Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is Grow Omaha, the only radio show that talks
about economic development, construction, business expansion, and all of those
things that make Omaha a great place to live or visit.
Grow Omaha on News Radio eleven ten KF Baby.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Well, good morning, and welcome to the show. Jeff Beils
here at your service. Congratulations because you have joined the
only show in the metro area that talks about the
things we discuss, and that is Omaha growth and development,
real estate, construction, business expansion, really anything related to Omaha
becoming more vibrant and more prosperous and perhaps a little
(00:35):
more fun as well. Big shout out to our sponsors.
They are Cheer Athletics, the nation's number one all star
cheer gym, and Dingman's Collision Center with four metro area locations.
My co host, Trenton Maggot has the weekend off, and
in his stead we have a familiar voice, Craig Wolf.
(00:56):
He is the proprietor of Cheer Athletics and a frequent
guest and guest co host.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
Craig, welcome back.
Speaker 4 (01:04):
Thanks for having me. Jeff. Great to be back in
the studio and I can't believe you actually gave Trenton
some time off.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
We don't like.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
To let it get carried away, but periodically we do
like to give the big guy a little bit of
a break. It's probably good for his mental health and
maybe his physical health as well. Hopefully he's getting a
little exercise on his weekend off.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
We all need a little exercise, right.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Well, you do.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
And speaking of exercise, you need to walk yourself over
to Village Point, ladies and gentlemen and go visit the
subject of our latest grow Omaha grow Omaha Eats restaurant review,
written by Chris Corey. Our Gromha restaurant reviews are brought
to you by All Makes, the legendary office furniture and
technology store headquartered in downtown Omaha, with locations and Lincoln,
(01:51):
Des Moines, Iowa, and many other cities at any rate.
For this week's grow Omaha Eats restaurant review, Chris takes
a look at Meddi's. I don't know if you've tried
meddis yet, Craig, but I had it for lunch earlier
this week.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
No, I have not been there, but I have heard
really really good things about it.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
How was it? It was good? You know?
Speaker 2 (02:10):
I would the first way I would describe it. And
and in some ways this is an insult to Medis
that I don't intend, and I'll explain why. I say
that it's kind of the Chipotle of Mediterranean food. But
I say it could be an insult because it's I mean,
the service is way more elevated than Chipotle, and and
the you know, the core is way nicer. But but
you ordered the counter and it's fairly quick. But the
(02:34):
service is really good. To me, It's not it's not
necessary a place I would Stephanie and I would go
out for a date night or anything like that. But
it was a hell of a lunch spot. And uh
and I think two people could reasonably share an entree.
Speaker 4 (02:47):
Well that that that sounds amazing. I where's it located again?
Speaker 2 (02:50):
So it's in the former Gunderson's Jewelry store on the
south side of Village Point. And you know, Village Point
is completely reloading when it comes to restaurants. I mean,
they've got all sorts of new ones coming in there,
and Medis is one of the first to open.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
Well, it's always good to have options as you're walking
through Village Point and I'm going to have to get
over there and try that.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Yeah, it's a pretty fun place and ladies and gentlemen,
you can read about Medis and all of our other
grow Omaha Eats restaurant reviews simply by going to grow
Omaha dot com. When you're there, you will see the
word reviews on the navigation bar. Click on that, and
both our restaurant and our movie reviews, also written by
Chris Corey, are on there as well. Well, let's go
into our News of the week. We have a lot
(03:35):
of things to discuss this week, and the News of
the Week is brought to you by Egle Mortgage Eagle
Mortgage Company dot com. It is run by our good
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(04:20):
Really cool thing happened in Omaha last night. In fact,
Cole Young, our sports reporter, wrote a nice article about
it that you can find on Gromaha dot com. But
last night was volleyball after dark, and it started out
with a collegiate doubleheader between Creighton and you and O,
and then it ended with the almost Supernova's taking on Columbus. Now, Craig,
(04:43):
I understand for the supernova's part, you were actually there.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
I was there last night. Five set match and great entertainment.
Our Supernovas ended up getting the win over the Columbus
Fury last night, and it was a heck of a match,
five sets, didn't It went five sets?
Speaker 3 (05:01):
You know?
Speaker 4 (05:01):
Of course it's got a eight o'clock start, so it
doesn't end till about eleven, having a five set, right,
I need a little extra caffeine this morning, anything, But
you seem.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
To be holding up, folks.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
You should see the collection of caffeine he has right
next to his microphone here in the kfab Penhouse studio.
But we had over ninety five hundred fans in attendance
last night for Volleyball after Dark, and that actually compared
to some of the crowds. I mean, there have been
several crowds where they've had over twelve thousand. But I
tell you what, Omaha and the state of Nebraska are
(05:33):
really stepping up and proving that we are not only
a hotbed of volleyball, but we're a place that supports
women's sports.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
We're a place that supports our pro teams.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
And I cannot tell you how cool it is that
Omaha is pulling off things like Volleyball after Dark. And
it's possible because you know, people like many of our
cafae Be listeners are going out showing up, paying for
these events and participating. And if you haven't gone to
one of these things and you're looking for some good entertainment,
I'd recommend it.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
It is really well done. And you know, I'm gonna
shamefully plug the Spirit and Hype team. You know, I
have to credit the Supernova leadership because we were after
year one, we sat down and talked about how can
we bring more entertainment and fun family entertainment between sets
(06:26):
and timeouts? And challenges and that type of thing. And
so the Supernova leadership, myself with your Athletics leadership came
up with the Spirit and Hype team. So we created
a professional spirit and Hype team for the Supernovas. You
see them along the side of the court doing routines
(06:47):
during timeouts and nobody else in the country is doing this.
And year one, it's been a little bit of a
trial and error, just like anything is year one, but
we were really excited about where this is going and
above all supporting women's sports. The Supernova players are just
like in Heaven that they have an actual team of
(07:09):
spirit and hype kids that are supporting them. And these
are professionals that made it through tryouts, were selected last
November to be a part of this, and we're just
really glad to be a part of supporting women's sports.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Yeah, it's really cool.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
So this paid Spirit and Hype team that Chair Athletics
has created for the Supernova's games, so are they people
that are out of high school, out of college.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
And they just do this as a side job.
Speaker 4 (07:37):
So they have to be a minimum age of eighteen
and so basically out of high school, out of high school. Yeah,
minimum age of eighteen. We had about forty tryouts selected
twenty five and a little dance, a little all star cheer,
so you see a little bit of everything. But above all,
we just want to just make it fan friendly. Lots
(08:00):
of pictures with the little boys and girls as are
coming in and going out, and just a little added
extra touch for these games, and it's really fun and
the crowds. I'm at almost every Supernova game. There is
so much energy and passion for this team, and it's
been fun to get to know the players. They're just
(08:21):
good people, good leadership, and I think it's a great
thing for Omaha.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Well, the Supernovas of course playing the Chi Health Center arena,
but the convention center side of the Chai is going
through some dramatic changes, as you know if you're a
regular listener. The east side of the Chi Health Center
convention Center part is going to add ninety thousand square
(08:47):
feet couple stories twenty five new meeting rooms, which will
make the center even more competitive for attracting conventions, which
is a big economic driver for any city. And made
a little bit of progress there. The city council this
week approved ten million dollars in interim funding for that
expansion and renovation. Now, the city has committed to finance
(09:10):
up to one hundred million dollars of that expansion project,
while Metropolitan Entertainment Convention Authority has committed to raise an
additional seventy five million in private resources. The ten million
this week that the city will contribute allows a project
to continue moving forward as the city prepares bond issuances.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
You use bonds for these sorts of things.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
And I don't know if we've mentioned this much when
we've talked about this project in the past, but in
addition to the expansion, the project also includes renovation of
the existing convention center and Craig, if you want to
feel old, let me tell you this. The Chai opened
twenty two years ago.
Speaker 4 (09:48):
That's that's unreal. I still consider it almost new.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
Me too, like it just was built. Yew the new
arena and conventions. No, it's if it was a kid,
it would be already done with college.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
That is really amazing and also exciting because with Omaha
being in the center of the country, we should be
a destination for large conferences and there's great things happening
downtown and it's exciting to see the expansion and bringing
more economic development, more outside money into the state. So
(10:21):
hopefully one week day we can actually lower our tax base.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
Is that possible, I'd vote for it. Well.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Just to the east of downtown, construction on the Mid
American Energy Tower has reached the tree top level. This
is the one hundred and thirty eight foot recreation and
observation tower under development along the Missouri River just north
of Bobkerry Pedestrian Bridge. It's part of the general River's
(10:47):
Edge area of Council Bluffs. The tower will have multiple
platforms on different levels that takes visitors above the trees
to experience a very cool, unique river and woodland environment,
but with the you know, the downtown Omaha skyline view
just to the west.
