Lincoln Finds: French Cuisine at the Normandy

The Normandy claims to have “Lincoln, Nebraska’s finest French cuisine,” and I couldn’t bypass a recent opportunity to check out their claim. 

A few friends and I made reservations during Lincoln Restaurant Week, which gave us the perfect opportunity to sample Normandy’s fare at a discounted price. Bonus: If you call to make reservations, you may just get a French-accented restauranteur calling back to confirm. Awesome.  

Lincoln Restaurant Week presents a rare opportunity for young professionals (or really any working professional) to go out and enjoy a three-course meal for $20. It only comes around once a year, so mark your calendar for next June and keep an eye on their website—it’s the best (and cheapest) way to get a three-course gourmet-ish meal in Lincoln. 

The Normandy, at 17th and Van Dorn, was one of Lincoln Restaurant Week’s featured locales. In addition to their regular menu, they offered diners several appetizers, entrees and deserts for $20. My three-course meal included shrimp ratatouille (who could resist, after Disney came out with the adorable movie), beef and vegetable stew, and creme brûlée. Portion sizes are on the small side, meaning you won’t leave with a food baby—a good thing, in my opinion. 

*Insert enticing food photos here. I wish I had ‘em, but this meal was so good I forgot to pull out my iPhone… Next time.*

My friends and I enjoyed the prompt service and quiet dining atmosphere. The restaurant’s tiny square footage adds to the neighborhood appeal but also necessitates reservations—which is half the fun. 

I think I still have a lovely, accented voicemail somewhere in the recesses of my smartphone, a reminder of Nebraska’s finest French cuisine.