Lincoln’s best restaurants in 2017
We see them come.
We see them go.
Some are fast.
And some are slow.
Some are great
And some … well you know.
Not one of them
Is like another.
Don’t ask us why.
Go ask Lincoln by Mouth.
Ok, I’m still working on that last line. As much as I’d like to believe my favorite places will exist forever, inevitably they will all close. As far as I’m concerned, the best restaurants are awesome because of the creative genius of one or two people. Usually that person is a chef, but can also be a talented restaurateur who really knows what they are doing. But in all cases, when that person moves for one reason or another, along goes everything I loved about their creation. Which is why I try to visit my favorite places as often as I can: you never know when it’s time will be over. This year is probably as much of an example of that, losing some really unique places. Among those places this year was M&N Sandwich shop, who’s owner, Norm, died last month. We also recently lost the winner of last year’s top spot, Bread & Cup along with some other restaurants I liked to visit. At the same time, there were plenty of new restaurants (and breweries) I discovered this year that I added to my list. The circle of restaurant life …
1. The Oven Cellar
The Oven Cellar takes what is already a pretty darn good restaurant upstairs (the Oven) and makes it great. The space is intimate, unique and just feels cozy. It’s upscale without being stuffy. It’s a perfect spot for a date night, before/after dinner drinks or just an afternoon wine. On top of that, they have some fantastic wine dinners. A visit just to discuss wine with the sommelier, Charles, is worth the trip by itself. He really knows his stuff and always takes the experience up a notch. If you make it to the downtown Oven, make sure you go downstairs for one of the gems of Lincoln.
Favorite dish this year: The food doesn’t change, so the Chicken Tikka Madras wins again. But the wine list is always changing, and that’s half the reason you should visit. So have Charles pick out something amazing.
http://theoven-lincoln.com/about_cellar
2. Dish
Dish, which is under new ownership, has, in my opinion, taken it up a notch. It was always a really good place to eat, but the creativity (and taste) of the food has got a very nice boost over the last year. I’m personally a sucker for cold soup and this fall they had a different one every time I came in that I couldn’t get enough of. The decor on the inside is nice, but I feel like it could use a renovation with an eye to the eclectic style that Bread & Cup had. If they could gain some of that, I think they’d be challenging for tops on my list. As it is, they’ll have to do with pretty darn close.
Favorite dish this year: Cuban + the chilled tomato almond soup (pictured above).
http://www.dishdowntown.com/
3. Venue
Last year I said that I’ve had some really good experiences at Venue lately and they are climbing my list. If they just keep their rate of climb going, they’ll be on my 2017 best restaurants list. Here we are, and they’re on the 2017 list. I continue to visit Venue and I continue to be impressed. They have some really creative food that is also really good. A great combo that will win points in my book and worth a spot on this year’s best. They also hit a home run by rescuing the Piedmont Bistro. The success of Piedmont absolutely adds to my feelings about Venue. They know what their doing.
Favorite dish this year: The crispy pork shank (pictured above).
https://www.yourvenue.net/
4. JTK
JTK should probably slide into the number one slot since they were at two last year and number one on last year’s list (Bread & Cup) closed. But they find themselves in fourth. What gives? They are just as good as ever. The reality is that any of these top five could be interchanged based on what you like and what type of restaurant you are looking for. JTK is the most upscale restaurant in town for price, food, service, and atmosphere, so they’re not going to be for everyone. If you’re looking for upscale or special occasion, JTK is your place. Just looking for some of the best food in Lincoln? You’ll absolutely get that here. But at the same time, ask me where to eat, I’m probably sending you somewhere else first because JTK has such a specific demographic. But don’t let that sour you from visiting, they more than deserve a spot on the best of 2017 list.
Favorite dish this year: I have a hard time visiting and not getting the American Wagyu beef filet (pictured above).
http://www.jtkrestaurant.com/
5. Copal
From last year, Copal has probably gone a bit more conservative on their menu than they started. But their experience still leaves me very happy every time I’m in. The more conservative menu with more entrees like burritos that your average american will recognize probably keeps them from climbing this list. But at the same time, those burritos are usually more creative than your average American Mexican restaurant and they still have plenty of other creative food on their menu.
