Shout! Omaha

The wind was mighty on Sunday, which is not surprising for Nebraska, but it made for a difficult morning bike ride for my husband and I, after which we were famished. With the wind stripping our will to cook, we decided to treat ourselves to lunch at the latest location of Ingredient (in*gre*di*ent), a widely known to-order restaurant boasting specialties like pizza, fresh made wraps and homemade soups. With the Ingredient at Midtown Crossing constantly humming, we opted for the new store at One Pacific Place, introduced to the Omaha area just this February.

Striving to satisfy even the most finicky of palates, Ingredient provides local, fresh ingredients that can be customized to fit any specific taste.  Ingredient urges hungry patrons to examine the menu and order from the counter before choosing either a booth or table to click their fingers and wait. With this method of ordering, customers are urged to take their time and be as specific with their meal as possible.

I settled on a Portobello Melt with eggplant, roasted red peppers, married with brie and cabernet vinaigrette. Since I was thinking of taking another bike ride (and therefore deserved a treat), I also ordered a cup of the homemade Smokey Green Bean Soup. My husband decided on a Blue Jay Burger, a half pound of beef topped with blue cheese, smoked apple wood bacon and onion straws. Though I prefer to stick to plants, the carnivore in me was secretly dying for a taste of this delectable burger.

The style of the store is organic: the booths all have tinted glass with emblems of grass, leaves and flowers, giving the atmosphere a springy feel. Chairs and tables are subtle silver, looking like hidden rocks by a country creek. The counter towards the front of the store combines a traditional order space with a bar, shelving liquors mirrored by soft lighting, classing up a normally forgotten space.

By the time we had finished ogling the decorative seats, the drop lighting and flat screen televisions, our meals were arriving. The brie on my sandwich was the best addition, giving a creamy richness to the already earthy eggplant and mushroom. The oaky flavors were complimented by a breeze of cabernet from the fresh made vinaigrette. However, the soup was the star of my meal. With a soft spot for creamy fresh made soups, I lost myself in the thickness of the broth, the texture of the bacon and bite of green beans. For any other soup addicts, four varieties are made daily in house. My husband’s burger was juicy, thick and perfectly accented with the onion straws.

After we finished our meals, Culinary Manger Emmet Beiser came by our little oasis to see how our meals were. He brought with him a three of their most popular dishes prepped and pretty for photos: a Thai Pie pizza, a Grilled Salmon BST (Bacon, Salmon, Tomato), and a Dim Sum Wrap.

“We are a regional chain out of Kansas City,” Beiser told us. “There are eight stores all together.” With the success of the Midtown Crossing location, Ingredient decided on One Pacific Place in order to spread their reputation and specialties throughout West Omaha.

As each photo turned out better than the last, I wondered if there was a signature dish that could be singled out. Beiser thought a moment and glanced at the many offerings for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“You know, there are signature dishes in each category,” he said. “These three dishes I have brought out are the most popular so far.”

Judging from the smell of peanuts and ginger from the sundried tomato Dim Sum Wrap, the golden hue of the salmon and the overwhelmingly delicious scent of cilantro from the Thai Pie pizza, it is evident that Ingredient at One Pacific Place will be a successful West Omaha staple.