Speaker 3 (11:02):
Really cool.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
It'll also include an adventure course that will provide outdoor activities,
including a fifty foot climbing wall, also a roll glide ride,
which I'm kind of sort of excited to try. Maybe
I'll better take a look at it and see if
it's a suitable for an old stir like me. But
at any rate, if you find yourself on the Bobcarey
(11:26):
Missouri River Pedestrian Bridge or on that great Lawn and
Tom Hannifan Park, and you see a lot of construction
off to the north and you wonder what is that.
Speaker 3 (11:34):
Well, there's your answer.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
It will be a very cool recreation attraction to the area.
Speaker 4 (11:39):
Great addition.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
And then we also have finally, groundwork and site prepper
now underway on the future Oxworth apartments at twenty seventh
and Elevenworth Street. We've talked about it before when it
was first approved, but that was a while back. Now
construction is starting. The developer is Clarity Development Company, be
a five story, one hundred and ninety four unit apartment
(12:03):
building on the southeast corner. So that will be a
real nice addition to that neighborhood. It's just been kind
of an empty space there. Completion is going to be
next summer summer of twenty six, so it's going to
move pretty fast, and we certainly need more and more
of this as we build up the urban core. And
I lied when I said finally, because there is one
last story. A Warhorse Casino Omaha officially opened its new
(12:27):
expansion this week. The project includes four hundred additional slot
machines and a smoker's room.
Speaker 4 (12:35):
Got to have one of those.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
It used to be the whole casino as a smoker's room,
so maybe we're making a little progress there. We had
two restaurants opened, including Nebraska Alehouse, which serves casual dining
classics like burghers and sandwiches and features Omaha Steaks, Angus Ribbi,
and Prime rib.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
I'd take one of those.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
The casino had employed three hundred and fifty people, but
hired an additional one hundred and thirty as part of
the expansion.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
What next Saturday is Jeff what the Kentucky Derby? And Wow?
Wrse that that place is overrun with people to watch
the greatest two minutes in sports.
Speaker 3 (13:12):
Yeah, and while you're there, you can go to Nebraska.
Speaker 5 (13:14):
Now.
Speaker 3 (13:14):
I haven't been in there.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
I don't know if do they have one of those
classic casino buffet troughs where like.
Speaker 4 (13:20):
The people have been there, I have not been in there.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
We should ask Trenton. If Trent was here, I guarantee
you he's been there.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
He's known to sample those types of businesses every once
in a while.
Speaker 4 (13:30):
No, the casino in my younger days, sitting next to
the uh you know, older individual just chain smoking away.
I couldn't do it, so I have not visited the casino.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
For a long time.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Well either, Well, at any rate, there we go. If
you want to go to the casino. Warhorse is even
bigger than it was before. So that is your news
of the week, which is brought to you by Eagle
Mortgage Eagle Mortgage Company dot com. When we come back,
we're going to bring on an old, fat, familiar voice
who hasn't been here for about a year. You've missed him,
so have we. It's Stacy Winters, founder of Omaha Food Lovers,
(14:08):
and we're going to catch up with a restaurant scene.
I mean, it's pretty much our second favorite subject behind
building cool buildings. Right Oh, who are we kidding? Some
days it's our number one. Stacy is in the house.
You're going to get hungry listening to this conversation, so
stay with us. It's Grow Omaha, brought to you by
Dingman's Collision Center and Cheer Athletics. Craig Wolf here substituting
(14:28):
for Trenton Maggot. I'm Jeff Beals usually here. We're off
and running. See you back right after this on news
Radio eleven ten kfab and welcome back to the show.
Jeff Beals with Craig Wolf, owner of Cheer Athletics, who
is substituting for Trenton Maggot. Cheer Athletics of course, one
of our sponsors, along with Dingman's Collision Center for Metro
area locations. For Dingman's, if you got a bump or
(14:51):
a bruise, or a scratch or a scrape on your car,
or worse, if it's bashed in or dented, just take
it to Dingman's. They'll take great care for and Trent
and I have both used them in the past and
have sent many, many satisfied customers there. Well, folks, it
is time to talk about food. What is more fun
to talk about than food? And we have with us
(15:12):
one of your favorite voices on the subject, Stacy Winters,
founder of Omaha Food Lover. Stacey's been a long time
since you've been in studio.
Speaker 6 (15:19):
It has been a long time. I have missed you, guys.
I so enjoy doing this show with you guys. It's
a highlight for me.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
We enjoy it too. And I guess we're just gonna
start off like we always do. What's new out there?
What are the new restaurants?
Speaker 6 (15:33):
So, I mean, it's been a year since I've been
on the show, right, so I have several places in
this last year that I have been I will say,
I think in the last year or so, I would
say my favorites have been Da Lalai, which opened probably
a little little.
Speaker 7 (15:48):
Over a year ago, right around a your year ago.
Speaker 6 (15:51):
Udlali is phenomenal at the former Marx location in Dundee,
the best, in my opinion, of the best lobster role
you can get in Omaha, which I love lobster roles.
But everything they're doing there is is phenomenal, from the
you know, from the appetizers to the cocktails, everything, plus
their patio is second to none. If you haven't seen
(16:12):
that patio, it's it's incredible.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (16:15):
They've done an amazing job of, you know, even taking
what Mark's had and making it even better. I would
say Cleo is another really fantastic location. I would say
probably the most instagrammable UH restaurant we have now. The
aesthetics of that place are incredible. But it's not about
It's not just about the aesthetics, it's also about the food.
(16:37):
They're doing some you know, phenomenal Mediterranean food there.
Speaker 7 (16:41):
I love that.
Speaker 6 (16:42):
You know, been Mads, you know with a Koran is
also kind of the does all the research and menu
development for Flagship and he's done phenomenal with all of
those restaurants. So they've got some unique dishes that you're
you know, that just incredible. A few others, I mean,
(17:02):
I think Dumpling Empire something that Omaha did not have previously,
you know, kind of a traditional Chinese dumpling restaurant located
down in Ralston. They have you know, I love soup dumplings,
and you really couldn't find soup dumplings here in Omaha before,
you know, you go to like Seattle or you know,
Vegas or you know, places like that, you could find
(17:24):
some places serving soup dumplings. And one of the things
I'm most excited about is they have the location in Ralston,
but they're also opening up a second location already up
off like one hundred and fifty eighth in Maple and
the former Dickey's Barbecue joint up there, so that one
will be much closer to my house. But yeah, they
have some some really good stuff. I like their chili
(17:45):
oil noodles too, the chill if you like a little
bit of heat. They're making hand pulled noodles, super super good.
So that's another one that I have really really enjoyed.
I could go with Chibovino, another Italian place that probably
it's probably been around a bit over you know, that timeline,
(18:05):
but Chibovino has been a really nice addition to the
old market that that corner of I know, like twelfth
in Jackson, eleventh eleventh in Jackson has had you know,
a bad history in the last you know, probably ten
years of a lot of rotating restaurants. But I think
Chibovino is is one that I feel will stay because
they are making some legit Italian food there. So we
(18:28):
went there in March with a large group of guests
and you know, the service was was spot on and
the food was was was delicious, So it was it
was another good.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
One, you know, Stacey, Uh to your point, over the
last year, we have had a lot of great restaurants
come in and I feel like Omaha is a town
where people really like to go out and get the
new experience, the new food, the new restaurant. Is there
any national data that you know Omaha with their restaurants
compared to other cities, anything out there like that that
(19:01):
per capita or statistics.
Speaker 6 (19:04):
That was like a I think that was kind of
a myth for a long time, like we had the
largest number of restaurants per capita, you know, that was
I think somebody did you know, the actual statistics and
proved that was was false.
Speaker 7 (19:14):
But I mean, I don't know there's any statistical data.
Speaker 6 (19:18):
I think just from what I've seen, you know, in
our social media and groups and Instagram and all of that. Obviously,
Omaha loves to loves to restaurants, loves to support local
I think we are very, very blessed. I think one
of the things we have here is the you know,
the culinary school at Metro obviously brings out a good
(19:42):
number you know, produces a high level caliber chef here
in Omaha. That we are lucky enough to have that.
That kind of segues and I was at Sage Bstro
just a couple of weeks ago with some friends, and
I had never been to Sage b Stro. Sage Bstro
is the culinary school restaurant here in Omaha where they're
doing you know, at the lunch hours, they do a
(20:04):
kind of a more traditional casual type lunch, but in
the evenings they do a prefixed menu with a you know,
four or five six courses, wine pairings, all of that
and for the bank. For the buck, you cannot beat it.
It's forty five dollars for a six course I believe
with six course prefixed menu and fifteen dollars wine pairings.
