Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in DSM with a New Irish Whiskey and the Leprechaun Chase!

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BigGinger.2GingersWhiskey

St. Patrick’s Day is almost here! And before we know it The St. Patrick’s Day Parade will hit the streets of downtown Des Moines (15th and Grand to 8th and Grand) and the Irish bars will be hopping. This year, I’d like to take a quick minute to pass along a recipe and a new Irish Whiskey that’s hitting the Des Moines market just in time for St. Paddy’s Day.

2 Gingers Irish Whiskey is an 80-proof blend, twice-distilled and aged for four years, which creates a smooth, malty and slightly sweet tasting whiskey. Ironically, my fiancé Levi is a twin…a ginger…AND a whiskey lover. So, I had to share this new-to-Iowa whiskey brand with you and a recipe to go along with it!

BIG GINGER®

  • 2 parts 2 Gingers® Whiskey
  • Ginger Ale*
  • Lemon Wedge
  • Lime Wedge

Directions: Pour the 2 Gingers® Whiskey into a pint glass with ice. Top with ginger ale, followed by a wedge of a lemon and lime. *If you want a “skinny” version of the recipe, replace the Ginger Ale with Diet Ginger Ale.

Lucky Runner LC10kOn a semi-related note…I came across the perfect St. Paddy’s Day run – the “Leprechaun Chase 10K“! The race is on Saturday, March 16 at 9:00 a.m. and starts and finishes in downtown Des Moines.

The ladies who are running get a head start, and the men chase them. The first person to cross the finish line will earn a free beer for their gender! (Bonus: A portion of the profits raised at the run with benefit the Animal Rescue League of Iowa!)

The last day to register is TODAY (March 14), but if you don’t make the registration deadline you are more than welcome to cheer on the runners and meet them at the finish line – the Green Beer Block Party at the Royal Mile. 

Have a Happy (and safe) St. Patrick’s Day, Des Moines!

“Holidays at Hoyt” to Benefit Those in Need (Plus a FREE Ticket Giveaway!)

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As the holidays draw nearer and nearer, I’m constantly reminded of two things. One – I am soo very blessed to have wonderful friends and family in my life. Two – I am fortunate to have a comfortable lifestyle, as there are many others who are not as fortunate as I am. As I was thinking about getting a group of family and friends together to celebrate the season and give back to those in need, I came across a local holiday event – “Holidays at Hoyt” – that does both!

“Holidays at Hoyt,” features two shows – Away in the Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas, a musical comedy, on December 19-21, and Miracle on 34th Street The Musical, the beloved holiday traditional favorite, on December 22. Not only are the performances going to be highly enjoyable and Christmas-themed, but they are also supporting those in Des Moines who are less fortunate.

About the Shows

  • Away in the Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas – Take yourself back to 1959 and celebrate the holidays with some of the wittiest church ladies you’ll ever meet. They bring together old and new memories as they plan the Sunday School Christmas Program. These ladies satisfy audiences with their funny antics, charm and holiday joy. Show times are: December 19 at 2:00 p.m., December 20 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and December 21 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Miracle on 34th Street The Musical on December 22 at 7:30 p.m. – Join a jolly, white-bearded man as he brings a miracle to 34th Street. This classic show is full of holiday magic and leaves audiences believing that holiday wishes, and even miracles, do come true!

All tickets are reserved seating and may be purchased in person at the Hoyt Sherman Place Box Office (1501 Woodland Avenue), at Ticketmaster.com, by calling (800) 745-3000 or at any Ticketmaster location.

Spread some Christmas Cheer by Giving Back
The “Holidays at Hoyt” productions will be working to raise donations for a local non-profit organization, Central Iowa Shelter & Services. Show attendees are encouraged to donate a personal item, such as: aspirin, razors, toothpaste, or band-aids (view a full list of accepted items here), when purchasing their tickets at the Hoyt Sherman Place Box Office. Attendees who donate a personal item will receive a $3 discount (one donation per ticket) on their ticket purchase to either Away in the Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas or Miracle on 34th Street The Musical!

