I have two theories about V Mertz, not being from Omaha. Either the chef took the night off or this was once a remarkable place and they lost their talented kitchen staff. The raw ingredients were top notch. The menu items where extremely well conceived with flavored that worked well together. The problem was execution. Pork Belly should not be "fatty" Rabbit should be succulent. These would have been delightful meals in the right hands. Unfortunately my dishes were prepared by the wrong hands. Should have gone to the Grey Plume or Dario's Cafe.
(3)
Turn 2.
Went to V Mertz on a Friday night last month with a group of friends for dinner. The service was top-notch. The menu was creative without trying too hard. The chef actually came out to speak with us at the end of the meal. maybe because we ordered a six pack for the kitchen. LOL. Prices are actually not that bad for what you get. The seafood dishes really outshined the rest. If possible try and save room for dessert. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Jennifer J.
I've been to V. MERTZ now 3 times. Each time I've had wonderful food and excellent service. I can't believe the yelp rating overall is so low! The last two times I have had the peppercorn steak. The steak is cooked to perfection and served with a delicious sauce and equally delicious vegetables. My favorite is the pickled broccoli. I have to figure out how they make that broccoli so I can make it at home! For dessert I had the creme brulee. It was excellent - the perfect amount of crunch and creamy. It is served in a very shallow dish. I hate when creme brulee is all custard and very little crunch on top. Here its about 50/50 -my fav! I also love the ambiance - it's romantic and cozy, inside an old market passageway. Overall, a great restaurant with great food and perfect portions!
Tried V Mertz to celebrate my wife's birthday. Restaurant was recommended so thought we'd give it a go. Before you go - make reservations. Saw several couples turned away due to a full booking for the evening. Our wine selection was the 2009 Riesling, Dr. Loosen "Blue Slate" Kabinett (Mosel, Germany) - Absolutely an outstanding wine - try this One comment - My wife and I drink wine generally whenever we dine out - a review of the wine list contains a good selection, but our perception was that the offerings were overpriced especially for the Half-Bottles - keep that in mind if you decide to dine. Started with the House Made Charcuterie Platter as our appetizer - sufficient serving for two (2) to share comfortably. It was acceptable and worth a try, but we have had a better house made Charcuterie at another local restaurant. Fresh bread and home made butter were served. The bread was pretzel bread and it was simply outstanding (similar to what we had in Germany - delicious. My wife enjoyed the Late Autumn Salad containing Green Bean, Broccoli, Butternut, Kale (slightly grilled), Fennel, Tri-Color Carrot, Radish For the main course my wife had the Truebridge Farm's Pork Duet consisting of Loin & Leg, Green Bean, Arugula, Butternut Squash, Roasted Shallot, Turnip, Apple. While she said it was good, she find it slightly under-seasoned and not necessarily worth the price. I had the Majinola Ranch Wagyu Beef consisting of beef belly and lion along with Tri-Color Carrot, Amber Waves of Grain, Land Race Collards, and Malt. The beef belly was outstanding. The carrots were grilled whole with the stems left on and the "Amber Waves of Grain" was comprised of seven (7) different grains. Tasty and unique. A carrot foam surrounded the dish and provided needed liquid. Service was good. Overall, while we would recommend the restaurant, there are others that we would prefer to dine at on a regular basis when we compare cost, food, and wine hence the 3 star rating.
(3)
Leslie T.
Went here to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Nice, romantic atmosphere and decent service. However, the food was not that great, especially for the price! The shrimp and grits and scallop appetizers were good, but both the entrees were not anything to write home about. My husband got the signature pepper steak (didn't live up to the hype) and I ordered the chicken breast, which was on the dry side and I didn't like any of the undercooked, flavorless root vegetables or currants and some sort of husked cherries as the side dish. The candy bar dessert was good, but extremely rich. So glad we decided to share it. Almost too rich even for sharing with another person! We came here using a Groupon that was given to us as a gift. This was our second time trying the restaurant and sadly weren't that impressed either time, so I can't imagine that we will be back.
(2)
Fred W.
The food is superb but the hidden secret is the bartender, Alex. Ask to sit at the bar, tell him your likes and he will create a craft cocktail that will knock your socks off.
(5)
Christy S.
i love this place. i don't come here often, but every time its great. the food, the service, the atmosphere. the price is reasonable for the type of experience you get here. the menu is never the same. at least for me. you don't have to have reservations, but its helpful. quite the wine/liquor list. everything tastes good here. Matt's doing a great job here! i usually dine here on certain occasions so thanks for making each occasion great!
(5)
David Y.
I went to V. Mertz with my girlfriend. There were some hits and some misses. Hits: Peppercorn steak, Swordfish, Root beer float. I enjoyed the first two the most. They were large plates and both the steak and fish were done extremely well. The root beer float dessert was delicious as well (though, I'm a sucker for root beer). Both of those main dishes were the highlights of the meal. Misses: I should have written this down when we first went here, but I'm fairly certain it was the pork shoulder? (I know V. Mertz changes their menu often). Either way, we ate a pork shoulder (or something similar) that was disappointing. I didn't have a problem with the taste as much as the overall texture of the dish (it was very fatty and hard to eat). Chocolate and Vanilla dessert- As a whole, this dessert was fairly good. However, there were some elements that we didn't like as much (the white chocolate ratio was lacking; etc). Portion sizing- I don't come into V. Mertz expecting portions that are comparative to much cheaper restaurants. I've dined in enough upscale restaurants in the past to know that I am probably not going to get a very large sizing. The overall sizings for V.Mertz were disappointing, even for an upscale place. The swordfish, while delicious, was half the size of my balled fist (and I probably could have fit the entire thing in my mouth). Overall, V. Mertz was a good but not fantastic restaurant. We tried 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, and 2 desserts. The main courses were my favorite parts. Other notes: the small plate salad was enjoyable and fresh and the bread was also nice.
(3)
Jesse Z.
Service was amazing, the waitress that helped throughout the night was very knowledgeable about the variety of dishes we ordered. Price per dish is average for a place this nice and its serving portions. I'm hesitant to give it 5 stars because while the food was incredibly appetizing, it just didn't leave me with that feeling of "I need to comeback." So while I was extremely satisfied with the food it feels more like a "one and done" for me.
(4)
David F.
We've lived in Nebraska for 15 years, but never visited V.Mertz for some inexplicable reason. Both of us were very positively surprised by the seriousness (not pretentious or overbearing) of the cooking, the fine service, and the range of the wine list. While several fine restaurants have appeared in Omaha over the last few years, V. Mertz is more than keeping up with its inventive menu that is still accessible to a range of diners. Outstanding.
(5)
Gregg S.
Over priced, pretentious garbage. Save the bucks and eat someplace that serves real food, not this phony-baloney crapola.
(1)
Alissa C.
I've eaten here two times. My first time was just to use an expired Groupon. The second time, which was within a month later, was for my boyfriend's birthday. The menu hadn't changed too much from the first to the second visit. However, my boyfriend and I didn't mind because there were some items on the menu we didn't get to try on our first visit. The first time, we shared the Braised Wagyu Chuck Roast, TD Niche Pork Belly, Faroe Islands Salmon, and the V.Mertz Peppersteak. The first two dishes were under 'Shared Plates' on the menu, the last two were 'Large Plates'. For desert, we shared the House-Made Candy Bar. Everything was very delicious; I don't think I could pick a favorite. My boyfriend's favorite was the Pork Belly. If they had that as a Large Plate, I'm sure my boyfriend would have eaten that. The belly was actually better than I thought it would be. I usually don't like to order these kids of dishes, because I don't like the taste of fat. However, this dish didn't taste as fatty as I had expected, and I really enjoyed it. The second time, we tried the Butter Poached Bunching Onion, TD Niche Pork Belly (AGAIN), Morgan Ranch Wagyu Bavette, and the Meadow's Grass-fed Lamb. For desert we shared the Candy Bar. This candy bar was different than the first, but still very good. The pork belly was great again, of course. Again, I didn't have a favorite. The pumpkin pie in the wagyu bavette dish was a great accompaniment. Both times, we finished dinner with french-pressed coffee from Omaha's own Blue Line Coffee Company. The coffee was very good and one of the only one's that I would drink black. Although I thought the prices could be better, I understand that this is a nice restaurant that tries to make dishes with both local and seasonal ingredients. When dining here, don't expect a meal that will fill you up, but a meal that will expand your taste. There were so many small items on my plate that I had not tried before. I really liked the combination of ingredients in all the dishes. You can tell that the chef here is a real chef, who is proud of his work, and sees cooking as an art.
(5)
WAJ W.
Short and sweet because I forgot to write after three different dinners here over the last 2 months. Fantastic food. Good service. The best wine list for Bordeaux drinkers in Omaha. Not a big list (it is Omaha) but still the best we have for Bordeaux. The menu is inventive, the cooking is creative and the food is delicious. We sampled a dozen entrees and twice as many appetizers recently and have yet to experience a bad choice. We are coming back soon. With friends.
(5)
D Z.
Very good all around. Diverse menu that is complex but approachable. Desert is amazing and great wine selection. Need a better liquor selection.
(4)
Paul C.
