Lincoln needs more of what Chef Karim has to offer. The elegant ambience of the dining room is balanced with the friendly, approachable staff to create a delightful combination of charm in this north Lincoln hot spot. The high end offerings seem right at home. The food is fresh and flavorful as everything is house prepared. Start with hummus and end with dessert without missing the mussels or lamb chops in between. Wine is well stocked and servers are happy to help with selection. Park at the door and consider dining on the charming patio. Don't wait for a special occasion to drive north on Cotner. At Chef Karim's every day feels like a special occasion!
Steve T.
The food here is amazing. The flavors and presentation of the food were beautiful and the ambiance really nice. Completely surprised from the outside looking in. I had the lamb and I can't say I have ever tasted better. Everyone at our table enjoyed their meals and our server "Bailey" was knowledgeable and nice. The only unfortunate thing about this place is that it was empty except for us. I can't imagine why this place isn't packed. Chef Karim came out and talked to us a couple times. He is quite a character full of great stories. If you live in Lincoln or anywhere close you should definitely try this restaurant.
Jack L.
Great food. I loved everything about this place. Friendly staff. That was the best Lamb that I've ever had.
Lucretia F.
You must order the lamb here!!! Food is high quality, great vegetables, we had to compliment the chef. We have given many compliments to many places, but this place the chef did come out and thank us. He kissed the back of my hand and shook my husband's hand. This is a place you must go and eat. Service is great, coffee very good, and wow this place you must visit and eat a great meal!!
Kathy L.
Food is high quality, and portions are very generous! Lovely decor, and quiet, so you can have a conversation while dining. Highly recommend the Friday night special menu! Just go there!
Kate J.
This was our second time eating here in two weeks. We came the first time not knowing what to expect. The restaurant is beautiful. Not at all what you would expect for the location. First night I had the rack of lamb- it was perfect. 2 weeks later we were looking for a place to celebrate our daughter's 18 birthday- since we couldn't take her to Paris :) - back to Chef Karim's! The chef welcomed us back- with a smile and a hug. There was even a book club enjoying dinner so it appears it is good for big groups, too. We had the special- pork loin and the Ahi tuna- both amazing. The service friendly and knowledgeable. But do not expect a quick in and out. They aim to make this an experience- which both nights were beyond our expectations. If you want to see Lincoln's most beautiful restaurant, eat great food--sit down and enjoy a night at Chef Karim's place--You will feel like you ended up in a cafe in Europe.
Lisa C.
Chef Karim's Place was not only a wonderful place to dine, it was a full on experience. First, the decor in the restaurant is stunning - there did not seem to be any detail overlooked in the interior. It was ornate in the best ways. Next, the entire staff was very attentive and kind, including Chef Karim. I try to support businesses that treat their employees well, and from the energy and passion of the employees, you can tell Chef Karim is the best kind of leader. Last but not least, the food was wonderful. Our meals/drink: Cocktail - Mojito with their own flare. This was a really fun mojito, and was very delicately flavored. I normally enjoy my cocktails in with their original formularies, but this one was very unique and delicious. Starter - Hummus plate: It's so easy to have bad hummus try to pass itself as good hummus anymore (think grocery store hummus shelf). This was obviously homemade, and used very traditional and strong hummus recipe. Soup/Salad - Potate du jour soup was creamy, thick and totally vegetarian. It was well balanced in the flavors with a splash of cream on top to bring it all together. My dining companions had salads which looked delicious and were consumed quickly. Entree - I had the vegan plate which was such a treat! Chef Karim was conscious enough to provide the diner with a whole protein (rice+legume), and paired it with delicious roasted vegetables. There were prunes and olives to really round out the whole flavor profile. My dining partners had the salmon and rack of lamb. They both gave their dishes high praise which was confirmed with the emptying of their plates. I could write paragraphs more of praise for this restaurant, but in the end, if you want a Chef who is passionate about his food and his people, you will love this place. Also, if you have a friend of relative that has an "alternative" diet - vegan/vegetarian/pescatarian, they will be happy you chose to bring them here.
