Category Archives: The Dish on Dining

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.

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.

La Mie Offers Top-Notch, Reasonably Priced Breakfast and Lunch Options

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Gently sliced avocado placed on a bed of cream cheese and pesto sandwiched between artisan bread. Lunch at La Mie is served.

La Mie, a local bakery and cafe nestled in the Roosevelt shopping center, might be my favorite lunch spot in Des Moines. Honestly, everything I’ve tried on the menu has been top-notch, fresh and well worth the money. Owners Joe and Christina Logsdon have created a modern, energetic spot and I can’t keep it off my radar.

The salads are crisp and refreshing, the fruit is plump and sweet, the breads are incredibility flaky, and the desserts – don’t even get me started on how divine those are! But put all the high-quality foods and pastries aside – the prices are what are really exceptional. Only $5 for a made-from-scratch buttery croussiat fulled with tarragon chicken salad with cranberries, walnuts and celery? Yes, please. (Check out La Mie’s full menu here.)

If you haven’t been to La Mie for lunch or breakfast (or both!)- you are doing yourself a disservice. It’s the perfect spot to grab a fruit danish on the way to work and/or the perfect place for a nice lunch meeting in the afternoon. La Mie is one of my “go to” lunch spots in Des Moines.

My favorite lunch items at La Mie: La Mie has some great veggie options, such as the Avocado Sandwich (I hold the sprouts) and the gooey Grilled Brie and Provolone Sandwich. (If you’re a meat eater the chicken salad is good!) I usually go with house salad with almonds, cranberries, carrots, and feta or the fresh fruit for a side dish. The fruit side is not your typical lame fruit side. More than likely you’ll receive a mixture of fresh strawberries, pineapple, and blackberries – and probably a few other seasonal fruits that are juicy and flavorful. My favorite desserts at La Mie are the french macarons, the chocolate carmel tarte (pictured below) or the almond bar.

A few tips: If you’re going for lunch make sure you arrive a few minutes early. At about 11:40 p.m. a hefty lunch rush hits and sometimes it’s hard to find a table. Also, ample parking can be found in the back of the building if there’s nothing available in front of the store.

La Mie’s Hours: Monday – Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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

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.

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.

Taste of Thai spices up the East Village

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A pile of green peppers, slices of onion, sweet chunks of pineapple, fresh broccoli, coined carrot slices, tender chicken, and crunchy cashews. Is your mouth watering yet? Mine is.

Even with the heat wave that we’ve had in Des Moines lately, I can’t get my mind off of a steaming plate of “Honey Cashew Chicken” from Taste of Thai located at 215 E. Walnut Street in the East Village.

Taste of Thai, the space that once housed Taste of Thailand for 23 years, and Ban Thai (which closed in 2010), has given new life to the Thai scene in the East Village. When Taste of Thai took over the space, they revamped the interior of the restaurant to create a cozy ambiance, which includes the sound of flowing water, vibrant red walls, white table coverings and comfortable booth seating.

The food, which includes a variety of curries, noodle dishes, stir-fries and more, comes out within minutes, piping hot. I’ve tried a number of the dishes at Taste of Thai, including a few appetizers, and I’ve never had a meal that I haven’t enjoyed. My favorite is the Honey Cashew Chicken, which is the perfect marriage of fresh vegetables and chicken with the added sweetness of pineapple. With all Thai restaurants, you’ll let your server know how hot you’d like the dish. While I prefer no heat at all, a few of my friends have tried Taste of Thai’s hottest option and have left with clear sinuses.

Meal prices differ depending on when you visit, but they are comparable to other Thai restaurants in the area (from $8-$12 on average). If you’re looking for a super cheap lunch option, you might not find it here, but you will get quality food and you’ll be in and out with time to spare over the lunch hour. The lunch portion is sized down appropriately for the cost, and the dinner portion is larger. (I typically have enough left over for lunch the next day!)