I finally made it V Mertz and all I could think was "why did I wait so long?". The location is "unique" but once inside the ambiance is on par with any fine dining/special occasion restaurant. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful and the food was absolutely AMAZING. For the meal, we went with a sheep's milk cheese for the local & artisanal cheese option, the Wagyu beef tartar (the pea emulsion was amazing) appetizer ; saffron risotto with squid & leek from the small plates and then duck breast (with pickled rhubarb & mustard) and peppersteak with tasty veggies for the main courses. There was not a unsatisfying portion in the entire menu and the risotto may have been the best I have every had! Unfortunately (or not), I was very full after the meal so I skipped dessert (there are SEVERAL nice looking options there). If you are seeking a nice meal for a special occasion (or just want to treat yourself), DEFINITELY add Mertz to your list.
(5)
Jenn L.
Good food but terrible service. This used to be our go to for special occasions but seriously not worth the price tag.
(1)
Sarah G.
Well, one year later and another Restaurant Week. Ironically I wasn't able to sample that menu as we were using a last-minute Groupon. Turns out, I'm glad we were able to try the regular menu because I had a much better meal this time around. I wonder how restaurant week menu would've been though because when I went back to rad last year's review it was hard to believe it transpired at the same place. This time we started with an amuse bouche of compressed watermelon and cucumber. A refreshing taste of summer... I easily wanted more. Next up was house onion roll & butter. (Drastically different than my last experience... This was good. Really good.) Appetizer was charcuterie, served with small rounds of the heartiest whole grain bread I've had recently. Interesting accompaniment, and different than the standard French baguette. My meal was the Magnolia Ranch Wagu Bavette. Peppersteak for Bill. I was hoping for a pork dish but was glad to settle for the tender Bavette dish, with corn bread and vegetable ratatouille. We didn't stuff any dessert on top of that, but did enough several Hoegaarden ales to wash everything down. Ultimately, after this meal I'd rank V. Mertz pretty highly up the scale on fine dining options in town.
(4)
Dason K.
1) Food are amazing, Chef Lamb did a excellent job 2) Wine services are amazing 3) server understand the better they take care of guest, the better the guest will take care of them 4) valentine dinner include option ribeye or snapper for two, base on what I saw both are well cook. But I believe table side services will bring the dish to the next level 5) All three Sommeliers are well train, have faith in them and allow them to do the pairing for you.
(5)
Robert L.
Very small and cozy, brick floors and cut wood beams- great ambiance. Servers are very attentive and knowledgeable. Wine list is extensive and we ended up with a fantastic Red from Lebanon. Chose the house made charcuterie to start and had the Wagyu peppercorn steak. Amazingly tender with nice root vegetables. My wife had the Salmon and raved about it as well. Dessert was so artful it was almost too pretty to eat but it was also fantastic. This is on our top restaurants we've ever been to list. We will be back.
(5)
Ashley B.
V Mertz was absolutely perfect! The restaurant was located in a little byway in Old Market which was really cool. Lighting was dim and romantic. Service was on point. The food was decadent. My husband and I ordered the cheese plate, duck, and the roast. All the servings were larger than what I had expected so we had more than enough food. Will definitely return for more wine and cheese!!
(5)
Christine B.
V. Mertz continues to excel on two fronts: presentation, ambience and service. Few establishments seem to appreciate the importance of timing and encouraging diners to relax, enjoy and revel in each dish, one course at a time, with pauses in between to simply converse and be. Started off with the beef tartare ($6). Well presented with a peal emulsion, wish it was served with crostini just because I personally love my tartar with some sort of carb-crisp. Followed up with the charcuterie plate ($21). While the sliced meats were tasty, the chicken pate and house made pickles really shined. An order of shrimp and grits ($13) should be doubled in size to include more than two shrimp. Let's just say that in the large size, it would be an amazing winter comfort food dish, served in a fancy bowl, of course. Since we couldn't decide on our final entree, we decided to share plate the signature peppersteak with brand peppercorn sauce ($33) and wagyu bavette ($32). Both were cooked to perfection, although I very much enjoyed the peppery bavette served on a warm potato salad with mornay sauce so much more. The size of the entree was such that we could have shared, especially after our mutliple starter plates. Nice wine selection. Fabulous service. Great ambience. Prices are really quite reasonable, especially in Omaha. All of the above, a dessert, two cocktails each - total bill was $185 plus tip. While new restaurants continue to pop up, V. Mertz continues to keep it real, romantic and lovely.
(4)
Adrian W.
Very impressed with the atmosphere and delightful service. Our server was pleasant, very helpful and extremely knowledgable about the menu and wine selection. To the food. We started with some cheese, Brie and Aquitane which went very well with a 2011 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Chef sent some amuse bouche, tuna tartare that finished with a slight acid. For second courses, pepper steak and a very good salmon dish with what seemed like sweet pea biscuits. Great place for a date and some great grub. If I weren't so full I would have tried the homemade candy bar. Maybe next time...
(4)
Pam S.
The menu is shown on a single sheet of paper & portions of either snack, share, 1/2 or full size! The drink menu is a full book of wines & cocktails! So many different exotic choices & mixes I've never heard of! The staff is extremely knowledgeable with all the contents of each meal/snack...our waiter offered me a rhubarb jelly to go with my bread since I have a butter allergy. The tomato/cucumber salad with yogurt seemed fresh picked from the garden! The salmon melted in my mouth with garden veggies & rice! The meal presentation & seating atmosphere is one of a kind! This is a must for a dining experience in the Old Market! My experience was wonderful & delightful! Looking forward to going back for another special occasion!
(5)
Chris T.
So was a little skeptical given the fact that it's one of the restaurants that always gets brought up in fine dining conversations in Omaha... But I have to say it absolutely delivered in every way possible. Had the Duck Ramen to start off with which was the best duck I've ever had along with a great pho inspired broth. Then couldn't get enough of a salad that had a great combo of sweet and balsamic flavors on top of a creamy goat cheese, not to mention large portion. Lastly topped it off with surf and turf done to perfection with a medium rare steak, seared scallops and an amazing mushroom, onion, currant and lemon reduction. Sounds like an interesting combo, but it was ridiculously good. Best meal I've had in Omaha
(5)
Eric N.
In Omaha for a business trip, asked a recommendation for a good steakhouse. Someone said "Mahogany is the best", so I started to make a reservation when another friend pulled me aside and said..."Mahogany is good - but it's a chain. Wouldn't you rather experience something a little more unique to Omaha?" Indeed I would. So we got a reservation a V. Mertz - was very glad we did. Unique food that is expertly prepared. People that complain about the vegetables not being cooked enough are ridiculous. THAT is how they are supposed to be cooked - if you think differently, you were brought up on mushy vegetables that have lost their flavor and nutritional value. Grow up and quit eating baby food. Is this place expensive? Yes. Yes it is. Do they have some unique food? Yes. Yes they do. Is the food well prepared? Yes. Absolutely. Is it worth it? Yes. Without a doubt. Try it if you can, experience how food is supposed to be cooked.
(5)
Marcel K.
Great service and romantic atmosphere! My favorite place for celebrating any events, birthday, promotion. Their duck dish is amazing. Well worth it's price.
(5)
Luke I.
The wife and I sat up at the bar for some cocktails and a few bites to eat. The bartender was friendly, accommodating, and offered some helpful suggestions. The scallops were cooked and presented perfectly. The seasonal vegetable plate were pretty, creative, and delicious.
(4)
Brenda B.
Very good food! Since everything changes almost daily, it really doesn't matter if I tell you what we had. I will tell you that it is all delicious. Our only disappointment, which they fixed immediately, was the Atlantic Fish had bones in it. The potato soup had a nice crunch, a tangy pickled bite here and there, which was very tasty! The Peppercorn Steak, was definitely worth getting- even my husband would leave my plate alone. I love that each of the dishes seemed to have a pickled element, a savory element, and texture, along sometimes with a sweet element to give each bite another layer of flavor.
(5)
Mindy D.
The food here is beautiful, different, and very delicious. Last time I had a the duck but this time we both had had their peppercorn steak. I see why they never take it off the menu! Excellent service and atmosphere is intimate and quiet.
(5)
Christine H.
Compared to what you have for fine dining in Omaha, it is quite good. They fly in seafood as fresh as much as possible and it seems like you really pay for that in ALL of their meals. The atmosphere and food quality is quite good. I still feel that you could get more since they are charging you a LOT of money. Really, a lot for what you get. It's good for fine dining but it's not as good as their prices would make you think. I don't remember the wine selection much, as I was not as into wine back then. If you are visiting, you should come here and have the experience because you'll probably get something very tasty and a little different.
(3)
Robert S.
