Amazing food all prepared in house. The steak entree is delicious! Head chef knows what he's talking about and the desserts were on point. Overall great experience and food and will be back!
(5)
Charles S.
Meal was not great, as one would expect for the premium price. Menu is very limited and pricey. The pork dumpling appetizer was a real disappointment without much flavor and the meat did not taste fresh. However, the butternut soup was excellent, as was the bread pudding dessert. The duck and Kobe steak entrees were very good and everything was presented nicely. The atmosphere lacked warmth, maybe meant to be artsy or minimalist. The biggest downer was that our server did not once ask how we liked anything. He was polite, but not friendly or attentive, as if he did not care much about us. I was hoping for a special anniversary date and expected more. We will not be back, nor would I recommend to anyone. I could have had a better experience (Outback) for much less or an excellent meal somewhere else for the same money (Flatiron for example).
(2)
Christine S.
Made my semi-vegan west coast "I only eat organic and local" sister happy. My family and I went here for my (and my sister's) birthday lunch last Saturday. It was a little awkward to sit 7 people here, the cafe just wasn't designed for larger then 4 people groups. But once we all seated together, I started really enjoying the place. At 2pm on Saturday it was still full with the lunch crowd. Service was fairly prompt for the amount of people, and we were still able to get plenty of drink refills. The bruschetta was a great appetizer, all of us were able to grab a piece, and the mussels were well done, with a pretty unique sweet/savory taste combo from the sausage in the broth. Everyone was a fan of their focaccia, and the side salads were wonderful. Freshest greens I have had in a while, and very well dressed with a balsamic vinaigrette. We tried out the dolce meatball panini, goat cheese chicken panini, gourmet cheese burger, gina's veggie burger (guess who ate that one) and the sandwich of the day (a porkbelly and tomato jam panini that was a great flavor combo). The food was all great, plenty of food for everyone and everyone mauled my niece's kids order of mac n'cheese. I would seriously consider just ordering the mac n'cheese next time, it was that wonderful (but then I might feel a tiny bit guilty about eating that much cheese, but I am sure I could get over it). I wouldn't consider this place great for groups, but it really was nice for lunch and had the best produce, focaccia and mac n'cheese.
(4)
Patricia M.
The new Dolce is pretty good, but it doesn't quite make it to my favorites list. My most recent visit was on a Saturday for the date night menu. We started with a couple of cocktails. Stewart had an Old Fashioned, which he wasn't impressed with. I had a Sea Breeze, which didn't quite hit the mark. Next came a generous portion of Margarita Mussels. They were in a nice broth that was very flavorful. This was one of the highlights of the meal. The second course consisted of a mediocre (too dry, a bit wilted) salad and an ok potato soup. For the main course, I had the salmon, which was cooked just right and was well seasoned. The flavors came together perfectly. Stewart really enjoyed his pan fried chicken too. Dessert was cheesecake, which was utterly forgettable. I'm not sure I've ever met a cheesecake I didn't like, until last night. Another highlight was the service. I missed our server's name, but she was just right. Very friendly and was always right there when we needed her, despite having several tables to look after. The meal was timed perfectly, which is something I always appreciate. All in all, I'll probably be back some day, but I'm not plotting my next visit.
(3)
Jenn L.
Valentine's day dinner, fantastic food. The chef is awesome and the flavors were perfection! Service and venue leave a bit to be desired but still very good. We would totally return and the price versus other amazing chefs in town is definitely competitive. Great decor and so neat and clean.
We have eaten here before and our dinner was wonderful. I was so disappointed on Sat June 6th. When we arrived at a bit after 5:30 ( had early reservations due to attending the Symphony after) We were greeted?? by the dark haired lady who never said a word! Escorted to our table to actually be greeted by Dillon a very nice waiter. My husband ordered a fish of the day dinner. He wanted all meat cooked through but not to the point of drying it out which was what he was served. Probably being punished for not letting the chef do his thing. My chicken dish was OK but the blending of other flavors especially the Olive paste was not good. We first of all felt unwanted by the dour hostess. Dillon was the only friendly person there that treated us with respect. Then to receive entrees of less than tasty for a large $$ left us feeling like 'I don't ever want to come back here " feeling. We were almost late due to the time it took to get our check. There is another place we really like very close. Our next early dinner will be there I am happy to say. Have never had a bad meal and never been treated like we had the plague. Maybe Dolce doesn't like older people..maybe I wore the wrong perfume?? Miss hostess sure did not like us! She should have stayed home if she was not well..or angry or mad. Just do not treat others like you treated us. Some day you too will be old! I should have stopped with the goat cheese salad as it was very good.
(2)
Cathy M.
Went to this restaurant on a recent trip to omaha and i am soooooooo glad to have found this little gem of a restaurant! My friend and I had purchased the prefix dinner from groupon and it was a steal but even the regular price would have been worth it! The chef knows what he is doing in the kitchen. .. highlights of the night were the potatoes and mushroom puree soup ... the lamb that was braised for hours it was tender and juicy and flavorful (not gamey at all) ... the best entree was the kobe beef sirloin ... it was the best piece of steak i had tasted in a long time!! But the finisher was the homemade bread pudding with vanilla bean ice cream... ohhh wow! Plus their in house entertainment (guy playing guitar ) had a smooth voice and easy on the eyes for sure! If you live in omaha definitely check this place out! You won't regret it!
(5)
Edward P.
This is the first time that I have been to Dolce. We went there to celebrate my 71st birthday. If this restaurant had existed back in 70's and 80's in Boston or Chicago, it would have been in an converted old home of townhouse. It would also have had a dress code requiring men to ware a jacket and tie, woman to ware a dress or slacks. That would provide the proper atmosphere. We had 5:30 PM reservations ( I like to eat early.). When we got there, we were greeted by Heather who was both the hostess and our waiter. She was very pleasant and seated us immediately. I had taken a LivingSocial deal for a Date Night meal. Heather told us the specials of the day, that we could substitute. I chose the swordfish special and my wife ordered the American Kobe Ragu. I asked Heather to suggest a wind that would go with both orders. She recommended an Angelina Pinot Noir 2014. It hit the spot. Everything we had was delicious and everything was served at the correct time. Too many times I go to a restaurant that serve you their schedule not yours, resulting with you having 2 courses on the table at the same time. We will definitely be going back again. I'm looking forward to ordering from their "Five Course Chefs Tasting Menu". To sum it up, the service, the food and the wine were of the highest standards and I would recommend it to everyone.
(5)
Chunk G.
Dolce is one of those places that has great potential once they work the kinks out. Maybe with the recent changes, it'll get there. I've been many times and the food has been hit or miss. I've had the: beet salad (ok), chicken (good), risotto several times several ways (great), the pasta with pork (decent/good), and the new mac n cheese (ok). Most recently I had the mac n cheese because it's new on the menu and because of course I'm always looking for new places to put on my mac n cheese list! Well theirs is only ok, unfortunately. The flavor was fine but it was just too basic; it was the START of a good mac. They needed to toss some chunked cheese in it and then throw it in the oven to solidify a little or something... maybe cheese or breadcrumbs on top to give it a crust? Something. I felt like I was eating mac from the kids menu, but with penne pasta. The menu is very limited and doesn't change as often as it should if they have any hope of repeat customers. But I keep returning because I still like the place. I like the modern minimal decor, the service, and the French press coffee. Dinner is over priced, but lunch is more reasonable.
(3)
Carol D.
Had a lovely lunch with a co-worker at Dolce today. She had the American Kobe Ragu and found the fettuccini to be cooked to the perfect al-dente. She throughly enjoyed her meal. I actually mentioned to her that if she scraped anymore from the bottom of the bowl they wouldn't need to wash the dish. I selected the Pan Roasted Chicken which was very tender and delicious. If you are looking for white table linens and white cloth napkins in a warm setting, you should try Dolce.
(5)
Erin F.
My husband I tried the date night menu here and absolutely loved it! My husband is a vegetarian so they created things from scratch for us off the menu. This was the best idea every and if you can do that I highly recommend it. The veggie risotto was fabulous, as was the homemade raviolis, and the bread pudding. I'm not a big fan of bread pudding and I was licking the plate. It was crazy how good it was. The atmosphere was great. We will definitely be coming back!
(5)
Kyle R.
A little gem in a strip center. What a great surprise. My wife and I stopped by for lunch. The lunch menu was small but everything looked delicious. Food was fantastic, service was good, atmosphere and the music was awesome as well. Would be great for a date night. We will definitely return.
(5)
Kurt K.
First-time visit last night. Food was excellent, service was excellent, portions are a bit small and quite pricey. Ambience was nice. However noisy and tightly packed if at a two person table. I would consider returning for special events however not somewhere I can afford to go on a regular basis.
(4)
Moira R.
My husband and I tried the date night menu. We started off with their taste of the moment appetizer which was salmon croquettes topped with a peach and pineapple salsa. The croquettes did not have a lot of flavor (my husband hates fish and he ate them) but the topping was good. We both had the house salad (very good) and the Tuscan steak which was a 6 oz. American kobe flatiron. I ordered my steak medium and it came out closer to medium rare - I was fine with it but it would probably bother some people. The steak was good and I really enjoyed the sauce. It was served with marinated vegetables (roasted tomatoes, portobello mushrooms, fingerling potatoes, and greens) which were probably the best part of the meal - they were incredible! For dessert we had the dark chocolate mouse which was just bad. I will eat pretty much anything and I rarely turn down sweets but I had one bite and was done. The service was very friendly and efficient. They have some upscale touches, such as switching out the silverware with each course. The restaurant is set in a nondescript strip mall, but the interior is very modern. It is pricey (our bill was $98 before tip, including three drinks). The food was good but I don't know if it would be worth the price tag for us in the future. I enjoyed most of it, but my husband was not really a fan.
(3)
Wendi H.
Had a groupon for Date Night. I got chicken which was good and a great portion-not too much, just right. Hubby got salmon. It was cooked medium-didn't look appetizing. Sent back, got it over cooked. Black on bottom. The cheesecake was awesome!!
(2)
Tayler L.
Love the atmosphere love the staff love the food especially Tuscan steak!!!!!! You guys should try their chef special appetizer for the day. It was awesome
(5)
Carrie H.
I've popped in for lunch 4 or 5 times and dinner now three times. Every meal has been wonderful!!! The first time dear husband went with me, we opted for the 5 course chef's dinner. It amazed! The flavors were outstanding and each course unique, flavorful and delightful! Truly THE BEST meal we have had in Omaha this year ... and trust me ... we get around to some of the best spots. Today I stopped in with a friend for lunch. I opted to start with the soup, and after our great waitress described how the chef made it without cream or broth (and to order!)We had to try it. It was the most favorable, rich (in a great way) and creamy potato soup I have had. Served on top were a few crisp fried cross-cut purple potatoes and one beet, which as you dug into your soup created an artful colorful swirl. Whether intended or not, the detail was fun. Since it was a cold comfort food kind of day I opted for the American Kobe Ragu. I fell silent upon the first bite. It was THAT good. It paired wonderfully with a light Pinot which cut down a bit on the richness. There was enough I'm looking forward to my lunch tomorrow if my husband does't beat me to it!!! My friend had never been and was thrilled as well, and can't wait to take her husband and partake in "Date Night". My husband and I are heading back soon for the "duck dinner" that chef spoke to us about on an earlier visit. Call ahead several days and he will ready a whole roasted duck, all the accouterments you could imagine and the price is unbeatable! Their wines are affordable, the service has always been great and for the life of me I can't figure out why this place isn't busier for lunch. So happy to have a tasty "foodie" spot in West O!
(5)
Nel P.
Went here for their date night special from Groupon. A little small place but very well laid out. The food is great and the service is outstanding. A little pricey for the portions you're getting but say that's more quality vs quantity.
(4)
Paul C.
