Skip C.
Yelp
I've been absolutely wowed each time I've visited V. Mertz. Not only is the food technically advanced and wonderfully inventive, but this restaurant does a wonderful job of creating a wonderful experience that transcends what's on the plate.
But could that fine dining experience be transferred when the meal is taken to go? I don't know if most restaurants can pull that off. V. Mertz can.
I'll be honest; eating this meal at home wasn't the same as eating in the restaurant. There was no sommelier offering the perfect wine pairing or server thoroughly explaining each of our options.
But the food, despite a 30-minute drive home, was as good as ever. We had:
Bucatini: A bit thicker than spaghetti, these long noodles were tender and al dente, but the sauce stole the show. The bolognese contained finely diced pieces of carrot (for sweetness) and was covered with a layer of crispy charcuterie, giving it a wonderful sweet/salty combo (not to mention great texture). Imagine fantastic spaghetti with a sauce reminicesent of candied bacon.
Baked Salmon: Cooked the point where it flaked away with a touch from the fork, the salmon was delightful on its own. But chunks of blue lump crab and a light, almost airy spaghetti squash amped it up slightly.
Coconut Bread: There's a lot of good bread service in Omaha, but I haven't found any as good as this. The exterior of the bread has good crumb and texture, but the middle pulls apart like cotton candy. It's so fluffy, so buttery... I have yet to find anything like it. The bread alone is worth the trip to Mertz.
Pâté en croûte: I could try to describe the flavor behind this mix of pork, chicken liver and red currant pâté, all baked into a buttery pie crust, but I'd never experienced a flavor like this before last night, so I'm not sure I'm capable. I'll just leave you with this advice: go get it yourself.
To be perfectly clear, I've dined at V. Mertz during COVID, and I've felt as safe and comfortable as I have at any restaurant. Diners and well-spaced out (at least 8-10 feet apart) and staff wears masks at all times.
But if you're not comfortable eating out right now (perfectly understandable), keep V. Mertz on your list of options. This food is so delicious, entertaining, and awe-inspiring, it still creates a thrilling experience, even when enjoyed outside the restaurant