Something old...something new

This year we pretty much did the same old delicious idea but with some new faces in the crowd. At work we have several traveling staff that sadly are on call over the holidays as part of their service. I simply cannot let folks eat alone while we have plenty so I extended an invitation and they came. So excited!

Seating for 12-15

Spatchcocked bird with a dry brine and baking powder rub down. One of 2 birds for about 30 pounds of turkey.

Plenty of room and food. 

 

We enjoyed a full house, dinner in the kitchen so we could all sit together, and a super crispy bird that I smeared with baking powder before roasting. The rest of the meal was standard fare but the company mix of family and friends was so nice.

Eating Omaha....Tavern 180

Yes! Such a cool place, albeit a little pricey but you can pick and choose a reasonable dinner from all the fine selections.

The menus took a bit of getting used to as they came on tablets but they had nice photos of all the offerings which just made it harder to choose. For starters Old Fashion's Brenda ordered a Vanilla and I had a plain. The only flaw in the evening is they were out of bitters.

Next up was an array of great looking appetizers but we opted for soup or salad. The Seafood Bisque came topped with a puff pastry crust high on the bowl that added buttery goodness to the creamy filling soup underneath. The Bisque was spot on. I have a Caesar Salad that was great. Brenda ordered a house salad with her soup. I have a Cajun Seafood Pasta. Bob and Kim ordered the Parmesan Chicken and Shrimp and Crab Stack Salad respectively. All of it was great and we ran into 2 sets of friends while there. The star of the show was a basket of  tiny rolls laced with Asiago cheese that I had to mind my manners to keep them all for myself.

Service was prompt and courteous and attentive. And patient,  as we struggled a bit with the menus.

Welcome Home Food

No tortellini added yet as they will suck up the broth. I will add the tortellini just before I jar it up for the gift bag.

Brenda has been planning a nice welcome home for the ladies ever since they left for Europe. Apparently nothing says 'Welcome home' like a batch of dear old dad's Chicken and Tortellini soup, according to Mackenzie.

Mackenzie and her bud, Amanda have been in Europe nearly 3 weeks traveling to Ireland, the UK, Amersterdam and finally Paris where the temps have been dipping in the 30's. She texted her desire for some warm comfort on her arrival in the form of this Chicken Soup. I can hardly ever say no to this little girl.

The hard part was done as I had a large tub of frozen broth I made from dozens of wing tips and chicken trimmings. I used a Tyler Florence recipe several times the last few years that uses ground chicken formed into meatballs with tortellini instead of noodles and finally garnished with a bit of Parmesan cheese. The spice palate is decidedly Italian with the meatballs seasoned with an array of Italian herbs.

The world travelers will be greeted with some fresh groceries, flowers and a mason jar full of homestyle comfort and some fresh homemade bread upon arrival. So nice to have these two back safe and sound after a great adventure. What a great Mom to be prepared for them after their long journey.

The recipe is under the soup tab titled 'Not your Mamas Chicken Soup' Enjoy. 

http://icxcpainter.blogspot.com/search?q=chicken+soup

Eating Omaha...Smitty's Garage

After services on Saturday, we wanted to try this new hamburger joint. Not sure what to expect, it was a cross between fast food and sports bar. Serving lots of liquor and a ton of burgers. The burgers were tasty and the menu extensive. Self service at the front, they give you a number and deliver to your table. Mostly booths and high tops, we sat a a high top as it was quite busy being a Husker weekend and there was nothing on the floor.

You can pick your patty from beef, bison or turkey (they have vegan also) and then a pre set combo of ingredients. I opted for the Spicy Siracha Blue burger and picked a few of the grilled jalapeno's off as it was a bit much for that spice late in the evening. I would not be able to lay down to sleep.  It was grilled perfectly and the combo was savory, spicy and satisfying. John had the Bison burger and was happy as were all of the members of our party. The sides were fries and they had sweet potato fries as well. Not a huge fry guy personally, these were OK. Skin on but not as crisp as I like.

Brenda bought the ladies a Moscow Mule, a first time treat for Dora and Debbie. Apparently a big hit, Brenda said the Ginger beer used was especially tasty. We sat and talked, watched the humiliating defeat of the Husker's, we left at halftime and headed for home. Great night, great burger.

Eating Omaha....Stroud's

It was a crazy eating out weekend for the Denich's starting with Stroud's, the home of pan fried chicken. A chain from KC that features fried chicken in a kind of family style atmosphere.




The atmosphere was great and we got there just in time as the crowd rolled in about 6. Simply a new spot in Omaha, it took over a former restaurant by Village Point.

The menu was a little confusing but basically, you choose your entree, various chicken piece combinations and a few sides which are brought out family style. I chose the 3 breast meal and took a full 2 breasts home. Brenda had the salad with a huge portion of chicken on it which she took quite a bit home. Jeff and Michale had other combinations and it was a really good. As good as Millard Roadhouse but more expensive.  I would give a two thumbs up but probably hit the Roadhouse for this type of meal.  The finishing salvo was an order of cinnamon rolls that come with each meal. we had them bring them to us last and bagged them for home as we were just too full. They were great too but no quite what we expected. The service was fantastic and personable.