The SBH Review: Star chef takes over Sakura Bana, improves sushi, focuses menu

There’s a thing that happens to restaurants that have been around, doing what they do, for decades. While some remain at the top of my mind — and on my list of regular spots — others fade into the background, overwhelmed by the new. I can’t remember, for example, the last time I visited Sakura…
Read more »

Updated for 2024

The 38 Essential Omaha Restaurants

An omakase from the city’s first James Beard finalist, the original Reuben sandwich at a historic hotel, Trini spiced fish at a lakeside stunner, and more of Omaha’s best meals. See the list »

Newsletter

Sign up for the weekly SBH newsletter, to get the latest Omaha food news direct to your inbox.

Latest from my Instagram

I’m back this week for @flatwaterfreepress with

Good morning from fish fry central! The definitive

Good morning from fish fry central! The definitive list of Omaha fish frys on my website has been updated for the 2025 season. This is a one-woman operation (you’re looking at her), so if I missed something, drop me a note and I will get it added. Happy Lenten season! Find the link to the list at the link in my bio and my Instagram story.

Had an absolute blast serving as a volunteer judge

Had an absolute blast serving as a volunteer judge at yesterday’s Food Bank for the Heartland Celebrity Chef event! The dishes from Tim Nicholson at The Boiler Room Restaurant, Nick Strawhecker at Dante and David Utterback at Yoshitomo were all incredible. It was a hard choice to name a winner but congratulations again goes to Nick for his beautifully cooked beef and fantastic local, seasonal creation. It was a pleasure meeting Chef Tom Colicchio and, of course, Coach Rhule. Can’t wait for next year.

What’s the next chapter for the steakhouse? In O

What’s the next chapter for the steakhouse? In Omaha, it’s the @thecommitteechop, which has one foot in the past and the other firmly planted in the future. Read the latest installment of Steak Town USA at the link in my bio and on @flatwaterfreepress. Photos by @ryansoderlin

Art & Soup — @vnatoday’s annual fundraiser tha

Art & Soup — @vnatoday’s annual fundraiser that raises necessary dollars in support of its shelter nursing services — is back for another year, and there’s a good reason for you to participate. VNA provides public health nursing to individuals and families in local domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters and group maternity homes using the funds you spend on Art & Soup every year.

This year I am lucky enough to be serving as a judge for the annual soup contest, and I always look forward to the innovative, delicious concoctions chefs from Omaha and Council Bluffs come up with. I’ll be sampling every single one, and I hope you will, too. You can learn more about this year’s participating artists and chefs at bit.ly/sbhartandsoup2025.

The 28th annual Art and Soup event is Sunday, March 9 from 2-5 p.m. and tickets are available now at the link in my bio.

“Steak Town USA,” my new year-long series of s

“Steak Town USA,” my new year-long series of steakhouse stories, maps and ratings in the @flatwaterfreepress, starts with a look at Jerico’s, a too-often-overlooked Omaha steakhouse – and a place that feels like home to me. Thanks to @joshfoolovesyou for the amazing photography. Read it at flatwaterfreepress.org or right up at the link in my bio.

This week for @flatwaterfreepress I’m at Hotpot

Saddle Creek Breakfast Club has the “secret sauc

Saddle Creek Breakfast Club has the “secret sauce” making it one of Omaha’s favorite brunch spots. But can it keep that flavor moving from its eclectic Dundee location to Countryside Village? Read my latest for @flatwaterfreepress at the link in my bio.

@sarahbakerhansen on Instagram

More stories

The SBH Review: Bathed in pink and further west, the new Saddle Creek Breakfast Club still a delight

My favorite brunch spots are the ones that mix just the right combination of good music, great coffee, funky decor and an excellent plate of food, be it a burger or an egg dish. Saddle Creek Breakfast Club has always had that combination, with its tiny midtown Omaha dining room, a never-empty cup of coffee… Read more »