Des Moines Dining News
Affordable farm-to-table dinners, spendy farm-to-table dinners, the opening date at Table 128, rhubarb tarts, and more.
Greetings! Here’s a quick roundup of some news on the scene. But first, if you want to stay up to date on dining news, be sure to subscribe to this newsletter—you’ll get weekly updates delivered straight to your inbox. There’s a free option, you know!
Refreshingly Affordable Farm-to-Table Dinners at the Wallace House. Tickets Are Still Available
Local farm-to-table dinners are lovely, but not everyone can afford or wants to spend upwards of $160 per person to attend. That’s why the upcoming “Fresh from the Farm” dinners at the Wallace House are a great option at $75 per person, with no extra fees. Plus, you can bring your own wine, avoiding restaurant markups.
On Tuesday night, I attended a dinner at Wallace House to meet the new chef, Saralyn Smith. With over 15 years of culinary experience, including teaching pastry courses at the Kirkwood culinary arts program, she brings a strong passion for sustainable agriculture. Full disclosure: I was seated at a hosted table reserved for members of the media.
The menu wasn’t about culinary fireworks; rather it was all about letting the beauty of the fresh, local ultra-seasonal ingredients shine through. Highlights included handmade ravioli in a brown butter sauce with spring vegetables as well as a lovely wine-sauced lamb chop served fresh asparagus picked just the day before at the Wallace Farm in Orient, Iowa. I was thoroughly smitten by the chiffon cake—a midcentury favorite you just don’t see enough; better yet, it came topped with rhubarb mousse.
All in all, the intensely local meal featured goods from nine local growers/producers—plus the gardens at Wallace Farms.
Each of this year’s three upcoming “Fresh from the Farm” dinners will focus on one single ingredient, served in sweet and savory ways. June 5th will highlight rhubarb, September 18 will highlight tomatoes, and on October 29, expect a Halloween-themed dinner featuring garlic in all its glory.
Reservations for these dinners just opened this week. Sign up at the Wallace Farms website. These dinners are held at the historic Wallace House (756 16th St.) in Sherman Hill.
But If You Are Up for a Splurge…
In the past, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the farm-to-table dinners in the barn at Lone Oaks Farm near Winterset. Set amidst the gently sloped landscape of grasses, wildflowers and timber, the barn is a circa 1850s structure that’s been beautifully restored, and it was graciously decorated in a refined-rustic way. I enjoyed two separate dinners by Aaron Holt, and both times, the food was fresh, seasonal, and creative.
Holt has returned this year for some of the dinners, but other dinners feature Chef James Arbaugh of Lua Brewing and Chef James Richard of Proudfoot & Bird. There’s also a special collaboration with chefs Aaron Holt and Katie Flinn, who is the founder of Milk & Honey Orchard.
These dinners are priced starting at $160 per person; find out more on the Lone Oaks Farm website.
Table 128 (Version 2.0) Opens Friday
Last week, Lynn Pritchard told me he was going to “quietly” open up reservations (rather than make a big splashy announcement) about the opening of the new Table 128 (220 SW 9th St; 515-674-2080).
Rooting around on Tock—the reservations system—I learned they’re opening on Friday, May 3. Reservations are now open. Two things to note:
• As with any restaurant, you’ll likely have a better experience if you give them a few weeks before you go.
• Tock accepts reservations for one to five guests. For six or more, you have to call the restaurant.
These are the hours manager Garrett Dosch gave me last week; if I were you, I’d call (515-674-2080) before heading out—things are often in flux with new restaurants.
Lunch: Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dinner: Tuesday through Thursday: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday/Saturday: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Great News for Rhubarb Lovers
The Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market returns this Saturday. Tart maker extraordinaire Tami Johnson will be selling her famed Tami’s Tarts from her usual spot (4th St south of Court), every Saturday in May. This Saturday, one of the choices will be a fan-favorite, rhubarb custard. These are unbelievably good.
Why Can’t More Places Do This?
Ever hanker for a little treat with your coffee, only to be faced with supersized cookies and monster-size bars—often three times more than what you really want to eat (or pay for)? At Zanzibar’s Coffee Adventure (723 Ingersoll Ave.; 515-244-7647) recently, I spotted these sane-size bars and I thought: how nice. They also serve perfectly snack-sized cookies, quick breads, and pies. Why can’t more places do this?
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And Don’t Forget the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative! Check out what these writers from all over Iowa have been writing about recently in this quick-to-read roundup.
Thanks again for reading Wini’s Food Stories. Enjoy these beautiful days of spring and the wonderful foods the season brings our way—
Wini
Thanks again, Wini!! Love the picture.
Fetching photograph of the author.