48 Hours Dining in Omaha (The Best Bets: Berkshire Hathaway 2012 Part Three)

I've lived in Omaha for almost 5 years and often times I'll hear lifelong Omahans comment that they've never heard of a restaurant I mention. And it can be either a new place, an old one, a moderately priced restaurant or a dive.

When I moved here from New York City, I made it my mission to know Omaha inside and out. But like many who came from bigger cities, I really kept my knowledge to midtown and east. God forbid I go anyplace "out west" in the 'burbs.

But now that I live in "uncool" West Omaha, I've really found that there are great little places to go for a bite to eat that aren't necessarily chains (contrary to what midtowners and downtowners want to believe).

I've compiled a list of some great eats in Omaha -- most which are located in....yup, you guessed it, "uncool" West Omaha.

Yes, there are your tried and true places in the Old Market that everyone knows to go to -- and believe me, they get plenty of business while the BRK folks are in town. This list includes some places that aren't included in the usual guide to Omaha, provided by the Berkshire Hathaway PR team.

If I had 48 hours to eat in Omaha, this is what I'd do:

Friday, May 4th

Ok, we know everyone LOVES the Borsheim's cocktail party. It's like a Husker tailgate -- everyone is there to be seen and to drink. Last year, I did something REALLY smart. I got there about an hour before the official party started. Got a great parking space and my husband and I wheeled our 3 month old baby daughter through Borsheim's and got a great deal on a watch at the Baume & Mercier counter. We skipped the lines for the free food and drinks and instead went on home to put our baby to sleep and make dinner.

I don't suggest you do all of the above; but I do recommend getting there early to look at the deals on watches and jewelry. Plus, you'll get a good salesperson or better yet, a visiting company person, to start working with you. Get your goods and then get the heck outta there.

Sure, everyone loves a free drink and food but with those lines, I'd definitely skip the cut cheese cubes and egg rolls (that's what they served in 2008, the last and only time I endured the long lines).

Instead, make a reservation at one of the following places for a great meal depending on your mood:

French: Le Voltaire -- My husband is taken to this restaurant every year on his birthday. The last time we were there, we looked at each other and thought, "Why do we come here only on special occasions?" The prices are reasonable enough -- depending on what you order -- and you'll definitely be treated to one the best meals you can get in Omaha for any night of the week. Their specials are wonderful, although definitely more pricey.

Italian: Pasta Amore -- I have yet to find a true Northern Italian restaurant in Omaha. But if you want dependable Italian cuisine with a Southern bent, I recommend this place located in Rockbrook Village around 108th Street.

Japanese: Sushi Japan -- Try to get a sushi bar seat and enjoy their omakase menu. I really like the sushi chefs there and they do sashimi and sushi very well. If you sit in the dining room, look at their specials and get something truly fresh and delicious. This is located out west too around 141st Street.

American: J. Coco -- I'm a big fan already of this new spot in Omaha. It has an edited menu with special dishes to cater to many appetites. Everything from bouillabaisse to osso bucco to wagyu steak. It's a jewel box of a restaurant, so you'll want to make reservations for sure. Or sit at the bar and wait for your table with a craft cocktail from Chris Engles, their bartender extraordinaire.

Korean: Maru -- At the very least, you can tell everyone you went to Omaha and had Korean food. People will raise their eyebrows thinking, HUH? For Korean novices, get a seafood pancake and pan fried dumplings to start. Kalbi is a must and the dolsot bibimpop is to-die-for good. Be sure to scrape all the crunchy bits of rice and savor all the yumminess. Maru is located south around 108th Street.

Saturday, May 5th

You'll have to grab breakfast at your hotel in order to get to the Century Link Center to listen to the Oracle of Omaha and Charlie Munger. Once you've had your fill of the loads of people at the Century Link Center, you should spend the rest of your afternoon strolling around the Old Market (and come visit yours truly at Trocadero)...and then...

It's Cinco de Mayo, everyone's favorite excuse to imbibe several margaritas. If you want the best ones in town, well, there will be differing opinions. But if you want the tastiest Mexican food in town (and quite honestly better than anything I've had in NYC including Rosa Mexicano and the like), I say head to Rivera's. Their Sparky's nachos are unlike anything I've ever had and are so incredibly flavorful and spicy! And you cannot go wrong with their chicken mole enchiladas. Seriously good stuff. Rivera's is located around 120th Street and Blondo. You'll want to get there early as they get busy on non-Cinco de Mayo nights. Perhaps a late afternoon bite?

