Five Tricks to Dining at Clyde's Fine Diner
Never mind the James Beard hype. Just enjoy the restaurant for what it is: a buzzy and fun spot for careful-casual food.
Review of Clyde’s Fine Diner
111 East Grand Ave.; (515) 243-3686
Dinner: Tuesday - Saturday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Happy Hour: Tuesday - Saturday, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Lunch: Thursday - Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
When I dined at Clyde’s Fine Diner last December, I was thoroughly charmed and enjoyed my meal so much that I added Clyde’s to my list of recommended downtown dining spots.
On January 24, it was announced that Clyde’s chef-owner, Chris Hoffman, was named a “Best Chef-Midwest” semifinalist for the James Beard Chef and Restaurants awards. I was happy for him and proud that a Des Moines restaurant had once again made the list (our city had been shut out the year before).
Remembering my pleasant experience last winter, I returned to Clyde’s earlier this spring. Sadly, I left less than over-the-moon about the meal. Still, I was compelled to give it another try—two more times, in fact.
I have now d…