Yahoo Finance 10 cool restaurants you won’t find in Warren Buffett’s guide to Omaha
[Writer's note: The French Bulldog, which was mentioned in the video, closed its doors last Saturday. Video clips provided by the Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau.)
Omaha, Neb., is known for few things -- it hosts the college world series, the zoo is world-class, and one of the world’s richest men, Warren Buffett, calls it home.
Buffett is the CEO of $360 billion conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A), and every April, nearly 40,000 people from near and far gather in Omaha for the company's annual shareholders meeting. In preparation, the beloved billionaire provides visitors with a packet of information detailing places to eat and visit in the city. This list typically includes classic steakhouses like Gorat’s, Cascio’s, and Johnny’s, which are Omaha staples, but are typically places that an 85-year-old man would visit (no offense, Warren).
The truth is that the food scene in Omaha has exploded over the past couple of years, and the cuisine is diverse, innovative, and at some places, downright gourmet.
Since O-town is also my hometown, here’s my guide for where to eat while you’re visiting the city.
Downtown Omaha
Downtown Omaha is filled with amazing restaurants that the locals love. If you’re willing to throw down some cash, the Boiler Room is a splurge-worthy option that you can’t miss.
Chef Paul Kulick opened the Boiler Room in 2009, and the menu changes daily depending on what food can be obtained from local food purveyors. Simple entrees, like the tortellini, start at just $11. Others, like the dakota harvest grass-fed lamb crêpinette, will run you around $29.
The most impressive thing about this restaurant is that it was actually the boiler room for the Bemis Bag Company for more than 120 years. While the space has been restored, the owners have done their best to preserve the exposed brick walls and other features that give the restaurant its rustic look.
The Old Market in downtown Omaha is a historic area with cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, and some of the best restaurants in town. The Old Market passageway is a serene garden-like retreat known for its art galleries and shops, but it’s also home to V.Mertz, a restaurant serving up contemporary American dishes. The menu features traditional items like Alaskan halibut ($32) and some more exotic options like the braunschweiger (fried farm egg, smoked avocado, pearl onion, and radish for $13).
For a more budget-friendly dinner option consider Blue Sushi Sake Grill. There are other great sushi spots downtown (Hiro 88 and Tokyo Sushi), but for a dining experience that features innovative rolls and a trendy-but-not-too-trendy vibe, Blue cannot be beat. Insider tip: Try the Hawaiian roll, it’s my favorite! Enjoy a relaxing meal downstairs or head upstairs to Sake Bombers Lounge, a sexy bar draped in red lights serving signature drinks and sushi during daily happy hour.
And don’t forget about Block 16, which serves farm-to-table street food at a price that won’t bust your wallet. They have burgers, soups and salads, but for true greatness, try the pulled pork roll.
Other worthy spots in downtown Omaha: Le Bouillon, Plank, Upstream
Midtown Omaha
Omaha’s midtown has virtually exploded over the last seven years. What used to be a quiet part of town that no one visited is now home to Midtown Crossing, a shopping area with restaurants and luxury condominiums. It has reinvigorated the area and new restaurants have come pouring in.
If you venture to midtown, make sure you check out The Grey Plume, a farm-to-table restaurant that uses locally-sourced produce and livestock to fill out its extensive menu. This splurge-worthy option features starters like chicken ravioli with truffle and ricotta ($13) that will shock your taste buds. The average entrée costs about $37, and ranges from an oxtail croquette ($28) to a wagyu beef strip loin ($48).
What was once a neighborhood grocery store now houses J.Coco, an American restaurant boasting traditional classics with a modern twist. Feeling adventurous? Start with the yellowfin tuna topped with pickled ginger and a crispy wonton ($13). During a recent visit, I ordered the crispy half duck which was served on top of udon noodles. At $34 it was the most expensive thing on the menu – but worth every penny.
Other worthy spots in midtown: Marks, Crescent Moon (will serve you beer in a boot!), Modern Love (has great vegan options).
West Omaha
West Omaha is your typical suburban paradise filled with malls, schools and sprawling neighborhoods. But located about 30 minutes from downtown, you’ll find some restaurants that are anything but tame.
First up is Mahogany Prime, an upscale steak and seafood chophouse with premium cuts and massive side dishes. You can’t come to Nebraska without eating a steak, and Mahogany Prime doesn’t disappoint.
Salt 88 is an American-Italian hybrid with a menu and happy hour that will make your wallet smile. From meatballs to pizza and pasta, you can’t go wrong – there’s even a gluten-free menu for guests with food allergies. But the best part is that every meal ends with free cotton candy…How sweet is that?!
Other worthy spots in West Omaha: Dante Ristorante Pizzeria, Railcar Modern American Kitchen
And finally...
While I would never suggest traveling all the way to Omaha just to eat fast food, there is one burger joint that every Nebraskan will urge you to try: Runza. Since it opened in 1949, Runza has become a culinary icon in Nebraska. The burgers are made fresh, and a real pro always orders frings (onion rings mixed with crinkle fries) as a side. If it’s your first visit, make sure you try a Runza, the signature sandwich that consists of freshly baked bread stuffed with ground beef, onions and cabbage (yes, cabbage – trust me, it’s amazing).
Do you have a question about the food scene in Omaha? Email us at yfmoneymailbag@yahoo.com.
On April 30th, Yahoo Finance will have an exclusive live stream of the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting. Click here for more information.