Let’s Give Away a Pair of Tickets!
One lucky winner will have the chance to win 2 tickets to Miracle on 34th Street The Musical! Here’s how to win: Tweet to @TheDishOnDM, post on “The Dish on Des Moines” Facebook page, or comment on this blog post by 11:00 a.m. on 12/19/12 with the name of your favorite Christmas carol and you will be entered to win! The winner will be announced via Twitter, Facebook and on this blog post’s comment stream the afternoon of the 19th. Good luck and as always, thanks for reading!

‘Tis the Season: Holiday Happenings in DSM

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The holiday season is in full swing in Des Moines and there are tons of joy-filled holiday activities you can experience with your friends and family. View holiday light displays, shop locally, build a gingerbread house, craft your own holiday gifts and MORE! Here are a few of my favorite upcoming holiday happenings!

Jingle in the Junction – November 29, December 6, and December 13 from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Explore the charm of Valley Junction at night when the streets are lined with over 150,000 twinkling lights and local shoppers. There will be free horse drawn carriage rides and even Santa! Play Valley Junction’s Mistletoe Bingo as you shop and you might just win a prize basket.

Gingerbread Grandeur Workshops – December 1 from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. or 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. – Frost your way into the holiday season by creating your very own gingerbread house at Salisbury House & Gardens! For only $20 you can create and keep your very own gingerbread house. Purchase tickets here.

Nada Silent Night X – December 1 at 8:00 p.m. – Enjoy the songs of the season performed by The Nadas at the historic Hoyt Sherman Place. Admission is $22.50 (in advance) or $27.50 the day of the show, plus an unwrapped toy, which will be donated to the Marie Corps Toys for Tots. Purchase tickets here.

Art Noir Holiday Art Studio – December 6 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Create your own colorful holiday wreath, paper ornament balls, transfer prints and more at the Art Noir Holiday Studio. As you’re crafting your way though the night, enjoy complimentary wine and food. RSVP by December 1 to artnoir@desmoinesartcenter.org to reserve your spot and pay your $15 material fee the night of the event.

16th Annual Holly & Ivy Tour – December 7, 8 and 9 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Tour a few of the most exquisitely decorated places in Des Moines – Salisbury House & Gardens, Terrace Hill, and two other personal homes – during the Holly & Ivy Tour. I have gone on the Tour for the past 4 or 5 years – and it’s such a great time! Pay online or pay upon arrival at either Salisbury House or Terrace Hill.

Jolly Holiday Lights – Crank up the Christmas tunes, turn on your heated seats and kick off the holiday with Jolly Holiday Lights at Water Works Park! Enjoy 3.5 miles of holiday light displays for only $10/car. Jolly Holiday Lights is open nightly from 5:30 – 10:00 p.m. through January 1.

Blow Your Own Glass Ornaments with Studio Fuzzishu – Does Pinterest have you thinking you can make all of your holiday gifts? Well look no further than Studio Fuzzishu for some DIY holiday fun! From now until the end of December, you can blow your own glass ornaments for only $14 per ornament. I made my own ornament last year with the help of Studio Fuzzishu and it was a ton of fun. Call the studio to schedule your appointment at: (515) 402-8143.

What are your favorite holiday events or traditions in Des Moines?

October 19 – 21: What’s Up This Weekend?

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From dancing to vintage art to spooky storytelling – Des Moines is packed with some great events this weekend. Here are a few of the local events that caught my eye!

October 19, 2012 – Pollock Ball at the Des Moines Art Center. Art Noir is honoring Jackson Pollock’s Mural (which visited the Des Moines Art Center from April 4 – July 15) by theming their fourth annual Artist Ball the “Pollock Ball.” The ticket price includes: sounds of the era by DJ Eight Ten, a visual journey though Pollock’s life, hors d’oeuvres and one classic American cocktail or beer. Vintage cocktail attire or attire inspired by Pollock’s work is encouraged but not required. Purchase tickets at the door for $40 ($35 for members) and a cash bar will be available.