This is a tough to review to write and I always try to read into other reviewers posts to see what maybe isn't a "personal preference". I will just spell mine out - the food here (off the Date Night menu) was solid and worth many more trips but there was something about the ambiance and service that just wasn't right. The restaurant sits in a strip mall and the decor is on par with many modern restaurants that one may visit now (open ceilings, shiny fixtures, nice table clothes and furniture, etc) but there was nothing that really stood out to differentiate the inside from many others I have dined. The service was professional but I didn't feel the personal touch I have from other high end restaurants (or those that attempt to be). The waitress laid out the options but it seemed very forced (just my personal opinion and take it at that). As for the food - my friend and I dined on a Groupon (could be part of the service observation) that was for the Date Night menu (shared appetizer, soup/salad, individual entree and shared dessert) without the wine option (the Date Night option usually includes a bottle of red or white wine if you choose). Our shared appetizer was a chicken confit "ramen" dish. The noodles were nicely prepared, the confit exceeded my expectations (I love duck confit but had not tried chicken) and the dish was well balanced and tasty overall. My friend had never tried confit before and she really enjoyed the dish. Next up, we both took the soup option which was a potato/chicken confit option. Now, the restaurant is the vogue "farm to table" type so many of the "specialties" were in many dishes - good or bad depending on your tastes. The soup was flavorful but I won't say that it stood out as special. For the entree, I went with the Kobe Ragu and my friend with with the Tuscan Steak. Both options were prepared perfectly and had great tastes though I would have preferred more options for this course. Lastly, we shared the bread pudding. No review here as I am a "bread pudding snob" and I didn't find the dessert to match my expectations or tastes though I am sure others would like it. Lastly, the restaurant does offer a "Chefs Menu" that I would like to try as the price sounded reasonable from what the other waitress described to the couple at a nearby table.
(3)
Kyle K.
I was really excited to try this after reading all the reviews. Stopped into tonight to use one of those dreaded Groupon's for the 5 course tasting menu. The server was Dylan and he was one of the highlights of the evening. Cordial, attentive, never seemed rushed despite a full restaurant. Placed the wine order and noticed the chef had come out and presented dishes from the tasting menu to the couple next to us while explaining what each dish was. That would be the last time I saw him for the night. I ordered from the flirtatious side of the menu and my guest ordered from the demure side. The first course for me a play on pasta using parsnips and the other dish was duck. My dish was ok, nothing to make want to try it again. The duck was well cooked and enjoyed. The 2nd course was a Sea scallop. Nothing particularly exciting to either of the dishes, maybe the only thing of note was the sad looking wilted spouts (sunflower?) (I think it was this dish or maybe it was salmon-see not very memorable) Third course should have been a highlight. I had the pork belly and the other dish was a pork loin. I don't think I have every eaten pork belly that was tough and chewy. Usually it is melt in your mouth tender. This one was tough and chewy. My companion sampled it as well and agreed. The salted egg yolk did add an interesting taste to the sauce. But both of us felt the pork dishes were the least favorite of the night. Onto the 4th course. Salmon. Seared well but nothing out of the ordinary. The last course was desert. I had a version of donuts and the other was a chocolate plate. I am not much of sweet guy but this was probably the best of dishes although the cinnamon donut was overwhelmed by to much cinnamon. There was a tasty lemon curd as well. The chocolate dish went over well but I didn't sample it. I think maybe the kitchen got behind tonight. I overheard one of the waiters apologizing for a wait saying the chef had to prepare 75 dishes (which would explain why the chef did not come out again-and there were 5 or so tables that sat down in that time frame so 5 courses x 15 people) The service was excellent, the food was ok. Nothing I would say was bad but nothing really stood out or made me want more. I can remember other fixed course meals where I wanted to lick the plate and grab the plates off the servers trays when they walked by. Not the case here. I think since the service was so good I would give it another try but instead try ordering off the regular menu. Bill: tasting menu for two, bottle of wine, tax, tip $217.
I went to Dolce for lunch on a Monday. After reading the reviews I knew that I would either be blown away or just stay away. The lunch menu is quite sparse, which is not a problem, just reality. I ordered a panini with smoked chicken and melted goat cheese, along with a cup of the soup of the day, which was a butternut squash concoction. The restaurant itself seats about 50, nicely decorated and clean. Nothing to shout about from the exterior as it is in a strip type mall. The food came promptly and was warm and there was plenty for lunch. That about sums it up. The soup was an odd coupling of squash and some type of citrus. I found it not very appealing in the flavor, not that is was inedible, but it did absolutely nothing for me. The sandwich was loaded with ingredients, too bad none of them had much flavor. WAY TOO many spinach leaves for my taste, it must have been stacked 15 leaves deep, the smoked chicken would have been better if I had a nicely roasted and SEASONED piece of chicken instead, very little flavor at all and the melted goat cheese had the most flavor but alas not much. I believe the panini was slathered with a pesto type condiment, again I love pesto, but no taste to this addition either. Would I go again? Probably, since the lunch combo was not too pricey and would try another menu item. But, the big problem is that they seem to want to make the items sound tasty without ever really trying the combinations they come up with.
(2)
CC C.
We had the Groupon for the Date Night special. It was amazing, the entire experience was fabulous. We had the Potato Tortellini (Taste of the Moment), house salads, TD Niche Pork & the King Salmon. Simply amazing. The tortellini was served with pork belly, spinach, & roasted tomatoes. It was perfect. The salads were just the right amount of tart blue cheese with the sweet sherry vinaigrette. Our server offered us their house made bread & butter. It was super fresh & served warm, added a great touch. Salmon was cooked & seasoned perfectly & paired nicely with the lentils. The pork was a beautiful presentation with the apple & horseradish and it tasted every bit as good as it looked. This was our first time, but it will not be our last.
(5)
Ezra R.
Me and my girlfriend went there this last week and it was a great experience. Food: We got the date night package, which I would recommend to anyone. It consists of an App to slip, a salad and entree for each of you, and a dessert to split. You can also include a bottle of wine for $20. I think it's $58 without the wine, and $78 with it. I'd go the wine again. For our appetizer we got the mussels, which were great, especially for being in Nebraska. They were extremely flavorful, and soaked/steamed in what looked like a butter sauce. I'd also recommend the goat cheese salad over the house, it was delicious. They have a balsamic reduction that is to die for. For the entree I got the salmon, and she got the American Kobe Flat Iron. Both were cooked to perfection. You honestly can't go wrong with either. For dessert we got the bread pudding, which was hands down the best I've ever had. I'd go back there for that allow. The portions aren't huge, but they don't need to be since you get so much food throughout the whole meal. It leaves you just enough room for every aspect of the meal. Service: Initially we had a reservation, but they didn't have a table for us, so they sat us at the bar. At first I was kinda disappointed, but the bartender and the couple next to us were awesome. The best part about the bar was watching him make the drinks. I decided to get a Buffalo Negra, which is made with a balsamic reduction, a sugar cube, basil, and bourbon. It was incredibly refreshing, and quite delicious. My girlfriend, who doesn't like bourbon, or anything like it, thoroughly enjoyed it too. They also comp'd me the drink since they sat us at the bar. While I don't know if I'd shell out the cash for the entrees outside of the date menu, I'd absolutely go back for the date menu and overall atmosphere.
(5)
Taylor J.
This is my favorite spot to go with my boyfriend. Their mussels are fantastic, the staff is kind, and the wait time for food is short. I have never left on an empty stomach and will continue to go!
(5)
Jennifer J.
Love the prix fixe menu! We had the mussels, potato soup, goat cheese salad, Kobe ragu, Kobe Flatiron steak, and the ginger cheesecake and the bread pudding for dessert. Everything was high quality and delicious!! Service was also excellent. We will go back for sure.
(5)
Ronicca W.
Beautiful food! Wish they still had lunch. There are only 3 other restaurants in Omaha that can even compare to this place. The only downfall, is that the service was not professional. At all.
(4)
Beth C.
Went with my husband to use a Groupon for the Chef's Tasting menu. Truly enjoyed the experience. The chef explained each dish, which was very interesting. It is obvious that he loves what he is doing! Service was great and food was fabulous. Will be back!
(5)
Brady C.
Our "date night" experience this evening whats a hit and miss experience. The initial service and seating was satisfactory as was the environment. We ordered the TD Niche pork belly appetizer to share; each ordered the warm goat cheese and the Tuscan Steaks (Medium rare); and closed with the Yuzu ginger cheesecake. First, we received our pork belly appetizer; this was the first disappointment. All three pieces where ENTIRELY made up of fat. I brought this to the attention of our waitress and she immediately stated "that is how pork belly is supposed to be, it is 95% fat" with a completely apathetic tone and then walked away. Thomas Keller states that a good pork belly should be 50/50 fat to meat ratio and ours was 100% fat. One star on the appetizer as well as the uninformed waitress. Next was the goat cheese that fit in the "soup or salad" category. This showed a start to hope after the disappointing appetizer. The breaded goat cheese combined with the arugula and beets was an excellent flavor combination. The waitress did not stop the table to check on us but the food was definitely good. We would both recommend this dish and put it in the category of four stars (server still one star). Then we received our steaks. They were perfectly cooked and tender. The flavor was amazing especially coupled with the french fried onions as toppers. The potato, onion, and kale side was also quite good. Steak = 5 stars (again no waitress besides to quietly refill our water). Finally, we received our dessert, which was both a positive and a negative experience. The cheesecake was excellent, the problem was there were six blueberries placed on the sides (3 on each side) for presentation. Of those six blueberries one was rotten and moldy. As our waitress again did not come around the table until after we were finished, we ate the cheesecake (which was absolutely delicious) as it was not physically touching the rotten moldy blueberry. When the waitress finally returned to clear the table, I brought the moldy rotten blueberry to her attention and received an apathetic "hehh, i'll tell the chef" and she cleared the table with absolutely no apology or any other words. No other mention was made by the waitress. Four stars for the cheesecake, one star for both the lackadaisical miss (of an obviously rotten moldy blueberry) by the kitchen staff as well as the waitress. Ultimately, three aspects ruined our Dolce experience; the 100% fat pork belly that was probably a bad cut, the rotten moldy blueberry, and the less than mediocre waitress. The excellent steak and warm goat cheese were the aspects that kept this review from being one star. Overall experience two stars. Despite it being one of the better steaks we have had, I would not foresee us returning due to the overall bad experience as there are plenty of other excellent restaurants in Omaha that also provide excellent service.
(2)
Xarhya W.
I reviewed Dolce once before and I've gone back many times since. Now, I'm spoiled by the five course tasting menu. Chef Anthony is a culinary genius and I never leave hungry or disappointed. Since I frequent the spot at least once a month, I've come to know not only Chef Anthony but the servers and bartenders as well. Love the fact that they always take such good care of me and that they go out of their way to create a friendly atmosphere. Every time I eat here, it's like being with friends so thanks all and see y'all soon!
(5)
Dennis M.
PRAISE JEBUS!!! A REAL effin cafe!!! When I think of a cafe-cafe... I think of hours long chitter chatter with friends while nibbling on light meals and sipping on espresso followed by something sweet and simple. Although I went by myself and chitter chattered with my little baby cup of espresso, I felt as if I was in a real cafe!!! The 10-2 menu is short and sweet. There were four sandwiches, five salads, a kids menu and then some baked goods. But everything they had available sounded awesome!! Although I do LOVE to binge, I appreciate evenly proportioned meals that actually have veggies and good healthy shiz like that! I really wanted the arugula and grapefruit salad, but I opted for the goat cheese and grilled red pepper sandwich because I wanted to test this place's focaccia bread. Umm.... AWESOME! I will say this though as constructive criticism: The bread was a little too thick and since I opted for no chicken or salmon in my sandwich, I could have done with half the bread. So I ended up taking half of it home, opened the little bugger, ate the bottom with the cheese and took the top slice and spread crunchy nutella all over it... aka NOM NOM NOM! The espresso was excellent and very fresh!! Not sour, not bitter and as Goldilocks would say... it was JUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUST right! I also got the Almond sour cream cupcake. I thought it was good, but the frosting was a little much... but I liked the originality and I love almond flavor anything! Oh and the men's bathroom has a chair across from the toilet! Now, we can go to the bathroom together and talk about the latest gossip or last True Blood episode just like the girls can. Thanks for being gender agnostic D-cafe!! You might be wondering why I'm giving this place five stars even though I had suggestions for their food... I feel like this place has real potential and it's so rare to find a true cafe like this!!! If anything, I wanted to give this place four stars because of the location. A place like this really should be downtown and not in a random plaza next to a Taekwondo studio. You can eat outside... but you face a parking lot so there's no where to sit and judge people. You know!!! Also, I guess I went to this place before their grand opening so I will DEFINITELY be back to try the wine bar during the evening and also try the other things they have to offer. I will make this disclaimer though... If you don't like small menus with artisan items, you won't like this place and probably should stick with Jason's Deli.... But if you like Capriccio sandwiches and zucchini-asparagus salads, come check this place out!!!
