Pancho Villa Mexican Grill

The Oven Cellar

I would assume (almost) everybody in Lincoln knows about The Oven. It’s a great place to get Indian in Lincoln. But I’m not sure everybody knows about the Cellar below The Oven. It’s a wine bar with a fantastic selection. Their sommelier obviously knows their stuff between the wine selection on hand and individual wine … Continue reading "The Oven Cellar"

The Oven

The Oven serves traditional Indian comfort food, and they do it very well. But to me, the Oven stands out by combining some very solid Indian food with a great wine list and really nice atmosphere. You can get a good Chicken Tikka Masala in a lot of places, but you can’t get it in … Continue reading "The Oven"

Shokunin sushi & ramen

Shokunin occupies the former Bread and Cup space. I have many happy food memories in that space, so they have a good start there. There are other Sushi restaurants in town, other Ramen restaurants in town and other Japanese restaurants in town. But Shokunin is just different enough from all of them to stand out. … Continue reading "Shokunin sushi & ramen"

Blue Sushi Sake Grill

Blue has grown to enough cities in the US that it can probably be considered a chain. I’m still going to include them on my list because 1) they started in Omaha, so they are at least a Nebraska Chain, 2) their space in the Haymarket is one of the better places to eat in … Continue reading "Blue Sushi Sake Grill"

Vincenzo’s Ristorante

Vincenzo’s is Lincoln’s best pure Italian restaurant. But you may be taking more of a trip to St. Louis than Italy when visiting. The Lou hints are subtle, with dishes like toasted ravioli and one that’s called “The Hill” after St. Louis’s most famous food and their Italian district respectively. But the dead giveaway is … Continue reading "Vincenzo’s Ristorante"

Copal Progressive Mexican Cuisine

Copal is an awesome place to visit if you want an “authentic” Mexican experience … and I don’t mean authentic in the way you think I do. To me authentic is something that is completely unique, created by the chef at that restaurant and an experience that you’re not going to find anywhere else, even … Continue reading "Copal Progressive Mexican Cuisine"

Florio’s Italian Restaurant & Grille

Do you like Italian? Yes? You’ll probably like Florio’s. I’ve never left unsatisfied.

Koen

Koen brings a concept that I’ve experienced a couple times outside of Lincoln. Now having it here, I’m happy that we have this experience. From what I’ve been able to gather, Koen’s grill at your own table experience is usually reserved for more high-end dining. Koen has done a great job of re-creating that here … Continue reading "Koen"

Blue Orchid Thai Restaurant

I love this place, and I visit often. They have Thai that is as good as anywhere in town + a really cool building. Some adjectives that come to mind when thinking about the Blue Orchid are cool, hip, interesting, spicy, curry, yum. What you’re ordering: The Green Curry with pork. Add a Thai iced … Continue reading "Blue Orchid Thai Restaurant"

Ali Baba

My go-to place for Gyros & Mediterranean since I was in college. What you’re ordering Hot and Spicy ‘Z’ Plate.

The Oven

The Oven serves traditional Indian comfort food, and they do it very well. But to me, the Oven stands out by combining some very solid Indian food with a great wine list and really nice atmosphere. You can get a good Chicken Tikka Masala in a lot of places, but you can’t get it in … Continue reading "The Oven"

Daffodil Mediterranean Cuisine

If you go into Daffodil (and you should), you’ll meet the nicest lady ever (I believe her name is Narges) who will treat you like family. Sample everything before you order (because she’ll probably insist on it) and then make the hardest choice ever on what to order because it’s all so good. I’ve never had … Continue reading "Daffodil Mediterranean Cuisine"

MoMo Pizzeria & Ristorante

MoMo calls itself a pizzeria, but it’s so much more than a pizza joint. If I am looking for a nice night out, MoMo always comes up in the discussion. When going for dinner, I’ll snag a spot at their bar if I’m lucky enough to find one. In my humble opinion, the bar is … Continue reading "MoMo Pizzeria & Ristorante"

Ginger

Ginger brings a Mongolian grill-style restaurant combined with a more traditional restaurant in one place. I’ve always appreciated the creative and good food at Ginger, which is what keeps me coming back.

Tia Lety’s

I would call Tia Lety’s something of a hidden gem in Lincoln because it’s location and building don’t exactly scream “go eat there.” But I’m very glad I found it because it is a place I “go eat there” a lot. If I am feeling Papusas, which I do quite a bit, my first thought … Continue reading "Tia Lety’s"

Pho Factory

When I worked downtown, Pho Factory was a restaurant I visited on a weekly basis. As far as Pho goes, Pho Factory provided the right combination between good Pho in a nice setting to make it a regular lunch spot.