Via Farina Downtown — Restaurant in Omaha

Italy, literally, imported to Omaha! Imported Brick Oven; imported Italian flour for pasta & dough; Fresh, Fresh, On Fleek Ingredients! Imported Italian or hand-made, in-house cheeses! Anything they can import from Italy, they do! Had Lunch: Raviolo, hand-made pasta filled with traditional in-house made ricotta cheese & egg yoke. So well season, layers of flavor in every bite! Calamari, fresh, lightly fried, sauce (with a bit of 'heat') underneath! Cannot wait to go back and try a variety of pasta dishes! Pizza, seen being served, appeared to be a few levels above other attempts at traditional pizza found in Omaha! Great comfortable decor, music just south of Blue Barn Theatre's new location! Enjoy!How does one explain, eating at the same restaurant 4 out of the last six days? Via Farina! (Please note, if not already updated: Hours include SUNDAY 12pm - 8pm; MONDAY 5pm - 11pm) The main reason for my frequency is FLAVOR that lingers, psychologically, to the next day. Beyond that the Great SERVICE, the ideal portions, the balance of sauce/ragu to pasta & other items is perfect & the aforementioned Layers of Flavor from Fresh Ingredients, herbs & seasoning! I'm a cancer survivor & radiation treatments (the most sadistic form of treatment in modern(?) medicine) directed on my throat has left me with not being able to eat 'normally' for over 3yrs now. Eventually, I've gained back enough 'moisture' to masticate vegetables & some seafood. As these items generally retain enough natural moisture to supplement what my glands cannot produce (and we all take for granted until hit with this type of treatment) In the last yr or so I've discovered that the fresher the ingredients the less moisture required to pre-digest. (Apologies for medical details, I know, not very appetizing) Yet when I discover a Restaurant that truly uses the freshest of ingredients, nothing 'fresh/frozen' I can identify the difference in a heartbeat. So far, I've had the Calamari twice, BIGOLI white bolognese , piave di vecchio; RIGATONI chicken liver ragu, thyme; TAJARIN parmesan crema , crab. olive oil , parsley; Egg Yolk RAVIOLO ricotta , sage , brown butter and every single one has make me so happy while & after consuming! It's almost as if the 'flavors' are helping me to produce more "moisture"! And no, it's not as easy as just drinking something to wash down the food, such also 'washes away' one's natural 'moisture' production. Yet, Via Farina's food allows me to drink along with my meal and still eat like a normal person. Also, if you've ever had a meal where something delays your time eating (conversations, dry throat, etc.) that the food cools off and just doesn't taste as flavorful as when piping hot? Via Farina's food is so well prepared it tastes wonderful all the way through to the bottom of your dish,...

The restaurant itself had great ambiance. Small inside, but it felt cozy and had a warm, classy vibe. Our server was EXCELLENT. He was energetic, positive and attentive. That being said the food was so disappointing!

We had a party of 6 and everyone ordered something different so we had a well rounded taste of the menu. Only one of our six person party enjoyed their entrée. We ordered the fried cauliflower appetizer and the flavors were great; however, there was no more than 3 actual pieces of cauliflower in the bowl. It was HEAVILY supplemented with arugula so it really should have been listed as an arugula salad. I ordered the Egg Yolk Raviolo. I was surprised when my entrée came out and it was a single open ravioli wrapper with what appeared to be a poached egg. Essentially, I paid $17 for a single open faced ravioli. The bread that was served with several of the entrees were burnt. Two in our party ordered the Caesar salad which came out as a few full leaves of Romaine lettuce with a swab of Caesar dressing. There was so little dressing that it was extremely dry and the dressing that was available was overbearingly fishy. (Our server was kind and accommodating and comped one of the salads because my sister could not bear the fishy flavor). Another in our party ordered the Rigatoni d'Anatra which was really lacking a fresh element- some fresh basil or parsley could have definitely helped brighten and flavor the dish, but it was pretty one dimensional.

The one thing on the menu that everyone wishes they would have ordered was the Margherita pizza. The sour dough crust was perfect and the traditional flavors of a Margherita pizza were all in place. If the menu was touched up would be willing to give it a second chance, but would definitely stick...

I'm unsure why writing a review for Via has taken me so long. I must just be greedy and want to keep this gem to myself. However, if you're on the hunt for an unforgettable dining adventure, look no further than Via Farina! This hidden treasure has been impressing me since either 2018 or 2019, and each visit has been nothing short of spectacular.

I first stumbled upon this culinary gem while celebrating the end of the week with a lady friend, and I've been hooked ever since. We visited regularly after; in fact, I've brought countless friends and clients here, knowing that the incredible atmosphere and exquisite food will never disappoint. The moment you step inside, the warm and inviting ambiance wraps around you, setting the stage for an exceptional meal. The staff? Absolutely fantastic—friendly, attentive, and brimming with knowledge that makes you feel like a valued guest every single time. Their top-notch service truly elevates the entire experience!

Now let's talk about the food! Via's modern twist on Italian cuisine is absolutely fantastic. Their sourdough pizzas, baked to perfection in a wood-fired oven, are nothing short of heavenly. With a focus on locally sourced ingredients and a seasonal menu, every dish is a burst of flavor that dances on your palate. And don't forget to pair your meal with selections from their extensive and budget-friendly wine list—it's the cherry on top! You honestly cannot go wrong with anything on the menu, as each bite is a celebration of taste.

I can't recommend it enough—every visit feels like a special occasion, and I'm already counting down the days until I can...