(5)
Ely K.
Everything we ordered was delicious. Portions are normal size not "super size me" size. The salmon was cooked perfectly, crispy and flavorful. The bread pudding was exceptional. Best I've ever had and I'm a lover of bread pudding. The service was great, our waitress was friendly and very helpful. Will go back again. Great date night. Definitely stay for dessert!
(5)
Cory V.
Wife and I celebrated a special occasion here and left very impressed. She is not a fan of seafood and "weeds" as she calls salads that are anything but iceberg . So looking at the date night option (had a groupon) I was a little worried. Appetizer we choose the rabbit ravioli ( which she has never had) and pleasantly it was a hit. Next the salad option, again didn't think she would eat much ( also she didn't want cauliflower soup option which I had and highly recommend ) she was also surprised as she enjoyed most it ( stated it was salty favored which balanced the bitter greens). Main course she had Tuscan flatiron and I had the ragu, both were outstanding and cleaned our plates. Finally had the mousse for desert and it was good but very rich. Overall we had a very good meal, service was good, and we will be back to try chef menu
(5)
Ken S.
My expectations for a company dinner were already high when a co-worker who lives in the south of France was saying how excited he was for dinner at Dolce after our meeting. Really? Really! They met my expectations and then some! We started off with a salad that was perfectly fine... goat cheese, lettuce, dressing, and all that. Great start! Then we had the halibut that was just amazing. As someone who doesn't eat meat, but does eat fish, I eat a lot of it and this was definitely exceptional. The fish is pistachio crusted and cooked in a wine sauce. I think the icing on the cake, so to speak, is the blackberry gastrique, which adds just a touch of sweet to the savory. I'm writing this and wishing I had more. Carrots came with the fish. Usually they are either too hard or too soft, but these were just right with a hint of sweetness. Needless to say, I cleaned my plate! I finished off my meal with the caramel macchiato cheesecake, which was also excellent. I can usually stop after a forkful or two of cheesecake, but not with this version. It was that good. My colleagues raved about the cupcakes and the carrot cake, but if I were to go back, there's no question, I'd get the cheesecake again! The service was outstanding and it's a very nice place set in the middle of a mini-strip mall. I would definitely recommend a visit!
(5)
Chad C.
Great service! Food is usually organic and local. Plate presentation is wonderful! You need reservations but it's worth it.
(5)
Suzanne L.
Best meal I had during my stay in the Omaha area. I am a California foodie and I had the trout. It was outstanding! The server and the owner made us feel so welcome too. Oh, and also had the berry cobbler, it was awesome! If I am in the area again I will definitely go there!
(5)
Heather H.
This place has the freshest, local sourced food ever. The Dolce Supreme Salad is a case in point. But from now on, don't talk to me about Jones Bros or Gigi's cupcakes because Dolce's almond vanilla cupcake is simply the best I've ever tasted. Can't say it enough: So glad Dolce's in my neighborhood.
(5)
Rosie A.
This place exceeded my expectations. Their caramel macchiato cheesecake is the best I've ever had. Loved the quiet environment and the service was exceptional. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone.
(5)
Henry G.
Negroni and wagyu ragu pasta. @&$"ing amazing. Just get it.
(5)
Robyn G.
I've driven past Dolce for some time now, and never made it in. The location is uninviting - between a hair salon and a karate school. An odd place for a cafe, and every time I drove by I thought "I wonder if it smells like perms and sweaty people in there" (It doesn't). I just didn't ever really feel the need to venture in. A client told me I MUST go, so last night I did. There are an equal number of good and not-so-good points. I'll start with the good: I ordered the pork shank. It was flawless. The meat was so tender that chewing was entirely optional. The vegetable accompaniments were fresh and crisp and flavorful. The portion size was generous and priced appropriately. My friend had the filet mignon. She eats a lot of filet mignon, and she said this was the best one she'd ever had. Also so tender it could be cut with a fork, and the flavor was wonderful. It was served over "rostie" potatoes. They were perfectly executed and she said they were very tasty, crispy and an unexpected but very welcome change as a side for the steak. We split a wonderful and fairly priced bottle of Bordeaux, and our server had impeccable timing when it came to refilling our glasses. Now the not-so-good: We had a reservation, and arrived on time. We were seated promptly in the half empty restaurant, but we were seated at a table halfway between the front door and the kitchen, despite the fact that several much better situated two-top tables sat unoccupied for the duration of our visit. I was a bit put off by being in the flight path of the kitchen and also in the path of the chilly, damp night air whenever the door was opened. We ordered the antipasto appetizer and, while I can't say there was anything wrong with it, there was nothing remarkable or special about it. It was just an ordinary appetizer. The mozzarella was okay, the eggplant was nice (I love eggplant), the artichokes were tasty, but all in all, it was "meh". House-made mozzarella would have been a nice touch, and maybe the addition of a few olives or a bit of cured meat would have made it more of a standout dish. After the appetizer but before the main course, a plate containing bite sized cubes of bread with a pool of olive oil and balsamic vinegar arrived. Both the timing and the presentation were awkward. The taste and texture of the bread were both okay. But . . . cubes of bread? Like croutons that hadn't been toasted yet. Besides, our appetizer was already gone, and there was no soup or salad course forthcoming, so why were we getting bread at this particular time? It would have been nice to have it with the antipasto, but it arrived after the server had cleared the empty antipasto plate. And no, we did not immediately descend on the appetizer like a couple of starving vultures. Ten or fifteen minutes had passed between the arrival of the appetizer and the appearance of the bread. We ordered the brownie for dessert. Again, it was okay but unremarkable. . . however a brownie is a brownie is a brownie, so rapture was not expected and the lack thereof did not profoundly disappoint. Will I go back again? Perhaps. Am I putting "go back to Dolce" at the top of my culinary to-do list? Nope.
(3)
Eric B.
I had heard great things about this delightful new restaurant, and everything was true! Comfortable environment, friendly staff, great bartender, fantastic food! I am very excited to make this new eatery a regular in my dining routine! And thank god it's on open table always a plus in my book!
(5)
Sovana L.
I'm visiting my brother for a couple weeks and I wanted to try local eateries. I rather support local shops because they're more honest and...why not? Anyway, I found out about Dolce from here and so far it has good reviews. My very first impression was why would a cute little cafe be located in a weird area. It sits between a salon and a Taekwondo studio; and in front is just a small parking lot. However, as soon as I walked in I was impressed with their decor. It is definitely a cute and modern cafe. To your left by the front door sits a baking area with a few already made cake display, and ahead of you is the dining area. Their menu is limited but I assume it's because they're new? Either way, everything on the item sounded good and so I ordered their meatball panini. I admire the fact that their meatballs are made from grass fed beef and organic pork; and it is combined with house made marinara and lots of mozzarella cheese on a house made focaccia bread. It comes with a side of grapes and a choice of sun chips or apple. My brother ordered their Goat Cheese Chicken Panini. The focaccia sandwich is made with all natural chicken, lots of goat cheese, and roasted red peppers. As soon as I got my plate I was already disappointed. Womp Womp Their meatballs were pretty small so you'd think the chef would fill the sandwich with...well, more than THREE pieces! I was bit sad because their marinara tasted great but the amount of meatballs were enough for 2 bites! FYI, I'm a small girl and I don't eat a lot but I was rather unsatisfied with my sandwich. /sadface I also had the chance to try my brother's sandwich. Unfortunately, I was still unimpressed. It tasted bland to us. We felt as though the sandwich is missing something...like artichoke hearts or a type of herb like basil or parsley. To our surprise, the owner came by and asked us about our dining experience. I'm a terrible liar and she sensed it. So, she urged me to speak my mind. After telling her what we thought, she thought it might be a good idea to add artichoke hearts to her goat cheese chicken panini. She said she just ordered some and wasn't sure what to use it for! She even offered to bring out some more meatballs but I gently declined as I was already finished. She was nice enough to even offer each of us a complimentary dessert! I had a sliver of their chocolate cake and my brother devoured their vanilla cupcake. It was a small slice but definitely enough to satisfy my sweet tooth. I can say both their cakes are sweet, moist and airy. Even though I gave them 3 stars out of 5 I would like to come back and try something different. Our sandwiches weren't all that impressive, but because their staff and the owner were great to us I would love to support them once more.
(3)
Bill M.
Went with our dinner group again. I had the ravioli, and my wife had the trout. Neither of us were too excited about our choices, but the menu is pretty small, and there wasn't anything else we were in the mood for. When the ravioli came out I was a little disappointed in the portion size. It came on this huge plate with a little bowl built in the middle of it. It looked like just a few ravioli with some vegetable debris scattered around it. Most of the vegetables were asparagus (I'm not sure what the rest was), which I have never liked in my life. It looked like a quick stop at Sonic might be in the works on the way home. The meal was the best I have ever tasted in my life. Not a crumb remained, and I was actually slightly over-full at the end. The service was excellent. And by the way, my wife really enjoyed her trout also. :-)
(5)
Katina T.
So there was this girl I went to high school with who I really didn't know too well but my BFF was friends with her in grade school and she told me this story about this time she went to this girl's house when they were really young, like second grade, and her mom tried explaining to them that sex is "like chocolate." From then on, every time I had Calculus with this girl, I wondered what kind of weird key parties or tantric rituals this girl's mom was into and/or if it rubbed off on her. While I probably wouldn't attempt to explain to an eight year-old the similarities between some delectable chocolate and a hot and sweaty sack session, I will tell you, able-bodied Yelp readers that the caramel macchiato cheesecake they serve for dessert at Dolce rendered me completely physically satisfied and yearning for a long nap and some kind of cigarette. Also, if you go here and do not try the scallops you have denied yourself possibly one of the great pleasures of your life. That sounds dramatic but I'm serious. Everything is exceptional. Bravo.
(5)
George S.
I've driven past Dolce since they opened but today I stopped in for lunch. The food is prepared with natural/organic ingredients, and the menu changes weekly as to what is available. My lunch was very good and the cappuccino was very good as well. Definitely will try dinner for the 'acid test'.
(4)
Jarold K.
We had dinner not knowing what to expect from the new owners however we were pleasantly surprised at the quality. All of us commented on how well our meals tasted and how pleasant the atmosphere was. It is a perfect place for celebratory meals.
(5)
Jeffrey M.
This place is lame and way overpriced. Our entrees arrived luke warm. Service is pretty good, but that is the only positive. I will not be back.
(1)
Lawrence K.
I wish there was another star or two to hang on my review....as this place is one of the best. I can;t remember the last time my wife and I ate at the same restaurant two nights in a row...but last night we had dinner at Dolce and tonight we went back. Rarely does one get the chance to meet someone who really is enthusiastic about their business. Gina Sterns, Chef/Owner, injects her enthusiasm with every entree. The food...presentation...ambiance...noise level...FOOD....EVERYTHING was top drawer...fun...and a great way to spend an evening. Run...don;t walk...to Dolce and be guaranteed a great meal and evening. LOVED IT....both times in 24 hours.
(5)
Matt M.
This place just didn't do anything for me. While the company of my two beautiful lady friends was outstanding, the food was not. I ordered the "gourmet" cheeseburger - I don't know what was supposed to make it gourmet but it was just average and the small salad that came with it was a joke. One person ordered the corn chowder and it needed seasoning in the worst way. Both ladies ordered paninis - I can only remember one and it was chicken and goat cheese. It looked pretty decent but then it doesn't take a genius to make a panini. Everything was edible but nothing warranted a return visit in my opinion.
(2)
Maggie L.
Dinner was creative but most importantly delicious. I appreciate the focus on local and organic food. The service was very good. Definitely worth a stop!
(5)
Jeanell A.
Anniversary Lunch by Clint (1 review) My wife and I had lunch today at Dolce Cafe in celebration of our 36th wedding anniversary. I have to say that it was a wonderful surprise. Everything was freshly made and very well done. We shared one of the soups of the day which was a roasted red pepper. It was creamy and very flavorful. My wife ordered the meatball pannini and I had the cheeseburger. Both were perfectly cooked, well seasoned and very enjoyable. The house made foccacia is amazing! We ended the meal with a chocolate cupcake which was excellent. The cake was moist and flavorful and the butter cream icing was a knock-out. We can't wait to go back for dinner. It is wonderful to see a mom and pop restaurant in west Omaha. What we don't need is another chain restaurant and Dolce Cafe is a true breath of fresh air.
