I believe an important part of the human experience is constantly seeking to improve oneself. The new year provides a clean break for one to evaluate their lifestyle, identify areas of improvement, and be better in 2020.
Most New Year’s resolutions focus on work/life balance, mental and physical wellbeing, and improving relationships. But as an avid foodie, I feel I have to set some goals when it comes to reviewing restaurants as well.
Here are the 4 things I’m aiming to do to improve this website, the Restaurant Hoppen podcast, and my foodie self in 2020.
1. Revisit Stella's Bar & Grill
I’ve been to Stella’s Bar & Grill several times, and while I respect its history and local roots, I don’t understand the reverence for this this restaurant. Stella’s is routinely regarded as Omaha’s best burger, a sentiment I just can’t get behind. Don’t get me wrong, Stella’s is very good! But I’ve found the patties to be dry and crumbly during my visits, and I haven’t been back in years because of it.
I vow to change that in 2020.
One of the most important things about reviewing restaurants is having an open mind, and I want to give Stella’s another chance. Maybe I just had bad experiences previously. Maybe I simply don’t possess the nostalgic feeling others do toward this place. Regardless, I’ll be back this year with a more refined palate than I had on my last visit. I hope to have my eyes opened and experience what everyone else does. Omaha is already an awesome burger city, and I want to have the awesome Stella’s experience so many other Omahans and Bellevuans(?) have had.
2. Tell as Many Chef Stories as Possible on Restaurant Hoppen
I love storytelling.
Every life has a very unique and interesting tale, a particular set of circumstances that shaped the person into who they are. This is especially true of chefs, who come from a variety of backgrounds and varied experiences. Consider:
- Paul and Jess Urban, the owners/chefs at Block 16, who built Omaha’s best restaurant from incredibly humble beginnings (with an assist from Alton Brown).
- Nick Maestas, who quit his full-time job this year to operate the Muchachos food truck, a dream inspired by his grandparents.
- Kris Copp, an incredibly inventive man who left a stable position managing Pizza Huts in Kansas City to open Copps Pizza Company in Omaha because he believed he could do pizza better than the chains (and he does!).
These are but a sampling of the incredible stories just waiting to be told in Omaha, and I want to be the one to publicize them. The chefs behind these amazing restaurants deserve to be brought to the forefront and recognized for their passion and the risks they took. If any chef wants the chance to tell their tale, I have an open mic waiting for them.
3. Cross a Bunch of Restaurants off "The List"
Ever since I started my old food blog, trying new local restaurants became a priority of mine. I wanted to rate and rank them so both locals and out-of-towners could get a good sense of where to eat, maximizing every meal. Fortunately, I found a very open-minded woman to marry me, and we routinely try out at least 1-2 new local spots every week.
Early on in our courtship, we developed “The List,” a series of restaurants that we have to hit stored in my phone. Unfortunately, Omaha has so many great restaurants that we can’t seem to check places off the list fast enough; for every new spot we try, two are added to The List due to new restaurant openings or recommendations from friends or Twitter followers.
This is, of course, a blessing, as Omaha has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to awesome restaurants. It’s hard to keep up with all the great joints out there. These are the places we absolutely must visit (or revisit) so I can write reviews and add them to this site:
- V Mertz: The Urbans highly recommended V Mertz during our podcast, and who am I to disagree with such distinguished palates? This elegant restaurant is at the very top of the List.
- Avoli Osteria: I have no excuse for not visiting Avoli, long-regarded as one of Omaha’s best Italian restaurants. I love Italian food. My wife’s favorite meal is pasta. I’d be shocked if there won’t be an Avoli review on this site by mid-February. The anticipation is high.
- Mark’s Bistro: American comfort dishes served on a patio? At a place recommended by both friends and professionals alike? Mark’s Bistro is a 2020 must for me.
- Kitchen Table: I’ve just heard too many good things about this place. I’ve seen their drool-inducing specials on Facebook. It’s time.
- Tracks Lounge: Most of the places on The List are a bit of fine dining, but Tracks Lounge is an exception. It may be a bar, but I’ve heard these are possibly the best wings in Omaha. Considering the awesome options at Oscar’s, Nite Owl, and Copps, I can’t wait to try this restaurant.
4. Pursue Wagyu Beef
I used to think the Wagyu beef craze was over the top, that it was some overrated fad that would soon pass.
I was wrong.
Wagyu beef, which has more marbling and is a bit fattier than traditional beef, is incredible, and I wanted to actively seek it out more in 2020. Joints like Charred Burger + Bar, Nite Owl, and J Coco seriously catch my attention now, as do places like V Mertz with Wagyu beef steaks and Dario’s Brasserie with the Wagyu Tartare. The meat is just more juicy, tender, and flavorful.
And that’s it! If I stick to these 4 resolutions, I think I’ll not only improve as a person and food reviewer, but also have some incredible meals!
What are your 2020 restaurants resolutions? Leave a comment below or hit me up on Twitter at @danhoppen!