(20:24):
You cannot beat that an animal check that out. I
mean that is it's an unbelievable price. And you are,
you know, then you're also feel good about it because
you're also you're supporting these up and coming chefs with
your money, and that money, you know, the money that
you you know.
Speaker 7 (20:38):
Tip with and whatever goes back.
Speaker 6 (20:41):
Into you know, the the school and helping them to
get this stuff that they need. So it's a it's
a wonderful, wonderful facility.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
So I've been to Sage a couple of times and
at both times it's been amazing. Hey, I want to
talk a little bit about you know, in the previous
or the first segment, Craig and I were talking about
the Omahas super novas and and how Omaha has embraced
women's sports. And since the last time we were on
the show, set the bar open, Benson, that's pretty cool place.
Speaker 6 (21:10):
Yeah, that was one of the things I was as
you guys were chatting, I'm like, well, we we really
should talk about Set the Bar, because I mean, you
talk about a city that's you know, that supports women's athletics.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (21:20):
Set the Bar is one of less than I think
ten uh female uh sports bars in the country, and
so it's uh, it's it's in Benson. It's on the
second level above Shahian's Afghan Cuisine. They have really I've
not I've not been yet, but I I can. I
can tell you from what I've seen. The food is
looks and looks really good. The space looks beautiful. They
(21:44):
have a wonderful second story patio. I really it's on
my high list to check out. So it's something that
I think should should be hopefully successful here in Omaha
with the amount of people that will come out and
support women's volleyball, with you know, women's softball, you know
all of those sports, and I think, you know, having
a place where that's going to broadcast all of those
(22:04):
sports nationally, I think is awesome for this town.
Speaker 2 (22:08):
All Right, we're talking with Stacey Winters, the founder of
Omaha Food Lovers, and we're going to talk with him
more about food and restaurants. But we got to take
our middle of the show break for the news, so
we're going to do that. We have Craig Wolf here
substituting for Trenton Maggot. We're brought to you by Cheer
Athletics and Dingman's Collision Center Back in a moment on
(22:30):
News Radio eleven ten kfab.
Speaker 3 (22:32):
And welcome back to the show.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
Jeff Beale sitting next to Craig Wolf, the owner of
Cheer Athletics and my friend since kindergarten at Loveland Elementary School.
Craig can I say the year, of course, nineteen seventy
four when we were in kindergarten. I've known this guy
a long time. He's one of our speat Great It
has been a great ride, Yeah, and you know your
(22:54):
life has just not been the same because of me,
and I would say the same about you.
Speaker 4 (22:58):
I you know, you have added so much to my life. Jeff,
who would have thought in when we're in the second
grade at Loveland that we're going to be on the
radio talking about great things happening in Omah And.
Speaker 3 (23:12):
That's that's what we do anyway.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
So yeah, Craig is is the owner of Chair Athletics
and one of our sponsors. And like I say, my
friend for fifty years. And then we're also brought to
you by Dingman's Collision Center. And before we get back
into our conversation about food, we do want to squeeze
in our not all companies Commercial real estate development Spotlight
of the Week brought to you by who. Well, not
(23:36):
all companies, of course, they are an outstanding real estate developer,
one of the most respected and admired in the United States.
Do projects all over the place, but here in Omaha,
not all companies as famous for exsarbon Village Builders District
in north downtown River's Edge, Council Bluffs, Village Point Medical Center.
Speaker 3 (23:54):
They're working on.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
A really cool mixed use development that'll have some amazing
office space in Gretna Landing near one hundred ninety second
and three seventy. But today we go to their project
in the Builders District and that is where the Route
Coworking is going to open. The Root co Working is
based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and they provide co working spaces.
(24:15):
You know, these are the you know entrepreneurs or you
know sol practitioners or remote sales people can rent small
offices and work with other people in a very creative environment.
So this is going to open in June. It's going
to be at fifteen oh one Mike Fahey Street in
the Builders District, North Downtown. This is the very cool
mass timber building that Nodel Companies completed fairly recently. This
(24:40):
will be the Root's fourth location. The other two the
original tour in Tulsa, Oklahoma Metro. Then they do have
one in Fayetteville, Arkansas. So the route coworking coming to
North Downtown. All right, Craig and I are happy to
have Stacey Winters with us today. He is the founder
of Omaha Food Lovers. We love talking to Stacy about
(25:01):
food and Stacy, I do want you to to say
just this one thing really fast, because we have a
lot of listeners who love a good espresso martini.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
And apparently you found a good one.
Speaker 7 (25:11):
Yeah, so I did. I've been on a bit of
a hunt.
Speaker 3 (25:14):
You know.
Speaker 6 (25:14):
I've always loved Bloody mary So I've done my prowl
with you know, trying to find the best Bloody Mary's.
But now I'm like on the hunt for the best
espresso martini. And I can say without a doubt. The
best one I've found is that True American, which is
a newer bar on Levenworth than the former Marleybone. If
you're a fan of the Marleybone, you will not recognize
it now because it's totally been revamped with an incredible
(25:36):
back patio as well. But it's a very cool little
retro vibe in there with a bit with a photo booth.
But that espresso Martini, I feel like what sets them
apart is that the they have a they are making
their espressal have antresso machine behind the bar, so they're
making the they're making the espresso there, and that espresso
martini is super super good.
Speaker 4 (25:58):
So going to have to try that one, chef, all right.
Speaker 2 (26:02):
And then you had mentioned also during the break that
you're a big fan of Semo Restaurant in downtown Fremont.
Speaker 6 (26:10):
Yeah, that that place is phenomenal, So Semo, I would say,
I would definitely say if you're looking for a spot
to celebrate a special occasion, if it's a birthday and anniversary,
anything like that. I mean, you don't have to have
a reason to celebrate, but I will say they they
take phenomenal care of you.
Speaker 7 (26:27):
They will make.
Speaker 6 (26:28):
Sure that it is a it is it is special
that that is what they are really really good at.
We took some friends up there this last year for
some fiftieth birthdays and the staff there could not have
been more welcoming, couldn't have been you know, just as
far as how they helped us celebrate and you know,
made it a great night for those two.
Speaker 3 (26:49):
It was.
Speaker 7 (26:50):
It was really really good.
Speaker 6 (26:51):
So they're they're doing Strue stats who was formerly with Dante.
You know, the pasta's fresh made pasta up there they're doing.
You know, if you like truffles, that's a good spot
to go get some truffle pasta. They do once a
month Sunday brunches with you know, different kind of unique,
unique dishes.
Speaker 7 (27:09):
But it's really really cool.
Speaker 6 (27:10):
It's an old, you know, older building downtown Fremont, which
is a really kind of up and coming area with
lots of great little restaurants and bars downtown.
Speaker 4 (27:19):
Going back to the Bloody Mary's, like, uh okay, expresso Martini,
true American? What would you say for Bloody.
Speaker 7 (27:26):
Mary Bloody Mary's. I have I have a.
Speaker 6 (27:27):
I have a I've done some serious research on that,
but I I can give you research. I I will,
you know, funny enough on my phone. I have notes,
you know that I take, and I have my list
of where I still need to try. Some people tell
me I go check it out. I will see. My
tops are Herb Saints in uh ex Sarbon Village. They
(27:48):
do kind of a Cajun spiced bloody mary, which I love.
I am not when I judge a bloody Mary. I'm
not looking for the over the top, you know. Give
me a you know, chicken wings and I'll hold chicken
and all that stuff on it.
Speaker 7 (28:00):
I'm going for. I'm going for the taste of bloody mary.
Speaker 3 (28:04):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (28:04):
And also the Trap Room downtown in the kind of
that nod area by slow down.
Speaker 7 (28:11):
The Trap Rooms. Bloody Mary is really really good. You
know some others that I love.
Speaker 6 (28:16):
I love Jerry's Bar because they have a uh they're
kind of a traditional They give you like the shooter,
the you know, the beer back with your bloody mary,
which I love.
Speaker 3 (28:24):
I don't even know what that is.
Speaker 7 (28:25):
Jerry's Bar, Jerry's Bar, it's old school bar.
Speaker 6 (28:28):
Northwest Radio Okay, yeah, they have a Kreuk Park is
another really good one that has like a whole bloody mary. Menu.
Speaker 7 (28:37):
I love tracks.
Speaker 6 (28:39):
They have a really nice traditional Buddy Mary, and Beyond
Golf has a really really good Bloody Mary as well.
I can it's it's it's a it's a passion of mine.
I've done a few Bloody Mary competitions where I've got
to be a judge, so that was pretty cool too.
Speaker 3 (28:53):
Do you have a tough life, right?
