dsmWeekly: August 8, 2017

Visiting the Tea Room is an opportunity to ponder the past with a vision of the future.

CELEBRATE WITH US IN THE TEA ROOM

Register now to attend dsm and Blackbird Investments' free celebration of the10th anniversary of Restaurant Week. As you know, Restaurant Week is Aug. 18-27, and we're throwing a party in the newly restored Tea Room from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6 to celebrate its success. Details will follow, but it's important to reserve your place before we reach the room's capacity. Click here to register. Registration is free, and this is a party and a place you don't want to miss. Read more about the Tea Room's restoration in this story in the current issue of dsm.

Gerina Piller had a pivotal winning round in the 2015 Solheim Cup. She's representing the United States again this year.

SOLHEIM CUP GOLFER HAS DES MOINES LINK

Gerina Piller will be among the LPGA standouts representing the United States at the international Solheim Cup tournament next week (Aug. 14-20) at Des Moines Golf and Country Club. Unbeaten in the 2015 Solheim Cup, she is married to PGA pro Martin Piller, whose father, Dan, lives in Des Moines. Seems like something to cheer.

Tickets are still available for the golf action as well as the event's big concerts: Jake Owen on Friday, Aug. 18, and Rascal Flatts the next night. For tickets and other event info, click here. For dsm magazine's inside story on how Des Moines snared this event and how it all works, click here.

Light and cooling as a summer zephyr, this lemon tart at Table 128 is served with passion fruit gelee and rosemary ice cream.

SEEING THE LIGHT OF SUMMER DESSERTS

By Wini Moranville

It's tempting, as appetites swing lighter in summer, to skip desserts; but in doing so, you'd miss some lovely seasonally perfect creations this summer. Here are three cool concoctions to look for:

• I'll never say no to a tart, tingly and refreshing lemon tart—especially when it's from the kitchen of Lynn Pritchard at Table 128. As a bonus, this one arrives with passion fruit gelee and rosemary ice cream. (12695 University Ave., No. 140, Clive; 515.327.7427)

• Zach Gutweiler at Reed's Hollow recently whipped up a blueberry macaroon cake with white chocolate parfait, tweaked blueberry vinegar and "almost" burnt white chocolate for a treat that was indulgent yet light on its feet. (2712 Beaver Ave.; 515.777.3625)

• A perennial favorite is Latin King's Tartuffo—creamy and bright raspberry gelato encased in a robe of chocolate and served in a pool of raspberry sauce. It's like a chocolate ice cream bar, but all grown up. (2200 Hubbell Ave.; 515.266.4466)

Wini Moranville covers wine and dining, among other topics, for dsm. Follow her at All Things Food DSM - Wini Moranville.

They just don't make 'em like they used to: This medieval book of Chaucer, a rarity from the Salisbury House library, is one Geoff himself would appreciate. But we're eerily curious about the shrunken heads at the upcoming Night at the Museum.

SALISBURY'S NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

Night at the Museum is a one-night encounter with rarities from around the world, with access to some of the most mysterious realms of historic Salisbury House. The event is Thursday, Aug. 24, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Guests will also enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and music by the jazz duo Betsy Hickok and Ron Roberts.

Explore the underground tunnel, if you dare, plus the Indian Room and the historic library. Artifacts include:

• Shrunken heads from South America.
• Medieval manuscripts.
• Antique European firearms and swords.
• Native American artifacts.
• Buddhist statuary from Tibet.

This event is for ages 21 and older. Tickets ($50) can be purchased at salisburyhouse.org or by calling 515.274.1777. For more information, click here.

Public art like this mural is just one popular expression of local pride in the reputation of Greater Des Moines.

SOME THINGS TO BRAG ABOUT

Praise for Des Moines has been hard to miss lately: No. 1 at this, No. 3 at that, Best City for (fill in the blank). It's OK to be a bit proud of the attention. Now you can find all the accolades in one handy publication called, appropriately enough, Bragbook. It's 34 pages of awesomeness, compiled by Business Publications Corp. If you recruit newcomers, this is a pretty cool tool. And if you're proud of your city, it's a fun read. You can pick up a free copy at our offices downtown: The Depot on Fourth, 100 Fourth St. Bragbook will also be mailed to dsm subscribers with our September/October issue.

Pittsburgh comedian and storyteller John Dick Winters will perform one show only in Des Moines during a Midwest tour.

COMIC, MOTH STORYTELLER AT SOCIAL CLUB

Comedian and storyteller John Dick Winters will take the stage of the Des Moines Social Club’s Basement showroom at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17. He describes his comedic style as “part observational, part autobiographical, part mumble.” In addition to being a touring comedian, NPR fans will appreciate knowing he is a Moth GrandSLAM champion. For you unfamiliar few, "The Moth" is a public radio program presenting storytellers telling true tales, live on stage around the country, and recorded for us to enjoy every weekend on the radio. They're very good.

The Basement venue is under the Kum & Go Theater at 901 Cherry St. For information about this and other upcoming comedy shows, click here.