Au Courant is by far perhaps one of the best restaurants in the Midwest, in my opinion. We visited in May 2025 to enjoy dinner prior to an opera performance (thanks for the suggestion, Wini!). Enjoyed the multi-course tasting menu with wine pairing. Every course was amazing, the flavors thoughtfully and masterfully combined. Our server was top-notch in professionalism - her enthusiastic descriptions of where and how ingredients were sourced (locally!) were full of honesty and pride, without lofty and irrelevant verbiage. (amazed to learn of a grower actually cultivating morels - and doing it well). Knowing we were on a timeline to be in our opera seats, she kept service moving along without feeling rushed. The sommelier (?)/host/person who seemed to be in charge (Ben? Brian? I am terrible with remembering names!) was OUTSTANDING! The wine pours were consistent and just the right volume, he brought each bottle to the table with each course and provided thorough information on all aspects of the wine. He sensed we are wine enthusiasts from our comments, answered our questions and engaged in intelligent and thoughtful conversation regarding wine. Learned from our server that he meets with his distributors on Mondays to purchase beverages for the week. At that time he only has a vague outline of what the Chef is considering for the tasting menu which comes out on Thursday. I think you have to have a broad width of knowledge and exceptional palate to decide on wine pairings without even tasting the food, or even having a complete idea of what to expect. Huge respect for this man! When he learned we were from Des Moines he shared he was from Iowa City, we had a delightful conversation about Iowa and Nebraska. At the end of the meal, he surprised us with complimentary Amaro digestif, which was absolutely what we needed after a very satisfying and filling meal before settling into 3 + hours of Handel. The pairings were spot on, all the courses were A+, we left feeling sated and happy, both physically and mentally. Emphasis on local, local local, menu changes weekly, beverage pairings are spot on, and it is ridiculously affordable. I believe it was 6 courses, each one not just a tiny bit of food placed with tweezers, but also not a "Midwest too-large-portion." If memory serves, I think with the beverage pairing it was something like $120-$130 per person. It definitely was less than $150 per. To enjoy such a variety of courses, with perfectly paired beverages, for that price, is unheard of. Nothing in Des Moines compares, if you're looking for creatively crafted cuisine with locally sourced ingredients, coupled with unique and thoughtful beverage pairings and welcoming and professional service. My only small complaint was the music - it was a bizarre mix of hits from across the decades. And a bit loud. We were there when they opened, not many people, as more tables were seated the volume did get turned down. It was just odd/not my cup of tea to be savoring a course while listening to "Thriller."
Bottom line, Au Courant is definitely worth a trip to Omaha. Stay the night, and explore the Gene Leahy Mall, the Riverfront, and the Old Market district. And the Benson neighborhood where Au Courant is located, a funky neighborhood with a great vibe. Or visit the famous Omaha Zoo. Whatever your pleasure, Omaha has a lot to offer - and only a 2 hour drive from Des Moines! And if you're looking for a great old-school style breakfast, Bailey's is the place. House-made corned beef and hash - best I've ever had. In a strip mall, odd location, challenging parking, always busy - but classic and worth the wait for a seat.
Janean--it makes me so happy when I connect readers to restaurants they love, so I'm glad this happened.
Indeed, Au Courant is a superior restaurant, and I would also agree that nothing in Des Moines compares. In fact, last autumn, when some friends we knew from when we lived in Ann Arbor (back in the early 90s), were passing through on I-80 from California back to Michigan, they wanted to meet us in DSM for dinner one night. I would have cooked for them, but our condo is being remodeled. I wanted to go somewhere really special, as we hadn't seen them for 25 years, and we were incredibly fond of these fellow food lovers.
I could not think of a place in Des Moines that would fit the bill. Sure, we have some good restaurants, but they're so inconsistent these days, and I didn't want to roll the dice on such an important night. So I told them to stop in Omaha and we'd go to Au Courant. I wanted it to be an incredibly special night, and I wanted a sure thing. A.C. completely delivered, 100%. It was such a memorable night, and we capped it off a nightcap at La Buvette and a walk through the Leahy Mall area. A memorable night that truly rekindled our friendship.
