"After spending Happy Hour next door at the posh wine bar, brix, several friends and I decided we were in need of a heaping dose of comfort food in order to ward off the winter chill. So we trekked out the patio door and strolled 30 or so feet over to the adjacent Black Oak Grill.
Despite it being a Friday night the place was only moderately busy, so we were seated immediately in a comfy booth. A moment later our young waiter appeared, and immediately greeted us with a "Howdy, Fellers!" I had to ask him what he had just said, as in over a half century of eating in Omaha restaurants no one has ever greeted me quite that way. I soon figured out that must be part of the shtick of the place. They certainly don't greet you that way at brix, LOL.
Anyway, the greeting broke the ice, and we were soon off to a wonderful evening.
The menu is best described as higher end Midwestern/Ozark comfort food, done up with a bit of style and sophistication. Our table started with an order of onion rings, and in all honesty they were excellent, being large cut and lightly battered in-house. Everyone at our table loved them.
For dinner I had a Rosemary grilled chicken breast with a side of zucchini, which oddly, was the "seasonal" vegetable in February. But first I started with what turned out to be a giant bowl of tomato basil and Parmesan soup. It was smooth and rich flavored, and well worth ordering. Teamed with a salad or appetizer it would have made a complete meal.
Our main courses were served promptly, and my chicken dish and grilled zucchini were totally satisfying, and nicely portioned, without being over the top.
Others at the table had chicken fried steak and a mixed green salad with grilled chicken. The only complaint I heard was that the chicken fried steak was a bit over salted.
A full bar is offered, with decent wines by the glass and enough good local, national and international beer options to satisfy most beer drinkers.
The restaurant atmosphere is big and airy, with darker colors and lots of mix and match artwork lining the walls. The background music wasn't too loud, and trended toward classic southern rock with some pop tossed in. It wasn't a distraction, and overall sound levels were moderate. Prices overall are very reasonable (especially given the high end Midtown Crossing location), and the service was both fast and friendly.
I recommend the Black Oak Grill for hungry diners who want to enjoy a quality meal of familiar foods served in an attractive yet informal "come as you are" setting, without breaking the bank. Outdoor seating is offered in good weather. Three hours of free parking are available in nearby garages."
