Review By J1 Reporter Ruby Scanlan

Clio’s interior is painted with pretty pastels and bold stripes, complimented by plants and warm wood tones around the restaurant.

Photo Source: Clio‘s website: https://www.xoxoclio.com/

Clio is a Mediterranean restaurant, with a vibrant and flavorful menu, located at 1202 Howard Street in downtown Omaha. I visited with my family after a look into our empty fridge, sending us on an impromptu dinner voyage to the Mediterranean.

Clio’s hours from Monday through Thursday are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. but on Friday and Saturday, their hours go a bit later, opening at 11 a.m. and closing at 11 p.m. On Sundays, Clio opens at noon and closes at 9 p.m. Times do vary for specific holidays and events so make sure to check out their website for more information. For the adults, happy hour runs from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. all week. 

This experience invoked many different emotions like curiosity while looking up unfamiliar foods on Google and learning about Mediterranean culture online and satisfaction, especially when the food is set on the table, fork at the ready to dig in. There was plenty of food for the whole family, with spreads of food for the whole table and then some. 

Below: Clio’s main eating area surrounds a large flower column with bright red and pink flowers blooming. Comfortable and various seating options are open for guests, whether they want a comfy cushion or an accommodating chair. Photo Source: Clio‘s website: https://www.xoxoclio.com/

We were seated quickly at a rounded sage green booth. The lighting and design were beautiful, with pastel walls, flowers, and warm lights adorning the walls. Checkered tiles and rounded archways added to the aesthetic and for a moment, I was transported to Greece, especially when I laid eyes on their famous hummus. A large spread of hummus with olive oil, chickpeas and other subtle spices was delivered to our table with toasty naan. It was $10 dollars and was definitely worth it. It sat in the middle of the table while my family tore off bits of naan, scooping up all of the toppings and fighting over the last piece. I ordered the Moroccan mint green tea for $6 and after a short wait, it came to the table with a ready mug and hot teapot. While perusing the menu, I noticed gluten-free and gluten-sensitive items which I found very interesting since I was able to learn about what foods are safe for those who are gluten intolerant, especially any future guests who would accompany me. 

Smelling and observing other dishes wafting past our booth made it hard to decide on one thing. Determined to try new things, we ordered the fried eggplants, costing $11, which came to the table with sides of hot harissa honey, labneh (yogurt that has been strained until it has the consistency of soft cheese) and cilantro.

Right: Savory fried eggplants sprinkled with cilantro, waiting to be devoured.

Photo Source Google Maps

The fried exterior crunched as we bit into the squash-like interior. They fell apart a little and were a bit slimy, but the crunchy case offsets the odd texture. 

After an order of the 3 rice fritters for $7, which I did not eat, I found my new favorite form of potato. We ordered the crispy potatoes for $10 and wow… were they amazing. The array of sauces and dips like za’atar (usually a combination blend of herbs like thyme, oregano and marjoram, with other spices including sesame, sumac, cumin or coriander), lemon aioli, chives and Aleppo chili (a moderately spicy flavor used in Turkish, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine) lined the plate. True to their name, a cacophony of crunching sounds erupted from our table as we bit in, savoring the crispy skin on the outside and soft on the inside. 

My sibling and I split the chicken kabob for $20. When it was delivered, it was hot with steamed vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes and red onions lining one side and saffron rice on the other.

The chicken was tender and crisp as I bit into it, the flavors of dill and tzatziki (a sauce of Greek origin, made from yogurt, garlic, and cucumbers) exploded in my mouth. After washing it down with my tea, I dug into our second spread of hummus. We finished up and headed out, talking about our favorite dishes as we made plans for our future visits. 

Left: Crispy chicken surrounded by colorful sides. Photo source Google Maps.

Overall, I would rate Clio ⅘ stars. I liked their food and decoration but there were some mix-ups with foods listed on the menu not being very in-depth. The menu would say what was on it but it would be a bit vague with some toppings being listed as “spices” or not clarifying what sauces and dips would be on the side. We had to look many things up which was an interesting but tedious process and with my food restrictions such as no dairy, it was a bit difficult to find “safe” sauces for me. I enjoyed Clio and will be back, with or without my family, especially since it is in the heart of Old Town, providing many spaces to walk around and shop after a delicious Mediterranean meal. 

Above: Welcoming signs urge city goers to stop in and enjoy a bite to eat. Photo Source: Clio‘s website: https://www.xoxoclio.com/