Brother Sebastian's is Romantic Spot Readers Toast Most (OWH. Sept. 1991)

Brother Sebastian's Steakhouse and Winery, a restaurant designed to resemble a California monastery and winery, was the top choice as "favorite romantic restaurant" among those who responded to The World-Herald's "Toast of the Town" questionnaire.

"The intimate atmosphere, the little rooms, the out-of-the-way look - That's what appealed to us," said Kathy Bilek of Omaha, a teacher at Bancroft Elementary School. "My husband, Jim, and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary at Brother Sebastian's in June 1990, and we loved the place."

Mrs. Bilek gave high marks to the food and service, as did other respondents. "It's a special place for special occasions," Mrs. Bilek said."We definitely plan to go back."

John Glantz of Omaha said he and his wife, Janet, stumbled onto Brother Sebastian's a few years ago when looking for a place to dine. "We were absolutely enchanted by the intimacy of the place, the fireplaces, the coziness... and we've never had a bad meal there since," he said. "They are consistent, too. We've eaten with groups as large as 18 or 20 as well as just the two of us, and the service and food are always just as good. When there is a special occasion, we go straight to Brother Sebastian's."

Brother Sebastian's Will Rise Again ..(Omaha World-Herald editorial, February, 1996)

The destruction by fire of Brother Sebastian's Steak House and Winery in Omaha was a devastating blow to its owner and workers. It wasn't just the loss of the business. One worker said it was if they all had lost their best friend.

A World-Herald news story described what seemed like a spontaneous funeral procession of employees and patrons who turned out to mourn the widely known restaurant and console owner Loren Koch. Koch said he was grateful for the support of his loyal customers and his employees, whom he called "the best."

The feeling of loss was personal because Brother Sebastian's seems to have enjoyed the sense of family that successful businesses strive to create. "Will we see each other again?" one worker wondered aloud.

The answer is yes. Koch vowed to rebuild on the site where the restaurant has been for all of its 19 years.

The American work place is sometimes portrayed as a hostile, anxious, grumpy environment. How refreshing to see a business infused with human warmth and resilience.

  O Brother, Thou Art First-Class Dining Host

A loudspeaker hidden in the bell tower atop Brother Sebastian's Steak House & Winery pipes out Gregorian chants as diners approach the restaurant, which was voted favorite romantic-upscale restaurant by Omaha World-Herald readers in a 2000 survey.

Inside, the restaurant's dining areas are divided, so booths offer a pleasant degree of intimacy. The restaurant itself is heavy on red brick, dark wood and black wrought iron. Some rooms feature casks; in one, there is a wall of bookshelves featuring odd, but aesthetically pleasing, volumes. The whole restaurant, on other words, is designed to provide an Old World feel.

Brother Sebastian's is meticulous about its service and is dependable and sometimes quite original with its food. It's popularity is certainly well-deserved.

With 2002 nearing its end, here's a look back at my year in dining. Of the 50 restaurants I hit, these were my favorite for 2002.

...One of the city's most romantic restaurants, Brother Sebastian's offers an Old World feel with a steak-heavy menu, which includes Chateaubriand for two as well as frog legs. An extensive wine cellar and some great desserts, including a flaming baked Alaska, complete a memorable dining experience.

High Steaks - Brother Sebastian's Survives Chains (excerpts from Omaha City Weekly Review, January 2007)

Brother Sebastian's Steakhouse and Winery is a local classic - opened by Loren Koch in the late '70's, it offered a contrast to it's main competition - Omaha's longtime Italian steakhouses, with their side menus of Italian-American favorites. Built to resemble a California mission, Brother Sebastian's offered cozy brick rooms with fireplaces, wine racks, low-beamed ceilings, Spanish-style lanterns and grillwork - and even stained glass. It was at once one of the city's most romantic restaurants.

The menu is pure steakhouse - including a range of seafood selections that run from grilled salmon to frog legs. There are a half a dozen chicken dishes, too. But steak is king here - and consistently good.

With some very expensive prime beef establishments not offering competition, Brother Sebastian's, with U.S.D.A. Choice meats, must keep up in terms of seasoning, preparation and service. Over the years it's prime rib and filet have been second to none. Both come in small and large sizes and are tender, juicy and cooked to order. The queen cut prime rib, ordered the other night, melted in the mouth, succulent and tasty as it's au jus, a pink thick slab of delicious beef.

Whether for a feast or a simple dinner of steak and salad, Brother Sebastian's is holding it's own with top-notch service, attention to detail, sticking to what they do best, and a unique atmosphere. Prices have crept up in recent years, as they have elsewhere, but steaks are not a la carte, as at so many places these days. You won't break the bank buying extras - it all comes with the meal.