Now seriously, why would you rather be anywhere this evening other than at the free, public jamboree celebrating a new issue of dsm magazine? We'll be in party mode from 5 to 7 p.m. today (Tuesday, Jan. 8), at the Sheraton West Des Moines, 1800 50th St.

Our regulars know the routine: Drop in anytime during this fun, mingle-friendly party, with brief remarks and distribution of magazines at 6 p.m. You’ll get some food and beverages as well as a warm reception. If you haven’t attended one of these before, make a New Year’s resolution to join in the fun.

The beef and lamb meatball bowl, samosa and eggrolls, Sisig roasted pork bowl, and an assortment of chutneys and sauces.

The food at Lola's Fine Kitchen in Ankeny is inspired by owner Hannah Elliot’s mother, who is Filipino, and her paternal grandmother, who is Pakistani. For many of us, that might be a head-scratcher. What, exactly, will come to the table?

It helps to know how to order: Approach this venue as you would Noodles and Company (though with higher expectations). That is, it's a build-your-bowl kind of place. Start with your base of choice (such as mung bean noodles, rice pilaf, cabbage or quinoa-cauliflower), then add protein (adobo, tandoori, or crispy chicken; lentils; marinated pork; or lamb and beef meatballs) or vegetable fritters. Add a choice of side from the numerous veggie, pickle and salad options, and then choose from among a dozen sauces, such as green chutney, mango chutney, fire sauce or sweet chili sauce.

What you'll get is the gratification of traditional, age-old recipes with the energy and freshness of a contemporary chef.

Still, if ordering all that sounds a little complicated, you can always go for a pre-designed bowl. I was thrilled with the beef and lamb meatball bowl, with green and red chutney, rice pilaf and Paki Pico, a chutney-dressed salad of cucumber, tomato and onion.

There's just so much to explore here that the best advice I can offer the first-time visitor is to be sure to order a round of samosa for the table. Filled with spiced potatoes, sweet potatoes and peas, these fried savory pastries come with a selection of chutneys and sauces, allowing you to seize on a favorite in the most pleasurable of ways. I personally discovered that I’ll never head here without getting something with green chutney; the vivid cilantro, parsley and mint sauce goes with everything.

Lola's Fine Kitchen is at 1615 S.W. Main St., Suite 106, Ankeny; 515-289-9302; lolasfinekitchen.com.

Wini Moranville writes about food, wine and dining for dsm magazine and dsmWeekly. Follow her on Facebook at All Things Food–DSM.

The authors are coming! The Des Moines Public Library announced today the lineup of speakers for this spring's AViD (Authors Visiting in Des Moines) Series, now in its 19th year. Other than the first program, all presentations in this free, public series begin at 7 p.m. in the Central Library.

Included are best-selling writers, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, a National Book Award finalist, a Man Booker Prize finalist and a NAACP Image Award winner, and the authors of some of 2018’s most revered and acclaimed works of fiction and nonfiction. We're looking forward to all of these:

Susan Orlean – Saturday, March 30
The library is partnering with the DSM Book Festival to bring author Susan Orlean as a featured speaker at the festival in Capital Square. Orlean is the author of the acclaimed 2018 best-seller "The Library Book," as well as the 1998 nonfiction classic "The Orchid Thief," which was adapted into a feature film, "Adaptation."

Frankel is the author of the best-selling novel "This Is How It Always Is," the story of a family struggling with the challenges of raising a transgender child. The author is the mother of a transgender child, as well.



Madeline Miller – Thursday, May 16
Madeline Miller’s 2018 novel, "Circe," was a New York Times No. 1 best-seller, appeared on dozens of best-of lists, and was named the Booklist 2018 book of the year. The novel, a retelling of the story of the goddess Circe, recasts the infamous figure from "The Odyssey" into a feminist hero.

Chivers is a respected war correspondent and a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner for The New York Times, including the 2017 award for feature writing. His 2018 book, "The Fighters," tells the story of American combatants in the Middle East, exploring the consequences of military decisions.

Ballet BC, the contemporary dance company based in Vancouver, British Columbia, will perform and present workshops at the Civic Center in May. For other fun opportunities, explore a pair of easy-to-use online calendars. We at dsm magazine and the Business Record maintain this calendar with handy filters so you can see just the types of events you're searching for. For even more categories, check Catch Des Moines.