dsmWeekly: February 22, 2023

Whatever kind of day you're having, the macarons at Good Day DSM could make it better. The shop restocks every Saturday, so go then if you'd like to try each flavor.

FOOD AND DINING

Try Five New Spots for a Bite to Eat

Writer: Karla Walsh

Stuck in a restaurant rut? The list of local culinary options keeps expanding with new and diverse offerings to shake things up. We’ve already dished about Kinship Brewing Co.’s Barbarian tasting menu, as well as Mayalu Coffee, the new java stop on Fleur, and the Green Olive, its Mediterranean neighbor across the street.

But wait! There's more: Here are a five other spots that have opened in 2023 and are worth a visit:

Good Day DSM: Your day could be a bit sweeter if you make it over to Good Day DSM. Open Wednesday through Friday for specialty coffee drinks and Saturday and Sunday with their signature rainbow macarons, cookies and other baked goods (while they last), this colorful spot is breathing new life into Valley West Mall.

HomeGrown: For a beyond-basic brunch with your choice of pancakes (try the carrot cake variety), homemade pop tarts filled with jam, omelets, scrambles and more, check out this new Ingersoll cafe.

The Cork 50131: Whether you’re a newbie to wine or a seasoned sommelier, you’ll find a lot to love at this wine bar in Johnston Town Center. Sample several of its 120 wines in a flight, commit to a glass of your favorite, or share a bottle while you snack on charcuterie, flatbreads or dark chocolate lava cake.

Next of Kin: Jacob Demars’ twists on taproom fare prove that ale and porter pairings can go way beyond pretzels and wings. The Waukee brewery elevates the classic patty melt into a "pâté melt" stuffed with house-made pork and chicken pâté, gooey melted Gruyere and Kinship's lager-infused mustard. Instead of Ruffles and ranch, the chip board features fried corn tortillas with squash dip sprinkled with rosemary granola and cranberry relish.

Backpocket Pin and Pixel: In other brew news, Pac Man and pinball meet pizza, tacos, smashburgers, wings—and, of course, beer—at this Johnston Town Center party zone. Kids and teens are welcome until 9 p.m.; then the 21-plus crowd takes over until 10 p.m. or midnight, depending on the day.

Dancers from Ballet Des Moines, including Logan Hillman and his wife, Amelia Grubb Hillman, perform in this weekend's showcase of moves by George Balanchine and music by George Gershwin.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

See Ballet Des Moines Perform ‘Balanchine+’

Set your weekend soundtrack to classical and catch a performance of “Balanchine+” at Hoyt Sherman Place. Dancers from Ballet Des Moines will perform Friday and Saturday night, featuring choreography by George Balanchine (1929-1983), the groundbreaking co-founder and choreographer of the New York City Ballet, and music by the legendary George Gershwin (1898-1937).

The "+" in the title refers to a few new twists, including a new work the company's artistic director, Tom Mattingly, set to Sergei Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini."

Tickets for both nights are available online. The shows begin at 7 p.m.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

Des Moines Home + Garden Show (Thursday through Sunday): Plant enthusiasts, interior decorators, home gardeners and DIY die-hards will find plenty of inspiration at the annual home and garden show this weekend at the Iowa Events Center. The event includes some 400 exhibitors, seven gardens, several presentations and a new Made in Iowa Market. You can also meet HGTV’s Mike Pyle and get his tips for your next garden redesign. Tickets are available online.

Sepia Club Revival (5 p.m. Friday): Mainframe Studios is hosting a special event to celebrate Black History Month and pay homage to the historic Center Street neighborhood. The program begins with artist Cameron Gray’s current video installation, followed by a collaboration between Ballet Des Moines and multidisciplinary artist Akwi Nji. Stick around for performances from B. Well and the soul-jazz organ trio MFKS. You can learn more about Center Street’s history and purchase tickets online.

Pianist Garrick Ohlsson (7:30 p.m. Saturday): The award-winning piano virtuoso Garrick Ohlsson performs Beethoven, Chopin and other classics during a one-night-only concert in the Lauridsen Great Pianists Series presented by the Civic Music Association at Sheslow Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now for his Des Moines debut.

Singer-songwriter Kelsie James at xBk (7 p.m. Sunday): Kelsie James celebrates the release of her debut EP album, “Songs About Daisies,” with a show at xBk, in the Drake neighborhood. The 16-year-old from Urbandale has already performed at the Roof Garden Ballroom at Arnolds Park, the Iowa State Fair and 80/35. Tickets to the release show are $10 in advance.

“Laugh Together” (7 p.m. Sunday): Teehee’s Comedy Club and local coffee roaster BLK & Bold join forces for a night of comedy, charity and culture in honor of Black History Month. The show spotlights local talents Clifton Antoine, Bernard Bell and Dante Powell, and proceeds will go to BLK & Bold’s national pledge partners and the local Spark Foundation. Tickets are still up for grabs.

Meanwhile, in Key West: Marine life is just waiting for you and your snorkel. Photography courtesy of Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

TRAVEL
Escape Iowa Winter to Tropical Miami

Writer: Beth Eslinger

With a plethora of hip hotels, South Beach might tempt you to stay poolside with a mojito and your vacation read. But with two national parks, a string of keys stretching southwest and Little Havana to explore, the bustling city might just keep you on your toes.

Our pick for the stay is Miami Beach, a barrier island between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. A mix of resorts and hotels, including boutique options in the Art Deco Historic District, feature upscale suites, spas, award-winning eateries and chic pools.

In Little Havana browse galleries, cafes and restaurants on a guided or self-guided tour. For a quick visit, Calle Cocho is a concentrated area with live music, cafe con leche, mojitos and cigars.

For a longer detour, rent a car and head south. It’s 165 miles to Key West on the southern tip, but shorter day-trips will take you to Everglades National Park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (great snorkeling) and Key Largo for all sorts of water sports and fresh seafood. Key West is a solid three hours from Miami, so plan on an overnight to explore the Hemingway sites and seafood eateries in the laid-back town.

Get there: American (check specific dates online). Allegiant flies direct to Fort Lauderdale, about an hour to the north, with flights on Mondays and Fridays.

Average February temps: 75/64.

For more fun-and-sun destinations in Florida, read our recent story at dsmmagazine.com.