The Green Gateau is Lincoln’s special-occasion workhorse. Modeled on European country inns — dark woodwork, stained-glass ceilings, paintings from the owners’ travels — it does French-influenced contemporary American cooking with a menu built for anniversaries and date nights: Beef Wellington that regulars swear by, Nebraska Wagyu, fresh seafood, and a dessert case with a loyal following (the beignets and red velvet cheesecake come up in every conversation).
But the real institution here might be brunch. Saturday and Sunday brunch is the most-booked table in the building — quiche, beignets, the works — and it draws the same crowd week after week. Weekday dinners are the quieter move; ask for a back table if you want the intimate version.
It’s also a full-service caterer and wedding venue, which explains the polish. Private lot parking, which in downtown Lincoln is a genuine luxury.