I've generally had a good experience at V Mertz in the past, but hadn't been there in 5 years. I knew there was a change in ownership and expected something new. Fortunately, not much has changed. And that is a good thing. The atmosphere is "authentically romantic". Can't be copied in a strip mall is West Omaha. I can't think of a better setting to dine with my wife in this area. She had not been here before and said it was like being out of town. One of the things that is a bit different is the wine list. In the past, it was hard to get a decent bottle of wine under $50. While there are still some high-end, pricey bottles, we found a great Italian red for $45 and there were many to choose from. They change the bread often and last nigth it was a red pepper and onion roll. Really good and fresh baked. My wife had the pepper steak with a bourbon cream sauce and pureed cauliflower. Ordered medium, the steak seemed a little closer to done and wasn't as tender as she likes. The sauce easily overcame this and was terrific. I had the Wagyu beef which was a flank cut with ratatouille. Great flavor, tenderness and the vegetables were done just right. Loved it. I've heard great things about the candy bar dessert, but my wine habit kicked in and we had more instead. Our meal was $128 before tip. Our server was excellent as were the other staff. Only issue was that its a bit confusing when you walk in and there is no host station. It seems that people aren't sure what to do when you walk in. I'm glad we tried V Mertz again. It truly is a unique dining experience that can't be replicated in Omaha.
(4)
Cathy C.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Omaha. Great ambience, great food and service is ok. I always get the peppersteak that is delicious and always cooked to perfection. This is where Warren Buffet takes B&H board members to dinner - yeah, my graduation dinner got bumped off because of him (that would've been my last dinner before I moved to Vegas).
(4)
K. D.
Great food, wonderful service and charming atmosphere. The wine list is extensive, but a bit overwhelming to me, not being a sommelier.
(4)
Randall S.
V. Mertz has been around since my childhood. Last night was my first night in, and I was not disappointed. The girlfriend had purchased a Living Social Deal, which was an obvious incentive to explore new territory without the fear of getting stuck with a big bill for a lousy experience. I must say that I/we will happily come back and pay full price based on this meal. We made an early reservation and arrived at 6 PM. There were already several parties seated and at various stages of their meals. We were greeted and shown immediately to our table. The place just oozes ambiance, carved out of a cellar in a very old building, with an old tin ceiling strung with bare festoon lamps, massive exposed beams, a beautiful sunken bar, with all of the liquor bottles displayed in lighted glass cases. Aside from the soft table chatter from the other patrons, there was only the sound of the fountain across the passageway for background noise. A single cut flower and a white votive candle accented our table. Okay. Enough of the super romantic imagery, but seriously, the place didn't have anything to draw away from the dining experience. We had looked at the menu on their website before coming in, so we had a little bit of an idea of what sounded good to each of us. We decided on the prix fixe menu - 3 courses featuring a choice of two primers, two mains, and two desserts for $35 per person, a very fair price in my opinion. We added wine pairing for an additional $15 per person. I decided to order an aperitif from their drink menu, a Bulleit Rye whiskey. They have an extensive drink menu featuring cocktails, beer, liquor (conveniently organized into aperitifs and digestifs), and of course a large wine menu featuring wine that is probably not easily found anywhere else in Omaha. The primers: Crispy potato gnocchi for the girlfriend, paired with a Friulano. Wagyu beef belly for me, paired with a Lagrein. Each dish had vegetable accompaniments that accented the main ingredient. We shared bites of each other's dish along with sips of wine. Pure perfection. Next, the mains: Salmon for the girlfriend, paired with a French Chardonnay, which was not overly oaky and buttery like so many. Pork loin for me, paired with (gasp) a Merlot....a great fruit forward wine, but with some subtle smoky notes on the finish. Again, seasonal vegetables accented the main attraction. The salmon melted in my mouth, and the pork was tender as well. And finally, dessert. We both passed on the creme brulee and went for the strawberry & rhubarb, presented as strawberry sorbet on al dente steel cut oats with bits of crumble consisting of brown sugar and butter, and dots of rhubarb preserves. A light Moscato D'Asti was the wine pair. The entire experience was quality. Our server and sommelier were gracious and professional, explaining each element of each dish and the origins and characteristics of our wines. Our water glasses were never empty, and empty wine glasses, plates, and tableware were cleared promptly with a flourish. At no time did we ever feel rushed, and the whole experience was about 90 minutes long. I did observe that as the dining room filled up, it seemed that the wait for food and drink increased for the patrons who were seated after us. It could be that the kitchen is small, and the quality of the food could not be rushed. My suggestion? Go early if you can, and definitely make a reservation. We were also among the youngest diners in the place. The other observation: most of the clientele were 20-30 years older than us. Perhaps the Living Social Deal is an attempt to draw a younger, curious crowd through the door or to show what classy dining can be for those who have never experienced it. Whatever the case, I am glad to have finally made it to V. Mertz.
(5)
Christine S.
The exposed brick walls, large bouquets of flowers and soft candlelight glow throughout the restaurant make this restaurant memorable. If you are looking for ambiance look no further it is cozy and romantic. When you walk in you truly feel like you are in a special fancy place. The service also is top notch. The one element missing is excellent food. Appetizers where good but the main courses where just okay. We had a large party so I had the opportunity to try several of the dishes and nothing was amazing. The sides on the main dish also lacked flavor I had the Wagyu Beef with these unflavored rice pancakes. The beef was just okay and the sides were not at all good. If I were to go back I'd share a few appetizers with my husband and enjoy the beautiful ambiance.
(3)
Jeff M.
In Omaha, it is a diamond unexpected. If your pallet can discern the subtle flavors of extraordinary food, this is a good place to exercise it. What is amazing, is that it is in Omaha. First: You have to find it. Go to the French Quarter, brick cobbled streets in a zone about 1 block each way from a central intersection. From the intersection, you would head back east (toward ConAgra & Embassy Suites, the Missouri River). On your left, the only thing you will find, and you have to look very carefully for it ...is a very small sign V. Mertz. Down the stairs into the (pictured) narrow brick walkway all the way to the end. You will see the outside tables (inside the narrow walkway and inside the building, but outside the location interior. I am prone and very frequently to having the waiter / waitress pick my meal. No questions, no help. I have been there four times, always letting them pick and serve - and delighted beyond belief. This place is fantastic ! A five star gem in a backwater. On my recent visit, I chatted with the manager. It seems the restaurant was founded by a mother in support of a gifted son. The absolutely remarkable wine list was selected by the young man, and he is now at the French Laundry in San Francisco. I wasn't surprised, having established a store in a location which doesn't deserve it - it would only be natural that he would then find himself in one of the nation's most prestigious eateries. For those of us who have typically employ the "60 mile rule" (don't eat seafood in central USA) and are loath to eat roast beef and mashed potatoes daily, it is a monument to outstanding quality. I will stipulate that this is a pricy restaurant. McDonalds is an avenue. J MacKenzie
(5)
Jocelyn E.
Delicious! Great service and a gem in the old market. I would recommend the gnocchi appetizer with chicken, kale and pomegranate, the sweet potato soup was presented uniquely and the marshmallows in it melted in your mouth. The peppercorn steak and beef dish were excellent. Only complaint was waitress took our food didn't ask if we wanted boxes and there went $50 in meat wasted:( would have liked to take it home. We will be back and bringing our own doggie bags
(5)
Derek S.
This is definitely one of the top five restaurants in Omaha. The service and ambiance are absolutely top-notch, and the food is in the upper tier as well. The charcuterie plate and sweet potato soup were fantastic, with amazing flavors and fresh ingredients. The meats from the main course were prepared exactly as ordered; my only quibble (much like another reviewer) is that the vegetables were very slightly undercooked. Desserts were also excellent. All of the portion sizes were generous and we left fully sated. I would probably rate the overall experience at 4.5 stars but I rounded up due to the friendly and attentive wait staff.
(5)
Rachael L.
This place has been on my "must try" list for a long time, and we finally made it last week. My husband and I decided to try the 3-course prix fixe menu, but we added a bit to it. I had to try their cucumber gazpacho, so I started with that while my husband did a liquid appetizer of wine as well. (being 6 months prego....I have to wait on the wine for a few more months). The gazpacho was a deconstructed version with aldente white beans and delicious pickled pepper rings. It was beautifully served and pretty tasty, although more of pallette cleanser than a punch of flavor. There were two choices for each course, so naturally, we ordered opposites, so we could try it all. I'm not going to break down all 6 dishes, but they were all very good and artistically presented. I could eat a giant bowl of their chickpea gnocchi w/ ox tail. The desserts were also fantastic, and could have easily been split between two people each, but again, being pregnant, the more the better when it comes to sweets. If you aren't very good at pairing wines, they offer a pre-selected wine pairing for each course for $15, which I thought was a great price. Our server was extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the food and wines, which in this kind of a place, you should expect. He got us even more excited for the food! I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Wei K.
During my one week work trip to Omaha, we were tired of having steak dinners so we decided to give V. Mertz a try. V. Mertz sells itself as a fine dining restaurant, yet I got the feeling they were trying too hard to portray that image. The waitstaff made it a point to mention that they were a James Beard finalist for wine service, they didn't win the award. I would have been slightly impressed if they were nominated for their food. A simple note on the menu would have sufficed. One major drawback is the prix fixe menu, it's all or nothing. I didn't really understand why they did this since the meal is not served family style. Half our party wanted to do the prix fixe and half wanted to order a meal from the regular menu, we ended up all doing the prix fixe. Honestly, they would have made a lot more money off of us if they let us mix and match. The food was good, but portions on the smaller side. The highlight was the great array of flavors achieved by various sauces that accompanied each dish. The service was decent, our waiter checked in on us periodically but mumbled in monotone the descriptions of the dishes. Overall, a good restaurant but no way close to the caliber of a fine dining restaurant that it strives to be.