October 20, 2012 – Mysteries of the Castle at Salisbury House & Gardens. Are your little ghouls or goblins ready for Halloween? Salisbury House will come alive this Saturday for “Mysteries of the Castle” where attendees will enjoy science experiences with Kemin and ISU, story telling by Witch Hazel from Stam’s, face painting with artists from Sticks and even The Owl Lady (along with her bats and furry critters!). Tickets are available online for only $5!

Photo source: BalletDesMoines.org.

October 19-21, 2012 – Prelude: A Triple Bill presented by Ballet Des Moines. Take time this weekend to enjoy the ballet at its finest. The ballet performances of Prelude, which feature sleek and sophisticated choreography and many professional dancers, will take place at the beautiful Hoyt Sherman Place Theater. Tickets to Prelude are $42.50 (or $27.50 for those under 18) and are available the Hoyt Sherman Place Theater box office.

October 21, 2012 – The East Village Sunday Baazar. Take a stroll through the historic East Village this Sunday to enjoy the fall weather and to check out The East Village Sunday Baazar. The Baazar will run from 12:00 p.m – 4:00 p.m. on East 5th Street between Locust and Walnut. This street event includes: live music, food vendors, vintage clothing, art, jewelry, decor, handmade goods and more.  A great way to end the weekend!

What else do you have going on this weekend? We are planning on spending some time watching a little football, heading to Simpson College for homecoming and I will be cheering on my fiancé, Levi, who is running his first marathon – the Des Moines Marathon! It sounds like it will be another busy weekend for us, so it’s a good thing I’ve already taken care of decorating my pumpkins for Halloween this year!

How I Selected a Local Wedding Photographer

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It all happened over a plate of grilled cheese. I never knew it was coming. And I can’t think of another way I would have liked to celebrate my 25th birthday. For my birthday, Levi (my then boyfriend) proposed to me! We have been planning and organizing our wedding for a few months now, and it’s hard to believe that we are only about 200 days away from our “big day!”

One of my favorite parts of wedding planning has been getting to know a few local wedding vendors, and one in particular – our wedding photographer! I knew that finding the right photographer was going to be a big part of our wedding planning. So, I hit up a few bridal shows (like The Everything Bridal Show and the Bridal Forum) and asked for recommendations on Twitter and Facebook.

I came across Laura Wills Photography on Facebook (she was recommend to me by a friend) and I shortly fell in love with her photography style and personality. I knew that she needed to be our photographer!

We met with Laura, she answered all of my questions (about a million), and we booked her that week! Laura is down-to-earth, full of energy and has an obvious passion for photography. If you’re interested in checking out Laura Wills Photography a bit more you can visit her website or give her a ‘like’ on Facebook.

I wanted my engagement and wedding photos to be much more than a bunch of staged photos filled with cheesy smiles – so I took my time to find a wedding photographer and I’m glad that I did. If you’re looking for a photographer, here are a few tips:

  1. Make sure your photographer gets (and likes) your personality. You will be spending some intimate moments with your photographer and your photos will turn out more natural looking if you are comfortable with your photographer.
  2. Look for a wedding photographer who can tell a story. Your wedding photos will be the keepsakes that you take away from your wedding and it’s important your photographer can capture a number of different aspects of your wedding.
  3. Ask a million questions. And then ask a few more. The more informed you are about your photographer and your wedding day, the more comfortable you will be.
  4. Use your network to ask for recommendations! Personally, I reached out to a few brides who had used certain photographers to find out how easy the photographers were to work with, what their turn around time was and if they were pleased with their experience. This was a huge help!

Since booking Laura Wills, we took our engagement photos in the good ‘ole 97 degree Iowa weather and I wanted to share a few of the photos with you. Enjoy!