For dinner, please refer to the list above, in addition to these standouts:

Asian Fusion: Hiro -- We had our rehearsal/out-of-towners dinner here and there isn't anything on the menu that does not please and delight. Start with the Asian short ribs, gyoza and avocado spring rolls and choose either the salmon plank, miso cod, peanut butter chicken or Mongolian beef for your entrée. And don't miss their crazy delicious gooey chocolate cake!

Indian: Tanduri Fusion -- My love of Indian food goes way back to when I first moved to New York City in the early '90s. Tanduri Fusion hits the spot like no other place in Omaha for Indian food. It's another restaurant located way out in West Omaha and people just don't know about it enough. There may be better looking places or more "hole in the wall" joints, but this place can't be beat in my opinion. I love some of their special lamb dishes like safed maas and their chicken makhani or korma are some of my favorite dishes.

Sunday, May 6th

If a crowded buffet line is your thing, then you'll want to head over to Borsheim's again and fight for your breakfast/brunch. Otherwise, I say venture to any of these five places for some really great brunch meals before you head out of Omaha.

Heartland Café -- It's located way, way out west, technically in Elkhorn. But it has a seriously amazing buffet brunch that is hard to beat. We had our out-of-towners' brunch here for our wedding and guests from California to Maryland to New York were delighted with the chicken fried steak, perfect pancakes, crispy bacon, made-to-order omelettes and mini cinnamon buns among other offerings.

Dario's -- In my opinion, they have the best brunch menu in Omaha. I love the variety of items including sweet and savory crêpes, quiches, salads and Belgian specials like mussels and frites. A delicious cocktail menu includes one of my favorites, "the Cocktail Aux Lillet, a classic spritzer turned head over heels in love with classic Elderflower Liquor."

Dixie Quick's -- There is absolutely nothing to NOT love about this Southern meets Cajun-Tex-Mex cuisine. Now in its new location in Council Bluffs, Iowa (just across the river from Omaha), Dixie Quick's has a bright, airy, light-filled urban vibe that still churns out tasty bites noon and night. The Dixie Scramble is always a good bet as is the outstanding salmon entrée.

Lot 2 -- This newest addition to the Omaha foodscape scene is a well-needed and modern one. We love the look of the place and the food is great to boot. The brunch menu offers everything from croque madames and eggs benedict to ramen. Bloody Marys and a High Life are served post-noon for those who are looking to nurse their hangovers.

New Gold Mountain -- If you want to have dim sum, this is the place to go. There aren't the traditional carts of food going around the room but it's a Chinese-owned joint that has mostly Asian clientele. My usual order includes Singapore noodles, shrimp dumplings, roasted pork, BBQ pork buns, lotus leaf wrapped rice, turnip cake, 1/2 order Peking Duck. And if you want Vietnamese, they serve a mean pho.

Hold the Mimosa

Beer... for breakfast? 
Some would consider touching the stuff before noon dreadfully alcoholic, while some, our European counterparts in particular, wouldn't consider it anything out of the ordinary. Recently, The Wall Street Journal featured an article suggesting a few beer pairings for your typical breakfast fare.

Curious and enticed by the unusual suggestions (a milky stout with your morning bowl of granola?), my boyfriend and I set off to try Rogue's Chipotle Ale, best paired with your classic bacon and eggs.

With or without breakfast, this beer has great flavor.  With forty pounds of chipotle peppers in each batch, the ale lends to a crisp and smokey chile flavor. We decided to try it with a potato and seitan sausage hash, topped with a fried egg & a side of toast and salsa.
Here's our simple recipe:

-Sauté 1/2 an onion with several cloves of garlic
-Peel and cube a russet potato, toss into onion & garlic mixture, and cook until potatoes are soft yet crispy
-While cooking, season with spices to your liking. Beside salt & pepper, we added cumin, cinnamon, and smokey paprika to complement the chipotle ale. And to add a nice kick, we tossed in a jalapeno, but   a serrano or poblano would work too.
-Top with a fried egg and enjoy!

The results? A match made in heaven. You can kiss your Bloody Marys goodbye

Welcome to BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY MEETING 2010!

It's the first weekend of May and that means about 30,000 people will descend to Omaha to participate in the three-day, three-ring circus that is Warren Buffett's annual shareholder's meeting for his company BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY.

