Dining Around Town

By: Mr. Wilson on October 23, 2008
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?

Comments

See what your friends and neighbors have to say about this.

christopher
October 23, 2008 at 2:21PM

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.

beerorkid
October 23, 2008 at 2:31PM

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.

Mr. Wilson
October 23, 2008 at 2:33PM

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?

foxspit
October 23, 2008 at 2:37PM

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.

Swid
October 23, 2008 at 2:55PM

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.

Jeff R
October 23, 2008 at 3:28PM

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
October 23, 2008 at 3:33PM

My sis-in-law says Le Sole Mio is really good.

Duffman
October 23, 2008 at 4:03PM

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.

JT
October 23, 2008 at 5:17PM

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
October 23, 2008 at 6:31PM

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
October 23, 2008 at 7:08PM

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
October 23, 2008 at 7:17PM

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
October 23, 2008 at 7:21PM

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
October 23, 2008 at 7:25PM

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.

christopher
October 23, 2008 at 7:26PM

There are plenty of nonexpensive options in the Old Market.

christopher
October 23, 2008 at 7:27PM

I’ll second Trini’s. Good stuff.

foxspit
October 23, 2008 at 8:01PM

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
October 23, 2008 at 11:08PM

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.

Benn
October 24, 2008 at 3:53AM

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
October 24, 2008 at 4:57AM

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
October 24, 2008 at 6:38AM

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.

swoof
October 24, 2008 at 6:39AM

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.
October 24, 2008 at 8:06AM

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.

D.M.B.
October 24, 2008 at 8:08AM

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
October 24, 2008 at 2:19PM

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.

Kc
October 24, 2008 at 3:49PM

DUNDEE DELL!  DUNDEE DELL!  Mmmmmm!  I love their fish and the wait staff too!

Mr. T
October 24, 2008 at 6:36PM

I’m surprised you haven’t suggested DaVinci’s yet Gene.

Mr. T
October 24, 2008 at 11:20PM

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?

JT
October 27, 2008 at 5:19PM

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
October 27, 2008 at 5:49PM

The main ingredient in drinks is ice.
(bartender for 6 years)

Thanks for the update.  Can’t wait to check the place out.

JT
October 27, 2008 at 7:49PM

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
October 27, 2008 at 8:33PM

Good to hear! I’ll try the fish.

foxspit
October 27, 2008 at 8:40PM

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.

JB
October 27, 2008 at 10:22PM

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
October 29, 2008 at 2:00PM

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!

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