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Oh Espana...you got me ridiculously drunk during reverse happy hour while satiating my taste buds simultaneously.
I recommend reverse happy hour for cheap treats and decent sangria...oh lest i forget the DJ, he was probably the best I have heard in Omaha thus far.
I will return for reverse HH and to check out the actual dinner vibe and full menu
I've only been to Espana for Loom (1st Thursday of every month) and it's one crazy fun party! I've never been disappointed at the parties here. Only time I was sort of disappointed was when we couldn't get in because the place was at capacity, but the doorman was gracious enough to let us in after a while.
The music is amazing, Brent is an amazing DJ with an array to tracks that suit the international diverse vibe this place has. You can always count on beautiful women and the hot dog to bun ratio is better than most places in town.
My only gripe is that the bathroom line can get pretty long so stay away from beer!
Went here the other day with some friends and absolutely loved the foods. Although the the prices were somewhat higher than expected, the high quality dishes were well worth it.
I tried about 7 different tapas dishes and would highly recommend the Calamare a la Romana and the braised lamb dish. Also like several other yelpers suggested, the dining experience would not be complete without a pitcher of sangria, which is a recipe for a good time.
In the future, I'd like revisit Espana to try their paella. It should be noted that it takes about 40 mins to order and that they require a 2 person minimum, which is something I'd wish I knew in advance.
Overall, the food was about 8-9, decor 9 and service 10. Great change of pace from the other Omaha restaurants in town.
Sharing is always a tricky issue for my husband, but I don't think I've taken him here yet. Even so I've only been twice or thrice in the restaurant's history. This is probably due to the fact that I feel slightly fleeced whenever I walk out of Espana.
Not that I mind dropping a good chunk of change on a delicious meal... in fact it's probably one of the things I'm most happy to part with my money for. But Espana kind of skirts the territory of being 'too much' in the ratio of food for the money. And that keeps me away more often than not.
Don't get me wrong, the food (and service) is awesome. I just sometimes feel a little sad that there isn't more of it to enjoy. I understand that this is the nature of the restaurant, which apparently doesn't quite cater to my apparently gluttonous nature. But it's definitely a place to try at least once or twice. (You'll want to come back the second time just to perfect your porron-drinking skills.)
The best thing about Espana is the energy. It has a vibe which gets into my blood. The constants...
The Gypsy Kings will be on the soundtrack.
There will be a table of drunks (I am the brunette one in the green shirt).
There will be a table on a first date (usually sat next to the drunks).
You will want to go dancing after you leave.
Overall, the service is typically very good, except when you get overcharged apparently! That sucks p.s..
I would welcome a bit more spice and a bit less salt on some of their dishes. Some of my favorites are the lamb, the crusted pork tenderloin, the scallop sviche (sin sal), anything with eggplant. Very vegetarian and seafood friendly. Always fun.
Espana is one of those places that has the ability to keep you coming back, even though it seems like you never get what you pay for. The atmosphere is great, its the best food in the neighborhood and the drinks are good - but the food is only okay and its rather expensive.
I recommend going here if you're in Benson, but just don't expect a transcendent dining experience.
My initial exuberance for Espana was recently dampened by an experience I thought I should share.
We had dinner here with a group of friends. Ordered lots of food and lots of pitchers of sangria. Most of us were intoxicated, but a few remained sober enough to know when the bill came that we were charged for twice the number of pitchers of sangria that we actually ordered. If you've eaten here, you know that the difference in cost between 4 and 8 pitchers is noticeable, even if one person had consumed all 4 pitchers.
When we brought this to our waiter's attention, he argued with us and initially refused to adjust the bill. After a combination of threats and pleading, the waiter relented, but the whole experience has soured my previously positive perspective on the restaurant.
Check your bill!
It's really a sad statement that the best reviews of this restaurant are from people outside of… Read more »
A not so nostalgic Spanish experience....
on any street corner in Spain one may bask in the variety of small cafés and restaurants that offer a similar carta of select cheeses, cured jamónes, cold/warm seafood, and delectable olives as appetizers or tapas accompanied with a glass of table wine. even a big-eating american ordering any selection of 4-5 tapas at any of those quotidian type places would never pay more than 15 dollars. at españa, you can expect to pay maybe three times that. the food is subpar not to mention the exuberant prices. i ordered 3 tapas, a glass of wine, and ended up paying over 30 dollars for my meal. The manchego cheese was not properly prepared; the proteins were separated from the cheese. The seafood was not fresh and I left with no sense of a nostalgic Spanish café experience.
I have enjoyed my visits to espana and will return. Tapas both hot and cold were quality on our visits. Never had the Paella and would like to but seems pretty pricey. If I pay these prices in Omaha I expect pretty decent service and feel like last time i was there it could have been better. Its just nice to have some place to go for tapas in NE, would like to see more.
I love this place!! This is one of my favorites in Omaha. Talk about awesome atmosphere. Espana is Omaha's version of Rocco Espirito and his mama. Instead of Italian, this is a truly Spanish experience. Many of the servers are actually from Spain. I am sorry to hear of others' bad experiences..but this is something very unique.