Alba: From Milk Braised Pork Cheeks to Chocolate Lava Cake

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Alba opened its doors in 2008 in the eclectic East Village of Des Moines and has been one of my favorite restaurants in Des Moines ever since. There are three main reasons I enjoy dining at Alba:

1) The attentive and knowledgeable staff - The staff is polite and very knowledgeable of the menu and wine selection. Use your server as a guide through the menu and drink selection, as I have found their recommendations to be spot on and quite helpful! 

2) The atmosphere and colorful decor - I appreciate the atmosphere at Alba and I absolutely adore the vibrant artwork and the colorful mix of doors that hang from the ceiling.

3) The food is superb, fresh and constantly changing. (Check out our recent meal below!)

Levi (my fiancé) and I decided to dine at Alba as a part of the 2012 Des Moines Restaurant Week. The weather was gorgeous, so we sat on the patio, which is a great spot for couples or small groups looking to enjoy a relaxing meal outdoors. Here’s the “She Ate / He Ate” scoop on our meal at Alba.

She Ate: (My Meal)

First Course - Maxwell Farms Heirloom Tomato Salad made with basil caramel, house made ricotta, and topped with a zucchini crouton. This salad was refreshing with a mix of textures and tastes. The tomatoes were the star in this dish, but the basil caramel really added a burst of flavor to the salad.

Second Course - Chive Potato Gnocchi with chicken, crème fraîche and white truffle oil. I only dream of being able to make a sauce as tasty as the sauce that covered this dish! The chicken was tender, the veggies were fresh and the gnocchi was soft and pillowy. It’s easy to get carried away with white truffle oil (and it can quickly overpower a dish), but this dish had the perfect amount.

Third Course – Chocolate Lave Cake served with buttermilk ice cream and topped with a pinch of Cyprus flake sea salt. When I think of Alba, I think of their rich Chocolate Lava Cake. It’s just one of those menu items that I can’t pass up and this trip to Alba was no different. The dessert came out freshly prepared, warm and oozing with chocolatety goodness. It’s worth the wait (and the calories!)

He Ate: (Levi’s Meal)

First Course – Iowa Sweet Corn Soup, which included puffed bacon, chive oil and a bit a tomato jam. The soup tasted exactly like a cob of Iowa Sweet Corn. It was creamy, fresh and packed with flavor. The bacon added a welcomed bit of salt to the dish.

Second Course – Milk Braised Pork Cheeks, sweet corn veloute (a type of sauce), potato rosti (grated potato made into a cake) and a shaved zucchini salad. I’m not a huge fan of pork, but this was melt-in-your-mouth good, and it probably was the most tender pork I’ve ever eaten. If you’re planning on eating at Alba, make sure you try this dish!

Third Course – Summer Blueberry Clafouti topped with vanilla ice cream. The crust on the dessert was crisp and the blueberries were plump. I would have added a bit more ice cream to the dish to balance out the dryness of the clafouti base, but overall a solid choice to complete the meal.

Location: 524 East 6th Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Hours: Lunch – Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and Dinner – Monday through Saturday from 5:00 p.m. until close.
Phone: (515) 244-0261 – I’d recommend making a reservation to ensure a spot.

Competitive Eating Meets Triathlon with 2012 Devour Des Moines

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Could you eat the Mini Meatloaf Dinner from High Life Lounge and then bike 5 miles? Or maybe it’s more your style to eat a Breakfast Burrito from The Library Café and then run 3 miles. Either way, it’s time to put your competitive eating and athletic skills to the test with Devour Des Moines 2012 as you “tri to eat it all.”

Devour Des Moines will be held on Saturday, August 4, 2012 from 10:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m.. The event will start and end at El Bait Shop and make its way throughout downtown Des Moines during the competition. Devour Des Moines teams, which consist of four members, will compete in a relay-style race with each team member completing an eating challenge and an athletic challenge at each race leg. At the final leg, all team members will come together to complete the final eating and athletic challenges as a team.

