New DSM Restaurants

The Breakfast Club's chicken and biscuit sandwich includes scrambled egg, fried chicken, pepperjack cheese and maple butter between jalapeno cheddar biscuits. Photo: The Breakfast Club

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FOOD AND DRINK

The Breakfast Club to Open Second Location

Writer: Karla Walsh

In case you hadn’t guessed by the nearly instant sold-out doughnut pop-ups and lines out the door at brunch spots including Eggs and Jam and Early Bird, Des Moines loves breakfast. Our “coming soon” news about the Breakfast Club ranked as the No. 1 most-read story of 2021 at dsmmagazine.com.
And now, a second location of the buzzy breakfast spot is coming in 2022 to West Glen Town Center (5525 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines) in the former West End Salvage space.

I reached out to Joe McConville after spotting a sign for “The Breakfast Club” hanging in the window of this new location last week to confirm the opening and learn more about when and why they’re launching a sequel.

“After seeing such good support at our East Village location, we realized there was also demand out West,” says McConville, chef/partner with the hospitality group Dark Side of the Spoon. “We have other concepts in the area and noticed it’s vibrant but underserved during the day.”

The menu will echo the East Village lineup, including Benedicts, waffles, pancakes, loaded hash browns, biscuits and gravy, sandwiches, and a few rotating seasonal recipes, plus boozy brunch drinks. “The vibe and feel will be very similar but much more natural light with high ceilings. It will also have a mezzanine area for busy times or for private groups,” McConville says.

The construction team is beginning the build-out, and the dining room should be open for business around late April. Follow along with the progress and stay tuned about opening day on facebook.com/breakfastclubusa.

And in even more restaurant news, our sister publication, the Business Record, yesterday reported that Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant, an upscale restaurant chain featuring wine tasting rooms and clubs, plans to open at 12801 University Ave. in Clive later this year or early 2023. Also, the national chain Cinnaholic Gourmet Cinnamon Rolls is opening a store in the East Village (505 E. Grand Ave.) and Slim Chickens will open a location in Ankeny (1730 N. Ankeny Blvd.) in May.

Sean Jones can play almost any musical genre or style, earning him the title of "musical chameleon." Photo: Civic Music Association

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

Sean Jones Quartet to Perform in West Des Moines

Act quickly to get your tickets because there is just one chance to experience the Sean Jones Quartet on Saturday. Civic Music Association is hosting Jones, a trumpeter and “musical chameleon,” at Staplin Performing Arts Center at Valley High School in West Des Moines. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.

Originally from Warren, Ohio, Jones traces his love for music back to his childhood; he sang and performed in the church choir and started playing trumpet at age 10. In addition to being a performer, Jones is a bandleader, composer and educator. Ticket prices range from $40 to $75 and are available to buy online. (Note: Masks are required at all Civic Music Association performances.)

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

Dome After Dark (6-9 p.m. Friday): Enjoy the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden after hours with mesmerizing lights splashed onto plants, plus food and drink from Trellis Cafe. Normal admission rates apply.

New Songs for a New Year with Tina Haase Findlay (7 p.m. Saturday): A New Year’s tradition at Noce, Tina Haase Findlay will perform songs never heard by her audiences and collaborate with new artists to start off 2022.

Vintage and Sustainable Market (10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday): Head to downtown Des Moines plant store Art Terrarium for this free local market full of vintage and sustainable finds, including fashion, home goods and more.

Women’s Basketball: Drake vs. Missouri State (2 p.m. Saturday): Catch the Drake women’s basketball team playing Missouri State at the Knapp Center.

ARTS AND CULTURE

Get your tickets: Two award-winning musicals are coming to the Des Moines Civic Center this spring, and your chance to get tickets is here. Tickets for March performances of “Hadestown,” (pictured) which blends two Greek myths into a compelling contemporary tale, went on sale Monday. But know that tickets are going fast! When we bought our tickets Monday, availability was already very limited. The blockbuster “Hamilton” will be back in Des Moines May 17 to June 5. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Jan. 24. Details and tickets: dmpa.org. Photo by T Charles Erickson.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Get inspired: Des Moines Area Community College announced speakers for the ciLive (Celebrate Innovation) series Monday, and, as always, it’s an impressive lineup. The event, March 9-10 at DMACC’s West Campus, will feature 11 national leaders in science, technology and the arts. They include Talithia Williams, host of the PBS series “NovaWonders” and a TED speaker; John de Lancie (pictured), actor, director and comedian best known for his role as Q in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and the current “Star Trek: Picard”; Jason Feifer, editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur magazine; and Jennifer Adler, underwater photojournalist and a trained free diver. For more info, go to dmacc.edu/ciweek.

ARTS AND CULTURE
Photo show: Polk County Heritage Gallery will open its annual photo show Jan. 17. This year’s exhibit, “Double Exposure,” features still photography shot exclusively on film cameras or cellphone cameras highlighting both “tradition and innovation,” according to organizers. An awards ceremony will be held Jan. 20; the show runs through Feb. 25. Visit polkcountryheritage.org for more details.

FOOD AND DRINK

An affair to remember: Limited tickets are still available for the annual "Indulge—A Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Affair," which will be Jan. 21-22 from 6 to 9 p.m. at West End Architectural Salvage in downtown Des Moines. Artisan cheeses and chocolates will be paired with wines from around the world. Tickets are $50; get them here.

Golden Hour has a scent for every season, mood and occasion. Find the shop at 520 S.W. Ninth St., Suite 104, just a few steps away from CK Design Co. Photo: Duane Tinkey

FAVORITE FINDS
Two New Home Shops Open Near Downtown

There’s no easier way to up your home’s post-holiday game than with new fragrance and accessories.

That’s why we love the new shop Golden Hour and neighbor retailer CK Design Co., both located in a mixed-use space on Southwest Ninth Street.

Golden Hour (goldenhourdsm.com) is all about candles and other home scents. Find seasonal offerings—we couldn’t resist a gin and juniper soy candle for the holidays and a wildflower-infused rose patchouli for spring—as well as cards and select home goods. The shop is open Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Just a few doors down, CK Design Co. stocks vintage and handmade goods for both home and body. Find kitchen accessories, vintage Turkish pillows, modern jewelry and more at the curated shop (shopckdesignco.com). Hours are Thursday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.