I’m not even sure where to begin writing about our overwhelming enjoyable experience we had at “The Emporium Coffeehouse and Café” in Scottsbluff Nebraska – www.emporiumcoffeehouseandcafe.com Being an ex-food critic and food-photographer for Travelhost Magazine, I tend to seek out the atypical dining experience wherever I go – family in tow, bless their hearts. We found it this trip! This divine restaurant is the complete package. The charming building has been creatively decorated to pack an artistic punch. The glass blown chandelier and light fixtures would make Dale Chihuly blush. The owner cleverly commissioned this piece from “Ring of Fire” Studio – www.ringoffirestudio.com The menu touts “only the highest quality and freshest ingredients available” and the chef delivers. Every dish was impeccably prepared. We dined on… Lahvosh (Yep folks, in Nebraska!), Cashew-crusted Mahi Mahi (with buttermilk mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus), Amber Chicken (chicken breast with Proscuitto and Asiago cheese in a white wine, sage and thyme reduction, new potatoes, and grilled asparagus), Spaghetti & Meatballs (the true test of a great chef…the noodles we cooked to perfection), and New Delhi Shrimp Stir-fry bowl (jumbo shrimp tossed with julienne vegetables and curry over basmati rice.) Everything was mouthwatering. My only regret was that we were so full we had to split the Crème Bruleè for dessert. I’m a true Crème Bruleè snob and theirs is the best I have ever had…seriously. The service was also top notch! When the waiters delivered a very colorful berry smoothie to my daughter, I about had a heart attack. The crisp white tablecloth was doomed and I apologized in advance. Politely the waiter replied, “it will come out in the wash.” He added a wink. “No way, this place is kid-friendly too!” I also noted that the owner visits every table for a quick quality control check – kudos. I can’t chatter on enough about this restaurant, simply go and enjoy. Next time, (and there will be many next times for us) I want my own Crème Bruleè with that side of Pistachio Gelato I missed this visit darn it.

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Every month of every year for twenty-six years of our marriage my wife and I have attempted to have one evening to dine out with friends or with our boys. This past February was no exception. The difficult part of planning the evening was selecting an appropriate restaurant. We have eaten in or at just about every place in town; steak houses, Mexican food places, oriental establishments, even the places where the pre-packaged food is all alike, and that includes the fast food joints. Then I happened to think there is one place we had not tried, and I had not heard many comments about it from the people I know who eat out a lot and like food.

That evening after work my wife and I cleaned up and headed for our special dining out experience. The place was friendly and cozy. The staff was very warm and knowledgeable about the food and the available wine and drink selections. As we read and re-read the menu we were not fluttered over, as one is at many restaurants. Our orders were taken and drinks served in a time frame that made us feel comfortable and special, not like we were being hurried so that the store could turn the table and set another group.

My wife had settled on a steak in cranberry marinade, while I settled on the duck carbonarra. This is part of what made this experience so unique, none of the entrees are the typical for local restaurant fare. Our salads were wonderfully different from the standard iceberg lettuce with tomato slices and an onion. I have no idea what greens were in the salad but it was good. My wife's steak was not a piece of meat, it was a chunk of meat. It was served with a small cluster of asparagus and buttermilk mashed potatoes. It looked so inviting that I almost wished that I had ordered it. I had no inkling of what to expect with the duck at this point. My duck was diced up and served with pasta in an Alfredo sauce with the hint of secretive spices in the background.

It has been years since my wife and I have spent the better part of two hours, by ourselves at a restaurant eating. But, that is exactly what we did on this evening. We sat and talked, ate, and thoroughly enjoyed the whole event. If there were negatives they were not outstanding enough to make any impression or be worthy of mentioning.

My wife and I are not food critiques, nor are we restaurateurs. My wife does come from a food service family. We both enjoy good food prepared and served with flourish. In discussing our meals and experiences at home later that evening, we both mentioned how great and exciting the whole dining out experience was and how that maybe it would be a place we would save for very special nights out.

For anyone who might be interested in a similar experience, may I suggest, if you haven't already tried it, go for an evening at the Emporium. If is much more than a coffeehouse anymore. And if asked how you heard of it, tell Sara: "Jerry said it was one unique dining experience."

