This crazy curtain pattern and a tasty beer are usually in the background when I’m blogging…the skanky bananas, however, are not. I forgot to take any corresponding pictures… so we’re going with this one.
I’ve had a few reminders lately that OMAHA IS AWESOME, and I thought it would be a good idea to share it with you all, my favorite dudes.
Stories Coffeehouse
We had an Omaha Bloggers meeting today at a place called Stories, waaaayyyyy out in the boonies. Maybe not quite the boonies, but 180th and Pacific. If it weren’t for the Dodge expressway, it would have been quite the trek for me.
I’m not trying to be disrespectful when I say “the boonies,” though. What I’m trying to say is that it’s well worth the drive. I’ve never been to a place with quite the same feel as this one. It’s like… walking into Pinterest? Yeah. It’s like walking into the actual Pinterest. There’s an entire wall made of cupboards and drawers, plenty of chalkboard paint, delicious-looking crazy decadent pastries, bistro-type meals, and two pretty serious deal-sealers for me. Let me put them in bold for you:
Three different roasts of drip coffee (dark, medium, light) and FREE REFILLS.
Maple Bacon Popcorn. With for-real chunks of bacon in it.
Can I hashtag that? I’m doing it. #maplebaconpopcorn
This place has a pretty awesome backstory. The owner’s impressively knowledgeable and personable daughter handed out some samples and gave us a verbal tour of the shop, which is a veritable smorgasbord of local, women-run businesses. Check out the Stories story here:
Ladies Night at Midtown Crossing
Although I’ve always been a little (it’s ridiculous, I know) intimidated by the seeming trendiness of Midtown Crossing, I’m pretty pumped to say that the place is about to make one of my lifelong goals a reality. (Well, mostly.)
You see, I’ve been involved in a steamy, passionate, long-time love affair with the Food Network, and, back when Emeril was a big deal, I would dream of watching someone cook in front of me, and then get to taste the results of said cooking. Just seeing the way those lucky old ladies enjoyed the BAM! that was placed on their tables made me crazy, crazy jealous.
Now, Midtown Crossing holds a “Ladies Night” once a month, and April is bringing Ladies Night in the form of a cooking class.
You guys. I get to be the lucky old lady!
…and you can, too! The event is on Thursday, April 10th, and is free, free, free. All you have to do is register by sending an email to contact@midtowncrossing.com.
The class is called “Hot Off the Pan:” Simple 30 Minute Meals from Pantry to Plate. It will be a guided, educational tasting put on at Chef2, with two 30 minute sessions at 6:30 and 7:00 pm (if it fills up, they will try to add more slots). I personally haven’t been to Chef2, but I hear they sell some killer oils and vinegars.
Here’s the menu:
1st course: French baguette with Italian Herb olive oil/Lemon salt
2nd course: Mix greens with a blueberry balsamic/blood orange oil vinaigrette
3rd course: Seven grain orzo pasta/sun dried tomato pesto/smoked serrano salt
4th course: Ice cream with chocolate balsamic reduction
I have to admit that I’m a little nervous about the 2nd course, seeing as how I think that blueberries are the living worst, but I’m totally willing to give it a try.
So, what do you say? Want to come with me?
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Let’s be real here:
In the spirit of honesty, I have to tell you guys that I’m receiving a $25 gift card to Midtown Crossing in return for blogging about this event and sharing it on social media. Don’t call me a sellout, okay? I’m about to see one of my lifelong dreams achieved, here. All I have to do is imagine that the cook in front of me is a young Tyler Florence and MY DREAMS WILL BECOME REALITY.