Speaker 5 (28:56):
I haven't met my wife? Just kiddingly nice knowing, yes, Stacy.
Stacy's final visit to Almaha, this final day on this planet. Hey,
before we get you out of here, I want to
talk about an old stand by in Omaha.
Speaker 3 (29:14):
When I was a.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
Kid, Mom and Dad, Terry and Mary Beale's probably listening.
They would take me to Garrotts when I got good grades.
Fortunately I didn't get to go to Gartz a lot,
but when I did manage to get some good grades,
we'd go to Grots and it was so good and
then it kind of people forgot about it. Yeah, it's
my understanding that you're saying Grots is kind of coming.
Speaker 7 (29:34):
Back, coming back.
Speaker 6 (29:35):
Yeah, it's been got on my radar just because I
love brunch, right, and so we it was like Grotz
has brunch now, so like Saturdays and Sundays, they serve
brunch and they have some they have one unique dish
that I have not found on anybody else's menu in
Omaha right now. There was a place that served him
for a period of time. But Japanese sou fly pancakes
are on the brunch menu at Garats.
Speaker 2 (29:58):
That's that's a far cry from the steak with the
side of musca choli exactly.
Speaker 6 (30:03):
They they so Japanese suf fleep and they're made like
two orders, so they're very like labor intensive. So they're
like that you know, really thick, kind of jiggly, you know, pancake,
super super good.
Speaker 3 (30:14):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (30:14):
They have chilikey lists on their brunch, which if you
like spicy, you they're chili key list.
Speaker 7 (30:18):
Would be right up at your alley.
Speaker 6 (30:19):
But and then they have several, uh several other unique
dishes which I thought were really good. And you know,
they're they're getting like bread baked fresh from a place
called bread Monkey, so they're having like all of that
done for like their ruben sandwich, they're getting a fresh
baked rye bread. So it's they're they're going back to
(30:40):
more traditional you know, scratch made cutting their steaks in
house things like that. And they also have a I
like the retro vibe in in the bar area, so
that that bar they're doing like live music on like
every Saturday night, I believe, so little jazz music, which
I think is really kind of a cool you know,
harkens back to the old old time.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
Go try out Garatz, folks, and maybe you could see
Warren Buffett enjoying this new Garrotza atmosphere. Who knows, but Stacy,
we appreciate you joining us and look forward to having
you back again and making people hungry.
Speaker 7 (31:11):
All right, I love it. Can't wait to come back.
Speaker 2 (31:13):
Stacey Winter's founder of Omaha food Lovers. And now you've
got a bunch of places that you got to go
try if you heard something new.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
Got to take our final break of the hour.
Speaker 2 (31:22):
And when we come back, Craig and I have our
Perkins Chreutzer construction lightning around, a lot of restaurant retail
stuff to talk about, So stick with us. You're listening
to Grow Omaha, brought to you by Dingman's Collision Center
along with Cheer Athletics on News Radio eleven ten K
Babe and back to Girl Maha. We got Craig Wolf,
owner of Cheer Athletics, and here's substituting for Trenton Maggot,
(31:44):
who's taking the weekend off. And it is time for
your Perkins Chritzer Construction Lightning Round in which we talk
about a lot of things in a very short period
of time. Thanks to Dave Kreutzer and his team at
Perkins Chritzer Construction for making this possible. Well, if you
are looking for a class A general contractor for your
next building project, just go to pdashcconstruction dot com. Of
(32:10):
course pdash sheet stands for Perkins Chritzer Construction. They'll do
a great job. They will do a project that is
very nice looking, very suitable for what you want, and
they have a very good track record about doing things
on time and on budget. They can do projects all
over eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, and they certainly have
(32:30):
a lot of experience no matter what type of building
you're looking for. Go to Perkins Kritzer Construction p dashcaconstruction
dot com. All right, Craig, a lot of things. Another
Early Bird restaurant is opening in Village Point Monday at
six thirty am in the former Paradise bakery space, lots
of changes.
Speaker 4 (32:51):
Early Bird is really spreading their wings, aren't they.
Speaker 2 (32:54):
I see what you did there, and they are. I mean,
they're opening those things all over the place. They had
one that open up to terribly long ago on the
West Center Road corridor. We have All American Burgher opening
in the former untamed kitchen space at fourteenth and Farnham
Street in downtown. This is the same owner as the
(33:15):
guy who has Pickleman's across the street. And my guess
is there very excited for the Mutual Tower to be
done and the dual apartment seven hundred apartments to be
donecause there'll be a lot of customers across the street
when that thing, when those projects are done. Here in Dundee,
Elleon spelled e ll eo N and Upscale Wine in
Cocktail Lounge will open this summer at forty nine point
(33:37):
fifteen Underwood Avenue, right here in the core of Dundee,
not far from Kfab. It's from the same ownership as
a Foreign Taste, which was a really good restaurant in
north WESTLMA that unfortunately closed last July. So we've got
that come in here pretty soon. And then Agave Azteca
Mexican restaurant in Ralston fifty one seventy South seventy second
(33:59):
Street is going to have its own breakfast concept. It's
going to be called Pancake Cafe by Agave Asteca. It's
going to be right inside the restaurant. It's got his
own sign, but it's just going to be in the restaurant,
so it's kind of a cool way to promote it.
They're adding a restaurant menu, but it's like they made
a separate concept creative.
Speaker 3 (34:16):
So I don't know.
Speaker 2 (34:17):
I love a Mexican brunch. I'll have to go there
and give that a try. The former VFW building at
fifty eighty three South one hundred and thirty sixth Street
in Old Millard has become the Millennium Club and Social
Hall rental. So it's a bar that is just like
a regular bar most of the time, or you can
reserve it for functions, whether that's a wedding, reception, meeting,
(34:39):
what have you. The failed Omaha Bakery in Elkhorn seven
five North two hundred and tenth Street is being replaced
by Eileen's Cookies. This is just east of the UBT
Sports Complex, so a lot of parents with kids, like, Oh, now,
I know what you're talking about, because I think a
lot of people spend half their their lives at the
(35:00):
UBT Sports Complex. If you got kids the right age
any rate. Opening planned for June twenty eighth, Craig, in
your neck of the woods, you're a Gretna resident. We've
got a new restaurant in the former five thirty one
space Basil.
Speaker 4 (35:15):
I was there yesterday checking it out.
Speaker 3 (35:16):
What do you think.
Speaker 4 (35:17):
I think it was good. You know they've got the
homemade ice cream in there now and the you know,
as you mentioned earlier in the show, it's in the
former land Skis which was in five thirty one, but
in that salad bar area they've got all their ice
cream in there. Italian Place. I had the pizza yesterday
and I thought it was good. I have to give
(35:39):
it a try, and it was. There was a nice
crowd in there for just being open a couple of days.
Speaker 3 (35:42):
I tell you what.
Speaker 2 (35:43):
Construction is going gangbusters right now on a retail building
and Council Bluffs, a former Toys Rus and a former
Gordman's building been empty for a long time, right next
door to each other, being combined into one big building
and they will house when they're done. Ross Stress for
Less Home Goods and Sierra Trading Post. Now, this is
(36:04):
a little bit of bad news. Get this out of
the way. Last year we reported that Machine Shed LLC,
and Illinois based restaurant company purchased a two acre site
one hundred and eighty second of Maple. It was going
to be Burger Shed, a cool burger concept has locations
in Altoona, Iowa and Oletha, Kansas.
Speaker 3 (36:21):
Help.
Speaker 2 (36:22):
Sorry, those plans changed and the lot is now listed
for sale, So no Burger Shed. But hey, just focus
on the good restaurants that we have brought here lately,
like Sugar Ledge Bakery, which officially reopened this week after
being closed for renovations, and it supposedly looks pretty nice.
And then we've got a third location of Scissors and Scotch.
(36:45):
This is the place where you can go get a
haircut and then get some scotch afterwards. And I've always wondered,
I hope the bartender doesn't drink the scotch while using
that straight edge on the back of my neck. I
don't think they would probably do that at any rate.
The music is playing, which means that we need to
wrap this thing up. But Craig, it's always great having
you on the show.
Speaker 4 (37:04):
Appreciate the opportunity to be back on. Hang out with
you a little bit and Stacey fun talking about all
of the great food and Omaha.
Speaker 2 (37:12):
Craig, of course, is the owner of Cheer Athletics and
one of our key sponsors. Trenton's got the weekend off,
but we'll be back eventually. At any rate, Hope everyone
has a wonderful weekend. You've been listening to grow Omaha.
We'll chat with you next week and nine on news
Radio eleven ten KFAB
This is Grow Omaha, the only radio show that talks
about economic development, construction, business expansion, and all of those
things that make Omaha a great place to live or visit.
