Spezia

A Feast for All Senses

By Kate Beiting

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The flash of the shiny bottles deep in the bar at Spezia leads you to the array of dining spaces in this gem on South 72nd Street in Omaha. Spezia (rhymes with “Maria”) asks you to settle, breathe in the spicy aromas that are already working on your taste buds, and enjoy the superb food that is offered by a knowledgeable and talented staff. If you have not visited Spezia, block out a time soon to meet friends or family for a treat for your taste buds, your nose, and your eyes. 

 

The dining space includes romantic booths, large meeting spaces, and a patio that rivals the best in the city. It’s all tastefully decorated with warm woods and leathers, echoing a quieter time that helps you remember the great restaurants in Omaha—one of the best “food cities” in the country. You’ll enjoy hand-crafted, premium steaks, as well as a full menu of locally sourced food, purposefully designed with layered flavors. Lunch, dinner, happy hour, appetizer brunch on Sunday? Yes, please. Sit back and enjoy. 

 

Brian Reilly, the chef and owner of Spezia, has always loved and respected food. While growing up on a cattle farm in Missouri, he developed a keen understanding of what makes food delicious. “I understand the true meaning of farm to table,” he notes, “because it was my family’s way of life. I grew up hunting and fishing. Knowing how to prepare a meal came naturally to me. A dining experience should be memorable and talked about.” 

 

His passion for the art and science of cooking is evident in every dish at Spezia. “I began cooking seriously when I was young. The early cooking shows on television interested me. I did a work study program while I was in high school. I learned a great deal from that large menu—that experience still influences me to this day.” 

 

Chef Brian understands the symbiotic relationship between the back and front of the house. “This clockwork, the organization, and the talented people contribute to our success and longstanding reputation. Everyone is important.” Chef Brian is involved in all aspects of the restaurant. He supervises all the products, oversees the menu and the staff, and cuts the steaks (locally sourced from Greater Omaha) by hand.

 

Chef Brian is especially proud of one of the newest features of the restaurant—an all-female management team. Kayleen Zongker, the event coordinator, has been with Spezia for five years. “Our entire staff is like family,” she says. “We just celebrated the 19th anniversary of one of our servers! We all work hard to be innovative but not trendy—Chef lets us create new opportunities for our guests.” 

 

Lead bartender Amy Burns and her staff are excited about the introduction of mocktails at the bar. “We are noticing a younger crowd eager to gather and share appetizers or a meal but not necessarily alcohol,” she says. “We appreciate that mindfulness and want to offer everyone a delicious, visually appealing, and flavorful experience.” 

 

Erin Colene, the front of house manager, echoes this idea. “We want everyone to know that dining at Spezia is a special experience, and we want to make sure everyone feels included in their menu and drink options. You don’t want to feel left out if you are celebrating with friends!” Teresa Bremser, bar manager, agrees. “Tastes and preferences change over time. Because we all work together well, we can complement each other’s creative expression. Our customers know that we are creative but never eliminate the ‘old favorites’ that they expect from our menu.”

 

Imagine yourself in the beautiful courtyard at Spezia, relaxing with a perfectly chilled bottle of wine or an expertly poured Old Fashioned. If you’re not drinking tonight, consider one of the new mocktails, perhaps a Salted Watermelon Cooler, Empress Grapefruit Spritz, or Citrus Garden. Round out your dining experience with a plate of Grilled Shrimp Cocktail, Wood Grilled Tuna, or Green Lip Mussels. 

 

Whether you are celebrating a special event or the fact that you made it to Wednesday, visit Spezia. Consistency, thoughtfully prepared food, and a knowledgeable and talented staff are just some of the reasons that Spezia is one of the top 10 favorite restaurants in this foodie town. Ask anyone who has been to Spezia, and you’ll hear detailed food memories of their favorite dishes. 

 

Spezia is located in central Omaha, at 3125 South 72nd Street. Reservations are recommended; call 402-391-2950 to make one. Spezia is open from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for lunch, with dinner service beginning at 4:00 p.m. Check them out on Facebook for specific information, or at speziarestaurant.com. Treat yourself, and check out that Wall of Fame—you may be on it one day!