If you're one of the lucky people who arrived today, you're in for a real treat with severe thunderstorms and a mini tornado watch! There's nothing like midwest thunderstorms; they're eerily romantic and absolutely frightening at the same time.

But hopefully once this passes, we'll be in for some 65 degree temps for the rest of the weekend...

Warren and the gang keep the shareholders pretty busy but if you have some down time, we recommend you of course come by the Troc and check out all our new spring merch! Everything from cool Joie oxfords to our classic gifts like the ceramic NYC We Are Happy To Serve You Greek coffee cups (and in honor of the original paper version's creator who just died today, the Troc will be giving the $13 cup for free with any purchase over $50 FRIDAY, APRIL 30th ONLY! Just mention this blog post to receive your free NYC cup with your $50+ purchase). We are also going gaga for this Anya Hindmarch glitter clutch...we only have one more left in the shop...who will be the lucky BERKIE who gets to take it home with them? Oh, by the way, we'll be offering FREE SHIPPING to those out-of-towners who show us their BRK Meeting Credentials and mention this blog post...

But besides shopping, what else are you gonna do? Eat, of course! At the Troc, pick up our complimentary guide of what to do, see and eat in the Old Market of Omaha. But if you're looking to dine beyond the Old Market, skip the lines at Gorat's and Piccolo Pete's (two of Warren's favorites) and if you're like me and my NYC and Omaha friends, we love our steaks medium rare and done "whiskey-style" at the Drover. If you want some really tasty Thai food, check out one of my favorites: Taste of Thailand at 157th and Center. Really great curries and delicious soups...but I'd avoid the pad Thai. For a delicious burger without all the fuss (it's served on a napkin), go to Stella's in Bellevue. They also have great fries and onion rings. For unbeatable Mexican food, go to Rivera's on 120th and Blondo and please order Sparky's nachos, the chicken enchiladas mole or BO's pork enchiladas...and get the sopapillas for dessert...heaven!

Ok, but if you want to stay local in the Old Market, these are my suggested dishes at some of my favorite places:

M's Pub: get a lavosh; they're all great but most people love the Thai one

La Buvette: their simple salad a la Buvette is perfect, especially with the cornichons and add the goat cheese. It comes with their homemade sourdough bread and butter and that's enough to make the perfect light lunch.

Hiro 88: brand new downtown location of a West Omaha favorite; Rock 'n Roll sushi roll, salmon skin hand rolls, crispy garlic steak, peanut butter chicken and the Asian short ribs appetizer. Trust me, you will not be disappointed!

Stokes: go for Happy Hour and get a Moscow Mule to drink and order the Aztec nachos (they have an amazing curry sauce that adds a special something to the dish!)

Last but not least...BREAKFAST or BRUNCH...my top choices are: Lisa's Radial Cafe, a dive but oh-so-tasty...get the radial raft or even just the simple breakfast sandwich. The stuffed french toast rocks too. Dixie Quicks is a classic and just plain fantastic. Their french toast rules (with berries or chocolate) but my favorite is the Dixie Scramble. All I can say is Tomato Butter Sauce. Yum! Amato's is another great local restaurant and it's all about the blueberry ricotta pancakes (homemade ricotta) and anything with their homemade Italian sausage. And if you're feeling like having dim sum, run (don't walk) to Gold Mountain on 156th, north of Maple. They have all the pork buns, shu mai and lotus leaf wrapped sticky rice you can eat! And the Peking Duck is a steal and so yummy.

Dessert? Ted and Wally's for ice cream downtown and eCreamery in Dundee in midtown.

That's all folks! Have fun in Omaha...it's a great town to visit...and as you can see, a great place to live too!!

The Ten...er, Eleven...Tastiest Burgers You'll Find

Summer is my favorite season, no questions asked. Not only is the weather usually fantastic and school out, but also the food that comes with is by far the best. Being quite a 'foodie' myself (I watch the Food Network for fun and started cooking my family dinner at age 11), I've come to love the cuisine of summer more than any other. Amidst all the hearty barbeque and refreshing popsicles stands one of the most iconic, delicious, and American foods there is... the burger. The New York Times just wrote a story called "The Elements of an Ideal Burger" and we think it's perfect timing. For a quest that proves both entertaining and tasty, we at the Troc have decided to scope out what we think are the best burgers in Omaha. So, I'll start us off with Trocadero's number 10 pick...