Which leg of the race would you take on?

Leg 1: Breakfast burrito from The Library Café and a 3 mile run
Leg 2: An ear Iowa grown Deardorff sweet corn from Buy Fresh, Buy Local, chips with a side of Juan O’Sullivan’s hot salsa and a 2 mile run/lap swim at YMCA
Leg 3: Cheese pizza from Fong’s Pizza and a 3 mile run
Leg 4: Mini meatloaf dinner from High Life Lounge and a 5 mile bike ride
Leg 5: A basket of Mo’Rub wings from El Bait Shop and a team run around the block

It’s all for a good cause!

The money raised from Devour Des Moines will benefit The Greater Des Moines Chapter of Buy Fresh, Buy Local, who is “dedicated to connecting the Greater Des Moines community to local farm-fresh food as a means to supporting a healthier population and promoting greater economic growth.”

Participation is limited to only 50 teams and the cost per team is $120. Teams have until Wednesday, August 1 to register for Devour Des Moines. To register or for more information, visit: www.DevourDesMoines.org and check out their nifty video below.

Louie’s Wine Dive: “Wine is Supposed to be Fun!”

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My fiancé, Levi, and I were looking to grab a bite to eat before Ingrid Michaelson’s concert at Nightfall on the River and we luckily stumbled upon a new local restaurant – Louie’s Wine Dive.

Louie’s Wine Dive opened about five weeks ago in the space that used to be the Iowa Bakery Cafe on University Avenue. The inside is revamped and has dark wood, mint green walls and a large bar stocked with a generous selection of wine. The atmosphere is inviting, local and lively and almost all of the tables inside were packed by 6:00 p.m. on a Thursday night.

The Wine: We were in a bit of a hurry to get to the concert, so instead of reading through their wine list we decided to share a half carafe of the house white wine, which was a great deal at only $11. We were both able to enjoy two glasses of wine from the half carafe, which was the perfect amount to accompany our dinners.

The Appetizer: We kicked off our meal with a flatbread covered in fresh tomatoes, basil and mozzarella cheese. The flatbread was a bit crunchy for my liking, but I did like that the flatbread was topped with generous amounts of melted cheese and sliced tomato.

The Meal: I ordered the “Emily’s Harvest” salad because I was in the mood for something light and because we have the same name…so I felt like I needed to try it out! The salad included fresh field greens, gala apple slices, candied pecans, Maytag Blue Cheese, Berkshire Bacon and Louie’s balsamic vinaigrette. I loved this salad – it was crisp and refreshing and it also had a hint of salt because of the crunchy bacon.

Levi ordered the Kobe Burger – a 6 oz. kobe beef burger grilled with berkshire bacon, fontina cheese and pinot onion relish – with fries. I tried a few of his fries and they were crispy and lighted dressed with a herbs and cheese. Levi explained to me that what he ordered was a “quality over quantity meal” because he was satisfied by his burger and fries, but not overly stuffed at the end of the meal.

Our waiter brought a plate of dessert options to our table, which included tableside s’mores and an “adult” jello, but we were full enough from the appetizer and the meal that we didn’t have room to try any of the desserts.

Overall, I would go back to Louie’s Wine Dive again. The service was great, the food was local and high quality (they work with local purveyors such as Turtle Farms and La Quercia Meats) and the atmosphere was fun and welcoming. Did I mention that the staff wears shirts with “Wine is supposed to be fun!” on the back? You can’t get much better than that!

Location: 4040 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311

Hours: Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Iowa Craft Brew Festival to Feature More Than 25 Iowa Breweries

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More than 25 Iowa breweries. More than 100 craft beers alongside a few other regional and national micro-brews. What more do you need to know?

The second annual Iowa Craft Brew Festival, presented by the Iowa Brewers Guild, will be held on Saturday, June 16 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. on the Locust Street bridge between 2nd Avenue and E. 1st Street in Des Moines.