Grow Omaha on News Radio eleven ten KF Baby.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Well, good morning, and welcome to the show. Jeff Beils
here at your service. Congratulations because you have joined the
only show in the metro area that talks about the
things we discuss, and that is Omaha growth and development,
real estate, construction, business expansion, really anything related to Omaha
becoming more vibrant and more prosperous and perhaps a little
(00:35):
more fun as well. Big shout out to our sponsors.
They are Cheer Athletics, the nation's number one all star
cheer gym, and Dingman's Collision Center with four metro area locations.
My co host, Trenton Maggot has the weekend off, and
in his stead we have a familiar voice, Craig Wolf.
(00:56):
He is the proprietor of Cheer Athletics and a frequent
guest and guest co host.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
Craig, welcome back.
Speaker 4 (01:04):
Thanks for having me. Jeff. Great to be back in
the studio and I can't believe you actually gave Trenton
some time off.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
We don't like.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
To let it get carried away, but periodically we do
like to give the big guy a little bit of
a break. It's probably good for his mental health and
maybe his physical health as well. Hopefully he's getting a
little exercise on his weekend off.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
We all need a little exercise, right.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Well, you do.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
And speaking of exercise, you need to walk yourself over
to Village Point, ladies and gentlemen and go visit the
subject of our latest grow Omaha grow Omaha Eats restaurant review,
written by Chris Corey. Our Gromha restaurant reviews are brought
to you by All Makes, the legendary office furniture and
technology store headquartered in downtown Omaha, with locations and Lincoln,
(01:51):
Des Moines, Iowa, and many other cities at any rate.
For this week's grow Omaha Eats restaurant review, Chris takes
a look at Meddi's. I don't know if you've tried
meddis yet, Craig, but I had it for lunch earlier
this week.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
No, I have not been there, but I have heard
really really good things about it.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
How was it? It was good? You know?
Speaker 2 (02:10):
I would the first way I would describe it. And
and in some ways this is an insult to Medis
that I don't intend, and I'll explain why. I say
that it's kind of the Chipotle of Mediterranean food. But
I say it could be an insult because it's I mean,
the service is way more elevated than Chipotle, and and
the you know, the core is way nicer. But but
you ordered the counter and it's fairly quick. But the
(02:34):
service is really good. To me, It's not it's not
necessary a place I would Stephanie and I would go
out for a date night or anything like that. But
it was a hell of a lunch spot. And uh
and I think two people could reasonably share an entree.
Speaker 4 (02:47):
Well that that that sounds amazing. I where's it located again?
Speaker 2 (02:50):
So it's in the former Gunderson's Jewelry store on the
south side of Village Point. And you know, Village Point
is completely reloading when it comes to restaurants. I mean,
they've got all sorts of new ones coming in there,
and Medis is one of the first to open.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
Well, it's always good to have options as you're walking
through Village Point and I'm going to have to get
over there and try that.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Yeah, it's a pretty fun place and ladies and gentlemen,
you can read about Medis and all of our other
grow Omaha Eats restaurant reviews simply by going to grow
Omaha dot com. When you're there, you will see the
word reviews on the navigation bar. Click on that, and
both our restaurant and our movie reviews, also written by
Chris Corey, are on there as well. Well, let's go
into our News of the week. We have a lot
(03:35):
of things to discuss this week, and the News of
the Week is brought to you by Egle Mortgage Eagle
Mortgage Company dot com. It is run by our good
friend Holly Schneidewen and a team of outstanding mortgage professionals.
So basically, if you're thinking about buying a house, one
of the very first things you want to do is
make an appointment with Eagle Mortgage. They'll sit down with you,
(03:57):
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in Davenport or online at Eagle Mortgage Company dot com.
(04:20):
Really cool thing happened in Omaha last night. In fact,
Cole Young, our sports reporter, wrote a nice article about
it that you can find on Gromaha dot com. But
last night was volleyball after dark, and it started out
with a collegiate doubleheader between Creighton and you and O,
and then it ended with the almost Supernova's taking on Columbus. Now, Craig,
(04:43):
I understand for the supernova's part, you were actually there.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
I was there last night. Five set match and great entertainment.
Our Supernovas ended up getting the win over the Columbus
Fury last night, and it was a heck of a match,
five sets, didn't It went five sets?
Speaker 3 (05:01):
You know?
Speaker 4 (05:01):
Of course it's got a eight o'clock start, so it
doesn't end till about eleven, having a five set, right,
I need a little extra caffeine this morning, anything, But
you seem.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
To be holding up, folks.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
You should see the collection of caffeine he has right
next to his microphone here in the kfab Penhouse studio.
But we had over ninety five hundred fans in attendance
last night for Volleyball after Dark, and that actually compared
to some of the crowds. I mean, there have been
several crowds where they've had over twelve thousand. But I
tell you what, Omaha and the state of Nebraska are
(05:33):
really stepping up and proving that we are not only
a hotbed of volleyball, but we're a place that supports
women's sports.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
We're a place that supports our pro teams.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
And I cannot tell you how cool it is that
Omaha is pulling off things like Volleyball after Dark. And
it's possible because you know, people like many of our
cafae Be listeners are going out showing up, paying for
these events and participating. And if you haven't gone to
one of these things and you're looking for some good entertainment,
I'd recommend it.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
It is really well done. And you know, I'm gonna
shamefully plug the Spirit and Hype team. You know, I
have to credit the Supernova leadership because we were after
year one, we sat down and talked about how can
we bring more entertainment and fun family entertainment between sets
(06:26):
and timeouts? And challenges and that type of thing. And
so the Supernova leadership, myself with your Athletics leadership came
up with the Spirit and Hype team. So we created
a professional spirit and Hype team for the Supernovas. You
see them along the side of the court doing routines
(06:47):
during timeouts and nobody else in the country is doing this.
And year one, it's been a little bit of a
trial and error, just like anything is year one, but
we were really excited about where this is going and
above all supporting women's sports. The Supernova players are just
like in Heaven that they have an actual team of
(07:09):
spirit and hype kids that are supporting them. And these
are professionals that made it through tryouts, were selected last
November to be a part of this, and we're just
really glad to be a part of supporting women's sports.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Yeah, it's really cool.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
So this paid Spirit and Hype team that Chair Athletics
has created for the Supernova's games, so are they people
that are out of high school, out of college.
Speaker 3 (07:35):
And they just do this as a side job.
Speaker 4 (07:37):
So they have to be a minimum age of eighteen
and so basically out of high school, out of high school. Yeah,
minimum age of eighteen. We had about forty tryouts selected
twenty five and a little dance, a little all star cheer,
so you see a little bit of everything. But above all,
we just want to just make it fan friendly. Lots
(08:00):
of pictures with the little boys and girls as are
coming in and going out, and just a little added
extra touch for these games, and it's really fun and
the crowds. I'm at almost every Supernova game. There is
so much energy and passion for this team, and it's
been fun to get to know the players. They're just
(08:21):
good people, good leadership, and I think it's a great
thing for Omaha.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Well, the Supernovas of course playing the Chi Health Center arena,
but the convention center side of the Chai is going
through some dramatic changes, as you know if you're a
regular listener. The east side of the Chi Health Center
convention Center part is going to add ninety thousand square
(08:47):
feet couple stories twenty five new meeting rooms, which will
make the center even more competitive for attracting conventions, which
is a big economic driver for any city. And made
a little bit of progress there. The city council this
week approved ten million dollars in interim funding for that
expansion and renovation. Now, the city has committed to finance
(09:10):
up to one hundred million dollars of that expansion project,
while Metropolitan Entertainment Convention Authority has committed to raise an
additional seventy five million in private resources. The ten million
this week that the city will contribute allows a project
to continue moving forward as the city prepares bond issuances.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
You use bonds for these sorts of things.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
And I don't know if we've mentioned this much when
we've talked about this project in the past, but in
addition to the expansion, the project also includes renovation of
the existing convention center and Craig, if you want to
feel old, let me tell you this. The Chai opened
twenty two years ago.
Speaker 4 (09:48):
That's that's unreal. I still consider it almost new.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
Me too, like it just was built. Yew the new
arena and conventions. No, it's if it was a kid,
it would be already done with college.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
That is really amazing and also exciting because with Omaha
being in the center of the country, we should be
a destination for large conferences and there's great things happening
downtown and it's exciting to see the expansion and bringing
more economic development, more outside money into the state. So
(10:21):
hopefully one week day we can actually lower our tax base.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
Is that possible, I'd vote for it. Well.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Just to the east of downtown, construction on the Mid
American Energy Tower has reached the tree top level. This
is the one hundred and thirty eight foot recreation and
observation tower under development along the Missouri River just north
of Bobkerry Pedestrian Bridge. It's part of the general River's
(10:47):
Edge area of Council Bluffs. The tower will have multiple
platforms on different levels that takes visitors above the trees
to experience a very cool, unique river and woodland environment,
but with the you know, the downtown Omaha skyline view
just to the west.
