Farm Dinners in Norwalk

Rose Farm in Norwalk has plenty of fresh food options at its events, like this cactus salad with roasted cherry tomatoes and fresh mint (left) or bistro-style warm lentil salad with bacon (top right). Bottom right is esquites (sauteed corn with fresh herbs and cotija cheese).

FOOD AND FUN AT ROSE FARM IN NORWALK

Writer: Karla Walsh

As the sun was slowly setting behind the pumpkin- and wreath-adorned chic farm shed, amidst the sound of jazz music and glasses clinking, the entree was served at one of the most unforgettable dinners I’ve experienced This year. The hosts: Karri Rose, chef James Oseland and the Rose Farm team.

Even though this was more than a week ago, I can’t stop thinking about the long, communal table of friends—old and new that night—alongside the gorgeous scenery, elegantly executed yet casual cuisine and, of course, several vibrant floral bouquets straight from the farm just steps away.

Rose Farm began in 2018 and is situated on a 25-acre plot in Norwalk. In addition to being the land that grows thousands of cutting flowers for bouquets, it also now includes the Shoppe (opened in 2020), a curated boutique of farmhouse-style goods. (Ahem, early-bird holiday gift shoppers: Candles and kitchen tools and decor abound.) The property has grown to host a variety of public dinners, including the one I attended that raised funds to support Wildwood Hills Ranch’s work to help combat food insecurity among at-risk youths in Central Iowa. And there’s a full slate of classes each season that focus on florals, art and cooking, many of which elevate local entrepreneurs and small businesses.

As much as I adore a grapevine wreath and watercolor session, my ears perked up when I heard about the wide variety of food-focused fun ahead:

Nov. 11: Strawberry Rhubarb Hand Pies.
Nov. 14: Winter Brunch.
Dec. 4: Family-Friendly Gingerbread House.
Dec. 9: Cinnamon Rolls.
Dec. 12: Family-Friendly Gingerbread House.
Dec.16: Adult Gingerbread House.
Dec. 18: Christmas Cookies.

Follow Rose Farm at facebook.com/rosefarmstead and on Instagram at @rosefarmstead. Visit their website to stay up to date and find ticket information.

Drinks, both cocktails and wine, are the name of the game at the New Northwestern Cocktail and Wine Bar, which opened a few weeks ago. Photo: New Northwestern Cocktail and Wine Bar

2 NEW DINING SPOTS TO TRY AROUND TOWN

If you're looking to try some recently opened restaurants or bars, here are two that caught our eye.

New Northwestern Cocktail and Wine Bar (321 E. Walnut St.): Opened a few weeks ago, this East Village venue, located in a 1916 building that once housed an elegant hotel, specializes in drinks and a seasonal food menu. There are 10 specialty cocktails to choose from, including the Forty-Eight Flat, made with gin, fernet, bee pollen honey syrup, lemon and angostura bitters. Another favorite is Wayne's A-Train (mezcal, cointreau, luxardo, gernadine, orange bitters and orange). Hours are 3-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 3 p.m.-midnight Friday-Sunday.

Proudfoot and Bird (1000 Walnut St.): Offering steaks, pasta, seafood and more, this restaurant opened last week in the Hotel Fort Des Moines. You can pair your meal with cocktails, local and regional brews, and wine. If you're looking for something lighter, choose one of the small plates, such as butternut squash soup, truffle parmesan fries or shishito peppers. Weekday hours are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-10 p.m. (closes at 11 p.m. Friday). Weekend hours are 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-11 p.m. Saturday; 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m. Sunday.

Ballet Des Moines and dancers from Chicago-based Para.Mar show kids from Oakridge Neighborhood a few moves. The organizations will come together for a night of dance on Oct. 22 at Evelyn K. Davis Park.

BALLET TO PERFORM ACROSS THE METRO

Ballet Des Moines is partnering with award-winning choreographer Stephanie Martinez and her Chicago-based company, Para.Mar, for a series of performances across Greater Des Moines, culminating with a show at at the Civic Center on Oct. 29 featuring Martinez's ballet "kiss." The series will include children from numerous youth organizations, including Oakridge Neighborhood and the Gregory & Suzie Glazer Burt Boys & Girls Club.

