dsmWeekly: October 5, 2022

The new Gusto Pizza Bar at 2301 Ingersoll Ave. will include the classic pies you know and love, with some new additions like classic cocktails and a 40-seat bar and lounge area. Photo: Courtesy of Gusto Pizza Bar.

FOOD AND DINING
Gusto Pizza Bar Rebrands, More Than 'Divine Pies'

Writer: Karla Walsh

Known for their “divine pies” like the Soprano (pesto, chicken and balsamic) and Spartacus (Graziano sausage, banana peppers and mushrooms), Gusto Pizza Co. has had many menu staples since their first location opened on Ingersoll Ave. in 2011. But the brand has also evolved, expanding to four locations (then back to two), adding Chicago- and New York-style pies to the lineup, and experimenting with pasta and beyond.

The biggest change yet launches this week. Meet Gusto Pizza Bar, the single location that focuses all Gusto team members’ energies—and where you can now find a full-service experience and an even more dialed-in menu, promises co-owner Tony Lemmo. And you can now find them about four blocks west from that original brick-and-mortar, this time at 2301 Ingersoll Ave. (This space was previously home to Whiskey River and Teddy Maroon’s.)

“After more than a decade, we've learned from our mistakes, and we've grown as pizza enthusiasts and business owners. All of those experiences will ultimately provide an experience for our customers we never dreamed of when we first opened our doors back in 2011. Our signature ‘divine pies’ will truly be taken to the next level,” Lemmo says.

In 2019, Lemmo and his co-owners Josh Holderness and Joe McConville began dreaming of this pivot.

“We came to the conclusion that less is more,” Lemmo admits. “Consolidating our energies and passions into one store, we knew how special we could make the ‘Gustomer’ experience again.”

By joining forces in one larger location, the Gusto team is also able to make it even more of a gathering space than the original format.

“Ever since the pandemic began, we had become over 70% carryout and delivery services. The biggest reason we’re all in this business is because we love the customer interaction,” Holderness says, so they will now offer a sit-down restaurant experience. The larger dining room, patio, and private dining space along with a 40-seat bar and lounge area will allow Team Gusto to welcome even more people back “home,” too.

As for the menu, expect some completely new items like appetizers, sandwiches, baked pasta, desserts—and for the first time, cocktails.

“Plus, we determined how we can elevate our signature menu items patrons have adored for 11 years,” Lemmo reveals. “Most importantly, our new crust is a combination of our original dough and elements of New York-style we felt was a better canvas to pair with our diverse array of toppings.”

Gusto Pizza Bar is now open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, possibly later on Fridays and Saturdays. Learn more at gustopizzaco.com and follow Gusto Pizza Bar on Facebook to see more of the space and sneak peeks of the expanded menu.

"The Book of Mormon" comes to Des Moines as part of a new national tour launched for the 2022-23 season.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

Hello! ‘The Book of Mormon’ Comes to Civic Center

We’re spreading the Good Word! The musical comedy will show at the Des Moines Civic Center this weekend as part of the Des Moines Performing Arts Willis Broadway Series.

Winner of nine Tony Awards, including best musical, “The Book of Mormon” follows the misadventures of two Mormon missionaries sent to convert a Ugandan village. Elder Price is devout and enthusiastic, while Elder Cunningham is, well, a bit of a liar. As the pair work to convince the Ugandans, they explore some satirical and ironic takes on religion in the process.

The musical runs through the weekend. Get tickets here.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

First Friday at Mainframe (Friday, 5-8 p.m.): View the Momentum Art Studio’s 18th annual juried exhibition, “Works of Growth & Recovery.” The exhibit features Central Iowa artists with disabilities, mental health conditions or brain injuries. Also in store: an interactive art experience and opera excerpts. Find out more here.

Sinatra from Max Wellman at Noce (Friday, 8-11 p.m.): Vocalist Max Wellman and the Max Wellman Big Band will perform pieces by Frank Sinatra Friday evening. Get tickets here.

Ted Lare fall event (Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.): Visit the Ted Lare Design Build & Garden Center in Cumming to experience the Fall Harvest Art Show. Find artwork, jewelry, pottery and other pieces from Iowa artists, local food trucks and mobile flower vendors, plus live music from local musicians Sean Sullivan and Corbett Reeves.

Bill Burr comedy tour (Saturday, 7 p.m.): Comedian and actor Bill Burr brings his comedy tour to Wells Fargo Arena this weekend. You may have seen the Emmy and Grammy-nominated jokester in his Netflix specials, “Paper Tiger” (2019) or “Live at Red Rocks” (2022), or heard him on his own “Monday Morning Podcast” stream. Tickets to the comedy special are still available; find them here.

ARTS AND CULTURE
New season: Des Moines Metro Opera has announced the list of upcoming shows for its 2023 Festival Season. Performances include Georges Bizet’s beloved classic, "Carmen," Bartók’s gripping psychological thriller, "Bluebeard’s Castle," and Prokofiev’s absurdist comedy, "The Love for Three Oranges," as well as productions of Susan Kander and Roberta Gumbel’s "dwb (driving while black)," and Zach Redler and Jerre Dye’s "The Falling and the Rising." Learn more about each production here, or find ticketing information here.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
dsm event: dsm magazine is pleased to recognize this year’s Sages Over 70. As educators, executives, attorneys, and government and civic leaders, they have all made Greater Des Moines a better place to live through their generosity, dedication and willingness to mentor others. Please join us in recognizing and congratulating these community leaders Nov. 10 at the River Center (340 S.W. Third St. in Des Moines). A reception starts at 4:30 p.m. and the program runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Register to attend here.

Batch Balanced’s turkey and cheddar muffins are seasoned with sage, garlic, onion and cayenne. A serving, which consists of two muffins, has 20 grams of protein and 5 grams of net carbs. Megan Garvin says they can be “paired with fruit or a smoothie for breakfast, sweet potatoes or a salad for a meal, or eaten as a snack on the go.”

PEOPLE

All About Balance

Writer: Karla Walsh

Life changed for the better—and became much more hectic—when Megan Garvin gave birth to daughter Blake in 2016. (She now has two other kids, Piper, 4, and Reece, 1.)

At the time, she was working as a nutrition coach. “The overarching theme I heard from my clients was that high-quality options were hard to come by, and creating them at home was too time-consuming,” the 34-year-old Garvin says.

She had those same concerns, and actually became a nutrition coach after battling her own health challenges in high school, college and her early 20s. At the pain’s peak in 2011, Garvin was hampered by severe fatigue, joint pain, muscle weakness and brain fog. Her symptoms were strong and daily, often leaving her with zero energy to do more than lie in bed and sleep.

Doctors thought she might have the autoimmune condition lupus, and were going to treat it as such, but Garvin wanted to try holistic options first. She eliminated refined grains and added sugars, and focused on whole foods that offered a balanced ratio of protein, carbs and healthy fat.

“Your metabolism controls much more than how many calories you burn; it connects to your immune system, too,” Garvin says.

Within three months or so, Garvin felt “normal” again, and hasn’t had an achy episode like the ones she used to experience for years.

Click here to read how her nutrition journey led her to start selling her own healthy muffin mixes and start her brand, Batch Balanced. Plus, find two more inspiring women who built businesses based on healthy eating.