The Omaha Metro
Event Report:
Brunch at TALUS Spirits & Sustenance
Rhine Cruise: Le Petite France, Strasbourg
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La Petite France Wednesday 8/21/2024. The old tannery district of the city is now a showplace of Germanic half-timbered buildings ubiquitous throughout Alsace, but here in great concentration. There is an ancient water lock where tour boats adjust to changes in height of the water. You would never guess today that this quaint area was home to millers, tanners, and fishermen during the middle ages, due to its location on the tributaries of the Ill River. It received its name, La Petite France, from the fact that the Hospices de Verolés (pox) was established there to treat the soldiers of Charles VIII who contracted syphilis during a war with Italy. Back then syphilis was called the French disease. Since there was no cure, the hospital started being called the Hospice of the Incurable, and the whole building was called La Petite France. Much of the area was destroyed in World War II, but the 16th and 17th century buildings were rebuilt.
The area has lots of restaurants. Most of our group wanted to go get Tarte Flambée (pizza) but Wayne Markus and I wanted Choucrout Garni, the classic sauerkraut with 7 kinds of meat. We went to Maison des Tanneurs, established in 1572, with its incredible retro (antique) interior and way too much food on the plate for lunch. Delicieux!
Cheers!
Tom Murnan.
America is a country which produces citizens who will cross the ocean to fight for democracy but won’t cross the street to vote.
- The Cynical Philosopher
Event Report: Brunch at TALUS Spirits & Sustenance
Written by Tom Murnan, Photos by Mike Wilke.
I was unable to attend the combined Omaha and Omaha Metro Brunch events at a location new to both branches, TALUS. Located at 109th and Cumberland Drive in Papillion, Talus opened in August 2022. It focuses on what executive chef Aron Mackevicius calls Fusion Comfort Food with Craft Cocktails, and local beer that rotates around different breweries throughout the year. Chef Aron came from Railcar because he had the freedom to do what inspired him. He wanted to do something different than all the other restaurants in the metro area so he came up with a mountain theme in the plains of Nebraska. The name Talus comes from the rock foundation at the base of a mountain. The food is inspired by various mountain ranges, and the smart decor has a mountain lodge feel. The restaurant has monthly gourmet dinners, wine and beer tastings and community gatherings.
But this was just brunch, with a generous amount of wine from both club’s cellars. We started off with Bloody Mary’s and Mimosa’s and quaffing wines. Three kinds of appetizers you typically don’t eat at breakfast were served, including a Raspberry Caviar Canape. Five more plates were to come. Frittata with Prosciutto, Grilled Chicken Apple Avocado Toast with fried egg, Potato Casserole with Thick Cut Bacon, Spinach and Havarti Cheese, then Steak and Brussels Puff. Finally, a Breakfast Cheesecake with house made Lemon Curd was paired with a Sauternes. The First and Second Plates had a red and white wine to pair with the food, while the Third and Fourth Plates had more substantial red wine pairs. All this had one of the smallest tariffs we have seen for quite awhile: $120. Sounds like the bargain of the year to me. But we only had 24 people sign up from both clubs. Don’t forget to let the event host know if you ARE or ARE NOT coming. I don’t think many non-attenders used this feature on the invite signup page.
Many thanks to Rhonda and Mike Wilke for putting together this, by all accounts, delicious event. Thanks to Chef Aron and the staff, led by Robyn Davis, for great service.
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