(5)
Sean F.
used to be 5+ now a 3-
(3)
Josh H.
This place is absolutey amazing! The staff is quite friendly and the ambiance of the cozy space is very welcoming. I really enjoyed the complimentary appetizer plate which is quite a classy act. I don't see that everyday. I have eaten there twice now and both times I ordered the meatball panini. I strongly suggest this dish because the mest is delicious and great with the fresh mozzerella. I am excited about trying the other menu items. Also I have only been there for lunch but I understand that the dinner menu changes from week to week.
(5)
shannon b.
Have been back here several times since our first visit, bringing friends sometimes, sometimes not. Holy crap the food is amazing here! Tonight's pleasure started out with a beet appetizer - pickled golden beets over ricotta with blackberry gastrique and toasted, candied hazelnuts. Good God it was delicious! My husband got the chicken served with parsnips, gnocchi, and spinach with this really good chicken jus. So unbelievably tender. In the past we've gotten other chicken and fish dishes (the halibut stands out) and everything we've gotten is just fantastic. The service is decent, Conrad in particular is VERY good (give him a raise please Gina :-D).
(5)
Grace P.
Loved our first visit to Dolce! We try to eat organic/local when possible so were excited to try it. Total gem, just off of Maple across from Tranquility Park. The "bread" course that comes out is unique, the house-made foccacia that comes out with it is really delicious. I had chicken salad sandwich, he had the Dolce Supreme salad, we shared an Italian Soda (raspberry), and a vanilla cupcake for dessert. Under $30 for all of it, and my picky palate had no complaints! Our server was wonderful too. Thanks Dolce, looking forward to our next visit!
(5)
Timothy B.
New owner, new chef, it works. Greeted by owner at the door. Waiter incredibly knowledgeable. Signature cocktails and freshly made pasta. Odd little location but really worth the trip. Not really a place to bring the kids but perfect for a date night or for a small group who want good Italian food.
(5)
g s.
Chefs Anthony, Mike, Randy and Jared are putting out seriously good food at Dolce. Tonight we had the sole special and some gnocchi for an app. Both were delicious. The gnocchi has incredibly authentic Italian taste and texture. Soft, pillowy, perfect. Anthony explained he is combining two varieties of potatoes to get this particular starch combination. Our servers Skyler and Olivia also have great serving style. We enjoy them so much! We love Dolce.
(5)
Emily W.
I was excited to try Dolce tonight for restaurant week and wow it did not disappoint!! The place is small and basic but clean and nice enough. Our server was friendly... Drinks were great!! The food though... Wonderful! Every single dish was plated beautifully... which I appreciate! My friend had the butternut squash soup and she was raving about it. She said slightly spicy. My pork belly had that slight crisp on the outside... melt in your mouth perfection. Best I've ever had. The shrimp and grits were ok but grits were bland. I'd order the wagyu flatiron steak instead, which was excellent. The almond parfait had a good flavor but "interesting" texture... I'd definitely go with the bread pudding for dessert instead.. which was exactly how you want bread pudding to be! I'll definitely be back. This would be a good date spot as it's nice and intimate and unique.
(5)
David T.
Don't judge a book by its cover, or in the case of Dolce, don't judge the quality of the restaurant by the fact that it's in a strip mall. The food is outstanding, has nice atmosphere and you receive a fine dining experience where the cuisine is both creative and tasty. Very impressed and will be back again.
(5)
Ross P.
I'll start with the bottom line, as the top line, and say: Head Chef Anthony Kueper has a menu worth checkin' out - and Dolce is the bomb. Eat there, now! I took my wife and 1-year-old son to Dolce recently for her birthday dinner this year. What the heck have we been missing out on!? I should have been coming here long ago. The ownership has changed hands, and when it comes to the food, it's for the Better (yes, Better with a CAPITAL B, baby!). While I enjoyed myself at the Dolce-of-old, it was never enough to bring me back. I thought it was, frankly, a tad overrated - though I did enjoy a cupcake here and there. The meatballs certainly didn't live up to my Sicilian grandfather's recipe - no one's does - so it isn't totally fair to hold that against her. Gina Sterns ran a tight ship. But I digress, I'll leave the rest of my review to honor the fine group that made my wife's birthday a real pleasure. I had a Living Social certificate good for the chef's 5-course tasting menu. When my beautiful bride found out, she said, "You're using a coupon for my birthday!?" I confidently replied, hoping my manly facade would give me a pass, "You betcha! Didn't you marry me for my prudence, intelligence, and of course - great taste in food? Besides, it's Dolce - I've been hearing great things!" And... It worked! Hope she's not reading this... Anyway, we had a reservation (Open Table made that part easy), and after running almost 10 minutes late, were seated immediately. We ordered a bottle of pinot noir - Angelina, which I must recommend - to enjoy with our dinner, and perused the 5-Course menu (which is separate from the normal dinner menu, so be sure to ask for it if you're interested!) There were two 5-course options. We went the more "traditional" route. The other offering looked really good as well, but chocolate for dessert and duck for an appetizer shifted the balance. My wife opted for the same. The first course came out in the hands of the chef himself. He was friendly, professional, and informed us about the dish - from the flavors involved, to the local sourcing of the ingredients. He also asked about our son. First impression: complete. Result: Wife and I were very impressed. He was running the kitchen, and the room? Wow. I can't say I've experienced that before. This was my son's first opportunity to eat some fine dining food. It was absolutely awesome. He tried, and ate, EVERYTHING. He's always been a great eater. But this experience was just hysterical. After every bite, he clapped. Joyous, happy clapping. Maybe I have a future foodie on my hands, here! He wanted some wine, too - but, sorry, buddy - maybe in 20 years, or so. Every course was balanced in flavor beautifully. Each bite, my eyes met my wife's, and any nearby table could likely hear a harmonious choir of , "Mmmmmm!" The pork loin had a flavor I've never tasted before - just amazing. My wife's favorite course was the scallop. It was perfectly cooked. The dessert featured a peanut butter cup that'd easily put 40 pounds on me if I worked there in any capacity. (Psst - Anthony told me they roast their own peanuts and make the peanut butter in house! Fantastic!) Finally, I grabbed the check. Our son was going to start a melt down at any time (likely because we didn't have any more delicious food to feed him), and so my wife ran him out to the car. Of course I left the diaper bag behind. And the high chair cover. Typical me. We had a missed call and message from the restaurant by the time we got home. I slapped my forehead and my wife said, "You forgot the diaper bag, didn't you?" They were nice enough to hold onto it overnight for us. I stopped in the next day, where the entire troupe from the night before was getting prepped for dinner service. Justifiably, I got a bit of good-humored ribbing. Well, I guess they'll remember me! Thanks for a great night, great food, unbelievable service, and free overnight storage (note: not everyone will be special enough to receive free storage...guess you'll have to leave something to find out!). And thanks to Chef Anthony. We will be back, soon!
(5)
Sarah G.
As of December 2013, Dolce has switched ownership. Not sure if this change is immediately apparent to some, but for me two of my favorite things about the restaurant were apparently closely tied to the previous ownership. Gina Sterns (of pastry fame), originally opened the restaurant in summer of 2011, and during this time, I frequented Dolce for lunch due to convenience, yes. But also because they had my favorite sandwich in town...the Goat Cheese Chicken Panini. And, yes, the cupcakes were also to die for. The restaurant was sold to Jason Kuhr and Tyler Mohr, owners of J.T.K. Cuisine and Cocktails in Lincoln. And it took me a really long time to return. Under Stern's ownership, I visited Dolce around a dozen times. Never did I visit for dinner. My previous review was based on all those successful lunch visits, plus a birthday cupcake special order. But now it's time to update. The Yelp reviews really tell an interesting story. Of the 46 current reviews, 25 were under the previous ownership and 21 are under current ownership. Starting with just an average, pre-sale average rating was 4.4 stars, with a post-sale average of 3.7 stars. Pre-sale ratings break down like this: 5-stars - 19 (73%) 4-stars - 2 (8%) 3-stars - 3 (12%) 2-stars - 1 (4%) 1-star - 1 (4%) Post-sale numbers: 5-stars - 9 (43%) 4-stars - 3 (14%) 3-stars - 5 (24%) 2-stars - 1 (5%) 1-star - 3 (14%) Anyway, enough with the data. I recently bought a Groupon for a Prix Fixe dinner at Dolce since I was apparently feeling nostalgic and on doing, noticed they're open for lunch again! Sadly, the menu has totally changed. Gone is my favorite goat cheese and chicken panini and other lunch staple salads (not to mention mac & cheese with the option for meatballs), replaced with a warm goat cheese salad (with option to add chicken) and/or sandwich options of Muffaletta or Annunziata ... And a $25 lunch, including tax and tip. The food was still good though, I really liked the soup, but the salad showed up... differently... than I'd imagined. Unlikely I'd order it again. I'm used to feeling cheated when it comes to beets and salad, but not lettuce. The goat cheese croquettes were placed on sliced roasted beets, with a sprinkling of arugula. (In case you're wondering, the chicken is the piece in the middle). ... and yes, we also split a bread pudding for the table. That was delicious. The new bar back is a classy touch, but I still think the hostess stand is somewhat awkwardly placed. Not sure if there's even a better place for it, actually. I wonder if not having one is an option. Anyway, on to our trip for dinner. I last-minute realized the Groupon was going to expire soon, and we headed out west on a Tuesday evening to sample the 'Date Night' menu. (Tuesday, Wednesday or Monday... I can't remember now). I hate the looks you sometimes get at nice places when using Groupons, so I like to announce that I have one right away and get that out of the way. Who knows if it effects the service or not, but I know we'd all like to think 'not'. In this case, our server was attentive and friendly. Not too much, not too little. Good, I'd say. We started our meal with the 'Taste of the Moment', a salmon tartar concoction I forget the name of now. Whatever it was, the moment was fleeting because we polished it off pretty handily. Next up, Soup du Jour, a smoked tomato. Really pretty special with a bold smoky flavor. All it needed was some bread... which we asked for (and received). I have no idea if the rolls are made in house, but they really didn't do it for me - this coming from an admitted carbaholic. (Don't get me wrong, I still slathered it with butter and ate it all). Next up for entrees were the Tuscan Steak (a tender 6 oz. kobe flatiron) and the Pan Roasted Chicken. Both dishes were presented very well, and had solid, hearty flavors indicative of the fall to come. I preferred the meat in the steak dish and the sides in the chicken, personally. What I originally wanted to try, the Kobe Ragu, took a back seat to an either-or recommendation request in which the chicken won out when I asked the server. Dessert was, once again, the star of the show. Dark Chocolate Mousse with rosemary toffee, gluhwein syrup and fresh berries. (And to save you on the Googling, 'gluhwein' is a German mulled wine). It all went down very nicely to round out the experience. The new Dolce is something unique and one of the better restaurants in West Omaha. Unfortunately my recent meals here haven't lived up to what I loved about the original, but they're forging their own path, and I think it's a welcome one.
(4)
Stephanie J.
After eating qdoba every other night, I decided to try Dolce for carryout. Had no idea what the restaurant would offer. Luckily, I walked into what was Valentine's Day in April. Once I sat at the bar for 2 minutes, I knew that the atmosphere was worth a dine-in experience. The was a talented musician singing and playing the guitar and the server was so welcoming and attentive. I had the goat cheese salad and soup of the day. I'd rate both a 4/5. I also had a cocktail and their bread pudding. The bread pudding was a little dry for my preference, but the ice cream served with it was delicious. This is definitely a "date night" selection. However, without a date it was still a wonderful dining experience.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Greg R.
Amazing food all prepared in house. The steak entree is delicious! Head chef knows what he's talking about and the desserts were on point. Overall great experience and food and will be back!
(5)Charles S.
Meal was not great, as one would expect for the premium price. Menu is very limited and pricey. The pork dumpling appetizer was a real disappointment without much flavor and the meat did not taste fresh. However, the butternut soup was excellent, as was the bread pudding dessert. The duck and Kobe steak entrees were very good and everything was presented nicely. The atmosphere lacked warmth, maybe meant to be artsy or minimalist. The biggest downer was that our server did not once ask how we liked anything. He was polite, but not friendly or attentive, as if he did not care much about us. I was hoping for a special anniversary date and expected more. We will not be back, nor would I recommend to anyone. I could have had a better experience (Outback) for much less or an excellent meal somewhere else for the same money (Flatiron for example).