# 10. King Kong's Double Cheeseburger - Even though most chain restaurants' burgers are below-average on the taste and appearance scale, King Kong has made a name for themselves with their awesome cheeseburgers. They're put on the grill the second you order them and cooked to perfection. Though it's served with standard toppings, this burger goes above and beyond Mickey D's any day. Various locations.

#9. The Mattress Factory's Bluejay Burger - This burger is made from 100% Black Angus Beef and is topped with 100% quality ingredients. From bleu cheese crumbles, to cracked black pepper, to caramelized onions, the Bluejay Burger is the closest thing to a delightful 'gourmet' burger you'll find downtown. 501 N 13th Street. Phone: 346-9116.

#8. Burger Star's Angus Star Burger - Despite the fact that this burger comes from another nation-wide restaurant, they only have one location in Omaha, so it isn't quite as common. The restaurant has a ton of fresh, free toppings that are available to the customers. Just ask for the Angus star, add the condiments you prefer, and in the time it takes you to say "Burger Star"... there's one tasty burger at your fingertips. 1222 S 71st Street. Phone: 333-7827.

#7. Applebee's Cowboy Burger - The Cowboy Burger at Applebee's stands out to us because it's topped with a crunchy onion ring and slathered in BBQ sauce. I wouldn't even begin to ask for more taste in a burger, but they provide it anyway. Cooked to your liking and served on a toasted bun, this burger satisfies way more than just cowboys. Various locations.

#6. M's Pub Lamb Burger - This juicy ground lamb burger with hints of rosemary and thyme served with a side of Dijon mustard is sure to please any palate. The unique spices and condiments inside this burger keep us coming back for more each time we venture down Howard Street to M's. 422 S 11th Street. Phone: 342-2550.

#5. The 801 Chophouse's Happy Hour Sliders - Move over, White Castle. For just one dollar each, these mini burgers are an excellent deal from 4-6, Monday thru Friday. Using the finest cut of meat with hand-crafted buns, they're the ultimate treat in a bite-size portion. So, order as many as you like. 1403 Farnam Street. Phone: 341-1222.

#4. Louie M's Burger Lust Burgers - As a recommendation from my Father, I trust that the burgers at Louie M's live up to high standards. These burgers are available with too many toppings to count, served in any style you want, and always made-to-order. Especially juicy, large, and appealing, I now know why it's Louie's true burger to lust for. 1718 Vinton Street. Phone: 449-9112.

And tied for the #4 spot, Dario's Brasserie Cheeseburger - The French aren't exactly known for their spectacular burgers, but French brasserie, Dario's, takes one heck of a shot. Their house cheeseburger impresses us with its full flavor and crispy bite. It's topped with pickles, lettuce, tomato and a special sauce that makes it tres magnifique. 4920 Underwood Avenue. Phone: 933-0799.

#3. Twisted Cork Burger - This locally owned bistro is run by ex-"Seattle-ites" and who knew their Pacific Northwest background would prepare them for a unique burger primed for an Omahan's appetite? With a combination of pork shoulder and flat iron steak with white cheddar and served on a brioche bun, this isn't your ordinary burger. Maybe that's why it was named on the Food Network's 50 Best Burgers in the U.S. by master restauranteur Bobby Flay. 10730 Pacific Street. Phone: 932-1300.

#2. Dinker's Single Patty with Cheese - From the outside (and the inside for that matter), it looks like any other dive bar. But who knew, except for the large sign outside that states "Omaha's Best Burger," that a specialty of the house is indeed the various kinds of hamburgers and cheeseburgers. A nice, sized cut of beef flavored by the griddle has a perfect combo of juicy bits with some grease (the best part). Some of us thinks it is indeed Omaha's best burger. 2368 S. 29th Street. Phone: 342-9742.

#1. Stella's Bacon Cheeseburger with Fried Egg - When we heard about this joint in Bellevue that claimed to be one of the best burgers in Omaha, we were ready to take it to the test. While we expected a dive bar, it was in fact a cute little eatery that served up its pride and joy...on a paper napkin. No plate necessary, as you'll quickly gobble up your burger with all its fixin's. With excellent onion rings and french fries (and RC Cola), you'll truly have one most memorable meal. 106 S. Galvin Rd. Phone: 291-6088.