(3)
Joanna L.
good wine and cheese offerings and always great service. such a romantic and beautiful venue for dinner out! food was good - not amazing, but good. portions are slightly smaller, and some of their Asian inspired dishes seemed to miss the mark, but a solid meal of good flavors. The duck is must.
(4)
Jerry G.
Good Location and good food. Portion size is european, about 6 bites of anything. Consistency in the preparedness of meats is a little laking, two people can as for medium rare duck and one may get it and the other will be a little rare or a little over done. Tastes and flavors out of this world, if you are a confit lover you are likely to find at least one option on the menu. Rendered fats, unique ragu's, something poached, and a fried green or two. The service was on the verge of great, but I found myself waiting for wine or water more than once.
(3)
Jillian M.
I was in Omaha on business and had dinner here one night with my client. If I am ever in Omaha again, I will definitely stop in for a meal. You really have to try all 4 courses to get the full experience. It is pricey but, its worth it. I started with the scallop appetizer which was delicious. I am from MA and love scallops so I had to try them and I'm glad I did, the flavors they incorporate into the dish were amazing. I would go back just for that. Second course you have the option of soup or salad. Now, being 1/2 Polish, I noticed they had Borscht as their soup so again, I had to try it to compare to my mother and babcia's. I was a little disappointed when it came out because it was actually a cold, kind of thick soup. I'm used to a clear red hot broth, not cold. Maybe Polish people make it differently all around? But it was very tasty once I got over the fact that it was a cold soup. Third course I had the duck. AMAZING! It comes with duck three ways and each one is cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. Last was dessert. There was 4 people at the table and we all decided that since we became such great friends during dinner that we would all order one and pass it around. The four were along the lines of an apricot sorbet, creme brulee, something with a lime pudding like substance, and an addicting thick chocolate mouse. All four were tasted, all four were great! All these meals paired with great wines = a great dinner / evening. The service here is great to. Wait staff was on top of everything, making sure wine glasses were never empty, and suggesting actual wine pairings for what we were ordering, not just suggesting the most expensive wine to make an extra buck. All in all it was a great experience. I noticed a good amount of couples seated having romantic dinners around us. Also noticed the bar area looks pretty nice as well.
(4)
Carmen D.
So this place was recommended by last months wine spectator for foodies. They only offer the tasting menu at 3 courses during the week even though the website says they do 5 courses during the week. I tried the seared scallop. That's one scallop over risotto and veggies. 15$. It was good but way over priced for what you had. The entree was better. Seared farm raised salmon over quinoa, pears, hazelnuts, and spinach. Lemon broth. They poured this table side. Tasty dish. Was disappointed they were not serving wild salmon. Decided on the ice cream trio to finish. The vanilla was the best. The walnut was awful. Cherry ok. I had the rose, pinot noir, and sauterne. Wines by the glass limited. Overall good meal. Prices and limited wines by the glass gives it a 3 star.
(3)
Chris C.
We tried this place out while in Omaha. The location was pretty cool. Its on the bottom floor of a shopping complex in the old market area. Initially, I felt uncomfortable when we were waiting for our seats. The host seemed to be giving my boyfriend and I a look like we didn't fit in. Once we were seated the meal went much better and our waiter was pretty attentive. The food was alright but nothing to brag about.
(2)
Geoff S.
I will preface this review by saying I travel all over the country taking customers and reps out to very good restaurants. After reading the reviews here, I took my local Omaha rep out to dinner with his wife. First, the location is great. It looks like the Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland. The actual restaurant is quaint but small. The tables are small and the chairs are hard wrought iron which is a little cheesy for a "fine dining" restaurant. The amuse bouche was good, Vichyssoise and strawberry jam. I ordered the sweet breads as did my rep, his wife ordered the "heirloom" tomatoes and mozzarella. The sweetbreads were excellent. The tomatoes, however, were a joke. Out came about five cut-in-half little pear tomatoes and some small balls of mozzarella. For $12! She, and I, were expecting the normal plate of several slices of big local tomatoes and big slices of buffalo mozzarella. It was all of about five forkfuls. For dinner we ordered the lamb, the duck and the halibut. 38 minutes after our first course plates were removed, our main course arrived. The place was half empty on this Wednesday night. The lamb was $59 and consisted of FOUR pieces of meat and two ribs. I have never seen so little lamb for so much. I have purchased lamb for this rep all over the country and he always oohs and ahhs when he really likes it. No oohs and no aahs from this lamb. My duck breast was ordered rare, it arrived medium and gray. I could tell it had been sitting around a while since the artistic smears of beet were dry and crusty. While the flavor was good, it was a small portion and over cooked. It was $36. Her halibut was about a 4-5 oz portion for $41. She said it was very good. We did not stay for dessert. Total bill with a $50 bottle of wine was $240.00 The service was slow, the food was over cooked and the portions small. If this is the best Omaha has to offer, I feel for the people of Omaha.
(2)
Charles G.
Well... As restaurants go, this is a good restaurant. As fine dining restaurants go, it's so-so, and it is not a good value at all. I spent $320 on a dinner for two, and here's my breakdown: Wine List-- Tip-top. Rock solid. Super. As good as I've seen anywhere. Their beer selection sucks, however. I would expect at least a Belgian or two. They offer zero. Appetizer-- Seared Tuna. Okay, but I've had it done better elsewhere. Salad-- Baby greens with a nice dressing. Good, yes, but I could have done it as well myself. I'm just some schlub. If I can do it, it's not fine dining. Entree-- Chilean Sea Bass, which was okay, accompanied by salad shrimp that were exactly like the frozen bag kind from the supermarket, and mussels that were literally spoiled. (They smelled like poop. Seriously.) My companion had beef tenderloin that was quite good. Dessert-- Chocolate Mocha Cake and Apple Crisp a la Mode, both of which were delicious and what one would expect from such a restaurant. Service-- Good, although I did have to wait at one point for a wine refill. Normally I wouldn't fault the service for such a tiny infraction-- but hey, I'm paying for tickle-my-a**-with-a-feather service, so that's what I expect. "Sir, it would give us great pleasure to tickle your a** with this feather. May we?" "Mais, oui!" Tickle, tickle, tickle. Ambiance-- Despite the fact that they sat us at probably the worst table in the restaurant (a twosy right between the kitchen and bathroom), it was still pleasing. Nicely decorated and lit, and people were enjoying themselves. Not too noisy. Value-- I could name a number of places that serve better food at half, or even a fraction of, the cost. One caveat: This was based on only one visit, mind you, so it may have been an off night. Grain of salt's all yours if you wish.
(2)
Dave F.
I have been going to V Mertz since the mid-80's, even though I have never lived in Omaha and lived most of my adult life on the East Coast. It is the type of place you come back to anytime you are in Omaha, no matter what. It is located in a passageway in a former 19th century warehouse. They have a true French style zinc bar, and good wine list (though I suppose for some, pricey by the glass). I have had wonderful beef (it is Omaha, after all) yet the owners also do their best to fly in fresh seafood. On one visit i had escargot, which equals any you will find in a Paris bistro. This restaurant is better than most you will find in any American city three times the size, the decor is original (it's in an old market area) and classy (not Hollywoodish, as some yelpers would think) and service has always been professional yet friendly (though not in a cloying and artificial way, like you find in too many large midwest cities). A must visit for anyone staying in downtown Omaha
(5)
Luke R.
Second trip wasn't as awesome as the first but I'll give it four stars for being a delicious place to eat!! Better service will get a five star rating next time.
(4)
Xavi T.
Great Meal here last month. I work in the industry and was in town for a winetasting & class. Dinner and service were superb, can't wait to come back!
(5)
Michael C.
What a little gem of a place! It's in the Old Market section of Omaha, down in the "passageway". You're below ground, but it doesn't feel it. The place is intimate, and could be quite romantic with the right companion. I wasn't too hungry that evening, so I just had their small plate of braised pork belly, and it was excellent. Their wine list has a nice selection available by the glass, reasonably priced. They offered a great selection of cheeses, and I had a plate of 2 types for $10, with generous servings. My waiter was very attentive, but didn't hover, Knew the wine list well also. I plan on going back again (with a larger appetite!), so will update the review accordingly.
(3)
Sara K.
I went to V. Mertz a while back to celebrate my father's 60th birthday. Our party of 8 all fell in love with the place the second we found it in the cozy Old Market Passage Way. The small venue made our dinner feel very intimate although just about every other table was full. Everybody loved their food, from the foie gras to salad and soups to our entrees to the delicious creme brulee. Even my brother who is a chef out in Northern California was in love with his Majinola Wagyu steak. The only thing that made the night even better was the excellent service. Our server was very knowledgeable and could have passed for a sommelier. I cannot wait to go back!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Jeff D.
I have two theories about V Mertz, not being from Omaha. Either the chef took the night off or this was once a remarkable place and they lost their talented kitchen staff. The raw ingredients were top notch. The menu items where extremely well conceived with flavored that worked well together. The problem was execution. Pork Belly should not be "fatty" Rabbit should be succulent. These would have been delightful meals in the right hands. Unfortunately my dishes were prepared by the wrong hands. Should have gone to the Grey Plume or Dario's Cafe.
