Lincoln’s Indian Options

By: Mr. Wilson on September 2, 2011
When it comes to Indian restaurants in Lincoln, The Oven's two locations (Haymarket, 70th and Pioneers) get all the love. The praise isn't undeserved. The Oven has great food, good service, and pleasant atmosphere. But The Oven isn't the only player in town. Yesterday for lunch I went to Taj Mahal (west of 56th and Old Cheney, behind Racquet Club) for the first time. I've lived mere blocks away for seven years, yet it's so easy to forget about (or be ignorant of completely) because it's tucked away in a shopping center and it doesn't get much buzz. I've been missing out. The food was excellent and I look forward to going back. Note that Taj Mahal has an extensive array of vegetarian and vegan options, in addition to its meatier fare. That's good not only for the veg crowd, but for folks with various allergies or food intolerances as well. Sher E Punjab (17th and Q) is another strip mall resident that waits quietly for folks to notice it. It's tiny and unassuming, but I have yet to have an inadequate meal there. There is also Tandoor in Williamsburg near 35th and Old Cheney. I've never been to Tandoor so I can't say much about it. But check out the reviews online -- there's near-universal praise for the food. That's good enough to get me in the door in the near future. Am I missing any other Indian restaurants in Lincoln? Which is your favorite?

About Time He Showed Up

By: Mr. Wilson on September 1, 2011
Dave Heineman showed up recently to ask the Feds to deny the TransCanada pipeline permit through Nebraska. Or at least through the part of Nebraska that sits atop the Ogallala Aquifer. My immediate reaction: Where the hell has Governor Heineman been all this time? The pipeline isn't exactly fresh news. Folks have been protesting it for many months. The permit could be approved before the end of the year. And now Heineman shows up? Just how effective does he think he's going to be at such a late stage in the game? I can't help but assume Heineman's belated action is nothing more than a political ploy. By waiting until the decision was all but made to pipe up, he gets immunity either way. If the permit comes through, he gets to talk about how the evil Feds don't listen to the states, Obama hates Mother Nature, and so forth. If the permit is denied he gets to take credit. Since he's so late to the party he doesn't actually have to put in much work. It's a total win-win for him. Or maybe I'm too cynical. But that's one of my most endearing qualities, right?
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