Speaker 3 (11:02):
Really cool.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
It'll also include an adventure course that will provide outdoor activities,
including a fifty foot climbing wall, also a roll glide ride,
which I'm kind of sort of excited to try. Maybe
I'll better take a look at it and see if
it's a suitable for an old stir like me. But
at any rate, if you find yourself on the Bobcarey
(11:26):
Missouri River Pedestrian Bridge or on that great Lawn and
Tom Hannifan Park, and you see a lot of construction
off to the north and you wonder what is that.
Speaker 3 (11:34):
Well, there's your answer.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
It will be a very cool recreation attraction to the area.
Speaker 4 (11:39):
Great addition.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
And then we also have finally, groundwork and site prepper
now underway on the future Oxworth apartments at twenty seventh
and Elevenworth Street. We've talked about it before when it
was first approved, but that was a while back. Now
construction is starting. The developer is Clarity Development Company, be
a five story, one hundred and ninety four unit apartment
(12:03):
building on the southeast corner. So that will be a
real nice addition to that neighborhood. It's just been kind
of an empty space there. Completion is going to be
next summer summer of twenty six, so it's going to
move pretty fast, and we certainly need more and more
of this as we build up the urban core. And
I lied when I said finally, because there is one
last story. A Warhorse Casino Omaha officially opened its new
(12:27):
expansion this week. The project includes four hundred additional slot
machines and a smoker's room.
Speaker 4 (12:35):
Got to have one of those.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
It used to be the whole casino as a smoker's room,
so maybe we're making a little progress there. We had
two restaurants opened, including Nebraska Alehouse, which serves casual dining
classics like burghers and sandwiches and features Omaha Steaks, Angus Ribbi,
and Prime rib.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
I'd take one of those.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
The casino had employed three hundred and fifty people, but
hired an additional one hundred and thirty as part of
the expansion.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
What next Saturday is Jeff what the Kentucky Derby? And Wow?
Wrse that that place is overrun with people to watch
the greatest two minutes in sports.
Speaker 3 (13:12):
Yeah, and while you're there, you can go to Nebraska.
Speaker 5 (13:14):
Now.
Speaker 3 (13:14):
I haven't been in there.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
I don't know if do they have one of those
classic casino buffet troughs where like.
Speaker 4 (13:20):
The people have been there, I have not been in there.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
We should ask Trenton. If Trent was here, I guarantee
you he's been there.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
He's known to sample those types of businesses every once
in a while.
Speaker 4 (13:30):
No, the casino in my younger days, sitting next to
the uh you know, older individual just chain smoking away.
I couldn't do it, so I have not visited the casino.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
For a long time.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Well either, Well, at any rate, there we go. If
you want to go to the casino. Warhorse is even
bigger than it was before. So that is your news
of the week, which is brought to you by Eagle
Mortgage Eagle Mortgage Company dot com. When we come back,
we're going to bring on an old, fat, familiar voice
who hasn't been here for about a year. You've missed him,
so have we. It's Stacy Winters, founder of Omaha Food Lovers,
(14:08):
and we're going to catch up with a restaurant scene.
I mean, it's pretty much our second favorite subject behind
building cool buildings. Right Oh, who are we kidding? Some
days it's our number one. Stacy is in the house.
You're going to get hungry listening to this conversation, so
stay with us. It's Grow Omaha, brought to you by
Dingman's Collision Center and Cheer Athletics. Craig Wolf here substituting
(14:28):
for Trenton Maggot. I'm Jeff Beals usually here. We're off
and running. See you back right after this on news
Radio eleven ten kfab and welcome back to the show.
Jeff Beals with Craig Wolf, owner of Cheer Athletics, who
is substituting for Trenton Maggot. Cheer Athletics of course, one
of our sponsors, along with Dingman's Collision Center for Metro
area locations. For Dingman's, if you got a bump or
(14:51):
a bruise, or a scratch or a scrape on your car,
or worse, if it's bashed in or dented, just take
it to Dingman's. They'll take great care for and Trent
and I have both used them in the past and
have sent many, many satisfied customers there. Well, folks, it
is time to talk about food. What is more fun
to talk about than food? And we have with us
(15:12):
one of your favorite voices on the subject, Stacy Winters,
founder of Omaha Food Lover. Stacey's been a long time
since you've been in studio.
Speaker 6 (15:19):
It has been a long time. I have missed you, guys.
I so enjoy doing this show with you guys. It's
a highlight for me.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
We enjoy it too. And I guess we're just gonna
start off like we always do. What's new out there?
What are the new restaurants?
Speaker 6 (15:33):
So, I mean, it's been a year since I've been
on the show, right, so I have several places in
this last year that I have been I will say,
I think in the last year or so, I would
say my favorites have been Da Lalai, which opened probably
a little little.
Speaker 7 (15:48):
Over a year ago, right around a your year ago.
Speaker 6 (15:51):
Udlali is phenomenal at the former Marx location in Dundee,
the best, in my opinion, of the best lobster role
you can get in Omaha, which I love lobster roles.
But everything they're doing there is is phenomenal, from the
you know, from the appetizers to the cocktails, everything, plus
their patio is second to none. If you haven't seen
(16:12):
that patio, it's it's incredible.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (16:15):
They've done an amazing job of, you know, even taking
what Mark's had and making it even better. I would
say Cleo is another really fantastic location. I would say
probably the most instagrammable UH restaurant we have now. The
aesthetics of that place are incredible. But it's not about
It's not just about the aesthetics, it's also about the food.
(16:37):
They're doing some you know, phenomenal Mediterranean food there.
Speaker 7 (16:41):
I love that.
Speaker 6 (16:42):
You know, been Mads, you know with a Koran is
also kind of the does all the research and menu
development for Flagship and he's done phenomenal with all of
those restaurants. So they've got some unique dishes that you're
you know, that just incredible. A few others, I mean,
(17:02):
I think Dumpling Empire something that Omaha did not have previously,
you know, kind of a traditional Chinese dumpling restaurant located
down in Ralston. They have you know, I love soup dumplings,
and you really couldn't find soup dumplings here in Omaha before,
you know, you go to like Seattle or you know,
Vegas or you know, places like that, you could find
(17:24):
some places serving soup dumplings. And one of the things
I'm most excited about is they have the location in Ralston,
but they're also opening up a second location already up
off like one hundred and fifty eighth in Maple and
the former Dickey's Barbecue joint up there, so that one
will be much closer to my house. But yeah, they
have some some really good stuff. I like their chili
(17:45):
oil noodles too, the chill if you like a little
bit of heat. They're making hand pulled noodles, super super good.
So that's another one that I have really really enjoyed.
I could go with Chibovino, another Italian place that probably
it's probably been around a bit over you know, that timeline,
(18:05):
but Chibovino has been a really nice addition to the
old market that that corner of I know, like twelfth
in Jackson, eleventh eleventh in Jackson has had you know,
a bad history in the last you know, probably ten
years of a lot of rotating restaurants. But I think
Chibovino is is one that I feel will stay because
they are making some legit Italian food there. So we
(18:28):
went there in March with a large group of guests
and you know, the service was was spot on and
the food was was was delicious, So it was it
was another good.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
One, you know, Stacey, Uh to your point, over the
last year, we have had a lot of great restaurants
come in and I feel like Omaha is a town
where people really like to go out and get the
new experience, the new food, the new restaurant. Is there
any national data that you know Omaha with their restaurants
compared to other cities, anything out there like that that
(19:01):
per capita or statistics.
Speaker 6 (19:04):
That was like a I think that was kind of
a myth for a long time, like we had the
largest number of restaurants per capita, you know, that was
I think somebody did you know, the actual statistics and
proved that was was false.
Speaker 7 (19:14):
But I mean, I don't know there's any statistical data.
Speaker 6 (19:18):
I think just from what I've seen, you know, in
our social media and groups and Instagram and all of that. Obviously,
Omaha loves to loves to restaurants, loves to support local
I think we are very, very blessed. I think one
of the things we have here is the you know,
the culinary school at Metro obviously brings out a good
(19:42):
number you know, produces a high level caliber chef here
in Omaha. That we are lucky enough to have that.
That kind of segues and I was at Sage Bstro
just a couple of weeks ago with some friends, and
I had never been to Sage b Stro. Sage Bstro
is the culinary school restaurant here in Omaha where they're
doing you know, at the lunch hours, they do a
(20:04):
kind of a more traditional casual type lunch, but in
the evenings they do a prefixed menu with a you know,
four or five six courses, wine pairings, all of that
and for the bank. For the buck, you cannot beat it.
