Taste of Lincoln

Lincoln finally has a new option for seafood.  Crabby Bill’s reminds me of a Cheeseburger in Paradise, with the expensive island cocktails to match.  I’ve been there several times to drink, but this was our first dining experience.  We were there on a Sunday night after a Husker home game on Saturday and the service showed how tired the staff was.  It wasn’t rude, but I could tell that they were not going out of the way to help us.

As for the food, I had a trout almondine that I thought was great.  Something different for sure.  The salad and side were nothing to remember, but the main dish was well prepared.  They took care of my kids (which helps) and they offered a basket of deep fried corn bread and honey to start.

I think this place has promise, but I’ll be sure to visit them on a day that’s better for their staff.

Best Steak - Outback

Best Pizza - Lazarri’s

Best Chicken - PO Pears Chicken Tenders

Best Prime Rib - Misty’s

Best Hamburger - Red Robin

Best Buffet - Valentino’s

Best Mexican - El Torro

Best Italian - Vincenzo’s

Sunday Brunch - Wilderness Ridge

Coffee Shop - The Mill

Fast Food - Taco Bueno

Fine Dining - Venue

Seafood - Venue

Bar-B-Que - Parker’s Rib Ranch

Buffalo Wings – Brewsky’s

Heinz 57 (this is the name that I have given to my other half on this blog. He still hasn’t committed to it, but it references his love of ketchup) and I visited the new Magnolia’s in Lincoln’s lovely Haymarket this weekend. It should be noted that they have chosen to open in one of the most cursed locales in all of Lincoln. They are in the building that was formerly La Paloma, then Brazenhead, then Bacami, then a restaurant that I can’t remember but didn’t last more than a couple of months. It is absolutely no reflection on the businesses that have been housed there that I call that location “cursed.”

So, we went there on Saturday night to check it out. It’s labeled “Contemporary American Cuisine”. I’m never sure exactly what the description will entail and we were pleasantly surprised with the menu and our food. The menu is heavy on seafood and vegetarian options (as Heinz 57 is a former veggie person, the six or so vegetarian options were a pleasant surprise.) They offer three “comfort food” options–meatloaf, pork chops and one I can’t remember.

After a lot of deliberation, mainly due to price and the late hour of our visit, I went with blackened salmon and Heinz selected crab cakes. Each came with the house vegetable–green beans–and a side of our choosing. Roasted baby red potatoes was my pick and Heinz went the way of mashed potatoes. We were both totally happy with our orders. The salmon was cooked so right and the spices weren’t overpowering. In Lincoln, “blackened” meat typically means that you receive a piece of charred flesh. Magnolia’s chef understands the subtitly behind blackening (and could go a little spicer.) Heinz was disappointed that he only had one crab cake on the plate, but realized that he was full with that and the vegetables. We were with a group and ordered dessert. We split the Oreo cake and loved it. Heinz often complains that desserts aren’t rich enough, rationalizing that if you are going to eat dessert and all the calories it might as well really do you in. It was everything I would hope a chocolate cake with oreo cookies crushed in cream filling would be.

All told, we had a great experience. Drinks were a little pricey, but nothing outrageous considering the menu. Ambiance was good and if you go with a veggie option, you could probably afford to eat there on more than just special occasions.