Emily C.
We went to Chef Karim's Place for restaurant week and ordered from the prix fixe menu. Maybe their regular menu is better, but none of us were very impressed. My roasted chicken was bland and dry. My husband's salmon was cooked well, but it was served with pasta and marinara sauce which was a weird combination. We did enjoy the appetizers (hummus, soup and salad) and the chocolate cake. The service was very slow - granted, we did appetizers, dinner and desserts, but we were there for 3 hours which was longer than we wanted to be there. They seemed to have three people walking around refilling water and only one person serving food, so maybe that's why it took so long? Luckily the atmosphere was pleasant (except the paper they put over the nice white tablecloths...).
John T.
AMAZING! We missed this type of place moving back to Lincoln from a big city...love it! Food was amazing. Service amazing. A+
Clay N.
Chef Karim is a delightful man who has opened a delightful restaurant. It features exquisite Mediterranean cuisine blended with familiar favorites such as filet mignon, salmon, lamb, or ahi tuna. The decor is striking, the wait staff attentive, and the ambiance relaxed but elegant. Try it.
The food is incredible. The atmosphere is memorable. The chef and staff are the nicest and most enjoyable people on the planet. I haven't had so much genuine fun at a restaurant in years. You will leave Chef Karim's very happy.
Karim Chhibbane
Mediterranean Grill
Jason H.
Not worth your time. The food is overpriced and inconsistent at best. This restaurant appears to be trying it's best to be an upscale eatery, but it lacks identity.
Anne G.
The food was mediocre and way overpriced for he quality. The service was excellent-- a very sweet waiter. Will not come back. Disappointed. I so love Chicken piccata, but this one the Chicken was too thick and lacked the crispy oustside finish usually associated with this dish. Sauce was mediocre. Beet salad was good-- liked the ricotta lemon sauce but was way too small a portion for the price.
Clinton B.
We have gone to Chef Karim's twice since it opened. Both times we have been thoroughly impressed by the food, atmosphere, and service. My wife and I are vegetarians, so we cannot comment on the meat, but the food is simply delicious and is presented very professionally. You absolutely must try the potage. It is out of this world!!!! The restaurant's atmosphere is warm and inviting. It is quiet enough to have an easy conversation at your table, the decor is simple and elegant, and the lighting is great. (We often find that restaurants have the lights turned down too low, which can strain your eyes and give you a headache or make you tired) The service is what really makes this restaurant stand out more than the rest. The staff is very personable and knowledgeable about the food that Chef Karim produces. For instance, after finding out that we were vegetarians, our waiter brought out a menu for Moroccan night and explained that special dishes are prepared that exclude meat. Something that you should be aware of...dining here is an experience. The staff is great about treating your meal as a multi-course dinner. They will not rush you to finish your appetizer or anything like that, something that American restaurants are notorious for. You can very easily spend 2 hours or more here (And its worth every second). However, if you are in a rush, you will want to let your server know so that they can get your food to you asap. Dining at Chef Karim's is unlike any other restaurant in Lincoln. It will make you feel like royalty. Final note, my wife met Chef Karim as he was shopping in an organic/health grocery store after our first experience in his restaurant. He remembered her when we arrived almost two weeks later back in his restaurant. He handed my wife a rose (as it was valentine's day) and made us feel very special indeed. After our second course was finished (the potage, seriously, don't die before you try it), he came to our table to ask us how we liked it. We told him that we had made a few potage recipes before, but have never gotten the intense flavor that his has. He explained that he cooks it with only fresh veggies (which explains why he shops at a health food grocery store) and love. He talked to us for a bit before making his rounds to the other patrons to make sure that their experiences were up to expectations as well. Honestly, how many places in Lincoln can you name that give you an experience like that? Do yourself a favor and give Chef Karim's a go, you won't be disappointed!!