We have a place, in Luther Iowa, just us IA 17,past Madrid. whatchasmokin BBQ. They have been out at the fair the last 2 years which explains why one has to time when to go there, we find a week day about 2 pm works well. Des Moines lacks a real BBQ place on the West side of town. Where there is a smoker with brisket , oh dear, I am drooling over the keyboard. Maybe someone would buy George the Chili King's place and put one there. I 'd be a regular. https://www.whatchasmokinbbq.com/
I was fine with the Webster's sharing model the first couple times I went, but suddenly, I realized that I ALWAYS had too much food there, and was never able to order, say, the biscuits to start with (a table of two doesn't need five biscuits) or truly partake in all the delights, without leaving too much on the table. (Yeah, you can take food home, but that's never why I go out). As such, I truly won't go back to the Webster unless I'm with at least three people. But when I do, I know it will be a wonderful meal.
I have a brother who has lived in Omaha for 60 years. He and his wife rave about Au Courant. While the wife is not a sushi fan, over Christmas their son and his fiancé, visiting from LA, ate at Yoshitomo and said they would put it up against LA sushi restaurants. By the way, the son’s (my nephew) name is Drew Hancock. He has been a script writer for tv shows and also directed and wrote the script for a movie released at the end of 2024 (“Companion”), which got excellent reviews from KCCI, Washington Post and NYTimes (93% on Rotten Tomatoes) and is available to rent on Amazon Prime. It is kind of a thriller with some sci-fi. Jack Quaid, Dennis Quaid’s son, is one of the main characters. I apologize for the nonfood plug.
Yeah--Au Courant is IT. That place stands out. See my above comment to Janean--it was my choice, above any others on the I-80 stretch--to meet friends blowing through from California to Ann Arbor. It was perfect.
And Yoshitomo, again, yes. There truly isn't a place like it in Des Moines, which makes it worth the drive.
Time for a road trip! Thanks, Wini.
Honestly--it really is! These places can be cozy in winter
Au Courant is by far perhaps one of the best restaurants in the Midwest, in my opinion. We visited in May 2025 to enjoy dinner prior to an opera performance (thanks for the suggestion, Wini!). Enjoyed the multi-course tasting menu with wine pairing. Every course was amazing, the flavors thoughtfully and masterfully combined. Our server was top-notch in professionalism - her enthusiastic descriptions of where and how ingredients were sourced (locally!) were full of honesty and pride, without lofty and irrelevant verbiage. (amazed to learn of a grower actually cultivating morels - and doing it well). Knowing we were on a timeline to be in our opera seats, she kept service moving along without feeling rushed. The sommelier (?)/host/person who seemed to be in charge (Ben? Brian? I am terrible with remembering names!) was OUTSTANDING! The wine pours were consistent and just the right volume, he brought each bottle to the table with each course and provided thorough information on all aspects of the wine. He sensed we are wine enthusiasts from our comments, answered our questions and engaged in intelligent and thoughtful conversation regarding wine. Learned from our server that he meets with his distributors on Mondays to purchase beverages for the week. At that time he only has a vague outline of what the Chef is considering for the tasting menu which comes out on Thursday. I think you have to have a broad width of knowledge and exceptional palate to decide on wine pairings without even tasting the food, or even having a complete idea of what to expect. Huge respect for this man! When he learned we were from Des Moines he shared he was from Iowa City, we had a delightful conversation about Iowa and Nebraska. At the end of the meal, he surprised us with complimentary Amaro digestif, which was absolutely what we needed after a very satisfying and filling meal before settling into 3 + hours of Handel. The pairings were spot on, all the courses were A+, we left feeling sated and happy, both physically and mentally. Emphasis on local, local local, menu changes weekly, beverage pairings are spot on, and it is ridiculously affordable. I believe it was 6 courses, each one not just a tiny bit of food placed with tweezers, but also not a "Midwest too-large-portion." If memory serves, I think with the beverage pairing it was something like $120-$130 per person. It definitely was less than $150 per. To enjoy such a variety of courses, with perfectly paired beverages, for that price, is unheard of. Nothing in Des Moines compares, if you're looking for creatively crafted cuisine with locally sourced ingredients, coupled with unique and thoughtful beverage pairings and welcoming and professional service. My only small complaint was the music - it was a bizarre mix of hits from across the decades. And a bit loud. We were there when they opened, not many people, as more tables were seated the volume did get turned down. It was just odd/not my cup of tea to be savoring a course while listening to "Thriller."
