Dining Notes

LUCKY BUCKET LANDS IN LA VISTA

Lucky Bucket Brewing Co. is now brewing beer in La Vista — where its companion business, Solas Distillery, is finally under way.

The new brewing company — launched by Upstream Brewing Co. President Brian Magee and former Upstream brewers Zac Triemert and Jason Payne — originally planned to build a joint brewing and distilling facility near Upstream's Legacy location.

When it became clear that the distillery would need more space than was available at the Legacy site, the group started brewing in Pawnee City, Neb., and looking for a new location. Its first beer was released in January.

Magee said Lucky Bucket recently moved its brewing to a warehouse in La Vista that has room enough for both brewery and distillery. He said Solas should be bottling its first vodkas there by this time next month.

* * *

SPEAKING OF BEER

Rock Bottom Gold Medal Tap is under construction in the now-closed Famous Dave's spot at 1101 Harney St.

The beer-centered casual restaurant, the first franchise of the Colorado-based Rock Bottom Restaurants chain, is expected to open in mid-November.

The new Omaha location will not have an on-site brewery but will serve award-winning beers from Rock Bottom's West Des Moines location.

Franchise owner Greg Cutchall said the Famous Dave's will reopen in the former Chili's near 131st Street and West Maple Road by April.

* * *

CLOSED

Heidelberg's Sports Bar & Restaurant, opened near 168th Street and West Maple Road in February 2007, closed Tuesday.

Co-owner Holly McManus attributed the closure to limited street access and insufficient parking. “We were at odds with the landlord and the developer over those things,” she said.

McManus said it's possible that Heidelberg's might reopen somewhere else in Omaha. The original Heidelberg's in north Lincoln and a second location in south Lincoln remain open.

* * *

FARMERS MARKET FAREWELL

The Village Pointe Farmers Market celebrates its last Saturday of the season with a harvest festival from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. It includes live cooking demonstrations, a beer garden, a car show, face painting, pumpkin decorating, hayrack rides, live music and more.

* * *

PRETZELS UND SPAETZLE UND BIER

Upstream Brewing Co. is hosting an Oktoberfest celebration at its Legacy location from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday. The restaurant will offer German specials (think grilled sausages, braised cabbage, pretzels and spaetzle). And its outdoor beer garden will feature six German-style beers and live music in the evening. There's no cover charge.

* * *

TASTING

The Flatiron Cafe plans a six-course dinner featuring Caymus wines at 6 p.m. Monday. Chef Jennifer Coco's menu includes butter-poached lobster, foie gras- and porcini-stuffed quail, fire-roasted filet mignon and more, each course paired with wine from the Napa Valley winery. Cost is $90 per person (tax and tip included). For reservations, call 344-3040.

* * *

TO EVERYTHING, TURN

If the chill in the air has you hankering for heartier fare, we're with you.

Eager for the fall menu switch, we want to know what local restaurants are cooking up.

So help us out, Omaha-area chefs: Give us a jingle or jot us a note about what's new and wonderful on your cold-weather menus. We'll attempt a roundup of the most interesting- and tasty-sounding autumnal additions in coming weeks.

— Nichole Aksamit

Got restaurant news, questions or tips? Call food writer Nichole Aksamit at 444-1069, or e-mail nichole.aksamit@owh.com. Dining Notes runs Fridays.