Author Archives: Emily Beckmann

Kickin’ Queso Blanco at Chisme

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Chisme is a Spanish word meaning gossip or rumors and it is also the name of a local restaurant located on 5th Street in Valley Junction.

Chisme’s menu offers a unique range of Mexican and Italian dishes.  From the Al Pastor Pizza, a pizza topped with marinated pork, cheese and green sauce, to the Super Taco Plate, three tacos with your choice of meat and all the fixings, the dishes are flavorful and fresh.

Almost every time I visit a Mexican restaurant I end up ordering the queso blanco (white cheese dip). I don’t know what it is about the dip…but it’s addicting. While dining at Chisme the tradition continued.

Chisme’s chips and queso were not the normal Mexican chips and dip. The chips were warm, homemade and fresh. The queso offered a spicy kick with full flavor. These were, by far, the best chips and queso I’ve ever eaten! Seriously, if you have a hankering for chips and queso, you need to try the appetizer at Chisme. But here’s your warning: other chips and queso won’t compare. You’ll find yourself craving the queso from Chisme.

Chef Jesus Ojeda, a past Marine, culinary school graduate and ex-school bus driver, has really found a way to harness his passion for cooking.

Most diners will be surprised by the prices on the menu because they are a little higher than the average Mexican restaurant. But keep in mind that Chisme is a local, more authentic Mexican/Italian restaurant, the ingredients are fresh and homemade, and the food we tried was just plain good.

Website: http://www.elchismedsm.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/chismedsm – @ChismeDSM
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ChismeDSM

Bess Rogers and Allison Weiss Hit Des Moines

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Des Moines is increasingly becoming a popular stop for many artists on their tours. For Bess Rogers and Allison Weiss it seemed like a natural fit with the rest of their tour appearances, and luckily, there was an opening at the Vaudeville Mews. As Rogers put it, “The rest was history.”

Rogers and Weiss will perform today, Sunday, October 23 at 10:00 p.m. at the Vaudeville Mews and tickets to the show can be purchased for only $5 through Tikly.

Rogers’ musical accomplishments include touring as the lead guitarist and backing vocalist for Ingrid Michaelson and her song, “We believe in you,” landed a leading spot in a national Mott’s for Tots TV commercial.

“Touring with Ingrid has and is wonderful,” said Rogers. “We’re all sort of a big family, and so it’s always a great time. I love her music, and I’ve learned a lot about touring and the music industry from my experiences playing with her. It’s definitely made me a more skilled musician.”

Alongside Rogers will be Weiss, a 24-year-old passionate guitarist and singer who is highly influenced by her feelings and past experiences in life. Did I mention that she has thousands and thousands of hits on her music on YouTube and she loves pizza?

While Rogers is most looking forward to playing the show in Des Moines, she’s open to suggestions as to what else she should experience while in Des Moines.

“I don’t know much about Des Moines,” said Rogers. “If any locals out there have suggestions of where to eat or what to see while we’re here, tweet at me – @bessrogers!”

If you can’t make it to the show, make sure you check out their cheeky tour website filled with quirky ways to support these artistic ladies while they’re on tour. Otherwise, as Bess said, “I hope to see all of Des Moines at the show!”

Follow the fun: @bessrogers and @allisonweiss.

Local + Music = Locusic

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Think Pandora, but for local music, and you have Locusic. Locusic is an Ankeny-based local music streaming service focused on local bands and musicians and plans to officially launch this weekend in Des Moines.

“I wanted to do something to help the local music scene and also local businesses,” said Jake Kerber, founder of Locusic. “I’ve seen great local bands and heard people talk about how great they are, but then they just can’t get any traction. Their music’s better than what’s on the radio, but what can you do? Ultimately I came up with a system where the two groups can help each other.”

When a listener opens Locusic they are prompted to select a genre. Based on the genre and the listener’s location, Locusic will select and stream music from local musicians based within 50 miles of the listener’s location.

“I hope Locusic can increase the general public’s awareness of the high quality and vast quantity of music being produced by artists in our area, ” said Kerber. “When someone’s looking at a list of local shows, they’ll have heard of the bands via Locusic and be able to make a more informed decision of which bands to go see – and ultimately go see more local shows.”

