A Seat at the Table Where Legends Ate and Steaks Speak Louder Than Words
When I walk into The Committee Chophouse, I don’t just expect dinner—I expect to be punched in the face with flavor, fire, and a little bit of folklore. This isn’t some random uptown steak joint trying to sell you a legacy. This place is the legacy. And this summer? They’re doubling down with the Summer of Steak, dealing steak flights like a high-stakes poker game—and I’m here for it.
Bailey Quarles and I, both with Omaha Food Magazine, got the call. An exclusive invite to go all-in on what’s shaping up to be the boldest beef experience in the city. You better believe we showed up hungry.
Where Heritage Meets Heat: The Origin of The Committee Chophouse
You’ve probably heard the rumors—about the Blackstone Hotel’s underground poker crew back in the 1920s and ‘30s. The group was called The Committee, and these weren’t just gamblers—they were decision-makers, the type who sealed hotel futures between bites of steak and shots of whiskey. Today, that same spirit lives on in the restaurant that bears their name, located in the basement of the revived Cottonwood Hotel.
The Committee Chophouse doesn’t feel inspired by that history—it feels possessed by it. From the flicker of candlelight on leather booths to the low hum of real conversations, the place hums like a speakeasy time machine. And if you’re lucky? You’ll get Ashlyn as your server. She’s not just one of the best in Omaha—she’s one of the best I’ve ever had, period. A true pro, sharp as a steak knife, and gracious as hell.
Steak Flights at The Committee Chophouse – A High-Stakes Affair
Let’s talk steak flights—because that’s why you’re here, and frankly, that’s why I went. At $95, you’re getting four cuts—four ounces each—from a different ranch each month. In July, it’s Sakura Wagyu Farms, and let me tell you, this beef is rich, marbled, and dangerously easy to love.
Every single cut has its own voice, its own swagger. You taste the sirloin, the bavette, the striploin, the flat iron—and with every bite, you get closer to understanding what makes wagyu sacred.
And don’t skip the sauces. I’m not usually one to dress up a steak, but when the chimichurris (yes, plural), the horseradish, and the house steak sauce are all crafted this perfectly, it’s not overkill—it’s exploration. Each one opens a different door in your mouth.
A Culinary Poker Game with Real Stakes
This whole thing isn’t just a tasting menu—it’s a game. A damn clever one, too. You order a steak flight, you get a poker pin. Collect four (one per month), and you score an invite to an exclusive dinner this fall with the actual ranchers who raised the cattle.
We’re not talking about another Instagram gimmick. This is storytelling through beef. Legacy through fat marbling. And yeah, a little competition doesn’t hurt either.
Imperial Wagyu was June’s ranch, and the cuts were unforgettable. July’s Sakura Wagyu is holding its own. And with two more months to go, you’d be crazy not to start your collection now.
Beyond the Beef – A Full-Course Showdown
But look—this experience isn’t just about the meat. From the first spoonful of tomato gazpacho as an amuse bouche, I knew the kitchen wasn’t playing it safe. The tartare? Primal and precise. The wedge salad? Ice-cold, crisp, and flawlessly balanced.
Bailey and I were floored by how every element of the night felt thoughtful. If we’d had room for dessert, I’m convinced it would’ve sent us home in a food coma we wouldn’t wake up from until Labor Day.
Ashlyn, again, was everything. Every pairing, every pour, every comment was dialed in like she was reading our minds. The kind of service that makes you want to tip before you even eat.
Why The Committee Chophouse Is One of the Best Restaurants in Omaha
Omaha is no stranger to good beef—but The Committee Chophouse isn’t just serving it. They’re staging a full-blown steak opera. This isn’t about having the best steak in Omaha—it’s about showing you what steak can be when it's treated like art, cooked at 1,200 degrees, and served with reverence, history, and a little bit of bite.
For those who ask where to find the best restaurants in Omaha, the answer is simple: Go underground. Go where the meat is king, the poker chips clink, and the martinis hit just right.
Don’t Just Eat—Join the Committee
This summer, do more than make a dinner reservation. Make a damn move. Join The Committee Chophouse for a steak flight. Collect the pins. Earn your spot at the table with the ranchers. Bask in the heat, the flavor, and the legacy.
As Bourdain might’ve put it: “You learn a lot about a place when the steak’s rare, the drinks are strong, and the stories are older than the city.” This place? It’s got all three.
Also at the Cottonwood:
We recently named the Blackstone Reuben at the Orleans Room the #1 Best Reuben in Omaha—a sandwich that honors history with unmatched technique.
