dsmWeekly - May 15, 2024

Want to test a restaurant? Order the roast chicken.

Six specific tips from local food experts

Over the last few weeks, dsm organized a series of focus groups with local restaurateurs, food producers, food writers, community leaders and others to discuss food, dining and agriculture. What are Central Iowa’s best assets and toughest challenges? What would it take to make Des Moines a world-class food destination? And how could dsm support those efforts?

The “big picture” discussions were fascinating, with plenty to chew on. But the opinions really started to fly when we asked for specifics. Here are just a few tasty bites of news you can use right now.

Jessica Dunker, president and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association, encouraged folks to order the roast chicken when they’re trying a restaurant for the first time. If the kitchen team does that well, chances are, they do other things well, too.

Kathy Fehrman, who co-owns Oak Park, said don’t be shy about eating at the bar, not only at Oak Park but other popular spots like Aposto and Jesse’s Embers. You can scoot in without a reservation, order from the main menu and enjoy top-notch service.

Kevin Hall with the Iowa Pork Producers Association recommended pulled pork from the Flying Elbow in Marshalltown, which recently won the association’s annual Pulled Pork Madness competition.

Sammy Mila, who owns Crème, slathered praise on the chicken kebabs with green sauce at the Green Olive. She said the sauce “is everything chimichurri wants to be.”

Jennifer Miller, a former Des Moines Register food writer who now works for Grinnell Mutual, talked up the Dutch Letter Twister at Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe in Prairie City. Their version of Dairy Queen’s Blizzard is studded with crushed-up bits of pastry. But hurry: They serve it only in May.

Karla Walsh, who writes for dsm and publications nationwide, recommended the book “Unreasonable Hospitality,” by the New York restaurateur who was 26 when he took charge of a struggling eatery named Eleven Madison Park. Barely a decade later, it was named the best restaurant in the world.

B. Well is back, with a new album and some big plans. (Photo: Tobias "Borg" Tyler)

BEST BET

For his new album release, B. Well puts his ‘money’ where his mouth is

In case you missed it, local performance artist Billy Weathers, aka B. Well, dropped his latest album, “Money Well Made,” last Friday. The record is the musician’s first release since 2022, and it explores themes of perseverance, community and personal growth.

To celebrate, the artist is hosting an album release party this Friday at Wooly’s, where he plans to convert the stage into a 360-degree immersive experience to create an arena-stage vibe. “I use Wooly’s as a blank canvas anytime I get a chance to perform there,” he said. “This time, it's going to be an all-encompassing experience, something truly special.”

Weathers is also teaming up with other local businesses, including the stationery shop Moglea and floral company Wildflower, and he is collaborating with fellow Des Moines musicians Annie Kemble and Teller Bank$. “The access to talent in Des Moines is unparalleled,” he said. “There’s a lot of talented people here, so whenever I have a platform, I feel like it’s my responsibility to share that with other artists.”

The party gives him an excuse to celebrate his hometown as much as his new album, and he encourages others to do the same. “Cities become cool because of support for the people that are in your city doing cool things,” he said. “Or you just continue to do cool things yourself.”

The Week Ahead

“Des Monies (Da Money)” art and fashion gallery (6-9 p.m. Thursday): Creative duo Berchell Egerton and Scott Bruxvoort showcase their blend of photography and sustainable fashion at a pop-up event in the Surety Hotel solarium.

“The Secret Agency” (6:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday): The Grammy-winning “family funk phenomenon” known as Secret Agent 23 Skidoo combines hip-hop and science fiction into an imaginative show for all ages. His shows as Water Works Park and Riverview Park kick off the free outdoor series Des Moines Performing Arts presents this summer across the metro.

The Peking Acrobats (11 a.m. Saturday): The limber acrobats tumble, juggle, somersault and perform other gravity-defying feats as part of the Des Moines Performing Arts Family Series at the Des Moines Civic Center.