Attend the Locusic Launch Party: Locusic will officially launch their service this weekend in Central Iowa. On Saturday, October 22 at 7:00 p.m., Locusic will host a launch party at the Bombay Bicycle Club in Clive, with musical performances by Obsidian’s Dream, The River Monks, Angle, Faded Pearl and Only. The party is free to attend, the local musicians are sure to entertain, and it’s a great way to support Des Moines and the local music scene.

World Food Festival to celebrate Iowa’s diverse culinary traditions

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The World Food Festival will add a dash of flavor and culture to Des Moines this weekend when it rolls into the East Village with live music, cooking demonstrations, local and international wine and beer, Cultural Cafés, a marketplace, interactive non-profit activities, and much more.

For the seventh year, the World Food Festival will “reign as Des Moines’ premier taste and entertainment event” on October 7 – 9, 2011. The Festival will be held on the streets of the East Village between East 4th Street and East 6th Street on East Locust Street and on East 5th Street. The hours for the Festival are: Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Festival is free to attend and many different international foods and beverages will be available for purchase. For only $1 the Cultural Cafés will offer samples of their unique dishes and for only $5 attendees will be able to go for the full-plate option for $5 or less. With over 30 different vendors showcasing their foods from Turkey, Ethiopia, Greece, Morocco, Russia, Mesopotamia, Hawaii and more, attendees will be able to find many different options to enjoy. For a sneak peak at what will be offered, click here to check out the menu items before you attend the Festival.

Free parking will be available in the State of Iowa Parking Ramp (corner of E. Grand and Penn) as well as a free bike valet at the corner of E. 4th and E. Locust Street.

Last year the event had a record number of attendee’s at 75,000, and with the gorgeous fall weather that’s in the forecast for the weekend, I’m sure many curious food enthusiasts will come out to enjoy the food, beverages, live entertainment and diverse culture which is uniquely Des Moines.

Interactive drinking and dining in Des Moines

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One of the first things you’re greeted with as you sit down to eat at Centro restaurant in downtown Des Moines is the beverage menu. I can’t tell you the amount of time I’ve spent at Centro, and other restaurants for that matter, staring at the wine list asking myself, “Will this one be too sweet? Do I want to spend that much? I wonder if I should try this new wine?”

This past weekend I dined at Centro and I was pleasantly surprised to find the answers to many of my wine-related questions in the form of a sleek and sophisticated interactive wine list. An iPad was sitting at our table when we arrived. At first I had no idea what was going on. I even said to my boyfriend, “Oh, I think someone forgot their iPad,”…and then I realized no one had forgotten anything – it was an interactive wine list!

The iPad wine list, or as our waiter referred to it, the “digital sommelier,” enables customers to browse for wines by price, type, region and varietal. It took a few minutes to get used to searching but the more we played around with the interactive list, the more we learned about Centro’s wine offerings. I am somewhat of a wine novice, so it was a great way for me to learn more about the wine selection without feeling intimidated.

After doing a little research, I quickly learned Centro isn’t the only restaurant in town that is using a digital approach to enhance the beverage selection process for its customers. Other interactive drinking and dining experiences around Des Moines include:

  • El Bait Shop – Beer Genius, a machine that helps you select the “perfect” beer for your tastes based on what the bar offers. The machine gives information about the brewing technique, flavor, ingredients, and more, on each beer.
  • Royal Mile / Red Monk – Scotch Genius, a machine similar to the Beer Genius that helps you select a Scotch based on a series of preference-based questions.
  • Americana – Bar Genius, an interactive tablet that helps diners decide which beers, wines and cocktails pair well with the meal they’ve selected at the restaurant.
  • Django – Digital Sommelier or interactive wine list. (Similar to Centro’s with a more French, homey feel.)

For a little more information about the idea behind these digital selection machines, click here to check out a demonstrative video put together by Americana on their Bar Genius.

Free food, wine and live music to kick off Civic Music Association’s 2011-2012 season

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Civic Music Association will kick off their 87th season with a bash at Jasper Winery on September 7, 2011 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. The free happy hour-style event will feature live music by the Belin Quartet and the Ian Copland Trio, food from Proof and wine/beer from Jasper Winery.

Guests will be able to preview the Civic Music Association’s upcoming season, network, learn more about the Civic Music Association and participate in a raffle, which will include the opportunity to eat at La Mie with season artist, Karrin Allyson, two season subscriptions to Civic Music Association and gifts from Jasper Winery.

After the season is “kicked off” at Jasper Winery, the 2011-2012 concert series will begin with a jazzy season opener on September 23 featuring the Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans.