Favorite dish this year: The beef short rib (pictured above).
http://www.copallincoln.com/
6. The Parthenon
The Parthenon is still coming up with really good daily specials, cranking out the greek favorites and hitting dessert out of the park. Their wine dinners are fantastic and a ton of fun. George is still there every single time I’m in and he always comes out to say hi. They’re not leaving the best of Lincoln list any time soon. Go there and enjoy this Lincoln gem often.
Favorite dish this year: Aaaaah saganaki. If you don’t like flaming fried cheese, I can’t help you.
http://www.theparthenon.net/
7. Yia Yia’s
I don’t know what more you could ask for. Cool atmosphere. A great (and very large) curated beer list. Some fantastic, creative pizza. It’s still one of my must visits, and I get to visit often.
Favorite dish this year: a slice of the Polynesian (what else?).
https://www.facebook.com/yiayias/
Honorable Mention (again)
Ivanna Cone: Same as last year, they have a blue mark because they’re awesome in every way, but aren’t really a restaurant so I’m not sure I can rank them on a list that’s titled “best restaurants.” Not that I’m above having only ice cream for lunch or dinner. But make it a night out, go to one of the places above for dinner and head to Ivanna Cone for dessert … two blue marks in one night!
http://www.ivannacone.com/
Dropped out
Bread & Cup: After 10 years, Bread & Cup closed it’s doors in December. That is very sad for me, but at the same time not surprising. Owner Kevin Shinn ran into some financial trouble and was forced to sell to some investors. The investors immediately made some interior changes that, in my opinion, robbed the restaurant of a lot of it’s character. Not that that’s what killed it, but I could see it trending in a troubling direction. Shinn had a knack for creating restaurants that I loved, both from a food standpoint and also from a interior design/aesthetics standpoint. But Bread & Cup’s closing hurts the most since they had been around long enough to feel like they’d be there forever. But alas, nothing lasts forever.
The Hub Cafe: The Hub decided to stop serving dinner, which is such a bummer because they were really delivering some really unique food for Lincoln … and maybe even cuisine that would have been unique for most cities. Gone is the creative, ever changing lunch and dinner menu and in it’s place is a small, static lunch menu. I’m sad, but I’ll take 1/2 year of their creative cuisine over never experiencing it at all. The Hub is but still very good for what it is, a nice cafe for lunch, but at the same time no where close to what it was with dinner.
Honrable Mention
These four restaurants are either very close or on the rise and I’m hoping they will earn their blue mark in 2017.
Lazlo’s (north or south): One of my most frequently visited restaurants and absolutely one of my favorite places to eat (and drink). Why don’t they have a blue mark? This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but their menu isn’t overly risky or creative, just really good quality solid food. They will need to change to jump to the top, but I really don’t want them to. They’re awesome they way they are.
The Blue Orchid: They have all the variables needed for a blue mark, good, innovative food, a fun atmosphere and good service. I think having more specials to break out of an always-the-same menu would help get them over the hump to a blue mark.
Wilderness Ridge: More of the same from Wilderness. They are still riding the roulette wheel of visits. Spin the wheel, who knows what you’ll get: AWESOME EVERYTHING, BEST IN LINCOLN!!; good food, terrible service; good service terrible food; or everything was pretty good but nothing stood out. I would definitely recommend going because when everything works together, it’s a very fun and unique experience. But just plan on going a few different times to catch them on a good night. Thank goodness the building doesn’t change, it’s one thing you can count on, an awesome atmosphere in an impressive log lodge and the best outside dining in Lincoln by a long way.
My favorite new place I found this year
Lan House: Are you knowledgeable about real Chinese food, the stuff you would actually find in China and not the american Chinese stuff you find at all the other Chinese restaurants in town? Lan house is the place for you. Don’t have any clue what I’m talking about? It sounds like you need to pay them a visit. They make their own noodles, so I’d recommend starting with the Lanzhou Noodles. They’re good stuff … but so is everything else I’ve tried.
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