(2)Christine S.
Made my semi-vegan west coast "I only eat organic and local" sister happy. My family and I went here for my (and my sister's) birthday lunch last Saturday. It was a little awkward to sit 7 people here, the cafe just wasn't designed for larger then 4 people groups. But once we all seated together, I started really enjoying the place. At 2pm on Saturday it was still full with the lunch crowd. Service was fairly prompt for the amount of people, and we were still able to get plenty of drink refills. The bruschetta was a great appetizer, all of us were able to grab a piece, and the mussels were well done, with a pretty unique sweet/savory taste combo from the sausage in the broth. Everyone was a fan of their focaccia, and the side salads were wonderful. Freshest greens I have had in a while, and very well dressed with a balsamic vinaigrette. We tried out the dolce meatball panini, goat cheese chicken panini, gourmet cheese burger, gina's veggie burger (guess who ate that one) and the sandwich of the day (a porkbelly and tomato jam panini that was a great flavor combo). The food was all great, plenty of food for everyone and everyone mauled my niece's kids order of mac n'cheese. I would seriously consider just ordering the mac n'cheese next time, it was that wonderful (but then I might feel a tiny bit guilty about eating that much cheese, but I am sure I could get over it). I wouldn't consider this place great for groups, but it really was nice for lunch and had the best produce, focaccia and mac n'cheese.
(4)Patricia M.
The new Dolce is pretty good, but it doesn't quite make it to my favorites list. My most recent visit was on a Saturday for the date night menu. We started with a couple of cocktails. Stewart had an Old Fashioned, which he wasn't impressed with. I had a Sea Breeze, which didn't quite hit the mark. Next came a generous portion of Margarita Mussels. They were in a nice broth that was very flavorful. This was one of the highlights of the meal. The second course consisted of a mediocre (too dry, a bit wilted) salad and an ok potato soup. For the main course, I had the salmon, which was cooked just right and was well seasoned. The flavors came together perfectly. Stewart really enjoyed his pan fried chicken too. Dessert was cheesecake, which was utterly forgettable. I'm not sure I've ever met a cheesecake I didn't like, until last night. Another highlight was the service. I missed our server's name, but she was just right. Very friendly and was always right there when we needed her, despite having several tables to look after. The meal was timed perfectly, which is something I always appreciate. All in all, I'll probably be back some day, but I'm not plotting my next visit.
(3)Jenn L.
Valentine's day dinner, fantastic food. The chef is awesome and the flavors were perfection! Service and venue leave a bit to be desired but still very good. We would totally return and the price versus other amazing chefs in town is definitely competitive. Great decor and so neat and clean.
(4)Candi P.
Our first meal at Dolce has been more than we expected. The risotto was a wonderful beginning, the mushroom soup was excellent and our entrées? Our entrées were perfect. That is not overstatement, the entrées were perfect. I had chicken and goat cheese Panini stacked with mild red peppers and spinach...my lunch partner ordered the chicken and polenta. Neither of us could think of a single thing we would've changed. Dessert? He had an apple pastry/Galette that was superb and I ordered the chocolate mint ice cream. Now let me explain something: this was no average ice cream! It was house-made with no artificial green coloring. This was the real thing and the mint was lovely and authentic and perfect. Although we had never stopped at Dolce before, I promise you that will not be the case in the future. Try them out soon, I plan to be back myself!
(5)Marty S.
We have eaten here before and our dinner was wonderful. I was so disappointed on Sat June 6th. When we arrived at a bit after 5:30 ( had early reservations due to attending the Symphony after) We were greeted?? by the dark haired lady who never said a word! Escorted to our table to actually be greeted by Dillon a very nice waiter. My husband ordered a fish of the day dinner. He wanted all meat cooked through but not to the point of drying it out which was what he was served. Probably being punished for not letting the chef do his thing. My chicken dish was OK but the blending of other flavors especially the Olive paste was not good. We first of all felt unwanted by the dour hostess. Dillon was the only friendly person there that treated us with respect. Then to receive entrees of less than tasty for a large $$ left us feeling like 'I don't ever want to come back here " feeling. We were almost late due to the time it took to get our check. There is another place we really like very close. Our next early dinner will be there I am happy to say. Have never had a bad meal and never been treated like we had the plague. Maybe Dolce doesn't like older people..maybe I wore the wrong perfume?? Miss hostess sure did not like us! She should have stayed home if she was not well..or angry or mad. Just do not treat others like you treated us. Some day you too will be old! I should have stopped with the goat cheese salad as it was very good.
(2)Cathy M.
Went to this restaurant on a recent trip to omaha and i am soooooooo glad to have found this little gem of a restaurant! My friend and I had purchased the prefix dinner from groupon and it was a steal but even the regular price would have been worth it! The chef knows what he is doing in the kitchen. .. highlights of the night were the potatoes and mushroom puree soup ... the lamb that was braised for hours it was tender and juicy and flavorful (not gamey at all) ... the best entree was the kobe beef sirloin ... it was the best piece of steak i had tasted in a long time!! But the finisher was the homemade bread pudding with vanilla bean ice cream... ohhh wow! Plus their in house entertainment (guy playing guitar ) had a smooth voice and easy on the eyes for sure! If you live in omaha definitely check this place out! You won't regret it!
(5)Edward P.
This is the first time that I have been to Dolce. We went there to celebrate my 71st birthday. If this restaurant had existed back in 70's and 80's in Boston or Chicago, it would have been in an converted old home of townhouse. It would also have had a dress code requiring men to ware a jacket and tie, woman to ware a dress or slacks. That would provide the proper atmosphere. We had 5:30 PM reservations ( I like to eat early.). When we got there, we were greeted by Heather who was both the hostess and our waiter. She was very pleasant and seated us immediately. I had taken a LivingSocial deal for a Date Night meal. Heather told us the specials of the day, that we could substitute. I chose the swordfish special and my wife ordered the American Kobe Ragu. I asked Heather to suggest a wind that would go with both orders. She recommended an Angelina Pinot Noir 2014. It hit the spot. Everything we had was delicious and everything was served at the correct time. Too many times I go to a restaurant that serve you their schedule not yours, resulting with you having 2 courses on the table at the same time. We will definitely be going back again. I'm looking forward to ordering from their "Five Course Chefs Tasting Menu". To sum it up, the service, the food and the wine were of the highest standards and I would recommend it to everyone.
(5)Chunk G.
Dolce is one of those places that has great potential once they work the kinks out. Maybe with the recent changes, it'll get there. I've been many times and the food has been hit or miss. I've had the: beet salad (ok), chicken (good), risotto several times several ways (great), the pasta with pork (decent/good), and the new mac n cheese (ok). Most recently I had the mac n cheese because it's new on the menu and because of course I'm always looking for new places to put on my mac n cheese list! Well theirs is only ok, unfortunately. The flavor was fine but it was just too basic; it was the START of a good mac. They needed to toss some chunked cheese in it and then throw it in the oven to solidify a little or something... maybe cheese or breadcrumbs on top to give it a crust? Something. I felt like I was eating mac from the kids menu, but with penne pasta. The menu is very limited and doesn't change as often as it should if they have any hope of repeat customers. But I keep returning because I still like the place. I like the modern minimal decor, the service, and the French press coffee. Dinner is over priced, but lunch is more reasonable.
(3)Carol D.
Had a lovely lunch with a co-worker at Dolce today. She had the American Kobe Ragu and found the fettuccini to be cooked to the perfect al-dente. She throughly enjoyed her meal. I actually mentioned to her that if she scraped anymore from the bottom of the bowl they wouldn't need to wash the dish. I selected the Pan Roasted Chicken which was very tender and delicious. If you are looking for white table linens and white cloth napkins in a warm setting, you should try Dolce.
(5)Erin F.
My husband I tried the date night menu here and absolutely loved it! My husband is a vegetarian so they created things from scratch for us off the menu. This was the best idea every and if you can do that I highly recommend it. The veggie risotto was fabulous, as was the homemade raviolis, and the bread pudding. I'm not a big fan of bread pudding and I was licking the plate. It was crazy how good it was. The atmosphere was great. We will definitely be coming back!
(5)Kyle R.
A little gem in a strip center. What a great surprise. My wife and I stopped by for lunch. The lunch menu was small but everything looked delicious. Food was fantastic, service was good, atmosphere and the music was awesome as well. Would be great for a date night. We will definitely return.
(5)Kurt K.
First-time visit last night. Food was excellent, service was excellent, portions are a bit small and quite pricey. Ambience was nice. However noisy and tightly packed if at a two person table. I would consider returning for special events however not somewhere I can afford to go on a regular basis.
(4)Moira R.
My husband and I tried the date night menu. We started off with their taste of the moment appetizer which was salmon croquettes topped with a peach and pineapple salsa. The croquettes did not have a lot of flavor (my husband hates fish and he ate them) but the topping was good. We both had the house salad (very good) and the Tuscan steak which was a 6 oz. American kobe flatiron. I ordered my steak medium and it came out closer to medium rare - I was fine with it but it would probably bother some people. The steak was good and I really enjoyed the sauce. It was served with marinated vegetables (roasted tomatoes, portobello mushrooms, fingerling potatoes, and greens) which were probably the best part of the meal - they were incredible! For dessert we had the dark chocolate mouse which was just bad. I will eat pretty much anything and I rarely turn down sweets but I had one bite and was done. The service was very friendly and efficient. They have some upscale touches, such as switching out the silverware with each course. The restaurant is set in a nondescript strip mall, but the interior is very modern. It is pricey (our bill was $98 before tip, including three drinks). The food was good but I don't know if it would be worth the price tag for us in the future. I enjoyed most of it, but my husband was not really a fan.
(3)Wendi H.
Had a groupon for Date Night. I got chicken which was good and a great portion-not too much, just right. Hubby got salmon. It was cooked medium-didn't look appetizing. Sent back, got it over cooked. Black on bottom. The cheesecake was awesome!!
(2)Tayler L.
Love the atmosphere love the staff love the food especially Tuscan steak!!!!!! You guys should try their chef special appetizer for the day. It was awesome
(5)Carrie H.
I've popped in for lunch 4 or 5 times and dinner now three times. Every meal has been wonderful!!! The first time dear husband went with me, we opted for the 5 course chef's dinner. It amazed! The flavors were outstanding and each course unique, flavorful and delightful! Truly THE BEST meal we have had in Omaha this year ... and trust me ... we get around to some of the best spots. Today I stopped in with a friend for lunch. I opted to start with the soup, and after our great waitress described how the chef made it without cream or broth (and to order!)We had to try it. It was the most favorable, rich (in a great way) and creamy potato soup I have had. Served on top were a few crisp fried cross-cut purple potatoes and one beet, which as you dug into your soup created an artful colorful swirl. Whether intended or not, the detail was fun. Since it was a cold comfort food kind of day I opted for the American Kobe Ragu. I fell silent upon the first bite. It was THAT good. It paired wonderfully with a light Pinot which cut down a bit on the richness. There was enough I'm looking forward to my lunch tomorrow if my husband does't beat me to it!!! My friend had never been and was thrilled as well, and can't wait to take her husband and partake in "Date Night". My husband and I are heading back soon for the "duck dinner" that chef spoke to us about on an earlier visit. Call ahead several days and he will ready a whole roasted duck, all the accouterments you could imagine and the price is unbeatable! Their wines are affordable, the service has always been great and for the life of me I can't figure out why this place isn't busier for lunch. So happy to have a tasty "foodie" spot in West O!
(5)Nel P.
Went here for their date night special from Groupon. A little small place but very well laid out. The food is great and the service is outstanding. A little pricey for the portions you're getting but say that's more quality vs quantity.
(4)Paul C.