Bottom line, Au Courant is definitely worth a trip to Omaha. Stay the night, and explore the Gene Leahy Mall, the Riverfront, and the Old Market district. And the Benson neighborhood where Au Courant is located, a funky neighborhood with a great vibe. Or visit the famous Omaha Zoo. Whatever your pleasure, Omaha has a lot to offer - and only a 2 hour drive from Des Moines! And if you're looking for a great old-school style breakfast, Bailey's is the place. House-made corned beef and hash - best I've ever had. In a strip mall, odd location, challenging parking, always busy - but classic and worth the wait for a seat.
Janean--it makes me so happy when I connect readers to restaurants they love, so I'm glad this happened.
Indeed, Au Courant is a superior restaurant, and I would also agree that nothing in Des Moines compares. In fact, last autumn, when some friends we knew from when we lived in Ann Arbor (back in the early 90s), were passing through on I-80 from California back to Michigan, they wanted to meet us in DSM for dinner one night. I would have cooked for them, but our condo is being remodeled. I wanted to go somewhere really special, as we hadn't seen them for 25 years, and we were incredibly fond of these fellow food lovers.
I could not think of a place in Des Moines that would fit the bill. Sure, we have some good restaurants, but they're so inconsistent these days, and I didn't want to roll the dice on such an important night. So I told them to stop in Omaha and we'd go to Au Courant. I wanted it to be an incredibly special night, and I wanted a sure thing. A.C. completely delivered, 100%. It was such a memorable night, and we capped it off a nightcap at La Buvette and a walk through the Leahy Mall area. A memorable night that truly rekindled our friendship.
We have a place, in Luther Iowa, just us IA 17,past Madrid. whatchasmokin BBQ. They have been out at the fair the last 2 years which explains why one has to time when to go there, we find a week day about 2 pm works well. Des Moines lacks a real BBQ place on the West side of town. Where there is a smoker with brisket , oh dear, I am drooling over the keyboard. Maybe someone would buy George the Chili King's place and put one there. I 'd be a regular. https://www.whatchasmokinbbq.com/
Thanks for the recommendation. That place is SO popular, so it's good to know when to go. Thanks for the tip.
I was fine with the Webster's sharing model the first couple times I went, but suddenly, I realized that I ALWAYS had too much food there, and was never able to order, say, the biscuits to start with (a table of two doesn't need five biscuits) or truly partake in all the delights, without leaving too much on the table. (Yeah, you can take food home, but that's never why I go out). As such, I truly won't go back to the Webster unless I'm with at least three people. But when I do, I know it will be a wonderful meal.
I have a brother who has lived in Omaha for 60 years. He and his wife rave about Au Courant. While the wife is not a sushi fan, over Christmas their son and his fiancé, visiting from LA, ate at Yoshitomo and said they would put it up against LA sushi restaurants. By the way, the son’s (my nephew) name is Drew Hancock. He has been a script writer for tv shows and also directed and wrote the script for a movie released at the end of 2024 (“Companion”), which got excellent reviews from KCCI, Washington Post and NYTimes (93% on Rotten Tomatoes) and is available to rent on Amazon Prime. It is kind of a thriller with some sci-fi. Jack Quaid, Dennis Quaid’s son, is one of the main characters. I apologize for the nonfood plug.
Wow--your nephew's living the dream! Awesome.
Yeah--Au Courant is IT. That place stands out. See my above comment to Janean--it was my choice, above any others on the I-80 stretch--to meet friends blowing through from California to Ann Arbor. It was perfect.
And Yoshitomo, again, yes. There truly isn't a place like it in Des Moines, which makes it worth the drive.