“Iowa breweries are making quality, delicious craft beers,” said Jill Haverkamp, who is assisting with the marketing of the event. “The Iowa Craft Brew Festival is an excellent opportunity to see what all the Iowa breweries have to offer and learn more about the art of brewing beer. Buying and drinking local is an opportunity to support and put money back in the local economy.”

The inaugural Iowa Craft Brew Festival was a hit (the tickets sold out) and this year the Festival has been moved to the Locust Street bridge, which will give more beer-lovers the chance to attend the event and will provide more space for the Festival.

Your ticket fee gets you entrance into the Festival, unlimited beer samples, live music and food samples. Haverkamp also mentioned that attendee’s should bring a bit of extra cash to purchase food at the event and to purchase some merchandise (such as t-shirts, glasses, ect) from some of the breweries. Here are the ticket options and prices:

Ticket Options: (Purchase tickets here.)

  • General Admission Tickets – $20
  • VIP Admission tickets – $25. (Being a VIP means that you’ll have exclusive early access into the Festival from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.) SOLD OUT.
  • Day Of Admission Tickets – $30
  • Designated Driver Ticket – $5

A few others things to keep in mind:

  • The entrance of the Festival will be on the west side of the Locust Street bridge next to the YMCA.
  • The event will take place rain or shine!
  • Since the point of the Festival is to taste and enjoy multiple local beer samples, make sure you are responsible and bring a designated driver. (Obvious, I know, but I had to play mother hen there for a moment.)
  • Bring a pen and paper to write down what beers you enjoyed so you can purchase them again in the future. Or if you’re tech savy – just start a note in your phone!
  • View photos of the 2011 Iowa Craft Brew Festival by clicking here.

UnWINEd with Winefest’s “Sips in the City”

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Winefest is in full swing in Des Moines! There has been a weeks worth of events and it all culminates this weekend. One of my favorite, and most affordable, events during Winefest is “Sips in the City” (presented by Jethro’s BBQ), which will be held tonight, Friday, June 8, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Nollen Plaza and Capital Square. It’s the perfect way to wind down the week with a little (or a lot) of wine and a few hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants such as: Americana, Baratta’s, Chocolaterie Stam, South Union Bread Cafe and more.

I had the opportunity of chatting with Nikki Syverson, Winefest’s Event Director, and Kelly Sparks of Socialize Events, who is also helping with the planning and execution of Winefest, and here’s what they had to say about “Sips in the City.”

Q: Why is “Sips in the City” the perfect event to start the weekend?
A: It’s a fun, low pressure way to experience wine and kick off your weekend. If you’re interested in learning more about wine – and what wine you like – Sips is a great way to taste hundreds of good value wines and talk with distributors and vintners.

Q: Why is “Sips in the City”/Winefest a great event for Des Moines?
A: This is the tenth year for Winefest. Besides supporting the wine and culinary industry, Winefest has raised approximately $350,000 for local charities and cultural organizations. It’s even attracted top names in the culinary world and created another great experience for members of our community.

Q: What are the highlights of “Sips in the City”?
A:The wine! The food! What’s not to highlight? Be sure to hit the Jethro’s and Dahl’s Grocery booths for some great food and explore all of the wines. If you want an extra special experience, check out the Willis VIP lounge with high end wines and even better food!

Q: Is the event held both outside and inside?
A:Booths will be set-up both inside at Capital Square and outside at Nollen Plaza. In the case of bad weather, all booths will be inside Capital Square.

Q: How many different wines and foods will be available for tasting at “Sips in the City”?
A: There are hundreds of wines from all over the globe and a great variety of food selections.

Q: Can you talk a bit about Jethros BBQ pit? (Sounds awesome!)
A: As the sponsor of Sips & the City, Jethro’s is pulling out all the stops to make sure attendees have some great food to go with the wonderful wines available.

Tickets to the event and VIP upgrades are available at the door or online at winefestdesmoines.com. Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door with the option of upgrading to the Willis VIP Lounge for $25.