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Firebirds a recent addition to Omaha’s growing dining scene
By JEFF KORBELIK / Lincoln Journal Star
Friday, Mar 24, 2006 - 12:01:29 am CST

It was 9:45 p.m. and my companion and I were hungry.

We had attended a sneak peek of the movie “V for Vendetta” at the new 16-screen Douglas Village Pointe Theatre in Omaha.

Next to the theater sat one of the city’s new steakhouses — Firebirds Rocky Mountain Grill.

We walked over, hoping it was open. The sign said it closed at 10 p.m. We weren’t optimistic, thinking we were going to get a song and dance about the kitchen already being shut down.

Instead, the host welcomed us with open arms. The restaurant immediately scored points with us.

Restaurants are going up fast in Omaha, especially on the city’s west side.

Firebirds has been open since June. It’s part of a small chain that got its start in Charlotte, N.C., in December 2000. Founder Dennis Thompson has patterned his restaurants after rustic ski lodges found in the Rocky Mountains. The Omaha site has two stone fireplaces.

The steakhouse hangs it hat on its wood-fire grilled entrees. Steaks, prime rib, chicken and seafood are cooked over hickory and oak.

Firebirds also features bold sauces with a Southwestern flair. This is what separates it from other steakhouses in the market.

“Everybody has a coconut shrimp,” managing partner Mark Rumscheidt said. “But not everyone is serving it with a sweet habanero sauce or tortilla slaw.”

Dinners range from $12.95 to $23.95. Most entrees cost between $15 and $20. Sandwiches and burgers cost about $9. Vegetarians will be hard-pressed to find foods outside of appetizers and side items.

I ordered a medium rare sirloin ($16.95) with a homemade bleu cheese sauce and port mushrooms. My companion went with a medium rare pepper-crusted sirloin ($17.95).

Steaks are served with choice of the “loaded” baked potato or seasoned steak fries. We recommend the baked potato. My companion also ordered Firebirds’ signature BLT Salad ($4.25).

The wood-fire grill gave the steaks, weighing between 12 and 14 ounces, a unique, tasty flavor.

My companion would have asked the kitchen to be a little less generous with the cracked black peppercorns. They overwhelmed the meat’s flavor.

I will go without the bleu cheese sauce on my next visit. I was in the mood for something different, but the sauce really didn’t add much. My steak, however, was exceptional — cooked just right with a hint of smoked hickory. Yum.

Overall, our experience was good. Our server was knowledgeable and offered recommendations when asked.

Best of all we never felt rushed. We were the last customers on this Tuesday night. We apologized for showing up late, but our server told us not to sweat it — the sign outside said 10 p.m for a reason.

Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.

Firebirds

168th and Dodge streets, Omaha

Atmosphere: Casual to upscale

Specialty: Wood-fire grilled meats

Payment: Cash, credit cards; no checks

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Phone: (402) 359-1340

Web site: www.firebirdsrestaurants.com

Notes: Parking, alcohol, takeout, children’s menu, three outdoor patios, two stone fireplaces