La Buvette Wine & Grocery

Category:	Wine Store
Address:	511 S 11th St, Omaha, NE 68102, USA
Phone:	+1 402-344-8627
Site:	labuvetteomaha.com
Rating:	4
Working:	10AM–10PM 10AM–10PM 10AM–10PM 10AM–11PM 10AM–12AM 10AM–12AM 11:30AM–10PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 8

Bret Londer

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Omaha. Youd be forgiven for skipping over it as one glance at the kitchen will certainly cast doubt on how good of food they can crank out from the two, small propane burners that serve as their stove. Im reasonably certain its a camp stove. Looking around more, youll see the walls, counters, floor, pretty much everything covered with wine. Youd probably think "This is a wine shop, Ill go get food somewhere else." But if you did, youd miss out. I dont know what agreement with the devil that their cooks have made, but the food they put out is pure sorcery. Delicious sorcery. Most recently, I went here to catch up with a friend when I was back visiting family. We both wanted to try the same things, so we ordered a fancy sounding sausage and duck, along with two glasses of wine. Both meals were fantastic, as always. The menu changes regularly and prices are always around $10-$15 for an entree. The entrees are also the perfect size; not too much, not too little. The place itself is small and romantic with an excellent covered outdoor patio that looks into Omahas quaint Old Market area downtown. It would be a perfect place for a date. Parking can be a bit of a pain depending on day and time, so Id plan on walking a few blocks to get there unless you get really lucky and snag a spot right out front. But Id certainly suggest going here if you find yourself near downtown Omaha. It wont disappoint.

Chet Gassett

La Buvette was the first Omaha restaurant recommended to me when I moved to Lincoln 4 years ago. I finally made it there this summer, and was not disappointed. I went on a Saturday around lunch time, as the Farmers Market was ending. I had originally intended to sit outside, but that area was packed with early birds. Instead I chose a seat overlooking the kitchen area, which was a great decision, because the chef there is incredible to watch work so many different orders at one time. My lunch was simple, and delicious. The chocolate torte I had for dessert was completely worth the small fee it added to my bill. As for atmosphere, I could have easily spent my entire day there working, drinking, and watching the chef work. Its a great little nook to dine in, and as I mentioned there is an outdoor seating area for great people watching in Old Market. If youre someone who wants your wait staff to be at your table every five minutes, or thinks that you should not have to pour your own water from a carafe on the table, you may not enjoy your experience as much as I did. The waitstaff was never rude to me, and they took my order and such in a timely enough manner. I was in no hurry on this solo lunch though. Go to La Buvette, the food is good enough that you dont need to worry about anything else, and really thats what a restaurant should be about.

John Ellis

Id been in Omaha for nearly a week. Were there NO restaurants that actually served real food? Then, on a crowded Friday evening in May, I went to La Buvette and snagged the last stool at the small counter by the kitchen. This was real food--starting with the perfectly cool glass of sancerre (wine is food, no?)--the assorted breads might have been enough they were that good (and the sweet butter? aahhh), were it not that the cold sorrel and cucumber soup was a pure distillation of the garden and that the simple house salad was skillfully built with a little of this and a little of that (including a few savory gherkins) with a dressing that was just as assertive as it needed to be and no more and sparingly applied. That was all I had...and it was bliss. Final thought--it was hopping busy that night, and the crew of servers and food makers were always in motion, taking care of everything and everybody with energy and aplomb. That river that slides along Omahas downtown...is it the Missouri? Or, perhaps, its the Seine?

fe1358

My husband and I have visited this venue before because we love the ambience and wine selections....we visited on Labor Day last week and were very disappointed. It was busy around lunch time---it took a good 15 minutes to get water and a waiter to even acknowledge us. Other patrons were going up to the counter to get their attention. Instead of pacing out our food----soup/cheese tray/salads--they were all brought out to us at the same time--so we had at least five plates on our small table to eat after waiting 45 minutes order time and then had an extra salad brought out to us--so we had 3 salads to eat. After going up to the counter to pay---the girl who took our money acted very put out to have to stop and take our money. We probably will not go back our next visit to Omaha. I am giving a two star rating because of the service this last visit.

Micah Ringlein

Our waitress was fantastic. When we had questions about different menu items, she had immediate answers. She brought everything at once, brought us more bread at request, and came back to our table several times to refill water, help pour wine, and clear the tables as everyone finished. She helped us figure out splitting up the bill for our large group into smaller chunks. Our waitress even spoke French to the Francophones at the tables which definitely helped her tip. The huge flaw for me was that the food price and the portions didnt match. It was hard to pick out a meal with some of the more particular menu items. Food took an incredible amount of time to be delivered (45min+). I understand it was a large group, but with the portion sizes what they were, I found it to be unacceptable.

A Private User

Although the food is good here, the service (at least the last two times we have been here) is horrible. On our recent visit (today), we sat outside. Our wait person did not come out to our table after 10 minutes so we went inside, got menus, selected a bottle of wine, and asked if she would bring out water. She did. After we placed our order, it was delivered (after 30 minutes). The hors douvres came out with the entrees, we poured our own water and wine. We had to go back inside to ask her to bring us dessert and coffee. The coffee was delivered; we never got the dessert. When the check arrived, it included the dessert. We asked to have it taken off the check. Its sad; we wont be going back here. The food is very good. The service is atrocious.

Amanda Bright

La Buvette has to be one of the best places in all of Omaha. And certainly the best place to eat. With an extensive, handwritten daily menu (along with their go-to standards), youre getting what is fresh and what the chef is inspired by, every day of the week. The boeuf bourguignon was authentic and rich. And the baguettes and French butter make you feel as if youre sitting at a bistro in Paris. Prices are beyond reasonable with glasses of wine sitting around $5 and bottles averaging $13. I wish some place like this could exist in Los Angeles but it never could (would be mobbed and prices would be 4x higher) which makes it even more special and beautiful.

A Private User

I have been here several times and each time the food was great. However, the service is awful. Not one of the times I have frequented the place, have I had even sub par service. Everything from dirty tables, to quite frankly serving and pouring your own drinks. Heaven forbid you ask for your bill without getting eyes rolled etc. It is truly unfortunate that the waitstaff downgrades this place so much. I am not even one to complain at restaurants, but this is the very last time I will be eating at La Buvette.