Dining Well in DSM by Wini Moranville

Dining Well in DSM by Wini Moranville

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Recently Featured on "The Splendid Table"
From getting recognized in restaurants to finding myself at the center a social media firestorm—it was quite the ride. My memoir tells all.
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Wini Moranville
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33:00
Netflix Baking Contestant Eileen Gannon Tells It Like It Was
No wonder she lost seven pounds! Yikes. Eileen takes us behind the scenes. She also tells us how to bring spectacular desserts to our own tables. Stay…
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Wini Moranville
Am I the last to know about this weekly mini-farmers' market? Plus, a fun event for everyone—for a great cause.
Great food. Plus great food and music to fight hunger.
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I Tried Iowa's Only Restaurant to Receive a James Beard “Best Chef” Nomination This Year. Here’s What I Thought.
Did it measure up? I’ll tell you.
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A New Des Moines Restaurant Worth Any Food ❤️’s Attention
Mongolian Beef! Banh Mi! Vermicelli Salad! And oh yes, the Pho.
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Reviews

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I Tried Iowa's Only Restaurant to Receive a James Beard “Best Chef” Nomination This Year. Here’s What I Thought.
Did it measure up? I’ll tell you.
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Wini Moranville
4
A New Des Moines Restaurant Worth Any Food ❤️’s Attention
Mongolian Beef! Banh Mi! Vermicelli Salad! And oh yes, the Pho.
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Wini Moranville
7
My one-word review of Istanbul Grill: Go. Read on for the deets.
(And if there's a better $25 appetizer in DSM, I want to hear about it.)
16
Review of Tom Archer's Poor Man's Country Club
They've nailed the atmosphere. The rest needs work.
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Restaurants to Review + A Trip to Cuba
Help me decide what to review next! Plus--a bonus story on one Iowan's fascinating trip to Cuba.
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Get a Room!
Great party rooms I've personally enjoyed at restaurants in town. Plus the pitfalls and perils of hosting in private dining rooms (buyer beware!).
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Recommendations
View all 14
The Racontourist
The Racontourist
Jason Walsmith
User's avatar
Rick Jost: Biz Whispers
Rick Jost: Biz Whispers
Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup
Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup
Julie Gammack
Ice Cube Press: Publishing, Writing, and Smart Life Secrets
Ice Cube Press: Publishing, Writing, and Smart Life Secrets
Ice Cube Press, LLC
Rekha shouts and whispers
Rekha shouts and whispers
Rekha Basu

New Restaurants

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A New Des Moines Restaurant Worth Any Food ❤️’s Attention
Mongolian Beef! Banh Mi! Vermicelli Salad! And oh yes, the Pho.
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Wini Moranville
7
My one-word review of Istanbul Grill: Go. Read on for the deets.
(And if there's a better $25 appetizer in DSM, I want to hear about it.)
16
Review of Tom Archer's Poor Man's Country Club
They've nailed the atmosphere. The rest needs work.
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Wini Moranville
19
Jeff Bruning Dishes on Fong's + An Early Look at the New Space and New Menu Items
How Full Court Press is keepin' it Fong's—in spite of the bold move.
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Wini Moranville
3
Quite Possibly the Best $21 You'll Spend at a Restaurant in Des Moines. And It Feeds Two.
Take my "Green Olive" challenge.
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Wini Moranville
11
The Five Best Restaurants in Des Moines—2024 Edition
A tightly curated list that will help you decide where to eat next.
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Wini Moranville
23
Restaurant Review: Prime & Providence
Is this big, buzzy, high-end venue worth the price?
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3
A Good Show at Hugo's!
After a spate of so-so, I found something worth telling you about! Plus, more news of note on the Des Moines food scene.
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Food Finds

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Quick Bites on the Des Moines Dining Scene
Including my recent visit to the city's most non-frenzied farmers' market.
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Oh, That Cake! Plus More Des Moines Food News
This week: sweet stuff, 65 farms to visit this summer, and more news of note.
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I Rolled the Dice on a New Caterer. Here’s What Happened.
I hired a young duo—whose food I'd never even tasted—as private chefs for a party. Talk about going out on a limb!
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Wini Moranville
33:00
Netflix Baking Contestant Eileen Gannon Tells It Like It Was
No wonder she lost seven pounds! Yikes. Eileen takes us behind the scenes. She also tells us how to bring spectacular desserts to our own tables. Stay…
 • 
Wini Moranville
This State Fair Cooking Legend Competed on a Netflix Reality Baking Show. I've Got Questions!
I bet you do, too. Let's talk to Eileen Gannon tomorrow. Live!
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Wini Moranville
1
A Mayday Basket of Some Sweet DSM Dining News
A little news for paid subscribers only.
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Wini Moranville
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More Great Finds and Candid Thoughts on the DSM Dining Scene
A new (mostly) French bakery heading to Jordan Creek. A three-course $15 lunch. Where I'm buying my b-day cake. And more.
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Index of All Restaurant Reviews, Food Finds, and Travel Stories
This index makes it easy to find something (or somewhere) to eat right now.
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Nearby Travel

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I Tried Iowa's Only Restaurant to Receive a James Beard “Best Chef” Nomination This Year. Here’s What I Thought.
Did it measure up? I’ll tell you.
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Wini Moranville
4
Could this be Iowa's most genuine getaway? It may have my vote!
Have you been to Keosauqua’s Hotel Manning lately? This 1899 riverfront inn has been restored, but with its rugged charm intact. Step into its history…
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Index of All Restaurant Reviews, Food Finds, and Travel Stories
This index makes it easy to find something (or somewhere) to eat right now.
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Wini Moranville
6
Fine Dining That Feels Just Right
Three highly acclaimed Midwestern chefs tell me about their commitment to approachable, less-complicated cuisine that's nevertheless quite refined…
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K.C. Restaurants Worth Building a Trip Around + What to Do When You Go (Besides Eat)
One destination restaurant + three enduring favorites. And the best $10 you can spend in this great Western city.
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Where to Stay in Kansas City
The Plaza, baby!
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Wini Moranville
Northeast Iowa—with Two Destination Restaurants Worth Building a Trip Around
Enjoy a classic supper club and a contemporary chef-driven restaurant—plus beautiful bluffs, stellar leaf-looking, and more in Northeastern Iowa.
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Brazen Open Kitchen Is One of Iowa's Best Restaurants
Every time I dine here, I appreciate this Dubuque restaurant even more.
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Wini Moranville
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