The schedule kicks off Thursday and continues through the weekend:

Free performances
Oct. 21 (6:30-8 p.m. at Ballet Des Moines Studio, 121 S. 11th St., West Des Moines)
Limited free tickets are available for open studio rehearsal with Martinez and the dancers of Ballet Des Moines. For more information, contact Jami Milne, jami@balletdesmoines.org.

Oct. 22 (5:30-7:30 p.m. at Evelyn K Davis Park, 1400 Forest Ave., Des Moines)
Martinez and her company, Para.Mar, will partner with Oakridge Neighborhood Youth, the Gregory & Suzie Glazer Burt Boys & Girls Club, and DK Imamu Akachi for an evening of ballet and community engagement.

Oct. 23 (3-5 p.m. at 1221 Willis Ave., Perry)
Join Al Éxito, Los Laureles Ballet Folklorico, and Hispanics United for Perry for an afternoon of ballet.

Paid performance
Oct. 29 (7:30 p.m. at Des Moines Civic Center)
Martinez will present her ballet, "kiss," to Des Moines. Tickets are $44.50-$81.50.

Music Director Joseph Giunta will lead the Des Moines Symphony in its second Masterworks series performance of the 2021-22 season. Photo: Des Moines Symphony

SYMPHONY PRESENTS 2ND MASTERWORKS SHOW

The Des Moines Symphony will present "Tchaikovsky's Fourth," which will feature scores from Beethoven, George Walker and Tchaikovsky, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Civic Center.

Jonathan Sturm (violin), Julie Sturm (cello) and Nicholas Roth (piano) will take center stage for Beethoven's "Triple Concerto," the second act in the show. The symphony will open with Walker's "Lyric for Strings" and end with "Tchaikovsky's Fourth," where "battles with fate are vividly realized in dreamlike, lyrical passages punctuated with cosmic joy and dramatic spectacle," organizers say. Tickets start at $15.

There will be plenty of appetizers as well as drinks and live music at Champagne and Chocolate at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden on Nov. 19. Photo: Ivory House Photography

NONPROFIT EVENTS TO MARK ON YOUR CALENDAR

Champagne and Chocolate (6-9 p.m., Nov. 19): The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden's annual holiday exhibition will feature champagne, chocolate and hors d'oeurves as well as performances by Ballet Des Moines, North High School Quintet and the Sheet. Tickets, which must be purchased before Oct. 22, are $100 for members; $125 for nonmembers; $75 for young professionals under 35.

The Titan Project (7-10 p.m., Nov. 11): The Titan Project, a local nonprofit serving active and retired military, will host its Fall Fundraiser and Social at the Hall, fittingly on Veterans Day. There will be food, beverages, a live auction and silent auction items. Admission is free.

Empty Bowls (6-8 p.m., Nov. 4): The Bidwell Riverside Center will host its fifth annual Empty Bowls fundraiser, raising awareness for its mission to increase stability and self-sufficiency in Des Moines as well as to address food insecurity. Each attendee will select a handmade ceramic bowl upon entering. The event includes live music, hors d’ouevres, dinner, dessert and a cash bar. Tickets start at $50.

Our 2021 LGBTQ Legacy Leader honorees. From left: Tim Hickman, Eugenia Kutsch-Stanton, Randy Mayer, John Schmacker, Elle Wyant, Dr. Kyle Christiason (ally).

STAY TUNED IN WITH THE LATEST dsm HAPPENINGS

It's been a busy fall here at dsm magazine, and there's still plenty to look forward to.

LGBTQ Legacy Leader Awards: We celebrated this year's LGBTQ Legacy Leaders and ally who have made significant contributions in advancing equality for all. Watch the full event replay and clips here. You can also read profiles of the honorees here.

Attend this week's virtual event: Our upcoming Lifting the Veil event, at noon Thursday, will focus on how to support children after a year and a half of disruptions. A panel of local mental health experts will answer questions from community leaders and attendees. Registration is free.

New issue coming soon!: Our November/December issue will be unveiled next Tuesday evening, Oct. 26, at a party at the Gregory and Suzie Glazer Burt Boys and Girls Club. The event is sold out, but you can join the waitlist. In the meantime, keep an eye on our social media and website for new stories and photos!