(3)Turn 2.
Went to V Mertz on a Friday night last month with a group of friends for dinner. The service was top-notch. The menu was creative without trying too hard. The chef actually came out to speak with us at the end of the meal. maybe because we ordered a six pack for the kitchen. LOL. Prices are actually not that bad for what you get. The seafood dishes really outshined the rest. If possible try and save room for dessert. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Jennifer J.
I've been to V. MERTZ now 3 times. Each time I've had wonderful food and excellent service. I can't believe the yelp rating overall is so low! The last two times I have had the peppercorn steak. The steak is cooked to perfection and served with a delicious sauce and equally delicious vegetables. My favorite is the pickled broccoli. I have to figure out how they make that broccoli so I can make it at home! For dessert I had the creme brulee. It was excellent - the perfect amount of crunch and creamy. It is served in a very shallow dish. I hate when creme brulee is all custard and very little crunch on top. Here its about 50/50 -my fav! I also love the ambiance - it's romantic and cozy, inside an old market passageway. Overall, a great restaurant with great food and perfect portions!
(5)Lisa W.
My boyfriend and I tried V Mertz for the first time on a recent trip to Omaha. We loved the location and the atmosphere. It's very cozy and romantic. The service was excellent - courteous, professional, efficient, but not intrusive. The food is what really stands out here. We started with the shrimp and grits appetizer, which was delicious. The shrimp were cooked and seasoned perfectly and the grits were smooth and creamy. I ordered the Wagyu flank steak entrée, cooked medium rare. Wow! The steak came sliced on a bed of polenta, shitake mushrooms, and asparagus. It was cooked perfectly and the mix of all those flavors was fantastic. My boyfriend had the salmon and said it was the best salmon dish he has ever had in a restaurant. For dessert we shared the crème brulee which was also perfect. I highly recommend V Mertz and would definitely dine there again in the future.
(5)Mark C.
Tried V Mertz to celebrate my wife's birthday. Restaurant was recommended so thought we'd give it a go. Before you go - make reservations. Saw several couples turned away due to a full booking for the evening. Our wine selection was the 2009 Riesling, Dr. Loosen "Blue Slate" Kabinett (Mosel, Germany) - Absolutely an outstanding wine - try this One comment - My wife and I drink wine generally whenever we dine out - a review of the wine list contains a good selection, but our perception was that the offerings were overpriced especially for the Half-Bottles - keep that in mind if you decide to dine. Started with the House Made Charcuterie Platter as our appetizer - sufficient serving for two (2) to share comfortably. It was acceptable and worth a try, but we have had a better house made Charcuterie at another local restaurant. Fresh bread and home made butter were served. The bread was pretzel bread and it was simply outstanding (similar to what we had in Germany - delicious. My wife enjoyed the Late Autumn Salad containing Green Bean, Broccoli, Butternut, Kale (slightly grilled), Fennel, Tri-Color Carrot, Radish For the main course my wife had the Truebridge Farm's Pork Duet consisting of Loin & Leg, Green Bean, Arugula, Butternut Squash, Roasted Shallot, Turnip, Apple. While she said it was good, she find it slightly under-seasoned and not necessarily worth the price. I had the Majinola Ranch Wagyu Beef consisting of beef belly and lion along with Tri-Color Carrot, Amber Waves of Grain, Land Race Collards, and Malt. The beef belly was outstanding. The carrots were grilled whole with the stems left on and the "Amber Waves of Grain" was comprised of seven (7) different grains. Tasty and unique. A carrot foam surrounded the dish and provided needed liquid. Service was good. Overall, while we would recommend the restaurant, there are others that we would prefer to dine at on a regular basis when we compare cost, food, and wine hence the 3 star rating.
(3)Leslie T.
Went here to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Nice, romantic atmosphere and decent service. However, the food was not that great, especially for the price! The shrimp and grits and scallop appetizers were good, but both the entrees were not anything to write home about. My husband got the signature pepper steak (didn't live up to the hype) and I ordered the chicken breast, which was on the dry side and I didn't like any of the undercooked, flavorless root vegetables or currants and some sort of husked cherries as the side dish. The candy bar dessert was good, but extremely rich. So glad we decided to share it. Almost too rich even for sharing with another person! We came here using a Groupon that was given to us as a gift. This was our second time trying the restaurant and sadly weren't that impressed either time, so I can't imagine that we will be back.
(2)Fred W.
The food is superb but the hidden secret is the bartender, Alex. Ask to sit at the bar, tell him your likes and he will create a craft cocktail that will knock your socks off.
(5)Christy S.
i love this place. i don't come here often, but every time its great. the food, the service, the atmosphere. the price is reasonable for the type of experience you get here. the menu is never the same. at least for me. you don't have to have reservations, but its helpful. quite the wine/liquor list. everything tastes good here. Matt's doing a great job here! i usually dine here on certain occasions so thanks for making each occasion great!
(5)David Y.
I went to V. Mertz with my girlfriend. There were some hits and some misses. Hits: Peppercorn steak, Swordfish, Root beer float. I enjoyed the first two the most. They were large plates and both the steak and fish were done extremely well. The root beer float dessert was delicious as well (though, I'm a sucker for root beer). Both of those main dishes were the highlights of the meal. Misses: I should have written this down when we first went here, but I'm fairly certain it was the pork shoulder? (I know V. Mertz changes their menu often). Either way, we ate a pork shoulder (or something similar) that was disappointing. I didn't have a problem with the taste as much as the overall texture of the dish (it was very fatty and hard to eat). Chocolate and Vanilla dessert- As a whole, this dessert was fairly good. However, there were some elements that we didn't like as much (the white chocolate ratio was lacking; etc). Portion sizing- I don't come into V. Mertz expecting portions that are comparative to much cheaper restaurants. I've dined in enough upscale restaurants in the past to know that I am probably not going to get a very large sizing. The overall sizings for V.Mertz were disappointing, even for an upscale place. The swordfish, while delicious, was half the size of my balled fist (and I probably could have fit the entire thing in my mouth). Overall, V. Mertz was a good but not fantastic restaurant. We tried 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, and 2 desserts. The main courses were my favorite parts. Other notes: the small plate salad was enjoyable and fresh and the bread was also nice.
(3)Jesse Z.
Service was amazing, the waitress that helped throughout the night was very knowledgeable about the variety of dishes we ordered. Price per dish is average for a place this nice and its serving portions. I'm hesitant to give it 5 stars because while the food was incredibly appetizing, it just didn't leave me with that feeling of "I need to comeback." So while I was extremely satisfied with the food it feels more like a "one and done" for me.
(4)David F.
We've lived in Nebraska for 15 years, but never visited V.Mertz for some inexplicable reason. Both of us were very positively surprised by the seriousness (not pretentious or overbearing) of the cooking, the fine service, and the range of the wine list. While several fine restaurants have appeared in Omaha over the last few years, V. Mertz is more than keeping up with its inventive menu that is still accessible to a range of diners. Outstanding.
(5)Gregg S.
Over priced, pretentious garbage. Save the bucks and eat someplace that serves real food, not this phony-baloney crapola.
(1)Alissa C.
I've eaten here two times. My first time was just to use an expired Groupon. The second time, which was within a month later, was for my boyfriend's birthday. The menu hadn't changed too much from the first to the second visit. However, my boyfriend and I didn't mind because there were some items on the menu we didn't get to try on our first visit. The first time, we shared the Braised Wagyu Chuck Roast, TD Niche Pork Belly, Faroe Islands Salmon, and the V.Mertz Peppersteak. The first two dishes were under 'Shared Plates' on the menu, the last two were 'Large Plates'. For desert, we shared the House-Made Candy Bar. Everything was very delicious; I don't think I could pick a favorite. My boyfriend's favorite was the Pork Belly. If they had that as a Large Plate, I'm sure my boyfriend would have eaten that. The belly was actually better than I thought it would be. I usually don't like to order these kids of dishes, because I don't like the taste of fat. However, this dish didn't taste as fatty as I had expected, and I really enjoyed it. The second time, we tried the Butter Poached Bunching Onion, TD Niche Pork Belly (AGAIN), Morgan Ranch Wagyu Bavette, and the Meadow's Grass-fed Lamb. For desert we shared the Candy Bar. This candy bar was different than the first, but still very good. The pork belly was great again, of course. Again, I didn't have a favorite. The pumpkin pie in the wagyu bavette dish was a great accompaniment. Both times, we finished dinner with french-pressed coffee from Omaha's own Blue Line Coffee Company. The coffee was very good and one of the only one's that I would drink black. Although I thought the prices could be better, I understand that this is a nice restaurant that tries to make dishes with both local and seasonal ingredients. When dining here, don't expect a meal that will fill you up, but a meal that will expand your taste. There were so many small items on my plate that I had not tried before. I really liked the combination of ingredients in all the dishes. You can tell that the chef here is a real chef, who is proud of his work, and sees cooking as an art.
(5)WAJ W.
