Business: Block 16

  • As food costs rise, locally owned restaurants — and the diners who support them — adjust to paying more

    As food costs rise, locally owned restaurants — and the diners who support them — adjust to paying more

    One day recently, Paul Urban, who co-owns Block 16, did some math.  For the first time in a long time — maybe ever — he noticed business at the popular downtown Omaha lunch spot slowing down. At the same time, food prices were steadily rising. Together, it felt significant enough to investigate.  “I sat down…

  • The 38 Essential Omaha Restaurants – 2024 Edition

    The 38 Essential Omaha Restaurants – 2024 Edition

    An omakase and yakitori from the city’s first James Beard finalist, prime rib at a century-old steakhouse, the purported inventor of the Reuben sandwich, and more of Omaha’s best meals.

  • The 38 Best Restaurants in Omaha — 2023 edition

    The 38 Best Restaurants in Omaha — 2023 edition

    An omakase and yakitori from the city’s first James Beard finalist, prime rib at a century-old steakhouse, the purported inventor of the Reuben sandwich, and more of Omaha’s best meals

  • The 16 Best Restaurants in Omaha, Nebraska

    The 16 Best Restaurants in Omaha, Nebraska

    From classic steakhouses to sushi, explore the top dining destinations.

  • Four great, recent food experiences

    Four great, recent food experiences

    We really haven’t been going out much lately, but when we have, its been for select, delicious experiences at places we know and love. Hence this week’s post, a little recap of a few dishes I’ve had lately that stuck in my mind and popped out of my photo reel when I was thinking about…

  • The 38 Essential Omaha Restaurants

    The 38 Essential Omaha Restaurants

    Where to find farm-to-cone ice cream, Burmese ramen, totchos (tater nachos), and the purported home of the original Reuben

  • Best of 2020: Crap year, great food

    Best of 2020: Crap year, great food

    I had no plans to recap the best food I ate in 2020. Then I saw a Facebook post written by chef David Utterback, where he featured my best of 2018 list which I wrote when I was still at the World-Herald. I sent Dave a text, and we chatted. He made a good point:…

  • Six last minute gifts that support Omaha’s food & beverage scene

    Six last minute gifts that support Omaha’s food & beverage scene

    This year it is more important than ever to keep our dollars in Omaha and shop local this holiday season. It’s also more important than ever to support our local, beloved bars and restaurants, especially if we want to keep them open beyond the pandemic. To that end, here’s six ideas to consider for all…

  • Matthew Hansen: On the joys of dining outside in a pandemic summer

    Matthew Hansen: On the joys of dining outside in a pandemic summer

    Sarah and I haven’t wined and dined inside a restaurant or bar since COVID rudely interrupted life’s regularly scheduled programming in March. Five months feels like five decades. We miss cozying up to our favorite back table at Dante and splitting the Cortona pizza and the Bolognese. We miss sidling up to the sushi bar…

  • I’m not ready to return to restaurants

    I’m not ready to return to restaurants

    I miss eating out.  Restaurants have shaped the last decade of my life. Food continues to be a central focus of my work.  Dinner at an Omaha restaurant is my job, my pleasure, a huge chunk of my identity, as big a part of my daily ritual as brushing my teeth, getting dressed and reading…