It was May, so we were back in Omaha, and staying at the Omaha Hilton, where I dined at their off-lobby restaurant/bar, Liberty Tavern. This was a very short trip, as opposed to many others, and I only had one lunch at the Tavern, but...we did have wine in the bar area one evening.
I arrived just as breakfast ended, and lunch was beginning, and was seated beside the windows, looking out to the al fresco dining area, with a large fireplace, and a view of the Convention Center. Originally, the hostess had offered me a booth, farther into the interior of the restaurant, but my request for a nice bright table was cheerfully accommodated. I was informed that I was just a few minutes early for lunch, but that was not an issue. I had my iPad, and the wine list in front of me.
The first thing that I noticed was that the wine list had changed, from last May. Several of “the usual suspects” were no longer on it, and in their place, some interesting wines. As I was solo, I really did not get much beyond the B-T-G list, and had my lineup in just a few moments – about the time that lunch service began.
My server took my wine order, as I looked to the menu:
Oberon Napa County Cabernet Sauvignon ‘17 – a wine, which was new to me, and an enjoyable Cab
Starmont Carneros Chardonnay ‘14 – while not my favorite Chard, it was adequate, especially as I had grown very tired of the Rombauer Chard, served at all of the many United Airline Clubs, we had been in, over the last few months
Murrieta’s Well “The Spur” Livermore Valley Red Blend ‘16 – while I knew the producer, and the AVA, this blend was new to me, and very nice
For lunch, I ordered:
The Carolina Burger w/ Carolina mustard BBQ sauce, pulled pork, sharp cheddar cheese, chef’s coleslaw, Boston lettuce and beefsteak tomato, which came with fries, and I added a side of the BBQ sauce – very good, very large, and the BBQ sauce was a tad sweet for my tastes. However the burger patty was nicely cooked, and the pulled pork did add a different texture, and flavor component. The coleslaw was a bit “wet,” but then with my Carolina BBQ, I really like an almost dry, chipped slaw. Just a difference in taste. Now, the fries were excellent. If they came out of an Or-Ida bag, they were such an exception. They were perfectly done, and there, the BBQ sauce proved a bit better. That sandwich was worth it, if only for the fries, which could easily have been hand-cut.
Service was very good, throughout the meal, with just the right amount of attention, but never intrusive. I spent an early afternoon, just nursing my wines, and working on the iPad, and the lunch crowd filled in, and then mostly left. A very relaxing meal, and though the weather outside was now horrible, I still had a nice view.
Liberty Tavern, as mentioned, is a restaurant, and a bar, and has varied seating: in the interior, there are booths, and then several tables along a wall of windows. In that area, there are also some tables with banquet seating, as well as chairs. Then, there are several tables out around the bar, which occupies the side of the lobby, plus the al fresco area, on the sidewalk next to 10th Street – the al fresco area which was being pelted by rain, at the moment.
Though the Carolina Burger was a bit too much for me, I really appreciated the new wine list, and repeated the Starmont Chardonnay for my wife, while at the bar.
Though I had one less than satisfactory visit, a few years back, the last two, including this one, were all very good. Think I just caught them on a bad night, several years ago. We will return, and hopefully next stay at the Hilton Omaha will be longer, and I can fully explore the bottle wine list, and also include dinner.More