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	What our Customers Say About Us!
	June 18, 2007 -- So much fun!!! Emily Weadock; Genesee, CO I’m not even sure where to begin writing about our overwhelming enjoyable experience we had at “The Emporium Coffeehouse and Café” in Scottsbluff Nebraska – www.emporiumcoffeehouseandcafe.com Being an ex-food critic and food-photographer for Travelhost Magazine, I tend to seek out the atypical dining experience wherever I go – family in tow, bless their hearts. We found it this trip! This divine restaurant is the complete package. The charming building has been creatively decorated to pack an artistic punch. The glass blown chandelier and light fixtures would make Dale Chihuly blush. The owner cleverly commissioned this piece from “Ring of Fire” Studio – www.ringoffirestudio.com The menu touts “only the highest quality and freshest ingredients available” and the chef delivers. Every dish was impeccably prepared. We dined on… Lahvosh (Yep folks, in Nebraska!), Cashew-crusted Mahi Mahi (with buttermilk mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus), Amber Chicken (chicken breast with Proscuitto and Asiago cheese in a white wine, sage and thyme reduction, new potatoes, and grilled asparagus), Spaghetti & Meatballs (the true test of a great chef…the noodles we cooked to perfection), and New Delhi Shrimp Stir-fry bowl (jumbo shrimp tossed with julienne vegetables and curry over basmati rice.) Everything was mouthwatering. My only regret was that we were so full we had to split the Crème Bruleè for dessert. I’m a true Crème Bruleè snob and theirs is the best I have ever had…seriously. The service was also top notch! When the waiters delivered a very colorful berry smoothie to my daughter, I about had a heart attack. The crisp white tablecloth was doomed and I apologized in advance. Politely the waiter replied, “it will come out in the wash.” He added a wink. “No way, this place is kid-friendly too!” I also noted that the owner visits every table for a quick quality control check – kudos. I can’t chatter on enough about this restaurant, simply go and enjoy. Next time, (and there will be many next times for us) I want my own Crème Bruleè with that side of Pistachio Gelato I missed this visit darn it. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCE And Good Food, Too; Jerry Lucas March 8, 2006 -- SCOTTSBLUFF Every month of every year for twenty-six years of our marriage my wife and I have attempted to have one evening to dine out with friends or with our boys. This past February was no exception. The difficult part of planning the evening was selecting an appropriate restaurant. We have eaten in or at just about every place in town; steak houses, Mexican food places, oriental establishments, even the places where the pre-packaged food is all alike, and that includes the fast food joints. Then I happened to think there is one place we had not tried, and I had not heard many comments about it from the people I know who eat out a lot and like food. That evening after work my wife and I cleaned up and headed for our special dining out experience. The place was friendly and cozy. The staff was very warm and knowledgeable about the food and the available wine and drink selections. As we read and re-read the menu we were not fluttered over, as one is at many restaurants. Our orders were taken and drinks served in a time frame that made us feel comfortable and special, not like we were being hurried so that the store could turn the table and set another group. My wife had settled on a steak in cranberry marinade, while I settled on the duck carbonarra. This is part of what made this experience so unique, none of the entrees are the typical for local restaurant fare. Our salads were wonderfully different from the standard iceberg lettuce with tomato slices and an onion. I have no idea what greens were in the salad but it was good. My wife's steak was not a piece of meat, it was a chunk of meat. It was served with a small cluster of asparagus and buttermilk mashed potatoes. It looked so inviting that I almost wished that I had ordered it. I had no inkling of what to expect with the duck at this point. My duck was diced up and served with pasta in an Alfredo sauce with the hint of secretive spices in the background. It has been years since my wife and I have spent the better part of two hours, by ourselves at a restaurant eating. But, that is exactly what we did on this evening. We sat and talked, ate, and thoroughly enjoyed the whole event. If there were negatives they were not outstanding enough to make any impression or be worthy of mentioning. My wife and I are not food critiques, nor are we restaurateurs. My wife does come from a food service family. We both enjoy good food prepared and served with flourish. In discussing our meals and experiences at home later that evening, we both mentioned how great and exciting the whole dining out experience was and how that maybe it would be a place we would save for very special nights out. For anyone who might be interested in a similar experience, may I suggest, if you haven't already tried it, go for an evening at the Emporium. If is much more than a coffeehouse anymore. And if asked how you heard of it, tell Sara: "Jerry said it was one unique dining experience."	*August 7, 2006 -- Five Star * * * * Ed Clinite; Sonora, CA Nebraska's Little Secret! Thank you for the culinary orgasm!!! Excellent cuisine, service and atmosphere. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - August 24, 2006 Barbara; San Francisco, CA Thank you so much from Rachail, Rebekaha & Barbara -- for being here. The food, the staff & atmosphere; so soothing & what a great experience. Thank you for a great Month!!! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - August 28, 2006 Michael Collins; Lincoln, NE A dining experience that truly made me giggle & wish I could eat more until I pop! Yum - Freakin' - Yum! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - May 17, 2006 Kenji Kimoto; Tokyo, Japan Thank you for good dinner. I impressed Wasabi Form on Tuna. It was excellent. I will come back to here. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - May 11, 2006 Wendy Weinhold; Carbondale, IL The Emporium gets better every time I visit! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - May 23, 2006 Jim & Wila Kent; New York What a lovely lunch -- complete with Wasabi, Portobello mushys & smooth jazz & Lilacs! You made our New York hearts feel right at home. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - July 6, 2006 Suella Hanlon** This is the best place in a 200 mile radius! Many with a very well educated palette will be grateful for this exclusive experience! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

What our Customers Say About Us!