This is a tough to review to write and I always try to read into other reviewers posts to see what maybe isn't a "personal preference". I will just spell mine out - the food here (off the Date Night menu) was solid and worth many more trips but there was something about the ambiance and service that just wasn't right. The restaurant sits in a strip mall and the decor is on par with many modern restaurants that one may visit now (open ceilings, shiny fixtures, nice table clothes and furniture, etc) but there was nothing that really stood out to differentiate the inside from many others I have dined. The service was professional but I didn't feel the personal touch I have from other high end restaurants (or those that attempt to be). The waitress laid out the options but it seemed very forced (just my personal opinion and take it at that). As for the food - my friend and I dined on a Groupon (could be part of the service observation) that was for the Date Night menu (shared appetizer, soup/salad, individual entree and shared dessert) without the wine option (the Date Night option usually includes a bottle of red or white wine if you choose). Our shared appetizer was a chicken confit "ramen" dish. The noodles were nicely prepared, the confit exceeded my expectations (I love duck confit but had not tried chicken) and the dish was well balanced and tasty overall. My friend had never tried confit before and she really enjoyed the dish. Next up, we both took the soup option which was a potato/chicken confit option. Now, the restaurant is the vogue "farm to table" type so many of the "specialties" were in many dishes - good or bad depending on your tastes. The soup was flavorful but I won't say that it stood out as special. For the entree, I went with the Kobe Ragu and my friend with with the Tuscan Steak. Both options were prepared perfectly and had great tastes though I would have preferred more options for this course. Lastly, we shared the bread pudding. No review here as I am a "bread pudding snob" and I didn't find the dessert to match my expectations or tastes though I am sure others would like it. Lastly, the restaurant does offer a "Chefs Menu" that I would like to try as the price sounded reasonable from what the other waitress described to the couple at a nearby table.
(3)Kyle K.
I was really excited to try this after reading all the reviews. Stopped into tonight to use one of those dreaded Groupon's for the 5 course tasting menu. The server was Dylan and he was one of the highlights of the evening. Cordial, attentive, never seemed rushed despite a full restaurant. Placed the wine order and noticed the chef had come out and presented dishes from the tasting menu to the couple next to us while explaining what each dish was. That would be the last time I saw him for the night. I ordered from the flirtatious side of the menu and my guest ordered from the demure side. The first course for me a play on pasta using parsnips and the other dish was duck. My dish was ok, nothing to make want to try it again. The duck was well cooked and enjoyed. The 2nd course was a Sea scallop. Nothing particularly exciting to either of the dishes, maybe the only thing of note was the sad looking wilted spouts (sunflower?) (I think it was this dish or maybe it was salmon-see not very memorable) Third course should have been a highlight. I had the pork belly and the other dish was a pork loin. I don't think I have every eaten pork belly that was tough and chewy. Usually it is melt in your mouth tender. This one was tough and chewy. My companion sampled it as well and agreed. The salted egg yolk did add an interesting taste to the sauce. But both of us felt the pork dishes were the least favorite of the night. Onto the 4th course. Salmon. Seared well but nothing out of the ordinary. The last course was desert. I had a version of donuts and the other was a chocolate plate. I am not much of sweet guy but this was probably the best of dishes although the cinnamon donut was overwhelmed by to much cinnamon. There was a tasty lemon curd as well. The chocolate dish went over well but I didn't sample it. I think maybe the kitchen got behind tonight. I overheard one of the waiters apologizing for a wait saying the chef had to prepare 75 dishes (which would explain why the chef did not come out again-and there were 5 or so tables that sat down in that time frame so 5 courses x 15 people) The service was excellent, the food was ok. Nothing I would say was bad but nothing really stood out or made me want more. I can remember other fixed course meals where I wanted to lick the plate and grab the plates off the servers trays when they walked by. Not the case here. I think since the service was so good I would give it another try but instead try ordering off the regular menu. Bill: tasting menu for two, bottle of wine, tax, tip $217.
(3)Sierranearl R.
My husband and I went on Valentine's Day! It was our first time going and it was a wonderful experience and the server also did a gois job. The atmosphere was nice, just right for date night with no kids. We started out with an appetizer which was the lobster risotto. It was delicious! For our entrée I had the pan seared duck breast and my husband had the scallops. They were both wonderful. I was a little nervous about the duck breast but omg, it was really flavorful and juicy! My husband's scallops werealso6 cooked to perfection. Next we ordered another drink which was the French 75, and it was also delicious and very refreshing! Dessert was bread pudding served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! It was also good but could have been a bit more warmer, it was just enough for the both of us to share. I must say that I had a nice and romantic dinner, and we will definitely go back again.
(5)Kevin J.
I went to Dolce for lunch on a Monday. After reading the reviews I knew that I would either be blown away or just stay away. The lunch menu is quite sparse, which is not a problem, just reality. I ordered a panini with smoked chicken and melted goat cheese, along with a cup of the soup of the day, which was a butternut squash concoction. The restaurant itself seats about 50, nicely decorated and clean. Nothing to shout about from the exterior as it is in a strip type mall. The food came promptly and was warm and there was plenty for lunch. That about sums it up. The soup was an odd coupling of squash and some type of citrus. I found it not very appealing in the flavor, not that is was inedible, but it did absolutely nothing for me. The sandwich was loaded with ingredients, too bad none of them had much flavor. WAY TOO many spinach leaves for my taste, it must have been stacked 15 leaves deep, the smoked chicken would have been better if I had a nicely roasted and SEASONED piece of chicken instead, very little flavor at all and the melted goat cheese had the most flavor but alas not much. I believe the panini was slathered with a pesto type condiment, again I love pesto, but no taste to this addition either. Would I go again? Probably, since the lunch combo was not too pricey and would try another menu item. But, the big problem is that they seem to want to make the items sound tasty without ever really trying the combinations they come up with.
(2)CC C.
We had the Groupon for the Date Night special. It was amazing, the entire experience was fabulous. We had the Potato Tortellini (Taste of the Moment), house salads, TD Niche Pork & the King Salmon. Simply amazing. The tortellini was served with pork belly, spinach, & roasted tomatoes. It was perfect. The salads were just the right amount of tart blue cheese with the sweet sherry vinaigrette. Our server offered us their house made bread & butter. It was super fresh & served warm, added a great touch. Salmon was cooked & seasoned perfectly & paired nicely with the lentils. The pork was a beautiful presentation with the apple & horseradish and it tasted every bit as good as it looked. This was our first time, but it will not be our last.
(5)Ezra R.
Me and my girlfriend went there this last week and it was a great experience. Food: We got the date night package, which I would recommend to anyone. It consists of an App to slip, a salad and entree for each of you, and a dessert to split. You can also include a bottle of wine for $20. I think it's $58 without the wine, and $78 with it. I'd go the wine again. For our appetizer we got the mussels, which were great, especially for being in Nebraska. They were extremely flavorful, and soaked/steamed in what looked like a butter sauce. I'd also recommend the goat cheese salad over the house, it was delicious. They have a balsamic reduction that is to die for. For the entree I got the salmon, and she got the American Kobe Flat Iron. Both were cooked to perfection. You honestly can't go wrong with either. For dessert we got the bread pudding, which was hands down the best I've ever had. I'd go back there for that allow. The portions aren't huge, but they don't need to be since you get so much food throughout the whole meal. It leaves you just enough room for every aspect of the meal. Service: Initially we had a reservation, but they didn't have a table for us, so they sat us at the bar. At first I was kinda disappointed, but the bartender and the couple next to us were awesome. The best part about the bar was watching him make the drinks. I decided to get a Buffalo Negra, which is made with a balsamic reduction, a sugar cube, basil, and bourbon. It was incredibly refreshing, and quite delicious. My girlfriend, who doesn't like bourbon, or anything like it, thoroughly enjoyed it too. They also comp'd me the drink since they sat us at the bar. While I don't know if I'd shell out the cash for the entrees outside of the date menu, I'd absolutely go back for the date menu and overall atmosphere.
(5)Taylor J.
This is my favorite spot to go with my boyfriend. Their mussels are fantastic, the staff is kind, and the wait time for food is short. I have never left on an empty stomach and will continue to go!
(5)Jennifer J.
Love the prix fixe menu! We had the mussels, potato soup, goat cheese salad, Kobe ragu, Kobe Flatiron steak, and the ginger cheesecake and the bread pudding for dessert. Everything was high quality and delicious!! Service was also excellent. We will go back for sure.
(5)Ronicca W.
Beautiful food! Wish they still had lunch. There are only 3 other restaurants in Omaha that can even compare to this place. The only downfall, is that the service was not professional. At all.
(4)Beth C.
Went with my husband to use a Groupon for the Chef's Tasting menu. Truly enjoyed the experience. The chef explained each dish, which was very interesting. It is obvious that he loves what he is doing! Service was great and food was fabulous. Will be back!
(5)Brady C.
Our "date night" experience this evening whats a hit and miss experience. The initial service and seating was satisfactory as was the environment. We ordered the TD Niche pork belly appetizer to share; each ordered the warm goat cheese and the Tuscan Steaks (Medium rare); and closed with the Yuzu ginger cheesecake. First, we received our pork belly appetizer; this was the first disappointment. All three pieces where ENTIRELY made up of fat. I brought this to the attention of our waitress and she immediately stated "that is how pork belly is supposed to be, it is 95% fat" with a completely apathetic tone and then walked away. Thomas Keller states that a good pork belly should be 50/50 fat to meat ratio and ours was 100% fat. One star on the appetizer as well as the uninformed waitress. Next was the goat cheese that fit in the "soup or salad" category. This showed a start to hope after the disappointing appetizer. The breaded goat cheese combined with the arugula and beets was an excellent flavor combination. The waitress did not stop the table to check on us but the food was definitely good. We would both recommend this dish and put it in the category of four stars (server still one star). Then we received our steaks. They were perfectly cooked and tender. The flavor was amazing especially coupled with the french fried onions as toppers. The potato, onion, and kale side was also quite good. Steak = 5 stars (again no waitress besides to quietly refill our water). Finally, we received our dessert, which was both a positive and a negative experience. The cheesecake was excellent, the problem was there were six blueberries placed on the sides (3 on each side) for presentation. Of those six blueberries one was rotten and moldy. As our waitress again did not come around the table until after we were finished, we ate the cheesecake (which was absolutely delicious) as it was not physically touching the rotten moldy blueberry. When the waitress finally returned to clear the table, I brought the moldy rotten blueberry to her attention and received an apathetic "hehh, i'll tell the chef" and she cleared the table with absolutely no apology or any other words. No other mention was made by the waitress. Four stars for the cheesecake, one star for both the lackadaisical miss (of an obviously rotten moldy blueberry) by the kitchen staff as well as the waitress. Ultimately, three aspects ruined our Dolce experience; the 100% fat pork belly that was probably a bad cut, the rotten moldy blueberry, and the less than mediocre waitress. The excellent steak and warm goat cheese were the aspects that kept this review from being one star. Overall experience two stars. Despite it being one of the better steaks we have had, I would not foresee us returning due to the overall bad experience as there are plenty of other excellent restaurants in Omaha that also provide excellent service.
(2)Xarhya W.
I reviewed Dolce once before and I've gone back many times since. Now, I'm spoiled by the five course tasting menu. Chef Anthony is a culinary genius and I never leave hungry or disappointed. Since I frequent the spot at least once a month, I've come to know not only Chef Anthony but the servers and bartenders as well. Love the fact that they always take such good care of me and that they go out of their way to create a friendly atmosphere. Every time I eat here, it's like being with friends so thanks all and see y'all soon!
(5)Dennis M.
PRAISE JEBUS!!! A REAL effin cafe!!! When I think of a cafe-cafe... I think of hours long chitter chatter with friends while nibbling on light meals and sipping on espresso followed by something sweet and simple. Although I went by myself and chitter chattered with my little baby cup of espresso, I felt as if I was in a real cafe!!! The 10-2 menu is short and sweet. There were four sandwiches, five salads, a kids menu and then some baked goods. But everything they had available sounded awesome!! Although I do LOVE to binge, I appreciate evenly proportioned meals that actually have veggies and good healthy shiz like that! I really wanted the arugula and grapefruit salad, but I opted for the goat cheese and grilled red pepper sandwich because I wanted to test this place's focaccia bread. Umm.... AWESOME! I will say this though as constructive criticism: The bread was a little too thick and since I opted for no chicken or salmon in my sandwich, I could have done with half the bread. So I ended up taking half of it home, opened the little bugger, ate the bottom with the cheese and took the top slice and spread crunchy nutella all over it... aka NOM NOM NOM! The espresso was excellent and very fresh!! Not sour, not bitter and as Goldilocks would say... it was JUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUST right! I also got the Almond sour cream cupcake. I thought it was good, but the frosting was a little much... but I liked the originality and I love almond flavor anything! Oh and the men's bathroom has a chair across from the toilet! Now, we can go to the bathroom together and talk about the latest gossip or last True Blood episode just like the girls can. Thanks for being gender agnostic D-cafe!! You might be wondering why I'm giving this place five stars even though I had suggestions for their food... I feel like this place has real potential and it's so rare to find a true cafe like this!!! If anything, I wanted to give this place four stars because of the location. A place like this really should be downtown and not in a random plaza next to a Taekwondo studio. You can eat outside... but you face a parking lot so there's no where to sit and judge people. You know!!! Also, I guess I went to this place before their grand opening so I will DEFINITELY be back to try the wine bar during the evening and also try the other things they have to offer. I will make this disclaimer though... If you don't like small menus with artisan items, you won't like this place and probably should stick with Jason's Deli.... But if you like Capriccio sandwiches and zucchini-asparagus salads, come check this place out!!!