It's forty five dollars for a six course I believe
with six course prefixed menu and fifteen dollars wine pairings.
(20:24):
You cannot beat that an animal check that out. I
mean that is it's an unbelievable price. And you are,
you know, then you're also feel good about it because
you're also you're supporting these up and coming chefs with
your money, and that money, you know, the money that
you you know.
Speaker 7 (20:38):
Tip with and whatever goes back.
Speaker 6 (20:41):
Into you know, the the school and helping them to
get this stuff that they need. So it's a it's
a wonderful, wonderful facility.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
So I've been to Sage a couple of times and
at both times it's been amazing. Hey, I want to
talk a little bit about you know, in the previous
or the first segment, Craig and I were talking about
the Omahas super novas and and how Omaha has embraced
women's sports. And since the last time we were on
the show, set the bar open, Benson, that's pretty cool place.
Speaker 6 (21:10):
Yeah, that was one of the things I was as
you guys were chatting, I'm like, well, we we really
should talk about Set the Bar, because I mean, you
talk about a city that's you know, that supports women's athletics.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (21:20):
Set the Bar is one of less than I think
ten uh female uh sports bars in the country, and
so it's uh, it's it's in Benson. It's on the
second level above Shahian's Afghan Cuisine. They have really I've
not I've not been yet, but I I can. I
can tell you from what I've seen. The food is
looks and looks really good. The space looks beautiful. They
(21:44):
have a wonderful second story patio. I really it's on
my high list to check out. So it's something that
I think should should be hopefully successful here in Omaha
with the amount of people that will come out and
support women's volleyball, with you know, women's softball, you know
all of those sports, and I think, you know, having
a place where that's going to broadcast all of those
(22:04):
sports nationally, I think is awesome for this town.
Speaker 2 (22:08):
All Right, we're talking with Stacey Winters, the founder of
Omaha Food Lovers, and we're going to talk with him
more about food and restaurants. But we got to take
our middle of the show break for the news, so
we're going to do that. We have Craig Wolf here
substituting for Trenton Maggot. We're brought to you by Cheer
Athletics and Dingman's Collision Center Back in a moment on
(22:30):
News Radio eleven ten kfab.
Speaker 3 (22:32):
And welcome back to the show.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
Jeff Beale sitting next to Craig Wolf, the owner of
Cheer Athletics and my friend since kindergarten at Loveland Elementary School.
Craig can I say the year, of course, nineteen seventy
four when we were in kindergarten. I've known this guy
a long time. He's one of our speat Great It
has been a great ride, Yeah, and you know your
(22:54):
life has just not been the same because of me,
and I would say the same about you.
Speaker 4 (22:58):
I you know, you have added so much to my life. Jeff,
who would have thought in when we're in the second
grade at Loveland that we're going to be on the
radio talking about great things happening in Omah And.
Speaker 3 (23:12):
That's that's what we do anyway.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
So yeah, Craig is is the owner of Chair Athletics
and one of our sponsors. And like I say, my
friend for fifty years. And then we're also brought to
you by Dingman's Collision Center. And before we get back
into our conversation about food, we do want to squeeze
in our not all companies Commercial real estate development Spotlight
of the Week brought to you by who. Well, not
(23:36):
all companies, of course, they are an outstanding real estate developer,
one of the most respected and admired in the United States.
Do projects all over the place, but here in Omaha,
not all companies as famous for exsarbon Village Builders District
in north downtown River's Edge, Council Bluffs, Village Point Medical Center.
Speaker 3 (23:54):
They're working on.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
A really cool mixed use development that'll have some amazing
office space in Gretna Landing near one hundred ninety second
and three seventy. But today we go to their project
in the Builders District and that is where the Route
Coworking is going to open. The Root co Working is
based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and they provide co working spaces.
(24:15):
You know, these are the you know entrepreneurs or you
know sol practitioners or remote sales people can rent small
offices and work with other people in a very creative environment.
So this is going to open in June. It's going
to be at fifteen oh one Mike Fahey Street in
the Builders District, North Downtown. This is the very cool
mass timber building that Nodel Companies completed fairly recently. This
(24:40):
will be the Root's fourth location. The other two the
original tour in Tulsa, Oklahoma Metro. Then they do have
one in Fayetteville, Arkansas. So the route coworking coming to
North Downtown. All right, Craig and I are happy to
have Stacey Winters with us today. He is the founder
of Omaha Food Lovers. We love talking to Stacy about
(25:01):
food and Stacy, I do want you to to say
just this one thing really fast, because we have a
lot of listeners who love a good espresso martini.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
And apparently you found a good one.
Speaker 7 (25:11):
Yeah, so I did. I've been on a bit of
a hunt.
Speaker 3 (25:14):
You know.
Speaker 6 (25:14):
I've always loved Bloody mary So I've done my prowl
with you know, trying to find the best Bloody Mary's.
But now I'm like on the hunt for the best
espresso martini. And I can say without a doubt. The
best one I've found is that True American, which is
a newer bar on Levenworth than the former Marleybone. If
you're a fan of the Marleybone, you will not recognize
it now because it's totally been revamped with an incredible
(25:36):
back patio as well. But it's a very cool little
retro vibe in there with a bit with a photo booth.
But that espresso Martini, I feel like what sets them
apart is that the they have a they are making
their espressal have antresso machine behind the bar, so they're
making the they're making the espresso there, and that espresso
martini is super super good.
Speaker 4 (25:58):
So going to have to try that one, chef, all right.
Speaker 2 (26:02):
And then you had mentioned also during the break that
you're a big fan of Semo Restaurant in downtown Fremont.
Speaker 6 (26:10):
Yeah, that that place is phenomenal, So Semo, I would say,
I would definitely say if you're looking for a spot
to celebrate a special occasion, if it's a birthday and anniversary,
anything like that. I mean, you don't have to have
a reason to celebrate, but I will say they they
take phenomenal care of you.
Speaker 7 (26:27):
They will make.
Speaker 6 (26:28):
Sure that it is a it is it is special
that that is what they are really really good at.
We took some friends up there this last year for
some fiftieth birthdays and the staff there could not have
been more welcoming, couldn't have been you know, just as
far as how they helped us celebrate and you know,
made it a great night for those two.
Speaker 3 (26:49):
It was.
Speaker 7 (26:50):
It was really really good.
Speaker 6 (26:51):
So they're they're doing Strue stats who was formerly with Dante.
You know, the pasta's fresh made pasta up there they're doing.
You know, if you like truffles, that's a good spot
to go get some truffle pasta. They do once a
month Sunday brunches with you know, different kind of unique,
unique dishes.
Speaker 7 (27:09):
But it's really really cool.
Speaker 6 (27:10):
It's an old, you know, older building downtown Fremont, which
is a really kind of up and coming area with
lots of great little restaurants and bars downtown.
Speaker 4 (27:19):
Going back to the Bloody Mary's, like, uh okay, expresso Martini,
true American? What would you say for Bloody.
Speaker 7 (27:26):
Mary Bloody Mary's. I have I have a.
Speaker 6 (27:27):
I have a I've done some serious research on that,
but I I can give you research. I I will,
you know, funny enough on my phone. I have notes,
you know that I take, and I have my list
of where I still need to try. Some people tell
me I go check it out. I will see. My
tops are Herb Saints in uh ex Sarbon Village. They
(27:48):
do kind of a Cajun spiced bloody mary, which I love.
I am not when I judge a bloody Mary. I'm
not looking for the over the top, you know. Give
me a you know, chicken wings and I'll hold chicken
and all that stuff on it.
Speaker 7 (28:00):
I'm going for. I'm going for the taste of bloody mary.
Speaker 3 (28:04):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (28:04):
And also the Trap Room downtown in the kind of
that nod area by slow down.
Speaker 7 (28:11):
The Trap Rooms. Bloody Mary is really really good. You
know some others that I love.
Speaker 6 (28:16):
I love Jerry's Bar because they have a uh they're
kind of a traditional They give you like the shooter,
the you know, the beer back with your bloody mary,
which I love.
Speaker 3 (28:24):
I don't even know what that is.
Speaker 7 (28:25):
Jerry's Bar, Jerry's Bar, it's old school bar.
Speaker 6 (28:28):
Northwest Radio Okay, yeah, they have a Kreuk Park is
another really good one that has like a whole bloody mary. Menu.
Speaker 7 (28:37):
I love tracks.
Speaker 6 (28:39):
They have a really nice traditional Buddy Mary, and Beyond
Golf has a really really good Bloody Mary as well.
I can it's it's it's a it's a passion of mine.
I've done a few Bloody Mary competitions where I've got
to be a judge, so that was pretty cool too.