First, the seating is very European. Close together like a restaurant in Madrid. Secondly, the food is divine. The first time we were here, we asked the server what to get and how much. We were tapas virgins. We tried both hot and cold and loved them all. The wine is really expensive, so now I mostly like the sangria. Thirdly and not lastly is the entertainment. Things vary from night to night. Some nights you get flamengo dancers, some nights you get Spanish guitars, and most nights you get Sangria poured into your mouth by the owner. Fun, fun... Just remember, reservations are a must!!!!
umm...is the air conditioning fixed? Last time I was there I sweat like a wildebeest on crack and couldn't even enjoy the famed sangria for lack of intact ice. Food is whateva, service the same and claustrophobics beware, they pack 'em in like sardines!
Good restaurant if you are not dining alone. You need to order a bunch of stuff and share. I'll definately be back if I ever return to Omaha.
I agree with the previous reviewer who said to make a reservation. That can be critical here. We have tried on numerous occasions to come here on the spur of the moment, but couldn't get a table.
I've been here a handful of times and always enjoyed it. I will say, if you have a severe shellfish allergy, let the waitron know. I didn't, and had a severe reaction even though I didn't eat any shellfish. The selection of tapas is large and the sangria is great. I can't wait to come back!!
Espana has some of the best Spanish food you will find anywhere, and has Flamenco dancers providing unique entertainment weekly.
GOOD-TO-KNOWS
-Make a reservation. The place is popular.
-Find out when there is Flamenco dancing. Go then.
-"Tapas" are served. There are no entrees, just a series of exotic appetizers, averaging about $5-7 apiece. You will want to order somewhere around 4-6 for each person at the table, and share.
Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. It's enough to make a city boy find religion in the nether regions of historic downtownish Omaha. I am a huge tapas fan, and Omaha seems sadly unaware that one of the best tapas restaurants west of the Mississippi is located right in their own backyard. Reasonable prices, wide selection, a friendly staff, and ready access to a peron (ask the waitstaff) make this one of the best dining experiences to be had in the Cornhusker state.
People of Omaha, I implore you: since I live 1700 miles away, I can't keep Espana open based on my patronage alone. Visit, eat, drink, make merry, wash, rinse, repeat, wipe hands on pants. If you don't support this restaurant, your city will have lost perhaps its greatest Iberian asset. Which may be faint praise, but still. What a gem!
Espana is the best! I just wish it were in Fort Collins, CO! I am telling you a place like this would do great in The Fort - hint, hint. The food is truly amazing, there are plenty of vegetarian options, and it is quality. I definitely recommend making reservations - Espana is the perfect size which is not too big. The ambiance is fantabulous too - great lighting, great art, great colors - very well thought out. The service and entertainment - in a word phenomenal. Espana isn't just a meal it is a total dining experience! (Wow, it is not very often that I can say that!) Espana is also one of my husbands all time favorite restaurants - and to make the top of that list is not easy! Seriously Omaha is so lucky to have Espana! Go, bring friends, eat, drink, you'll be glad you did!
The food here is great!! You gotta watch out though... That bill will creep up on you. The tapas are fairly small so like David said, you have to order about 4-6 fo each person... Even at $5 a piece for the cheaper ones, that adds up fast. Plus the drinks are a little pricy too. Found that out when I got my bill. The Mojitos I was drinking were $8 a piece.
Even without any drinks couple can easily spend $50 dollars on a night here. A few drinks a piece and you'll be up to $75 in no time. If your in a group of friends eating and drinking pitchers of sangria and plan on staying awhile... You better pack a heavy wallet.
Awesome atmosphere, and the food is great. The owner is a lovely spanish woman who runs the place with an iron fist (in a good way).
Drinks can be a bit pricey here, but its not absurd. Nowhere else in Omaha can you eat tapas, watch flaminco, and have the owner pour wine into your mouth from a glass bong-like contraption. Certainly worth the price of admission.
One downside (sort of) is the restaurant is a bit small. If they have a musician playing, and you get the table right up front, it gets hard to hear your dinner companions.
Espana is one of the best places to eat in Omaha-- excellent food, cool atmosphere, and competent/knowledgeable wait staff. Sometimes the seating can be slow, and the old lady that works there was kind of a bitch to us the last time we were there, but still a great place to eat. Omaha needs more places like this. My only problem with it is that when I go there with a group I try not to make a pig of myself and so I don't hog out as I should and then I leave hungry. Sigh.
Went there last night for the first time.
Great tapas! Really like the atmosphere too. We were one of the first diners and it was pretty quiet when we got there, but soon the sangria was flowing and the place came alive. :)
I know that a few posters recommend 4 to 6 tapas per person, but I will go with 3 to 4 next time.
There are many restaurants in the area that serve great food, but Espaa is certainly one of most unique.
I love this place. Great tapas, great atmosphere. The last time I went they had a band that was great - a little loud because I was sitting right my one of the speakers, but they played a lot of Gypsy Kings covers - I did not know that anyone in Omaha had even heard of the Gypsy Kings. A great place to go with a group. Friends of mine raved about the paella, but I was not too impressed. Lots of different things on the menu to share, so go with an appetite. The sangria is great and the wine list is not too shabby!
Espana is alright. The prices are very reasonable- you can certainly get your fill of food and drinks without breaking your wallet. The sangria, pretty good. The food- not amazing, not bad. I felt the menu could have been a bit more adventurous. Service was good.
Omaha, NE
Category: Vegetarian
Omaha, NE
Category: American (New)
Omaha, NE
Category: Beer, Wine & Spirits
Omaha, NE
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Omaha, NE
Category: Italian
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