Greenbelt Music Festival (2 p.m.-midnight Friday, 1 p.m.-midnight Saturday): This year’s indoor-outdoor shindig at the Horizon Events Center on the Clive Greenbelt Trail features Umphrey’s McGee, Railroad Earth, the Yonder Mountain String Band and plenty more.

Damani Phillips with Mitch Towne and Ernie Adams (6 p.m. Saturday): Ever heard a saxophone, drum and organ trio? Now’s your chance! Head to Noce for some sweet hot beats.

Valley Junction Arts Festival (10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday): More than 50 artists gather to share their creative work along the historic six blocks of Fifth Street in West Des Moines. While you’re there, check out the live entertainment and art demonstrations.

COMMUNITY
LGBTQ Leaders announced: We are pleased to announce the 2024 recipients of dsm’s sixth annual LGBTQ Legacy Leader awards, who will be the guests of honor at a celebration on Sept. 12 at the River Center. They are: MD Isley (he/him) is the vice president for academic affairs at Des Moines Area Community College and was the first executive director of Bravo Greater Des Moines; Dan Jansen (he/him) helped found the Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce and recently chaired the board of Capital City Pride; Erin Sheriff (she/her) is a senior actuary for Principal Financial Group, where she leads its efforts for nonbinary gender inclusion; Daniel Zinnel (he/him) is the CEO of Proteus and formerly served as executive director of One Iowa. Shea Daniels (she/her) is the inaugural Emerging LGBTQ Legacy Leader. She is an engineering manager at Dwolla and its first openly trans employee. Natali Justiniano Pahl (she/her) is this year’s Ally honoree. She is an executive coach and longtime advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion with experience at EMC Insurance Companies, Principal Financial Group and Wells Fargo. Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees.

With all the farmers markets in the metro, you'll have your pick of the crop all season. (Photo: Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market)

COMMUNITY

Your day-by-day guide to the farmers markets

By Karla Walsh

Farmers market season is here, and we’ve compiled a handy guide to the markets across the metro. Consider this your summer bucket list: Can you make it to them all?

Monday: Pleasant Hill Community Farmers Market (4-7 p.m. in the Berean Church parking lot starting June 3). This small but mighty market is the place to be if you didn’t get your shopping done over the weekend.

Tuesday: Beaverdale Farmers Market (4-7 p.m. on the west side of Franklin Junior High starting June 4). With plenty of fresh produce and brands like Pie Bird Pies, Veggie Thumper, Karam’s Mediterranean Grill and Scenic Route Bakery, Beaverdale is giving downtown some serious competition as the buzziest market in Des Moines.

Johnston Farmers Market (4-7 p.m. on the north side of the Johnston Town Center starting June 4). This evening market can help you restock your shelves and fridge, especially if you’re on the northwest side.

Wednesday: Waukee Farmers Market (4-7 p.m. in the Triangle starting June 5); Bondurant Farmers Market (6-8 p.m. along Main Street through Sept. 11). These two smaller markets still offer plenty of variety. Pick up everything from sourdough and sugar cookies to tomatoes and tubers, depending on the season. Bonus: Bondurant showcases live music every week.

Thursday: Valley Junction Farmers Market (4-8 p.m. along Fifth Street in Valley Junction through Sept. 26). After filling your reusable bag with produce and pies, pop into the brick-and-mortar stores, including Candle Bar DSM, Heart of Iowa Marketplace, Bozz Prints and MoMere before grabbing dinner at G. Mig’s or Cooper’s on Fifth.

Saturday: Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market (7 a.m.-noon along Court Avenue through October); LSI Global Greens Farmers Market (9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at 3200 University Ave.); Ankeny Farmers Market (8 a.m.-noon at Ankeny Market and Pavilion Park); and Heart of Des Moines (4-7 p.m. on select summer Saturdays starting June 8 at Sixth and Washington avenues). Options abound on Saturday. If you prefer to avoid the crowds, head to LSI’s central location, where your dollars will help support former refugees building small businesses. Up north, you’ll find Heart of Des Moines one Saturday per month. And in Ankeny, save room for lunch afterward at Trailside Tap.