James in downtown Omaha
INTRODUCTION:
Jam’s in the Old Market is a relatively new business, having taken over the space vacated by Rock Bottom Brewery at 11th and Harney about eighteen months ago. The spacious building has a nice open air feel to it with distinct sections. We met at 6 PM on a recent Wednesday night and was surprised to find plenty of parking outside as well as only a few tables full of patrons, mostly in the bar area. The look is clean and contemporary. A small crowd at 6 PM should not imply that this is not a popular restaurant, but by the time we left, almost every table was full. A big-screen television playing the college basketball games of the night, seemed to be a draw for some. But, despite the game being on, it was not intrusive into our conversation.
Jam’s has an extensive bar menu, with specialty drinks, numerous beer choices, and wine by the glass or bottle. Many excellent options to choose from, as well as Pepsi products. After we all got our drink order in, it was time to peruse the menu offering.
THE FOOD:
They have a large list of appetizers (Bruschetta $8, Scampi $13, Onion rings $8, Blue Crab Rangoon egg rolls $13, Sesame chicken lettuce wraps $13 just to name a few). The list goes on and on and on. Happy Hour had just finished and they did have Happy Hour Specials and prices on appetizers and drinks.
They offer your basic salad of Field greens ($7), Caesar ($12), Veggie, Couscous, Quinoa ($14), an interesting “Power” salad featuring all sorts of high nutrient ingredients and a Texas Chopped Salad ($12). You can add a protein to any of these salads with every offering desired as well as a few we don’t normally get offered such as grilled chicken, coconut chicken or anchovy $4, flat iron steak $8, salmon or Crab cakes for $6, Portobello mushroom for $5.
They offer “classic salads” which all sound amazing, including whiskey steak cobb $20 or Crab Cakes on salad with roasted walnuts, gorgonzola, bacon, red onions, tomato, avocado, creamy creole red pepper dressing for $18.
Jam’s has a wide variety of their take on Mexican entrees including fish tacos, carnitas enchiladas, grilled chicken enchilada, agave shrimp tostada, short rib tacos with Poblano macaroni and cheese. These meals range in price from $14 to $17. Sarah feasted on the Jam’s Fish Tacos with battered Mahi Mahi, red chili rice and chipotle black beans. Delicious. Every item, every bite.
Jam’s also has an extensive list of sandwiches ($12 to $15) served with Sea Salt Fries or Vegetable slaw. All agreed that the fries weren’t real hot and therefore fairly ordinary. The guys both settled on the Roasted Turkey on grilled sourdough. This is not slices of turkey breast but rather a thick, delicious hunk of succulent, tender white turkey breast with melted Swiss, avocado, bacon, tomato, arugula, tarragon mustard mayo and balsamic onion marmalade. The guys were extremely thrilled with the turkey sandwich. The portions are generous and both raved about the sandwich. Jim wisely substituted his side of Fries out for the chipotle black beans which he agreed with Sarah that they are delicious and the mashed potatoes were rather cool in temperature but the gravy was hot.
Patty went down memory lane with a coffee shop tuna melt, with melted cheddar cheese and whole grain bread. The bread was nicely toasted, the cheese melted and the tuna was cold in the middle. She thought she preferred it this way but many persons would expect the tuna to also be hot.
Jam’s also offers a seasonal menu available after 4:30 PM with an extensive list of fish, pork, 5-cheese tortellini, citrus-soy roasted half chicken, seared beef tenderloin, low country shrimp and grits as well as nightly specials which was lamb the night we were there. These meals run $22 to $52. They have a dessert menu, which sounds incredible, but you’ll have to make a point to save room for it as all meals were large portions.
WE WISHED:
That it was more like the west location
THE SERVICE:
The service was efficient and friendly. Out r server had been at that location before it was a Jams, and understood good service
SUMMARY:
Overall, we were pleased with our choices and Jam’s offerings. If you can’t find something that appeals to you from their menu, you aren’t trying or you like boring foods.