Hey Bill, Finally a subject I can reply to! (I'm a relatively new member, and have been completely overwhelmed by the responses to my favorite forums so far. Like the Rick Baylis/ Burger King issue.) Anyway, haven't been to Mark's yet. But I can tell you it is one of the most interesting Omaha neighborhoods, Dundee. Espana is great, but it's very HOT, and I don't think you'll be able to comfortably read a book there. Read small, crowded, and noisey, but in a good way. As an "exenewyorker", the bar at Passport (in Omaha's historic Old Market) is a favorite of mine. You don't mention whether you've been to Omaha before or not. So if you're new to Omaha, the Old Market may be of some interest for browsing. The local mass purveyor of fine foods, Con Agra (OK, just kidding!) has a huge quite beautiful campus down there. I keep wishing they would leave and I could move in!!! Another place I like is La Buvette. It's a funky little wine bar where some interesting characters hang out. They have light meals and it's a great place to sit and read.