Short and sweet because I forgot to write after three different dinners here over the last 2 months. Fantastic food. Good service. The best wine list for Bordeaux drinkers in Omaha. Not a big list (it is Omaha) but still the best we have for Bordeaux. The menu is inventive, the cooking is creative and the food is delicious. We sampled a dozen entrees and twice as many appetizers recently and have yet to experience a bad choice. We are coming back soon. With friends.
(5)D Z.
Very good all around. Diverse menu that is complex but approachable. Desert is amazing and great wine selection. Need a better liquor selection.
(4)Paul C.
I finally made it V Mertz and all I could think was "why did I wait so long?". The location is "unique" but once inside the ambiance is on par with any fine dining/special occasion restaurant. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful and the food was absolutely AMAZING. For the meal, we went with a sheep's milk cheese for the local & artisanal cheese option, the Wagyu beef tartar (the pea emulsion was amazing) appetizer ; saffron risotto with squid & leek from the small plates and then duck breast (with pickled rhubarb & mustard) and peppersteak with tasty veggies for the main courses. There was not a unsatisfying portion in the entire menu and the risotto may have been the best I have every had! Unfortunately (or not), I was very full after the meal so I skipped dessert (there are SEVERAL nice looking options there). If you are seeking a nice meal for a special occasion (or just want to treat yourself), DEFINITELY add Mertz to your list.
(5)Jenn L.
Good food but terrible service. This used to be our go to for special occasions but seriously not worth the price tag.
(1)Sarah G.
Well, one year later and another Restaurant Week. Ironically I wasn't able to sample that menu as we were using a last-minute Groupon. Turns out, I'm glad we were able to try the regular menu because I had a much better meal this time around. I wonder how restaurant week menu would've been though because when I went back to rad last year's review it was hard to believe it transpired at the same place. This time we started with an amuse bouche of compressed watermelon and cucumber. A refreshing taste of summer... I easily wanted more. Next up was house onion roll & butter. (Drastically different than my last experience... This was good. Really good.) Appetizer was charcuterie, served with small rounds of the heartiest whole grain bread I've had recently. Interesting accompaniment, and different than the standard French baguette. My meal was the Magnolia Ranch Wagu Bavette. Peppersteak for Bill. I was hoping for a pork dish but was glad to settle for the tender Bavette dish, with corn bread and vegetable ratatouille. We didn't stuff any dessert on top of that, but did enough several Hoegaarden ales to wash everything down. Ultimately, after this meal I'd rank V. Mertz pretty highly up the scale on fine dining options in town.
(4)Dason K.
1) Food are amazing, Chef Lamb did a excellent job 2) Wine services are amazing 3) server understand the better they take care of guest, the better the guest will take care of them 4) valentine dinner include option ribeye or snapper for two, base on what I saw both are well cook. But I believe table side services will bring the dish to the next level 5) All three Sommeliers are well train, have faith in them and allow them to do the pairing for you.
(5)Robert L.
Very small and cozy, brick floors and cut wood beams- great ambiance. Servers are very attentive and knowledgeable. Wine list is extensive and we ended up with a fantastic Red from Lebanon. Chose the house made charcuterie to start and had the Wagyu peppercorn steak. Amazingly tender with nice root vegetables. My wife had the Salmon and raved about it as well. Dessert was so artful it was almost too pretty to eat but it was also fantastic. This is on our top restaurants we've ever been to list. We will be back.
(5)Ashley B.
V Mertz was absolutely perfect! The restaurant was located in a little byway in Old Market which was really cool. Lighting was dim and romantic. Service was on point. The food was decadent. My husband and I ordered the cheese plate, duck, and the roast. All the servings were larger than what I had expected so we had more than enough food. Will definitely return for more wine and cheese!!
(5)Christine B.
V. Mertz continues to excel on two fronts: presentation, ambience and service. Few establishments seem to appreciate the importance of timing and encouraging diners to relax, enjoy and revel in each dish, one course at a time, with pauses in between to simply converse and be. Started off with the beef tartare ($6). Well presented with a peal emulsion, wish it was served with crostini just because I personally love my tartar with some sort of carb-crisp. Followed up with the charcuterie plate ($21). While the sliced meats were tasty, the chicken pate and house made pickles really shined. An order of shrimp and grits ($13) should be doubled in size to include more than two shrimp. Let's just say that in the large size, it would be an amazing winter comfort food dish, served in a fancy bowl, of course. Since we couldn't decide on our final entree, we decided to share plate the signature peppersteak with brand peppercorn sauce ($33) and wagyu bavette ($32). Both were cooked to perfection, although I very much enjoyed the peppery bavette served on a warm potato salad with mornay sauce so much more. The size of the entree was such that we could have shared, especially after our mutliple starter plates. Nice wine selection. Fabulous service. Great ambience. Prices are really quite reasonable, especially in Omaha. All of the above, a dessert, two cocktails each - total bill was $185 plus tip. While new restaurants continue to pop up, V. Mertz continues to keep it real, romantic and lovely.
(4)Adrian W.
Very impressed with the atmosphere and delightful service. Our server was pleasant, very helpful and extremely knowledgable about the menu and wine selection. To the food. We started with some cheese, Brie and Aquitane which went very well with a 2011 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Chef sent some amuse bouche, tuna tartare that finished with a slight acid. For second courses, pepper steak and a very good salmon dish with what seemed like sweet pea biscuits. Great place for a date and some great grub. If I weren't so full I would have tried the homemade candy bar. Maybe next time...
(4)Pam S.
The menu is shown on a single sheet of paper & portions of either snack, share, 1/2 or full size! The drink menu is a full book of wines & cocktails! So many different exotic choices & mixes I've never heard of! The staff is extremely knowledgeable with all the contents of each meal/snack...our waiter offered me a rhubarb jelly to go with my bread since I have a butter allergy. The tomato/cucumber salad with yogurt seemed fresh picked from the garden! The salmon melted in my mouth with garden veggies & rice! The meal presentation & seating atmosphere is one of a kind! This is a must for a dining experience in the Old Market! My experience was wonderful & delightful! Looking forward to going back for another special occasion!
(5)Chris T.
So was a little skeptical given the fact that it's one of the restaurants that always gets brought up in fine dining conversations in Omaha... But I have to say it absolutely delivered in every way possible. Had the Duck Ramen to start off with which was the best duck I've ever had along with a great pho inspired broth. Then couldn't get enough of a salad that had a great combo of sweet and balsamic flavors on top of a creamy goat cheese, not to mention large portion. Lastly topped it off with surf and turf done to perfection with a medium rare steak, seared scallops and an amazing mushroom, onion, currant and lemon reduction. Sounds like an interesting combo, but it was ridiculously good. Best meal I've had in Omaha
(5)Eric N.
In Omaha for a business trip, asked a recommendation for a good steakhouse. Someone said "Mahogany is the best", so I started to make a reservation when another friend pulled me aside and said..."Mahogany is good - but it's a chain. Wouldn't you rather experience something a little more unique to Omaha?" Indeed I would. So we got a reservation a V. Mertz - was very glad we did. Unique food that is expertly prepared. People that complain about the vegetables not being cooked enough are ridiculous. THAT is how they are supposed to be cooked - if you think differently, you were brought up on mushy vegetables that have lost their flavor and nutritional value. Grow up and quit eating baby food. Is this place expensive? Yes. Yes it is. Do they have some unique food? Yes. Yes they do. Is the food well prepared? Yes. Absolutely. Is it worth it? Yes. Without a doubt. Try it if you can, experience how food is supposed to be cooked.
(5)Marcel K.
Great service and romantic atmosphere! My favorite place for celebrating any events, birthday, promotion. Their duck dish is amazing. Well worth it's price.
(5)Luke I.
The wife and I sat up at the bar for some cocktails and a few bites to eat. The bartender was friendly, accommodating, and offered some helpful suggestions. The scallops were cooked and presented perfectly. The seasonal vegetable plate were pretty, creative, and delicious.
(4)Brenda B.
Very good food! Since everything changes almost daily, it really doesn't matter if I tell you what we had. I will tell you that it is all delicious. Our only disappointment, which they fixed immediately, was the Atlantic Fish had bones in it. The potato soup had a nice crunch, a tangy pickled bite here and there, which was very tasty! The Peppercorn Steak, was definitely worth getting- even my husband would leave my plate alone. I love that each of the dishes seemed to have a pickled element, a savory element, and texture, along sometimes with a sweet element to give each bite another layer of flavor.
(5)Mindy D.
The food here is beautiful, different, and very delicious. Last time I had a the duck but this time we both had had their peppercorn steak. I see why they never take it off the menu! Excellent service and atmosphere is intimate and quiet.
(5)Christine H.
Compared to what you have for fine dining in Omaha, it is quite good. They fly in seafood as fresh as much as possible and it seems like you really pay for that in ALL of their meals. The atmosphere and food quality is quite good. I still feel that you could get more since they are charging you a LOT of money. Really, a lot for what you get. It's good for fine dining but it's not as good as their prices would make you think. I don't remember the wine selection much, as I was not as into wine back then. If you are visiting, you should come here and have the experience because you'll probably get something very tasty and a little different.
(3)Robert S.