Speaker 3 (28:53):
Do you have a tough life, right?
Speaker 5 (28:56):
I haven't met my wife? Just kiddingly nice knowing, yes, Stacy.
Stacy's final visit to Almaha, this final day on this planet. Hey,
before we get you out of here, I want to
talk about an old stand by in Omaha.
Speaker 3 (29:14):
When I was a.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
Kid, Mom and Dad, Terry and Mary Beale's probably listening.
They would take me to Garrotts when I got good grades.
Fortunately I didn't get to go to Gartz a lot,
but when I did manage to get some good grades,
we'd go to Grots and it was so good and
then it kind of people forgot about it. Yeah, it's
my understanding that you're saying Grots is kind of coming.
Speaker 7 (29:34):
Back, coming back.
Speaker 6 (29:35):
Yeah, it's been got on my radar just because I
love brunch, right, and so we it was like Grotz
has brunch now, so like Saturdays and Sundays, they serve
brunch and they have some they have one unique dish
that I have not found on anybody else's menu in
Omaha right now. There was a place that served him
for a period of time. But Japanese sou fly pancakes
are on the brunch menu at Garats.
Speaker 2 (29:58):
That's that's a far cry from the steak with the
side of musca choli exactly.
Speaker 6 (30:03):
They they so Japanese suf fleep and they're made like
two orders, so they're very like labor intensive. So they're
like that you know, really thick, kind of jiggly, you know, pancake,
super super good.
Speaker 3 (30:14):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (30:14):
They have chilikey lists on their brunch, which if you
like spicy, you they're chili key list.
Speaker 7 (30:18):
Would be right up at your alley.
Speaker 6 (30:19):
But and then they have several, uh several other unique
dishes which I thought were really good. And you know,
they're they're getting like bread baked fresh from a place
called bread Monkey, so they're having like all of that
done for like their ruben sandwich, they're getting a fresh
baked rye bread. So it's they're they're going back to
(30:40):
more traditional you know, scratch made cutting their steaks in
house things like that. And they also have a I
like the retro vibe in in the bar area, so
that that bar they're doing like live music on like
every Saturday night, I believe, so little jazz music, which
I think is really kind of a cool you know,
harkens back to the old old time.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
Go try out Garatz, folks, and maybe you could see
Warren Buffett enjoying this new Garrotza atmosphere. Who knows, but Stacy,
we appreciate you joining us and look forward to having
you back again and making people hungry.
Speaker 7 (31:11):
All right, I love it. Can't wait to come back.
Speaker 2 (31:13):
Stacey Winter's founder of Omaha food Lovers. And now you've
got a bunch of places that you got to go
try if you heard something new.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
Got to take our final break of the hour.
Speaker 2 (31:22):
And when we come back, Craig and I have our
Perkins Chreutzer construction lightning around, a lot of restaurant retail
stuff to talk about, So stick with us. You're listening
to Grow Omaha, brought to you by Dingman's Collision Center
along with Cheer Athletics on News Radio eleven ten K
Babe and back to Girl Maha. We got Craig Wolf,
owner of Cheer Athletics, and here's substituting for Trenton Maggot,
(31:44):
who's taking the weekend off. And it is time for
your Perkins Chritzer Construction Lightning Round in which we talk
about a lot of things in a very short period
of time. Thanks to Dave Kreutzer and his team at
Perkins Chritzer Construction for making this possible. Well, if you
are looking for a class A general contractor for your
next building project, just go to pdashcconstruction dot com. Of
(32:10):
course pdash sheet stands for Perkins Chritzer Construction. They'll do
a great job. They will do a project that is
very nice looking, very suitable for what you want, and
they have a very good track record about doing things
on time and on budget. They can do projects all
over eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, and they certainly have
(32:30):
a lot of experience no matter what type of building
you're looking for. Go to Perkins Kritzer Construction p dashcaconstruction
dot com. All right, Craig, a lot of things. Another
Early Bird restaurant is opening in Village Point Monday at
six thirty am in the former Paradise bakery space, lots
of changes.
Speaker 4 (32:51):
Early Bird is really spreading their wings, aren't they.
Speaker 2 (32:54):
I see what you did there, and they are. I mean,
they're opening those things all over the place. They had
one that open up to terribly long ago on the
West Center Road corridor. We have All American Burgher opening
in the former untamed kitchen space at fourteenth and Farnham
Street in downtown. This is the same owner as the
(33:15):
guy who has Pickleman's across the street. And my guess
is there very excited for the Mutual Tower to be
done and the dual apartment seven hundred apartments to be
donecause there'll be a lot of customers across the street
when that thing, when those projects are done. Here in Dundee,
Elleon spelled e ll eo N and Upscale Wine in
Cocktail Lounge will open this summer at forty nine point
(33:37):
fifteen Underwood Avenue, right here in the core of Dundee,
not far from Kfab. It's from the same ownership as
a Foreign Taste, which was a really good restaurant in
north WESTLMA that unfortunately closed last July. So we've got
that come in here pretty soon. And then Agave Azteca
Mexican restaurant in Ralston fifty one seventy South seventy second
(33:59):
Street is going to have its own breakfast concept. It's
going to be called Pancake Cafe by Agave Asteca. It's
going to be right inside the restaurant. It's got his
own sign, but it's just going to be in the restaurant,
so it's kind of a cool way to promote it.
They're adding a restaurant menu, but it's like they made
a separate concept creative.
Speaker 3 (34:16):
So I don't know.
Speaker 2 (34:17):
I love a Mexican brunch. I'll have to go there
and give that a try. The former VFW building at
fifty eighty three South one hundred and thirty sixth Street
in Old Millard has become the Millennium Club and Social
Hall rental. So it's a bar that is just like
a regular bar most of the time, or you can
reserve it for functions, whether that's a wedding, reception, meeting,
(34:39):
what have you. The failed Omaha Bakery in Elkhorn seven
five North two hundred and tenth Street is being replaced
by Eileen's Cookies. This is just east of the UBT
Sports Complex, so a lot of parents with kids, like, Oh, now,
I know what you're talking about, because I think a
lot of people spend half their their lives at the
(35:00):
UBT Sports Complex. If you got kids the right age
any rate. Opening planned for June twenty eighth, Craig, in
your neck of the woods, you're a Gretna resident. We've
got a new restaurant in the former five thirty one
space Basil.
Speaker 4 (35:15):
I was there yesterday checking it out.
Speaker 3 (35:16):
What do you think.
Speaker 4 (35:17):
I think it was good. You know they've got the
homemade ice cream in there now and the you know,
as you mentioned earlier in the show, it's in the
former land Skis which was in five thirty one, but
in that salad bar area they've got all their ice
cream in there. Italian Place. I had the pizza yesterday
and I thought it was good. I have to give
(35:39):
it a try, and it was. There was a nice
crowd in there for just being open a couple of days.
Speaker 3 (35:42):
I tell you what.
Speaker 2 (35:43):
Construction is going gangbusters right now on a retail building
and Council Bluffs, a former Toys Rus and a former
Gordman's building been empty for a long time, right next
door to each other, being combined into one big building
and they will house when they're done. Ross Stress for
Less Home Goods and Sierra Trading Post. Now, this is
(36:04):
a little bit of bad news. Get this out of
the way. Last year we reported that Machine Shed LLC,
and Illinois based restaurant company purchased a two acre site
one hundred and eighty second of Maple. It was going
to be Burger Shed, a cool burger concept has locations
in Altoona, Iowa and Oletha, Kansas.
Speaker 3 (36:21):
Help.
Speaker 2 (36:22):
Sorry, those plans changed and the lot is now listed
for sale, So no Burger Shed. But hey, just focus
on the good restaurants that we have brought here lately,
like Sugar Ledge Bakery, which officially reopened this week after
being closed for renovations, and it supposedly looks pretty nice.
And then we've got a third location of Scissors and Scotch.
(36:45):
This is the place where you can go get a
haircut and then get some scotch afterwards. And I've always wondered,
I hope the bartender doesn't drink the scotch while using
that straight edge on the back of my neck. I
don't think they would probably do that at any rate.
The music is playing, which means that we need to
wrap this thing up. But Craig, it's always great having
you on the show.
Speaker 4 (37:04):
Appreciate the opportunity to be back on. Hang out with
you a little bit and Stacey fun talking about all
of the great food and Omaha.
Speaker 2 (37:12):
Craig, of course, is the owner of Cheer Athletics and
one of our key sponsors. Trenton's got the weekend off,
but we'll be back eventually. At any rate, Hope everyone
has a wonderful weekend. You've been listening to grow Omaha.
We'll chat with you next week and nine on news
Radio eleven ten KFAB
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