Lincoln needs more of what Chef Karim has to offer. The elegant ambience of the dining room is balanced with the friendly, approachable staff to create a delightful combination of charm in this north Lincoln hot spot. The high end offerings seem right at home. The food is fresh and flavorful as everything is house prepared. Start with hummus and end with dessert without missing the mussels or lamb chops in between. Wine is well stocked and servers are happy to help with selection. Park at the door and consider dining on the charming patio. Don't wait for a special occasion to drive north on Cotner. At Chef Karim's every day feels like a special occasion!
The food here is amazing. The flavors and presentation of the food were beautiful and the ambiance really nice. Completely surprised from the outside looking in. I had the lamb and I can't say I have ever tasted better. Everyone at our table enjoyed their meals and our server "Bailey" was knowledgeable and nice. The only unfortunate thing about this place is that it was empty except for us. I can't imagine why this place isn't packed. Chef Karim came out and talked to us a couple times. He is quite a character full of great stories. If you live in Lincoln or anywhere close you should definitely try this restaurant.
Great food. I loved everything about this place. Friendly staff. That was the best Lamb that I've ever had.
You must order the lamb here!!! Food is high quality, great vegetables, we had to compliment the chef. We have given many compliments to many places, but this place the chef did come out and thank us. He kissed the back of my hand and shook my husband's hand. This is a place you must go and eat. Service is great, coffee very good, and wow this place you must visit and eat a great meal!!
Food is high quality, and portions are very generous! Lovely decor, and quiet, so you can have a conversation while dining. Highly recommend the Friday night special menu! Just go there!
This was our second time eating here in two weeks. We came the first time not knowing what to expect. The restaurant is beautiful. Not at all what you would expect for the location. First night I had the rack of lamb- it was perfect. 2 weeks later we were looking for a place to celebrate our daughter's 18 birthday- since we couldn't take her to Paris :) - back to Chef Karim's! The chef welcomed us back- with a smile and a hug. There was even a book club enjoying dinner so it appears it is good for big groups, too. We had the special- pork loin and the Ahi tuna- both amazing. The service friendly and knowledgeable. But do not expect a quick in and out. They aim to make this an experience- which both nights were beyond our expectations. If you want to see Lincoln's most beautiful restaurant, eat great food--sit down and enjoy a night at Chef Karim's place--You will feel like you ended up in a cafe in Europe.
Chef Karim's Place was not only a wonderful place to dine, it was a full on experience. First, the decor in the restaurant is stunning - there did not seem to be any detail overlooked in the interior. It was ornate in the best ways. Next, the entire staff was very attentive and kind, including Chef Karim. I try to support businesses that treat their employees well, and from the energy and passion of the employees, you can tell Chef Karim is the best kind of leader. Last but not least, the food was wonderful. Our meals/drink: Cocktail - Mojito with their own flare. This was a really fun mojito, and was very delicately flavored. I normally enjoy my cocktails in with their original formularies, but this one was very unique and delicious. Starter - Hummus plate: It's so easy to have bad hummus try to pass itself as good hummus anymore (think grocery store hummus shelf). This was obviously homemade, and used very traditional and strong hummus recipe. Soup/Salad - Potate du jour soup was creamy, thick and totally vegetarian. It was well balanced in the flavors with a splash of cream on top to bring it all together. My dining companions had salads which looked delicious and were consumed quickly. Entree - I had the vegan plate which was such a treat! Chef Karim was conscious enough to provide the diner with a whole protein (rice+legume), and paired it with delicious roasted vegetables. There were prunes and olives to really round out the whole flavor profile. My dining partners had the salmon and rack of lamb. They both gave their dishes high praise which was confirmed with the emptying of their plates. I could write paragraphs more of praise for this restaurant, but in the end, if you want a Chef who is passionate about his food and his people, you will love this place. Also, if you have a friend of relative that has an "alternative" diet - vegan/vegetarian/pescatarian, they will be happy you chose to bring them here.