I've generally had a good experience at V Mertz in the past, but hadn't been there in 5 years. I knew there was a change in ownership and expected something new. Fortunately, not much has changed. And that is a good thing. The atmosphere is "authentically romantic". Can't be copied in a strip mall is West Omaha. I can't think of a better setting to dine with my wife in this area. She had not been here before and said it was like being out of town. One of the things that is a bit different is the wine list. In the past, it was hard to get a decent bottle of wine under $50. While there are still some high-end, pricey bottles, we found a great Italian red for $45 and there were many to choose from. They change the bread often and last nigth it was a red pepper and onion roll. Really good and fresh baked. My wife had the pepper steak with a bourbon cream sauce and pureed cauliflower. Ordered medium, the steak seemed a little closer to done and wasn't as tender as she likes. The sauce easily overcame this and was terrific. I had the Wagyu beef which was a flank cut with ratatouille. Great flavor, tenderness and the vegetables were done just right. Loved it. I've heard great things about the candy bar dessert, but my wine habit kicked in and we had more instead. Our meal was $128 before tip. Our server was excellent as were the other staff. Only issue was that its a bit confusing when you walk in and there is no host station. It seems that people aren't sure what to do when you walk in. I'm glad we tried V Mertz again. It truly is a unique dining experience that can't be replicated in Omaha.
(4)Cathy C.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Omaha. Great ambience, great food and service is ok. I always get the peppersteak that is delicious and always cooked to perfection. This is where Warren Buffet takes B&H board members to dinner - yeah, my graduation dinner got bumped off because of him (that would've been my last dinner before I moved to Vegas).
(4)K. D.
Great food, wonderful service and charming atmosphere. The wine list is extensive, but a bit overwhelming to me, not being a sommelier.
(4)Randall S.
V. Mertz has been around since my childhood. Last night was my first night in, and I was not disappointed. The girlfriend had purchased a Living Social Deal, which was an obvious incentive to explore new territory without the fear of getting stuck with a big bill for a lousy experience. I must say that I/we will happily come back and pay full price based on this meal. We made an early reservation and arrived at 6 PM. There were already several parties seated and at various stages of their meals. We were greeted and shown immediately to our table. The place just oozes ambiance, carved out of a cellar in a very old building, with an old tin ceiling strung with bare festoon lamps, massive exposed beams, a beautiful sunken bar, with all of the liquor bottles displayed in lighted glass cases. Aside from the soft table chatter from the other patrons, there was only the sound of the fountain across the passageway for background noise. A single cut flower and a white votive candle accented our table. Okay. Enough of the super romantic imagery, but seriously, the place didn't have anything to draw away from the dining experience. We had looked at the menu on their website before coming in, so we had a little bit of an idea of what sounded good to each of us. We decided on the prix fixe menu - 3 courses featuring a choice of two primers, two mains, and two desserts for $35 per person, a very fair price in my opinion. We added wine pairing for an additional $15 per person. I decided to order an aperitif from their drink menu, a Bulleit Rye whiskey. They have an extensive drink menu featuring cocktails, beer, liquor (conveniently organized into aperitifs and digestifs), and of course a large wine menu featuring wine that is probably not easily found anywhere else in Omaha. The primers: Crispy potato gnocchi for the girlfriend, paired with a Friulano. Wagyu beef belly for me, paired with a Lagrein. Each dish had vegetable accompaniments that accented the main ingredient. We shared bites of each other's dish along with sips of wine. Pure perfection. Next, the mains: Salmon for the girlfriend, paired with a French Chardonnay, which was not overly oaky and buttery like so many. Pork loin for me, paired with (gasp) a Merlot....a great fruit forward wine, but with some subtle smoky notes on the finish. Again, seasonal vegetables accented the main attraction. The salmon melted in my mouth, and the pork was tender as well. And finally, dessert. We both passed on the creme brulee and went for the strawberry & rhubarb, presented as strawberry sorbet on al dente steel cut oats with bits of crumble consisting of brown sugar and butter, and dots of rhubarb preserves. A light Moscato D'Asti was the wine pair. The entire experience was quality. Our server and sommelier were gracious and professional, explaining each element of each dish and the origins and characteristics of our wines. Our water glasses were never empty, and empty wine glasses, plates, and tableware were cleared promptly with a flourish. At no time did we ever feel rushed, and the whole experience was about 90 minutes long. I did observe that as the dining room filled up, it seemed that the wait for food and drink increased for the patrons who were seated after us. It could be that the kitchen is small, and the quality of the food could not be rushed. My suggestion? Go early if you can, and definitely make a reservation. We were also among the youngest diners in the place. The other observation: most of the clientele were 20-30 years older than us. Perhaps the Living Social Deal is an attempt to draw a younger, curious crowd through the door or to show what classy dining can be for those who have never experienced it. Whatever the case, I am glad to have finally made it to V. Mertz.
(5)Christine S.
The exposed brick walls, large bouquets of flowers and soft candlelight glow throughout the restaurant make this restaurant memorable. If you are looking for ambiance look no further it is cozy and romantic. When you walk in you truly feel like you are in a special fancy place. The service also is top notch. The one element missing is excellent food. Appetizers where good but the main courses where just okay. We had a large party so I had the opportunity to try several of the dishes and nothing was amazing. The sides on the main dish also lacked flavor I had the Wagyu Beef with these unflavored rice pancakes. The beef was just okay and the sides were not at all good. If I were to go back I'd share a few appetizers with my husband and enjoy the beautiful ambiance.
(3)Jeff M.
In Omaha, it is a diamond unexpected. If your pallet can discern the subtle flavors of extraordinary food, this is a good place to exercise it. What is amazing, is that it is in Omaha. First: You have to find it. Go to the French Quarter, brick cobbled streets in a zone about 1 block each way from a central intersection. From the intersection, you would head back east (toward ConAgra & Embassy Suites, the Missouri River). On your left, the only thing you will find, and you have to look very carefully for it ...is a very small sign V. Mertz. Down the stairs into the (pictured) narrow brick walkway all the way to the end. You will see the outside tables (inside the narrow walkway and inside the building, but outside the location interior. I am prone and very frequently to having the waiter / waitress pick my meal. No questions, no help. I have been there four times, always letting them pick and serve - and delighted beyond belief. This place is fantastic ! A five star gem in a backwater. On my recent visit, I chatted with the manager. It seems the restaurant was founded by a mother in support of a gifted son. The absolutely remarkable wine list was selected by the young man, and he is now at the French Laundry in San Francisco. I wasn't surprised, having established a store in a location which doesn't deserve it - it would only be natural that he would then find himself in one of the nation's most prestigious eateries. For those of us who have typically employ the "60 mile rule" (don't eat seafood in central USA) and are loath to eat roast beef and mashed potatoes daily, it is a monument to outstanding quality. I will stipulate that this is a pricy restaurant. McDonalds is an avenue. J MacKenzie
(5)Jocelyn E.
Delicious! Great service and a gem in the old market. I would recommend the gnocchi appetizer with chicken, kale and pomegranate, the sweet potato soup was presented uniquely and the marshmallows in it melted in your mouth. The peppercorn steak and beef dish were excellent. Only complaint was waitress took our food didn't ask if we wanted boxes and there went $50 in meat wasted:( would have liked to take it home. We will be back and bringing our own doggie bags
(5)Derek S.
This is definitely one of the top five restaurants in Omaha. The service and ambiance are absolutely top-notch, and the food is in the upper tier as well. The charcuterie plate and sweet potato soup were fantastic, with amazing flavors and fresh ingredients. The meats from the main course were prepared exactly as ordered; my only quibble (much like another reviewer) is that the vegetables were very slightly undercooked. Desserts were also excellent. All of the portion sizes were generous and we left fully sated. I would probably rate the overall experience at 4.5 stars but I rounded up due to the friendly and attentive wait staff.
(5)Rachael L.
This place has been on my "must try" list for a long time, and we finally made it last week. My husband and I decided to try the 3-course prix fixe menu, but we added a bit to it. I had to try their cucumber gazpacho, so I started with that while my husband did a liquid appetizer of wine as well. (being 6 months prego....I have to wait on the wine for a few more months). The gazpacho was a deconstructed version with aldente white beans and delicious pickled pepper rings. It was beautifully served and pretty tasty, although more of pallette cleanser than a punch of flavor. There were two choices for each course, so naturally, we ordered opposites, so we could try it all. I'm not going to break down all 6 dishes, but they were all very good and artistically presented. I could eat a giant bowl of their chickpea gnocchi w/ ox tail. The desserts were also fantastic, and could have easily been split between two people each, but again, being pregnant, the more the better when it comes to sweets. If you aren't very good at pairing wines, they offer a pre-selected wine pairing for each course for $15, which I thought was a great price. Our server was extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the food and wines, which in this kind of a place, you should expect. He got us even more excited for the food! I can't wait to go back.
(4)Wei K.
