Here’s where you’ll find the best food and restaurant experiences in Des Moines.
Trust me. I’ve been doing this for 25 years.
Looking for something great to eat, but fed up with sifting through dubious crowdsourced reviews and the relentless hype from paid influencers? You’ve come to the right place.
I write with only one goal in mind: to help you find the best food and dining experiences for your time and money.
Subscribe to my newsletter, and you’ll receive:
• Reviews of noteworthy restaurants: I dig deep to tell you what to order, what to skip, and what to expect in terms of service and ambiance.
• News on the dining scene: New restaurant openings, cooking classes and events, pop-up dinners, and more.
• Great food finds: From private chef services to terrific artisanal foods, like Pie Mates Pies, I point the way to fascinating lesser-known options.
• Nearby Travel: I feature nearby destinations, making it easy for you to find a fun weekend getaway or a great Midwest destination that doesn’t require a plane ticket.
Free and Paid Subscriptions
Free subscribers generally receive one newsletter a week. However, all articles will go behind a paywall after two weeks, and premium content—such as reviews and roundups that are extremely costly to research—will be available to paid subscribers only.
Paid subscribers, receive all newsletters (including premium content) and full access to all my archives. My goal is to elevate the dining standards in our town by highlighting those who are doing exceptional work. By supporting me, you’ll be an integral part of this movement.
About Me
My work draws on 25 years of experience, and my knowledge of the local dining scene goes deep. During my 15-year stint as the Des Moines Register’s restaurant reviewer, I wrote more than 750 professional reviews. I’ve also contributed food coverage to dsm magazine and have written hundreds of food articles for national publications, three cookbooks, and a food memoir.
Thank you for reading Wini’s Food Stories. I hope you’ll join this community of food enthusiasts.
P.S.: One more thing you should know: I do not take freebies (or money) in exchange for coverage. Occasionally, if I’m invited, I’ll head to a restaurant preview or press event where free items are served. If and when that is the case, I will definitely be up front about it. Your trust is everything.
