at Village Pointe, is eclectic and outstanding.
swoof says I tried to go to October 24, 2008 at 12:39am
I tried to go to Billy Brown’s a couple of weeks ago but was overruled by my friends in favor of the Tam o’ Shanter. I blame the Long Island Iced Tea urge they had.
D.M.B. says Cheesecake Factory is good. October 24, 2008 at 2:08am
Cheesecake Factory is good. P.F. Changs right next door is good. I have never been to Upstream but I’ve heard its always good.
In Omaha you’re going to be able to find 1 or 2 of everything that is going to be on the excellent side.
Moses says M,s Pub October 24, 2008 at 8:19am
Try M’s Pub in the Old Market. Wide variety well done.
Lo Sole Mio is old style Omaha Italian and is very much geared to the quantity first style.
Granite City in Lincoln is similar to the Upstream, only better.
Mr. T says RE: M,s Pub October 24, 2008 at 5:20pm
M’s is good, and highly regarded. I had a great lamb dish there once. The person I was with ordered cucumber sandwiches. I was like...WTF?
JB says RE: M,s Pub October 27, 2008 at 4:22pm
Lazlo’s in Upstream only better, Granite city is not worth the price. I think it tastes like it is all straight from the freezer and their beers are a bit bland.
foxspit says RE: M,s Pub October 29, 2008 at 8:00am
I was planning to eat at Dundee Dell yesterday but there are no left turns off of Dodge Street. By the time I realized a left turn would be impossible I decided to continue on to the Old Market.
M’s Pub was great. I had the Asian Chicken with peanut sauce on rice. I loved the peanut sauce and it was nice that they used chicken tenderloins instead of a large chicken breast. They also had a Thai chicken soup that was good. It had a mild curry in a coconut milk with yellow and red peppers. Very tasty!
My wife had the Nature Sandwich (I think this may have been the cucumber sandwich Mr. T talked about) and liked it a lot.
The restaurant was surprisingly busy for a weekday. We got there at 12:15 and had to wait about 20 minutes for a table for four. Worth the wait though!
Kc says DUNDEE DELL! DUNDEE DELL! October 24, 2008 at 9:49am
DUNDEE DELL! DUNDEE DELL! Mmmmmm! I love their fish and the wait staff too!
foxspit says RE: DUNDEE DELL! DUNDEE DELL! October 27, 2008 at 2:33pm
Good to hear! I’ll try the fish.
JT says Went to Billy Browns friday, October 27, 2008 at 11:19am
Went to Billy Browns friday, they had samplings of some of their appetizers (it was a party for one of the owners birthdays, who my dad works with hence I got a free invite)
The bartenders were friendly and knew their drinks but the tall skinny glass they gave me of 4$ rum and coke was about 3 large swallows, the rest was ice. Dont get me wrong but the ice in the glass could of easily kept a drink 3 times as large, cold.
Anyway the food was good especially the mini quesadillas yummmmy. They also had mini smoked-gouda cheese burgers that were great, makes me want to order the full size one next time. The place is incredibly tiny though so I would not suggest going with a party more than 4 if you intend to eat there.
beerorkid says RE: Went to Billy Browns friday, October 27, 2008 at 11:49am
The main ingredient in drinks is ice.
(bartender for 6 years)
Thanks for the update. Can’t wait to check the place out.
JT says RE: Went to Billy Browns friday, October 27, 2008 at 1:49pm
Guess that’s how they get you to buy more. I’m no bartender but when I make a drink for myself I don’t fill the glass to the brim with ice. Just my taste I guess.
foxspit says RE: Dining Around Town October 27, 2008 at 2:40pm
Ate at Bangkok Cuisine today. It’s the second time I’ve been there and it was very good. Pad Thai has a nice peanut flavor and call me crazy, I thought I tasted some coffee in it. I had the yellow curry. It was also good, although it could have been cooked a little more.
We had an order of spring rolls. They were made fresh in a delicate wrap with a tasty plum sauce.
I like that you can order the level of spiciness on every dish.
For my money, though, I still prefer the Thai House here in Lincoln.