During my one week work trip to Omaha, we were tired of having steak dinners so we decided to give V. Mertz a try. V. Mertz sells itself as a fine dining restaurant, yet I got the feeling they were trying too hard to portray that image. The waitstaff made it a point to mention that they were a James Beard finalist for wine service, they didn't win the award. I would have been slightly impressed if they were nominated for their food. A simple note on the menu would have sufficed. One major drawback is the prix fixe menu, it's all or nothing. I didn't really understand why they did this since the meal is not served family style. Half our party wanted to do the prix fixe and half wanted to order a meal from the regular menu, we ended up all doing the prix fixe. Honestly, they would have made a lot more money off of us if they let us mix and match. The food was good, but portions on the smaller side. The highlight was the great array of flavors achieved by various sauces that accompanied each dish. The service was decent, our waiter checked in on us periodically but mumbled in monotone the descriptions of the dishes. Overall, a good restaurant but no way close to the caliber of a fine dining restaurant that it strives to be.
(3)Joanna L.
good wine and cheese offerings and always great service. such a romantic and beautiful venue for dinner out! food was good - not amazing, but good. portions are slightly smaller, and some of their Asian inspired dishes seemed to miss the mark, but a solid meal of good flavors. The duck is must.
(4)Jerry G.
Good Location and good food. Portion size is european, about 6 bites of anything. Consistency in the preparedness of meats is a little laking, two people can as for medium rare duck and one may get it and the other will be a little rare or a little over done. Tastes and flavors out of this world, if you are a confit lover you are likely to find at least one option on the menu. Rendered fats, unique ragu's, something poached, and a fried green or two. The service was on the verge of great, but I found myself waiting for wine or water more than once.
(3)Jillian M.
I was in Omaha on business and had dinner here one night with my client. If I am ever in Omaha again, I will definitely stop in for a meal. You really have to try all 4 courses to get the full experience. It is pricey but, its worth it. I started with the scallop appetizer which was delicious. I am from MA and love scallops so I had to try them and I'm glad I did, the flavors they incorporate into the dish were amazing. I would go back just for that. Second course you have the option of soup or salad. Now, being 1/2 Polish, I noticed they had Borscht as their soup so again, I had to try it to compare to my mother and babcia's. I was a little disappointed when it came out because it was actually a cold, kind of thick soup. I'm used to a clear red hot broth, not cold. Maybe Polish people make it differently all around? But it was very tasty once I got over the fact that it was a cold soup. Third course I had the duck. AMAZING! It comes with duck three ways and each one is cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. Last was dessert. There was 4 people at the table and we all decided that since we became such great friends during dinner that we would all order one and pass it around. The four were along the lines of an apricot sorbet, creme brulee, something with a lime pudding like substance, and an addicting thick chocolate mouse. All four were tasted, all four were great! All these meals paired with great wines = a great dinner / evening. The service here is great to. Wait staff was on top of everything, making sure wine glasses were never empty, and suggesting actual wine pairings for what we were ordering, not just suggesting the most expensive wine to make an extra buck. All in all it was a great experience. I noticed a good amount of couples seated having romantic dinners around us. Also noticed the bar area looks pretty nice as well.
(4)Carmen D.
So this place was recommended by last months wine spectator for foodies. They only offer the tasting menu at 3 courses during the week even though the website says they do 5 courses during the week. I tried the seared scallop. That's one scallop over risotto and veggies. 15$. It was good but way over priced for what you had. The entree was better. Seared farm raised salmon over quinoa, pears, hazelnuts, and spinach. Lemon broth. They poured this table side. Tasty dish. Was disappointed they were not serving wild salmon. Decided on the ice cream trio to finish. The vanilla was the best. The walnut was awful. Cherry ok. I had the rose, pinot noir, and sauterne. Wines by the glass limited. Overall good meal. Prices and limited wines by the glass gives it a 3 star.
(3)Chris C.
We tried this place out while in Omaha. The location was pretty cool. Its on the bottom floor of a shopping complex in the old market area. Initially, I felt uncomfortable when we were waiting for our seats. The host seemed to be giving my boyfriend and I a look like we didn't fit in. Once we were seated the meal went much better and our waiter was pretty attentive. The food was alright but nothing to brag about.
(2)Geoff S.
I will preface this review by saying I travel all over the country taking customers and reps out to very good restaurants. After reading the reviews here, I took my local Omaha rep out to dinner with his wife. First, the location is great. It looks like the Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland. The actual restaurant is quaint but small. The tables are small and the chairs are hard wrought iron which is a little cheesy for a "fine dining" restaurant. The amuse bouche was good, Vichyssoise and strawberry jam. I ordered the sweet breads as did my rep, his wife ordered the "heirloom" tomatoes and mozzarella. The sweetbreads were excellent. The tomatoes, however, were a joke. Out came about five cut-in-half little pear tomatoes and some small balls of mozzarella. For $12! She, and I, were expecting the normal plate of several slices of big local tomatoes and big slices of buffalo mozzarella. It was all of about five forkfuls. For dinner we ordered the lamb, the duck and the halibut. 38 minutes after our first course plates were removed, our main course arrived. The place was half empty on this Wednesday night. The lamb was $59 and consisted of FOUR pieces of meat and two ribs. I have never seen so little lamb for so much. I have purchased lamb for this rep all over the country and he always oohs and ahhs when he really likes it. No oohs and no aahs from this lamb. My duck breast was ordered rare, it arrived medium and gray. I could tell it had been sitting around a while since the artistic smears of beet were dry and crusty. While the flavor was good, it was a small portion and over cooked. It was $36. Her halibut was about a 4-5 oz portion for $41. She said it was very good. We did not stay for dessert. Total bill with a $50 bottle of wine was $240.00 The service was slow, the food was over cooked and the portions small. If this is the best Omaha has to offer, I feel for the people of Omaha.
(2)Charles G.
Well... As restaurants go, this is a good restaurant. As fine dining restaurants go, it's so-so, and it is not a good value at all. I spent $320 on a dinner for two, and here's my breakdown: Wine List-- Tip-top. Rock solid. Super. As good as I've seen anywhere. Their beer selection sucks, however. I would expect at least a Belgian or two. They offer zero. Appetizer-- Seared Tuna. Okay, but I've had it done better elsewhere. Salad-- Baby greens with a nice dressing. Good, yes, but I could have done it as well myself. I'm just some schlub. If I can do it, it's not fine dining. Entree-- Chilean Sea Bass, which was okay, accompanied by salad shrimp that were exactly like the frozen bag kind from the supermarket, and mussels that were literally spoiled. (They smelled like poop. Seriously.) My companion had beef tenderloin that was quite good. Dessert-- Chocolate Mocha Cake and Apple Crisp a la Mode, both of which were delicious and what one would expect from such a restaurant. Service-- Good, although I did have to wait at one point for a wine refill. Normally I wouldn't fault the service for such a tiny infraction-- but hey, I'm paying for tickle-my-a**-with-a-feather service, so that's what I expect. "Sir, it would give us great pleasure to tickle your a** with this feather. May we?" "Mais, oui!" Tickle, tickle, tickle. Ambiance-- Despite the fact that they sat us at probably the worst table in the restaurant (a twosy right between the kitchen and bathroom), it was still pleasing. Nicely decorated and lit, and people were enjoying themselves. Not too noisy. Value-- I could name a number of places that serve better food at half, or even a fraction of, the cost. One caveat: This was based on only one visit, mind you, so it may have been an off night. Grain of salt's all yours if you wish.
(2)Dave F.
I have been going to V Mertz since the mid-80's, even though I have never lived in Omaha and lived most of my adult life on the East Coast. It is the type of place you come back to anytime you are in Omaha, no matter what. It is located in a passageway in a former 19th century warehouse. They have a true French style zinc bar, and good wine list (though I suppose for some, pricey by the glass). I have had wonderful beef (it is Omaha, after all) yet the owners also do their best to fly in fresh seafood. On one visit i had escargot, which equals any you will find in a Paris bistro. This restaurant is better than most you will find in any American city three times the size, the decor is original (it's in an old market area) and classy (not Hollywoodish, as some yelpers would think) and service has always been professional yet friendly (though not in a cloying and artificial way, like you find in too many large midwest cities). A must visit for anyone staying in downtown Omaha
(5)Luke R.
Second trip wasn't as awesome as the first but I'll give it four stars for being a delicious place to eat!! Better service will get a five star rating next time.
(4)Xavi T.
Great Meal here last month. I work in the industry and was in town for a winetasting & class. Dinner and service were superb, can't wait to come back!
(5)Michael C.
What a little gem of a place! It's in the Old Market section of Omaha, down in the "passageway". You're below ground, but it doesn't feel it. The place is intimate, and could be quite romantic with the right companion. I wasn't too hungry that evening, so I just had their small plate of braised pork belly, and it was excellent. Their wine list has a nice selection available by the glass, reasonably priced. They offered a great selection of cheeses, and I had a plate of 2 types for $10, with generous servings. My waiter was very attentive, but didn't hover, Knew the wine list well also. I plan on going back again (with a larger appetite!), so will update the review accordingly.
(3)Sara K.
I went to V. Mertz a while back to celebrate my father's 60th birthday. Our party of 8 all fell in love with the place the second we found it in the cozy Old Market Passage Way. The small venue made our dinner feel very intimate although just about every other table was full. Everybody loved their food, from the foie gras to salad and soups to our entrees to the delicious creme brulee. Even my brother who is a chef out in Northern California was in love with his Majinola Wagyu steak. The only thing that made the night even better was the excellent service. Our server was very knowledgeable and could have passed for a sommelier. I cannot wait to go back!
(5)