Iowa

Aposto at The Scala House, Des Moines, 4/27/26

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Scala house – 644 18th St, Des Moines, IA 50314-1043

Aposto was in an 1880 Victorian mansion with dimmed lights and a seasonally changing menu.  The concept was created by restauranteur Tony Lemmo offering modern classical Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.  The place was formerly called Cafe di Scala but reopened under the present name in Jan 2016.  The new name was chosen because it means “everything is right.”  They are proud of their wine list and cocktail program.  USA Today named it one of the most romantic restaurants in America this year.  Black cloths cover the tables on the wood floors with views out the many windows and music in the background.  There was a bar for seating and also a patio.  A mix of ages and dress was in the guests, many of which were celebrating that special occasion.  It may not be the best ever but for Des Moines it’s a winner and if you’re in the area you should get a reservation and try it. Continue reading →

Manhattan Deli, Des Moines, 4/25/26

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exterior – 3705 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312

Manhattan Deli serves classic deli sandwiches and has been doing so for 40 years.  They have a large array of choices as well as a daily special that knocks a dollar off the price.   It’s a large place with a long counter where you order, that also held some sandwich samples and salads to go.  There are some tables in this room but also a second room with lots of booths and tables.  Lots of windows keep this second room bright and the walls are decorated with art and such.  The service people were friendly and the place was clean and fairly popular judging by the crowds but the sandwiches didn’t spark for us so we trashed them and went back for another Chicago Italian beef from A Taste of Italy. Continue reading →

Harbinger, Des Moines, 4/24/26

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entrance – 2724 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312

Harbinger is owned by Chef Joe Tripp who has been a semifinalist 5 times (nominated 7 times) for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef Midwest award.  He is assisted by a fine team who traveled with him to Asia to find new ingredients, cooking techniques and flavors,  Opening in 2018 the menu changes regularly as seasonal ingredients become available.  The menu is just one page and many of the dishes are meant to be shared.  We were there duing their 9 year anniversary celebration and so a special 9-course tasting menu was available for just $99 and we both jumped at the opportunity.  The medium-sized place looked to hold about 50 people with additional seats at the bar.  The open kitchen was at one end of the space with windows to the street opposite it.  Music was in the background, lights were dimmed and the wood floor was opposite a painted tin ceiling.   It was super busy with several tables turning over when we arrived and thus got off to a slow start but it was worth it – the food was fabulous and creative.  Service was very friendly even if sometimes a bit jumbled, but then they had a new person working on the floor with the experienced ones.  I know what we had isn’t on the regular menu but it showed me a quality and talent that lets me know it’s a place I’d heartily recommend you try.   Relaxed, casual and food full of flavor- it’s a winning combination. Continue reading →

A Taste of Italy, Clive, Iowa, 4/24/26

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exterior – 8421 University Blvd, Ste D, Clive, IA 50325

A Taste of Italy is a small neighborhood Italian grocery and deli with a few tables for dining inside or out.  Todd Ferin opened it in June 1996 to provide quality Italian products to customers and sandwiches featuring premium meats and cheeses.  Clive is a small town just north of West Des Moines, so about 15 minutes from the city center.  One of their most popular sandwiches is the Chicago beef sandwich, which is what we split.  The counter is at the back of the place and your order there and they will call your name if it’s to go or bring it to you at your table if you want to eat in.  It was an incredible sandwich and one I’d heartily recommend to you if you are in the Des Moines area.  The people are friendly and the flavor will totally satisfy you.  It was so good when we tried another place the next day we tossed those sandwiches and came back here for another.  Don’t miss this place. Continue reading →

Oak Park, Des Moines, 4/23/26

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entrance – 3901 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312

Oak Park opened in 2023 in a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired building and under the kitchen of Executive Chef Ian Robertson and his wife Jess Robertson as Executive Pastry Chef.  Together they partner with many local farmers and growers to create a modern American seasonal menu.  He was a semifinalist for the James Beard Best Chef Midwest award in 2026.  The menu was a la carte but there was a chef’s table option however right now it is only available for groups of 4-6.  I urged them to consider a communal table so pairs could participate – we’ll see.    It had a much larger wine list than other Des Moines places we looked into and that’s a plus in their column.  The building looked large from the outside but inside it was divided in a horseshoe shaped set of rooms wrapped around the bar area.  White tablecloths drape the nice sized tables that look out the many windows on the walls.  The opposite walls were brick and decorated with fun art pieces involving food and drink.  Nice jazz music was in the background and the space felt elegant yet comfortable.  Our server, Anthony was very informed about the new spring menu that had rolled out last week and helped us design a tasting of sorts, where we split a number of fun plates.  It should be on your list when you visit Des Moines. Continue reading →

Graziano Brothers, Des Moines, 4/23/26

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building – 1601 S Union St, Des Moines, IA 50315

Graziano Brothers has been in business since 1912 and are known for their Italian sausage.  It was founded by Francesco and Luigi Graziano who immigrated to America in 1903, then worked for the Great Western Railway and finally settled in Des Moines to start a grocery business.  Now the small grocery is in an area known as Little Italy.  It looks like a large business from the building but it’s a relatively small indoor space that’s packed with shelves of Italian products.  In the back of the store is the deli counter where lots of people were standing with no sign of where to order.  It’s the midwest, though, and people are friendly so conversations start.  In a short while one of the staff behind the counter nods to who’s next and takes their order as well as a few folks behind and then leaves to go make the orders. With a number of people waiting for sandwiches it was hard not to get in the way of the shoppers with baskets but all was congenial.   There are no tables inside or out so all orders are to go or eaten in your car, but there is a lot of parking.  The latter is what we did, which isn’t the best for photos or neatness but the sausage sandwich was worth the trouble.  Give it a try when you’re in the area. Continue reading →