(5)Ely K.
Everything we ordered was delicious. Portions are normal size not "super size me" size. The salmon was cooked perfectly, crispy and flavorful. The bread pudding was exceptional. Best I've ever had and I'm a lover of bread pudding. The service was great, our waitress was friendly and very helpful. Will go back again. Great date night. Definitely stay for dessert!
(5)Cory V.
Wife and I celebrated a special occasion here and left very impressed. She is not a fan of seafood and "weeds" as she calls salads that are anything but iceberg . So looking at the date night option (had a groupon) I was a little worried. Appetizer we choose the rabbit ravioli ( which she has never had) and pleasantly it was a hit. Next the salad option, again didn't think she would eat much ( also she didn't want cauliflower soup option which I had and highly recommend ) she was also surprised as she enjoyed most it ( stated it was salty favored which balanced the bitter greens). Main course she had Tuscan flatiron and I had the ragu, both were outstanding and cleaned our plates. Finally had the mousse for desert and it was good but very rich. Overall we had a very good meal, service was good, and we will be back to try chef menu
(5)Ken S.
My expectations for a company dinner were already high when a co-worker who lives in the south of France was saying how excited he was for dinner at Dolce after our meeting. Really? Really! They met my expectations and then some! We started off with a salad that was perfectly fine... goat cheese, lettuce, dressing, and all that. Great start! Then we had the halibut that was just amazing. As someone who doesn't eat meat, but does eat fish, I eat a lot of it and this was definitely exceptional. The fish is pistachio crusted and cooked in a wine sauce. I think the icing on the cake, so to speak, is the blackberry gastrique, which adds just a touch of sweet to the savory. I'm writing this and wishing I had more. Carrots came with the fish. Usually they are either too hard or too soft, but these were just right with a hint of sweetness. Needless to say, I cleaned my plate! I finished off my meal with the caramel macchiato cheesecake, which was also excellent. I can usually stop after a forkful or two of cheesecake, but not with this version. It was that good. My colleagues raved about the cupcakes and the carrot cake, but if I were to go back, there's no question, I'd get the cheesecake again! The service was outstanding and it's a very nice place set in the middle of a mini-strip mall. I would definitely recommend a visit!
(5)Chad C.
Great service! Food is usually organic and local. Plate presentation is wonderful! You need reservations but it's worth it.
(5)Suzanne L.
Best meal I had during my stay in the Omaha area. I am a California foodie and I had the trout. It was outstanding! The server and the owner made us feel so welcome too. Oh, and also had the berry cobbler, it was awesome! If I am in the area again I will definitely go there!
(5)Heather H.
This place has the freshest, local sourced food ever. The Dolce Supreme Salad is a case in point. But from now on, don't talk to me about Jones Bros or Gigi's cupcakes because Dolce's almond vanilla cupcake is simply the best I've ever tasted. Can't say it enough: So glad Dolce's in my neighborhood.
(5)Rosie A.
This place exceeded my expectations. Their caramel macchiato cheesecake is the best I've ever had. Loved the quiet environment and the service was exceptional. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone.
(5)Henry G.
Negroni and wagyu ragu pasta. @&$"ing amazing. Just get it.
(5)Robyn G.
I've driven past Dolce for some time now, and never made it in. The location is uninviting - between a hair salon and a karate school. An odd place for a cafe, and every time I drove by I thought "I wonder if it smells like perms and sweaty people in there" (It doesn't). I just didn't ever really feel the need to venture in. A client told me I MUST go, so last night I did. There are an equal number of good and not-so-good points. I'll start with the good: I ordered the pork shank. It was flawless. The meat was so tender that chewing was entirely optional. The vegetable accompaniments were fresh and crisp and flavorful. The portion size was generous and priced appropriately. My friend had the filet mignon. She eats a lot of filet mignon, and she said this was the best one she'd ever had. Also so tender it could be cut with a fork, and the flavor was wonderful. It was served over "rostie" potatoes. They were perfectly executed and she said they were very tasty, crispy and an unexpected but very welcome change as a side for the steak. We split a wonderful and fairly priced bottle of Bordeaux, and our server had impeccable timing when it came to refilling our glasses. Now the not-so-good: We had a reservation, and arrived on time. We were seated promptly in the half empty restaurant, but we were seated at a table halfway between the front door and the kitchen, despite the fact that several much better situated two-top tables sat unoccupied for the duration of our visit. I was a bit put off by being in the flight path of the kitchen and also in the path of the chilly, damp night air whenever the door was opened. We ordered the antipasto appetizer and, while I can't say there was anything wrong with it, there was nothing remarkable or special about it. It was just an ordinary appetizer. The mozzarella was okay, the eggplant was nice (I love eggplant), the artichokes were tasty, but all in all, it was "meh". House-made mozzarella would have been a nice touch, and maybe the addition of a few olives or a bit of cured meat would have made it more of a standout dish. After the appetizer but before the main course, a plate containing bite sized cubes of bread with a pool of olive oil and balsamic vinegar arrived. Both the timing and the presentation were awkward. The taste and texture of the bread were both okay. But . . . cubes of bread? Like croutons that hadn't been toasted yet. Besides, our appetizer was already gone, and there was no soup or salad course forthcoming, so why were we getting bread at this particular time? It would have been nice to have it with the antipasto, but it arrived after the server had cleared the empty antipasto plate. And no, we did not immediately descend on the appetizer like a couple of starving vultures. Ten or fifteen minutes had passed between the arrival of the appetizer and the appearance of the bread. We ordered the brownie for dessert. Again, it was okay but unremarkable. . . however a brownie is a brownie is a brownie, so rapture was not expected and the lack thereof did not profoundly disappoint. Will I go back again? Perhaps. Am I putting "go back to Dolce" at the top of my culinary to-do list? Nope.
(3)Eric B.
I had heard great things about this delightful new restaurant, and everything was true! Comfortable environment, friendly staff, great bartender, fantastic food! I am very excited to make this new eatery a regular in my dining routine! And thank god it's on open table always a plus in my book!
(5)Sovana L.
I'm visiting my brother for a couple weeks and I wanted to try local eateries. I rather support local shops because they're more honest and...why not? Anyway, I found out about Dolce from here and so far it has good reviews. My very first impression was why would a cute little cafe be located in a weird area. It sits between a salon and a Taekwondo studio; and in front is just a small parking lot. However, as soon as I walked in I was impressed with their decor. It is definitely a cute and modern cafe. To your left by the front door sits a baking area with a few already made cake display, and ahead of you is the dining area. Their menu is limited but I assume it's because they're new? Either way, everything on the item sounded good and so I ordered their meatball panini. I admire the fact that their meatballs are made from grass fed beef and organic pork; and it is combined with house made marinara and lots of mozzarella cheese on a house made focaccia bread. It comes with a side of grapes and a choice of sun chips or apple. My brother ordered their Goat Cheese Chicken Panini. The focaccia sandwich is made with all natural chicken, lots of goat cheese, and roasted red peppers. As soon as I got my plate I was already disappointed. Womp Womp Their meatballs were pretty small so you'd think the chef would fill the sandwich with...well, more than THREE pieces! I was bit sad because their marinara tasted great but the amount of meatballs were enough for 2 bites! FYI, I'm a small girl and I don't eat a lot but I was rather unsatisfied with my sandwich. /sadface I also had the chance to try my brother's sandwich. Unfortunately, I was still unimpressed. It tasted bland to us. We felt as though the sandwich is missing something...like artichoke hearts or a type of herb like basil or parsley. To our surprise, the owner came by and asked us about our dining experience. I'm a terrible liar and she sensed it. So, she urged me to speak my mind. After telling her what we thought, she thought it might be a good idea to add artichoke hearts to her goat cheese chicken panini. She said she just ordered some and wasn't sure what to use it for! She even offered to bring out some more meatballs but I gently declined as I was already finished. She was nice enough to even offer each of us a complimentary dessert! I had a sliver of their chocolate cake and my brother devoured their vanilla cupcake. It was a small slice but definitely enough to satisfy my sweet tooth. I can say both their cakes are sweet, moist and airy. Even though I gave them 3 stars out of 5 I would like to come back and try something different. Our sandwiches weren't all that impressive, but because their staff and the owner were great to us I would love to support them once more.
(3)Bill M.
Went with our dinner group again. I had the ravioli, and my wife had the trout. Neither of us were too excited about our choices, but the menu is pretty small, and there wasn't anything else we were in the mood for. When the ravioli came out I was a little disappointed in the portion size. It came on this huge plate with a little bowl built in the middle of it. It looked like just a few ravioli with some vegetable debris scattered around it. Most of the vegetables were asparagus (I'm not sure what the rest was), which I have never liked in my life. It looked like a quick stop at Sonic might be in the works on the way home. The meal was the best I have ever tasted in my life. Not a crumb remained, and I was actually slightly over-full at the end. The service was excellent. And by the way, my wife really enjoyed her trout also. :-)
(5)Katina T.
So there was this girl I went to high school with who I really didn't know too well but my BFF was friends with her in grade school and she told me this story about this time she went to this girl's house when they were really young, like second grade, and her mom tried explaining to them that sex is "like chocolate." From then on, every time I had Calculus with this girl, I wondered what kind of weird key parties or tantric rituals this girl's mom was into and/or if it rubbed off on her. While I probably wouldn't attempt to explain to an eight year-old the similarities between some delectable chocolate and a hot and sweaty sack session, I will tell you, able-bodied Yelp readers that the caramel macchiato cheesecake they serve for dessert at Dolce rendered me completely physically satisfied and yearning for a long nap and some kind of cigarette. Also, if you go here and do not try the scallops you have denied yourself possibly one of the great pleasures of your life. That sounds dramatic but I'm serious. Everything is exceptional. Bravo.
(5)George S.
I've driven past Dolce since they opened but today I stopped in for lunch. The food is prepared with natural/organic ingredients, and the menu changes weekly as to what is available. My lunch was very good and the cappuccino was very good as well. Definitely will try dinner for the 'acid test'.
(4)Jarold K.
We had dinner not knowing what to expect from the new owners however we were pleasantly surprised at the quality. All of us commented on how well our meals tasted and how pleasant the atmosphere was. It is a perfect place for celebratory meals.
(5)Jeffrey M.
This place is lame and way overpriced. Our entrees arrived luke warm. Service is pretty good, but that is the only positive. I will not be back.
(1)Lawrence K.
I wish there was another star or two to hang on my review....as this place is one of the best. I can;t remember the last time my wife and I ate at the same restaurant two nights in a row...but last night we had dinner at Dolce and tonight we went back. Rarely does one get the chance to meet someone who really is enthusiastic about their business. Gina Sterns, Chef/Owner, injects her enthusiasm with every entree. The food...presentation...ambiance...noise level...FOOD....EVERYTHING was top drawer...fun...and a great way to spend an evening. Run...don;t walk...to Dolce and be guaranteed a great meal and evening. LOVED IT....both times in 24 hours.
(5)Matt M.
This place just didn't do anything for me. While the company of my two beautiful lady friends was outstanding, the food was not. I ordered the "gourmet" cheeseburger - I don't know what was supposed to make it gourmet but it was just average and the small salad that came with it was a joke. One person ordered the corn chowder and it needed seasoning in the worst way. Both ladies ordered paninis - I can only remember one and it was chicken and goat cheese. It looked pretty decent but then it doesn't take a genius to make a panini. Everything was edible but nothing warranted a return visit in my opinion.
(2)Maggie L.
Dinner was creative but most importantly delicious. I appreciate the focus on local and organic food. The service was very good. Definitely worth a stop!
