pop-we Dinner Club 2012 Year In Review

No. 1 Annual Year In Review Winner.

On Jan. 1, 2013, with the stroke of midnight population-we™ (pop-we) celebrates its third year in business. To commemorate the occasion, the annual pop-we Dinner Club restaurants rankings of 2012 were unveiled. The list is a culmination of reviews cast by pop-we Dinner Club members in 2012. Throughout the year the dinner club visited various establishments in the Omaha and Lincoln Metropolitan areas. Each month a member picked a restaurant to visit. The dinner club did put on some miles in 2012 and traveled in Nebraska to South Omaha, Ponca Hills, Lincoln as well as across the river to Crescent, Iowa. This year there was a tie for the number seven spot by two Italian restaurants. They both are uniquely different: one a chain the other a family-owned South Omaha restaurant.

Here’s our 1-11 ranking with No. 1 being the highest:

#1 Bonefish Grill: 
Goal is to introduce people unfamiliar with having fish to a unique dining experience. Tip: Free samplers while you wait. Earned 4.45 star average on a pop-we scale of 1-5. Read more.

#2 Brazen Head Irish Pub: 
An Irish pub steeped in tradition of providing good food, Irish music and authentic drink. Tip: To dine by a true Irish hearth ask for the Emmett Room for a private party. Earned 4.42 star average on a pop-we scale of 1-5. Read more.

#3 Longhorn Steakhouse:
This steakhouse has been serving fresh, never frozen and well-seasoned: steaks, chicken and fish for more than 30 years. Tip: The décor offers a rustic feel with everything country. Earned 4.3 star average on a pop-we scale of 1-5. Read more. 

#4 Jaipur Brewing Company: 
Indian eatery that offers authentic dishes full of extreme spice and flavor. Tip: Also, a brewing company -- so try the Jalepeno Ale. Earned 4.28 star average on a pop-we scale of 1-5. Read more. 

#5 7M Grill:
A hip and very contemporary eatery that offers daily specials and wine pairings with meals. Tip: Come in for half price wine night. Earned 4.23 star average on a pop-we scale of 1-5. Read more. 

#6 Biaggi’s

Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano offers a taste of Sicily. Tip: Go for Biaggi's bread with olive oil and Parmesan cheese. Earned 4.20 star average on a pop-we scale of 1-5. Read more. 

#7 Malara’s Italian Restaurant:
This family-owned Italian restaurant is known for its homemade sweet marinara sauce. Tip: Order the ravioli appetizer. Earned 4.18 star average on a pop-we scale of 1-5. Read more.

#7 Grisanti’s:
Spun off of Mamma Grisanti this chain has won popularity for their hospitality and made from scratch Italian food. Tip: Go for the unlimited bread that is kept warm on a candle-lit pedestal. Earned 4.18 star average on a pop-we scale of 1-5. Read more. 

#8 Johnny's Cafe: 
Johnny’s is the oldest steakhouse in town! Stop in the bar to take in the rich history of this original Omaha steak house. Tip: Meals come with complimentary cottage cheese spread, liver pate, and steaks come with mushroom wine sauce. Earned 4.07 star average on a pop-we scale of 1-5. Read more. 

#9 Finicky Frank’s:
Nestled in the hills of Ponca, this Ponca Hills gem has daily specials, craft beers and wine. Tip: Reservations are encouraged since it’s such a small, popular place. Earned 3.975 star average on a pop-we scale of 1-5. Read more. 

#10 Buzzard Billy’s: 
This Cajun spot in Lincoln includes an eclectic décor with alligators galore, as well as a menu full of Louisiana cuisine. Tip: The hush puppies are delish. Earned 3.95 star average on a pop-we scale of 1-5. Read more.

#11 Pink Poodle Steakhouse: 
This Iowa steakhouse has been open since 1964 and offers steaks to crab legs. Tip: They offer two soups of the day. Try the potato soup! Earned 3.53 star average on a pop-we scale of 1-5. Read more. 

Thanks for reading pop-we Dinner Club's year-in review. To view last year’s review go here.  If you want to do this yourself? To learn how to start your own dinner club, visit our January 2011 post about doing just that. Remember it is a template; tweak it to fit you and your friends’ tastes. pop-we Dinner Club: good food…good friends…good times.

Best wishes for a new year full of great food, health and happiness from all of us at population-we™!

-population-we™ blog post by Brian Brown & Becky Bohan Brown
© 2012-13 population-we, LLC 
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pop-we Dinner Club Reviews Brazen Head Irish Pub

The Emmett Room's Hearth.

Slainte! Is an old Irish drinking toast meaning "health." In November, Sue and the population-we™ (pop-we) foodies headed to the Brazen Head Irish Pub located at 319 N. 78 Street in Omaha, NE. Irish pubs have a long tradition of providing good food, Irish music and most importantly authentic drink. The Brazen Head Pub is no exception to being authentic down to the bar that was built in Wexford, Ireland, and then shipped over and reassembled under the supervision of Irish joiners.

When you walk through the two sets of double doors at Brazen Head you come to a frosted sign in which you either go right or left. Right is the Emmett Room that is a private room for parties (which is where they put our party of 12), to the left and around the corner is the main seating area. When you go around the corner is when you see the gorgeous two sided bar. Farther in the back is a small area where bands set up to play popular Irish tunes.

I have been to Brazen Head numerous times in the past and decided to try something different. Tonight, I ordered the Country Cottage Pie that is comfort food at its core. This dish is a very thick casserole made with beef, potatoes and cheese. This dense hearty dish was delectable with its spices and combination of flavors. I really enjoyed this dish even though I could not finish this heavy dish. Another foodie enjoyed the Corn beef and Cabbage while a couple others tried a Boxty. A Boxty is Irish potato pancake stuffed with various ingredients. You can check out their complete menu at http://www.brazenheadpub.com/Brazen%20Head%20menu_reduced.pdf .

After compiling the surveys from the other foodies the pop-we Dinner Club gives Brazen Head Pub: 4.42 star average on a scale of 1-5.

Country Cottage Pie.

Atmosphere/Decor – 4.75 

Cleanliness – 4.5 

Wait Staff – 4.33

Menu – 4.41

Food Presentation – 4.08

Food Portions – 4.41

Food Taste – 4.5

Cost (was the cost worth meal?) – 4

Noise Level – 4.48

Overall Experience – 4.58

Fellow population-we™ readers, if you’ve been to the Brazen Head Pub leave us a comment and tell us what you thought?

Want to do this yourself? To review how to start your own dinner club, visit our January post about doing just that. Remember it is a template; tweak it to fit you and your friends’ tastes. pop-we Dinner Club: good food…good friends…good times.

-population-we™ blog post by Brian Brown
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