When I go out to eat I tend to ask a lot of questions about the restaurant itself and about the menu items. The waiters and waitresses that I’ve had at Taste of Thai have been informative and helpful. They are quick to refill beverages and remove empty plates.

Bottom line: Don’t be scared by the bright yellow and red exterior of Taste of Thai. The restaurant dishes up some of the best Thai food that I’ve had in Des Moines! You can try it for yourself Mondays through Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for lunch and from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for dinner.

Two Des Moines sandwiches battle to become ESPN’s “Greatest Sports Sandwich in America”

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Two Des Moines sandwiches – Jethro’s BBQ’s “The Adam Emmenecker Challenge” and Manhattan Deli’s “Zach Johnson – No. 3 Hoagie” – have been nominated to compete as the “Greatest Sports Sandwich in America” via ESPN’s Fanwich contest. Both colossal sandwiches are a part of ESPN’s nationwide Facebook contest, whose mission is to find the best sports-inspired sandwich named after an American sports legend.

The sandwiches are the creations of two local eateries, Jethro’s BBQ and the Manhattan Deli, and both are unique in their ingredients and in their sports inspirations.

1) “The Adam Emmenecker Challenge” includes five pounds of sandwich and fries, which consists of: a huge pork tenderloin, Angus steak burger, slabs of Texas brisket, applewood bacon, fried cheese, buffalo chicken tenders, melted cheddar cheese, white cheddar sauce and a spicy pickle. (Not even Adam Richman of “Man v. Food” could take down the sandwich in the allotted 15 minutes.)

The sandwich is named after Adam Emmenecker, a Drake University basketball legend from 2004 – 2008 who was named the Larry Bird MVC Player of the Year and MVP of the 2008 MVC Tournament.

2) The “Zach Johnson – No. 3 Hoagie” is a fresh deli hoagie sandwich packed with ham, hard salami, pepperoni, provolone, hot pepper cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo and oil dressing.

The legend behind the sandwich - Zach Johnson, a former Drake University golfer who became the 2007 Masters Golf Tournament winner. (He beat out Tiger Woods to win his green jacket.)

Currently, “The Adam Emmenecker Challenge” has 1892 votes and is ranked number one and the “Zach Johnson – No. 3 Hoagie” has 814 votes and is ranked number three.

Whether you’re a golf fan or a basketball fan (or just a fan of Des Moines like me!), vote for these two sandwiches to show your support of the delectable, local fare in Des Moines! Cast your vote before June 6 by visiting the ESPN Fanwich page.

Win a $20 Gift Card to Trostel’s Dish

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“Tapas at Trostel’s” will be held on Tuesday, February 22 from 5:00 – 7:00 at Trostel’s Dish located at 12851 University Avenue in Clive. After the GuacUp, a food-based networking event, was a success I decided to team up with Trostel’s Dish to encourage local Des Moinesian’s to come and enjoy the Spanish tradition of tapas. (What are tapas?)

Trostel’s Dish is sponsoring the event by offering all those who attend the event some great deals! Attendee’s will enjoy…

  • Half price drinks
  • Free food – a smorgasbord of tasty tapas to share, while supplies last
  • Coupons for lunch
  • Gift card giveaway – $20 to Trostel’s Dish
  • Chance to socialize with other food enthusiasts around Des Moines

Here’s how you can get involved with the gift card giveaway.

  1. Log onto your Facebook account, search for “Trostel’s Dish” and “like” Trostel’s Dish.
  2. While you’re still on Facebook, search for the event “Tapas at Trostel’s” and RSVP t0 the event.
  3. Come to Trostel’s Dish on 2/22! The winner must be present to win and will be announced that evening.

It’s that simple! Once you “like” Trostel’s Dish and RSVP for the event on Facebook, you are automatically entered to win a $20 gift card to Trostel’s Dish.  And trust me, after you try their food and drinks, you’ll want to come back for more.