(5)Jeanell A.
Anniversary Lunch by Clint (1 review) My wife and I had lunch today at Dolce Cafe in celebration of our 36th wedding anniversary. I have to say that it was a wonderful surprise. Everything was freshly made and very well done. We shared one of the soups of the day which was a roasted red pepper. It was creamy and very flavorful. My wife ordered the meatball pannini and I had the cheeseburger. Both were perfectly cooked, well seasoned and very enjoyable. The house made foccacia is amazing! We ended the meal with a chocolate cupcake which was excellent. The cake was moist and flavorful and the butter cream icing was a knock-out. We can't wait to go back for dinner. It is wonderful to see a mom and pop restaurant in west Omaha. What we don't need is another chain restaurant and Dolce Cafe is a true breath of fresh air.
(5)Sean F.
used to be 5+ now a 3-
(3)Josh H.
This place is absolutey amazing! The staff is quite friendly and the ambiance of the cozy space is very welcoming. I really enjoyed the complimentary appetizer plate which is quite a classy act. I don't see that everyday. I have eaten there twice now and both times I ordered the meatball panini. I strongly suggest this dish because the mest is delicious and great with the fresh mozzerella. I am excited about trying the other menu items. Also I have only been there for lunch but I understand that the dinner menu changes from week to week.
(5)shannon b.
Have been back here several times since our first visit, bringing friends sometimes, sometimes not. Holy crap the food is amazing here! Tonight's pleasure started out with a beet appetizer - pickled golden beets over ricotta with blackberry gastrique and toasted, candied hazelnuts. Good God it was delicious! My husband got the chicken served with parsnips, gnocchi, and spinach with this really good chicken jus. So unbelievably tender. In the past we've gotten other chicken and fish dishes (the halibut stands out) and everything we've gotten is just fantastic. The service is decent, Conrad in particular is VERY good (give him a raise please Gina :-D).
(5)Grace P.
Loved our first visit to Dolce! We try to eat organic/local when possible so were excited to try it. Total gem, just off of Maple across from Tranquility Park. The "bread" course that comes out is unique, the house-made foccacia that comes out with it is really delicious. I had chicken salad sandwich, he had the Dolce Supreme salad, we shared an Italian Soda (raspberry), and a vanilla cupcake for dessert. Under $30 for all of it, and my picky palate had no complaints! Our server was wonderful too. Thanks Dolce, looking forward to our next visit!
(5)Timothy B.
New owner, new chef, it works. Greeted by owner at the door. Waiter incredibly knowledgeable. Signature cocktails and freshly made pasta. Odd little location but really worth the trip. Not really a place to bring the kids but perfect for a date night or for a small group who want good Italian food.
(5)g s.
Chefs Anthony, Mike, Randy and Jared are putting out seriously good food at Dolce. Tonight we had the sole special and some gnocchi for an app. Both were delicious. The gnocchi has incredibly authentic Italian taste and texture. Soft, pillowy, perfect. Anthony explained he is combining two varieties of potatoes to get this particular starch combination. Our servers Skyler and Olivia also have great serving style. We enjoy them so much! We love Dolce.
(5)Emily W.
I was excited to try Dolce tonight for restaurant week and wow it did not disappoint!! The place is small and basic but clean and nice enough. Our server was friendly... Drinks were great!! The food though... Wonderful! Every single dish was plated beautifully... which I appreciate! My friend had the butternut squash soup and she was raving about it. She said slightly spicy. My pork belly had that slight crisp on the outside... melt in your mouth perfection. Best I've ever had. The shrimp and grits were ok but grits were bland. I'd order the wagyu flatiron steak instead, which was excellent. The almond parfait had a good flavor but "interesting" texture... I'd definitely go with the bread pudding for dessert instead.. which was exactly how you want bread pudding to be! I'll definitely be back. This would be a good date spot as it's nice and intimate and unique.
(5)David T.
Don't judge a book by its cover, or in the case of Dolce, don't judge the quality of the restaurant by the fact that it's in a strip mall. The food is outstanding, has nice atmosphere and you receive a fine dining experience where the cuisine is both creative and tasty. Very impressed and will be back again.
(5)Ross P.
I'll start with the bottom line, as the top line, and say: Head Chef Anthony Kueper has a menu worth checkin' out - and Dolce is the bomb. Eat there, now! I took my wife and 1-year-old son to Dolce recently for her birthday dinner this year. What the heck have we been missing out on!? I should have been coming here long ago. The ownership has changed hands, and when it comes to the food, it's for the Better (yes, Better with a CAPITAL B, baby!). While I enjoyed myself at the Dolce-of-old, it was never enough to bring me back. I thought it was, frankly, a tad overrated - though I did enjoy a cupcake here and there. The meatballs certainly didn't live up to my Sicilian grandfather's recipe - no one's does - so it isn't totally fair to hold that against her. Gina Sterns ran a tight ship. But I digress, I'll leave the rest of my review to honor the fine group that made my wife's birthday a real pleasure. I had a Living Social certificate good for the chef's 5-course tasting menu. When my beautiful bride found out, she said, "You're using a coupon for my birthday!?" I confidently replied, hoping my manly facade would give me a pass, "You betcha! Didn't you marry me for my prudence, intelligence, and of course - great taste in food? Besides, it's Dolce - I've been hearing great things!" And... It worked! Hope she's not reading this... Anyway, we had a reservation (Open Table made that part easy), and after running almost 10 minutes late, were seated immediately. We ordered a bottle of pinot noir - Angelina, which I must recommend - to enjoy with our dinner, and perused the 5-Course menu (which is separate from the normal dinner menu, so be sure to ask for it if you're interested!) There were two 5-course options. We went the more "traditional" route. The other offering looked really good as well, but chocolate for dessert and duck for an appetizer shifted the balance. My wife opted for the same. The first course came out in the hands of the chef himself. He was friendly, professional, and informed us about the dish - from the flavors involved, to the local sourcing of the ingredients. He also asked about our son. First impression: complete. Result: Wife and I were very impressed. He was running the kitchen, and the room? Wow. I can't say I've experienced that before. This was my son's first opportunity to eat some fine dining food. It was absolutely awesome. He tried, and ate, EVERYTHING. He's always been a great eater. But this experience was just hysterical. After every bite, he clapped. Joyous, happy clapping. Maybe I have a future foodie on my hands, here! He wanted some wine, too - but, sorry, buddy - maybe in 20 years, or so. Every course was balanced in flavor beautifully. Each bite, my eyes met my wife's, and any nearby table could likely hear a harmonious choir of , "Mmmmmm!" The pork loin had a flavor I've never tasted before - just amazing. My wife's favorite course was the scallop. It was perfectly cooked. The dessert featured a peanut butter cup that'd easily put 40 pounds on me if I worked there in any capacity. (Psst - Anthony told me they roast their own peanuts and make the peanut butter in house! Fantastic!) Finally, I grabbed the check. Our son was going to start a melt down at any time (likely because we didn't have any more delicious food to feed him), and so my wife ran him out to the car. Of course I left the diaper bag behind. And the high chair cover. Typical me. We had a missed call and message from the restaurant by the time we got home. I slapped my forehead and my wife said, "You forgot the diaper bag, didn't you?" They were nice enough to hold onto it overnight for us. I stopped in the next day, where the entire troupe from the night before was getting prepped for dinner service. Justifiably, I got a bit of good-humored ribbing. Well, I guess they'll remember me! Thanks for a great night, great food, unbelievable service, and free overnight storage (note: not everyone will be special enough to receive free storage...guess you'll have to leave something to find out!). And thanks to Chef Anthony. We will be back, soon!
(5)Sarah G.
As of December 2013, Dolce has switched ownership. Not sure if this change is immediately apparent to some, but for me two of my favorite things about the restaurant were apparently closely tied to the previous ownership. Gina Sterns (of pastry fame), originally opened the restaurant in summer of 2011, and during this time, I frequented Dolce for lunch due to convenience, yes. But also because they had my favorite sandwich in town...the Goat Cheese Chicken Panini. And, yes, the cupcakes were also to die for. The restaurant was sold to Jason Kuhr and Tyler Mohr, owners of J.T.K. Cuisine and Cocktails in Lincoln. And it took me a really long time to return. Under Stern's ownership, I visited Dolce around a dozen times. Never did I visit for dinner. My previous review was based on all those successful lunch visits, plus a birthday cupcake special order. But now it's time to update. The Yelp reviews really tell an interesting story. Of the 46 current reviews, 25 were under the previous ownership and 21 are under current ownership. Starting with just an average, pre-sale average rating was 4.4 stars, with a post-sale average of 3.7 stars. Pre-sale ratings break down like this: 5-stars - 19 (73%) 4-stars - 2 (8%) 3-stars - 3 (12%) 2-stars - 1 (4%) 1-star - 1 (4%) Post-sale numbers: 5-stars - 9 (43%) 4-stars - 3 (14%) 3-stars - 5 (24%) 2-stars - 1 (5%) 1-star - 3 (14%) Anyway, enough with the data. I recently bought a Groupon for a Prix Fixe dinner at Dolce since I was apparently feeling nostalgic and on doing, noticed they're open for lunch again! Sadly, the menu has totally changed. Gone is my favorite goat cheese and chicken panini and other lunch staple salads (not to mention mac & cheese with the option for meatballs), replaced with a warm goat cheese salad (with option to add chicken) and/or sandwich options of Muffaletta or Annunziata ... And a $25 lunch, including tax and tip. The food was still good though, I really liked the soup, but the salad showed up... differently... than I'd imagined. Unlikely I'd order it again. I'm used to feeling cheated when it comes to beets and salad, but not lettuce. The goat cheese croquettes were placed on sliced roasted beets, with a sprinkling of arugula. (In case you're wondering, the chicken is the piece in the middle). ... and yes, we also split a bread pudding for the table. That was delicious. The new bar back is a classy touch, but I still think the hostess stand is somewhat awkwardly placed. Not sure if there's even a better place for it, actually. I wonder if not having one is an option. Anyway, on to our trip for dinner. I last-minute realized the Groupon was going to expire soon, and we headed out west on a Tuesday evening to sample the 'Date Night' menu. (Tuesday, Wednesday or Monday... I can't remember now). I hate the looks you sometimes get at nice places when using Groupons, so I like to announce that I have one right away and get that out of the way. Who knows if it effects the service or not, but I know we'd all like to think 'not'. In this case, our server was attentive and friendly. Not too much, not too little. Good, I'd say. We started our meal with the 'Taste of the Moment', a salmon tartar concoction I forget the name of now. Whatever it was, the moment was fleeting because we polished it off pretty handily. Next up, Soup du Jour, a smoked tomato. Really pretty special with a bold smoky flavor. All it needed was some bread... which we asked for (and received). I have no idea if the rolls are made in house, but they really didn't do it for me - this coming from an admitted carbaholic. (Don't get me wrong, I still slathered it with butter and ate it all). Next up for entrees were the Tuscan Steak (a tender 6 oz. kobe flatiron) and the Pan Roasted Chicken. Both dishes were presented very well, and had solid, hearty flavors indicative of the fall to come. I preferred the meat in the steak dish and the sides in the chicken, personally. What I originally wanted to try, the Kobe Ragu, took a back seat to an either-or recommendation request in which the chicken won out when I asked the server. Dessert was, once again, the star of the show. Dark Chocolate Mousse with rosemary toffee, gluhwein syrup and fresh berries. (And to save you on the Googling, 'gluhwein' is a German mulled wine). It all went down very nicely to round out the experience. The new Dolce is something unique and one of the better restaurants in West Omaha. Unfortunately my recent meals here haven't lived up to what I loved about the original, but they're forging their own path, and I think it's a welcome one.
(4)Stephanie J.
After eating qdoba every other night, I decided to try Dolce for carryout. Had no idea what the restaurant would offer. Luckily, I walked into what was Valentine's Day in April. Once I sat at the bar for 2 minutes, I knew that the atmosphere was worth a dine-in experience. The was a talented musician singing and playing the guitar and the server was so welcoming and attentive. I had the goat cheese salad and soup of the day. I'd rate both a 4/5. I also had a cocktail and their bread pudding. The bread pudding was a little dry for my preference, but the ice cream served with it was delicious. This is definitely a "date night" selection. However, without a date it was still a wonderful dining experience.
(5)