“In addition to the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, our season will feature the world-renowned Emerson String Quartet, the Oasis Quartet, Jazz Singer Karrin Allyson, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and Latin Jazz wonder, Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band,” said Carrie Clogg, Executive Director with the Civic Music Association.

Belin Quartet.

Since its inception in 1925, the Civic Music Association has been an asset to the arts and culture scene in Des Moines. The Civic Music Association is not only building awareness, understanding and respect for classical, world and jazz artistry, but they’re bringing world-class musical experiences to Des Moines.

“We have a fabulous concert going experience,” said Clogg. “All of our concerts are held in the intimate atmosphere of Drake University‘s Sheslow Auditorium guaranteeing each patron an up close and personal view of the concert.  In addition, we offer complimentary coffee from Zanzibar’s at intermission and many of our concerts have “Meet the Artist” receptions after the concert with complimentary food, wine and music!”

If you’d like to get more involved with the Civic Music Association, check out their new website, purchase tickets to their upcoming season, attend the “Kick-Off Party,” like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Flapjack 5K/10K: Exercise, eat pancakes and support a local cause

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Let’s face it – summer is a busy time for most people, and my schedule has been no exception. Since my last post about my goal to run five 5K’s in 2011, I’ve run race number three, the Amanda the Panda Popsicle 5K, and race number four, the Ankeny Family YMCA 5K/10K Race.

For my fifth and final race (I can’t believe I’m this close to accomplishing my goal), I’m running the Flapjack 5K/10K race benefiting Children’s Cancer Connection, a local non-profit organization that enhances the quality of life for Iowa children and families who are affected by childhood cancer. I have personally seen the respite and comfort this organization provides local families and I wanted to find a way to give back – so I’ve decided to create a team for the event!

The “Flapjack 5K/10K” will be the last race that I run and I want you to join my team – “Breakfast in Bed” – to be a part of the day and to support a great, local non-profit! The “Flapjack 5K/10K” will be held on Sunday, September 11 at 9:00 a.m. at Water Works Park in Des Moines. Following the race there will be race typical race food as well as a community pancake breakfast!

Let’s make a difference together:

  1. Register for the “Flapjack 5K/10K” – make sure you put that you’re on team “Breakfast in Bed” under team name. (If you register before September 2 – you’ll save $10.)
  2. Add a donation onto your race fee (you’ll see a field for it when you register online) – whether it’s $10, $15 or $50 – anything above and beyond the registration fee will enable you to be a part of team “Breakfast in Bed”…and let’s be serious, who doesn’t want to be a part of “Breakfast in Bed”?

I’d love to get a big group of people together to help support this race and to make a difference in the local community. Eleven people have already signed up to be part of the team, and we’re looking to add a few more. And if you’re worried that you can’t complete a 5K…believe me, if I can do it you can do it. Let me know if you have any questions and I look forward to running with you!

Zombie Burger + Drink Lab attacks East Village with killer flavor combinations

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Looking for a killer place to dine in Des Moines? Zombie Burger + Drink Lab is opening today – Tuesday, August 30 – at 300 E. Grand Avenue in the East Village. The highly anticipated grand opening is sure to bring in crowds of locals who are dying to get their hands on zombie-inspired burgers topped with homemade sauces, handmade appetizers, spiked shakes and even a few vegetarian options.

Chef George Formaro, who’s behind Zombie Burger + Drink Lab, as well as many other successful restaurants in Des Moines (Centro, Django, Gateway Market and South Union Bakery), decided to take two of his interests – burgers and horror films – and create something which would allow him to have a little more fun with his food.

“We have serious restaurants,” said Formaro. “It’s time to be playful.”

The new restaurant will offer up two types of service to deathly hungry customers: quick service, for quick meals on the go, and full-service, where customers can sit down and relax while enjoying the spooky experience of Zombie Burger + Drink Lab.

Forget the fancy, plump burgers as you enter Zombie Burger, because that’s not what you’re going to find. Zombie Burger will serve up nearly 20 different kinds of “bashed” burgers with a crispy, caramelized exterior. Formaro’s secret bend of beef and the love he’s put into the burger bun recipe will make for an insanely good combination.

“I’ve worked on this new bun recipe for years and I’m in love with it,” explains Formaro. “It’s a soft, pillowy nod to the burgers of my childhood and I haven’t been this excited about something since the coal oven at Centro.”

