Creme de la Creme

I'm going to rant a little bit about food, but this could apply to several different things. As time and life go by, we will eventually run, smack in the face, with the best of what's around. (I felt a reference to Dave Matthews might be appropriate for this). After moving into our neighborhood almost 16 years ago, a little Italian restaurant, Lo Sole Mio's, opened just 3 blocks from our house. The food was decent and the portions generous. They quickly became Omaha's best Italian restaurant, rising to 'rock star' status overnight. I might add though, there are a few others out there that produce a very respectable meal, but maybe a little different style of Italian than I'm used to. So when I use the word 'best', that's in my estimation only. And in my estimation, they still have the best tiramisu around. About three years ago, I did work in a friend's house and he introduced me to a new Italian restaurant, Bianca, in northwest Omaha. At that moment, Lo Sole Mio's stumbled and fell. The portions weren't nearly as heaping, but that's OK. There's enough fat Italians in the world, why add to the pile? The atmosphere was very modern, yet quaint. One clever move, they projected an old black & white movie on the wall, with Audrey Hepburn, Sabrina maybe? All in all, a very pleasant experience, and then, the best of what's around. Keep in mind though, the best of what's around, might not be the 'best', just the best of what's available at that time. Soon thereafter, we went on a little road trip to KC, with another couple. We were there to see a Dave Matthews show (of course), and they wanted to introduce us to an Italian restaurant. They were a bit apprehensive because they knew I was a total, stuck up, self proclaimed, self important, pompous, Italian food snob. They took us to a place called Lydia's. We were there early because we had the show to catch later. Beautiful restaurant, very welcoming, and quite a bit bigger than the two previously mentioned. Keep in mind though, bigger does not usually translate well when experiencing food. When quantity goes up, quality usually goes on vacation. This food blew the doors off of anything I've ever ran across my taste buds! I've only had the opportunity to go back one other time. We later found out, Lydia Bastianich happens to be the mother of chef Mario Batali's business partner! So at present, Lydia's is the creme de la creme and Dave Matthews is the best jam band around, in my estimation. But how do you know it's the 'best'. There is ALWAYS something better. Keep in mind, if you've actually had the 'best', life from here forward is going to be a major disappointment. So keep your eyes and ears open, and your head on a swivel. Certainly Omaha, and a three hour radius of Omaha, is not the cultural center of the world. I do feel, though, I have discovered the best of what's around.