We went to Chef Karim's Place for restaurant week and ordered from the prix fixe menu. Maybe their regular menu is better, but none of us were very impressed. My roasted chicken was bland and dry. My husband's salmon was cooked well, but it was served with pasta and marinara sauce which was a weird combination. We did enjoy the appetizers (hummus, soup and salad) and the chocolate cake. The service was very slow - granted, we did appetizers, dinner and desserts, but we were there for 3 hours which was longer than we wanted to be there. They seemed to have three people walking around refilling water and only one person serving food, so maybe that's why it took so long? Luckily the atmosphere was pleasant (except the paper they put over the nice white tablecloths...).
AMAZING! We missed this type of place moving back to Lincoln from a big city...love it! Food was amazing. Service amazing. A+
Chef Karim is a delightful man who has opened a delightful restaurant. It features exquisite Mediterranean cuisine blended with familiar favorites such as filet mignon, salmon, lamb, or ahi tuna. The decor is striking, the wait staff attentive, and the ambiance relaxed but elegant. Try it.
Restaurantji Recommends
The food is incredible. The atmosphere is memorable. The chef and staff are the nicest and most enjoyable people on the planet. I haven't had so much genuine fun at a restaurant in years. You will leave Chef Karim's very happy.
Mediterranean Grill
Not worth your time. The food is overpriced and inconsistent at best. This restaurant appears to be trying it's best to be an upscale eatery, but it lacks identity.
The food was mediocre and way overpriced for he quality. The service was excellent-- a very sweet waiter. Will not come back. Disappointed. I so love Chicken piccata, but this one the Chicken was too thick and lacked the crispy oustside finish usually associated with this dish. Sauce was mediocre. Beet salad was good-- liked the ricotta lemon sauce but was way too small a portion for the price.
We have gone to Chef Karim's twice since it opened. Both times we have been thoroughly impressed by the food, atmosphere, and service. My wife and I are vegetarians, so we cannot comment on the meat, but the food is simply delicious and is presented very professionally. You absolutely must try the potage. It is out of this world!!!! The restaurant's atmosphere is warm and inviting. It is quiet enough to have an easy conversation at your table, the decor is simple and elegant, and the lighting is great. (We often find that restaurants have the lights turned down too low, which can strain your eyes and give you a headache or make you tired) The service is what really makes this restaurant stand out more than the rest. The staff is very personable and knowledgeable about the food that Chef Karim produces. For instance, after finding out that we were vegetarians, our waiter brought out a menu for Moroccan night and explained that special dishes are prepared that exclude meat. Something that you should be aware of...dining here is an experience. The staff is great about treating your meal as a multi-course dinner. They will not rush you to finish your appetizer or anything like that, something that American restaurants are notorious for. You can very easily spend 2 hours or more here (And its worth every second). However, if you are in a rush, you will want to let your server know so that they can get your food to you asap. Dining at Chef Karim's is unlike any other restaurant in Lincoln. It will make you feel like royalty. Final note, my wife met Chef Karim as he was shopping in an organic/health grocery store after our first experience in his restaurant. He remembered her when we arrived almost two weeks later back in his restaurant. He handed my wife a rose (as it was valentine's day) and made us feel very special indeed. After our second course was finished (the potage, seriously, don't die before you try it), he came to our table to ask us how we liked it. We told him that we had made a few potage recipes before, but have never gotten the intense flavor that his has. He explained that he cooks it with only fresh veggies (which explains why he shops at a health food grocery store) and love. He talked to us for a bit before making his rounds to the other patrons to make sure that their experiences were up to expectations as well. Honestly, how many places in Lincoln can you name that give you an experience like that? Do yourself a favor and give Chef Karim's a go, you won't be disappointed!!