If you like a late-night bite, don’t worry – Zombie Burger understands that most zombies are late night eaters and their hours extend into the night: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Will you survive Zombie Burger? There’s only one way to find out…

Des Moines Restaurant Week 2011: 10 days of delicious dining deals in Des Moines

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It’s not often that 36 local restaurants come together for one mouth-watering reason, but thanks to the fourth annual Des Moines Restaurant Week, that is exactly what is happening.

Pasta at Centro during the 2010 Des Moines Restaurant Week.

From August 19-28, 2011, Des Moines Restaurant Week’s participating restaurants are offering up their fabulous fare for diners at a ridiculous rate. As a part of Des Moines Restaurant Week, top chefs from across the city are creating unique, fixed-priced menus for 10 days only.  For only $25, diners can enjoy two lunches or one three-course dinner at all of the participating restaurants. Each restaurant is serving up different meal options, but all are sure to create a palette pleasing experience.

There are tons of talented chefs in Des Moines, but as a young professional I don’t always have the budget to eat at some of the restaurants that catch my eye. Des Moines Restaurant Week gives diners a cost-effective way to dine out at some of Des Moines finest restaurants and to celebrate the great tasting cuisine the city has to offer. The restaurants I’m excited to try for the first time include: Baru 66, BOS, Lucca, Mojo’s on 86th, and Zingaro.

Last year, as a part of Des Moines Restaurant Week, I had the opportunity to try a few new restaurants. Here are my tips for making the most of the your Des Moines Restaurant Week:

  • Make a 10-day game plan.The lunch options are easy on the pocket book and the dinner options are great for a date night out on the town! Planning which restaurants you want to try is important. With so many great options available, it’s impossible to try them all, so having a game plan is a must.

    Pollo con Prosciutto from Cafe di Scala.

  • Eat outside of your comfort zone. The menus and participating restaurants for the week are diverse and the pricing is great – it’s the perfect time to try something that you wouldn’t normally order.
  • Go with someone you like. …That way they will let you taste their dish as well! Two birds, one stone.
  •  Check out the different menu options before you select a restaurant. The menus for each restaurant are available online, and they’ll give you a great starting point as you’re looking for something new to try.
  • Tip well! You’re saving money on the meal, so make sure that you take care of the servers accordingly. The servers (especially in the smaller restaurants) are knowledgeable of the food they are serving; don’t be afraid to ask them questions about your meal.

Wait, there’s a prize too? Make sure you save your receipts during Des Moines Restaurant Week. Diners who submit at least four Restaurant Week receipts are eligible to win a grand-prize trip for two to California’s Sonoma Country. The getaway package includes: a three-night stay, up to $400 each for two airline tickets, tasting passes to Sonoma County wineries, and gift certificates to two restaurants, all thanks to the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau.

For more information about Des Moines Restaurant week, which is presented by dsm Magazine, Business Record and Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, click here.

Iowa State Fair celebrates 100th Anniversary of the Butter Cow

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Butter is a cooking and baking staple, but year after year it has proven to be an important part of the Iowa State Fair. Each year, thousands of fair goers wait to get a glimpse of the well-known Butter Cow, and other sculptures, that are created from butter.

This year is the 100th Anniversary of the Butter Cow, which is something to celebrate! It’s only appropriate to share of few facts about the yearly Iowa State Fair tradition:

  • The Butter Cow first appeared at the Iowa State Fair in 1911 (hence the 100 Year Anniversary).
  • 600 pounds of low moisture, pure cream Iowa butter goes into making the Butter Cow each year – which is enough butter to butter 19,200 slices of toast!
  • Each year, much of the butter from the Butter Cow is stored, recycled and reused (to create the butter sculptures) for up to 10 years.
  • Norma “Duffy” Lyon, who was the fourth person and first women to sculpt the Butter Cow, passed away this year. Norma had sculpted the Butter Cow since 1960 and she was known throughout the city as “The Butter Cow Lady.”
  • This year Sarah Pratt, who is the current Butter Cow sculptor (and who apprenticed with Norma Lyon), led the Iowa State Fair Parade as the Parade Marshall.
  • The Butter Cow is housed in a 40-degree cooler room and measures about 5-1/2-ft high and 8-ft long when complete.

The Iowa State Fair is August 11 – 21 this year, which gives you 7 more days to stop by the Agriculture Building at the Iowa State Fair to see the Butter Cow and the other butter sculptures!