dsmWeekly: December 14, 2022

The pan-roasted mahi mahi is served over ginger rice soaked in a savory coconut curry sauce. The edamame beans and tomato slices add fresh color and flavor to the Cooper's Hawk entree.

FOOD AND DINING
First Bites From New Cooper’s Hawk in Clive

Writer: Hailey Allen

If you haven't heard the news already, Iowa’s first Cooper’s Hawk has officially opened in Clive, at 12801 University Ave. The modern, upscale restaurant and winery offers mouthwatering menu options from its scratch kitchen, along with wine tastings in the signature Napa-style tasting room and a retail shop full of items any oenophile will love.

We had the chance to taste samples from the extensive menu; here’s what we loved:

For your appetizer: The drunken shrimp, a perfect morsel wrapped in bacon and drenched in a tequila lime butter sauce, with fresh guac on the side. Order the prosecco to go with it.

For your entree: Gnocchi carbonara complete with chicken, pancetta, sage, peas and a rich parmesan garlic cream sauce. All the hand-rolled gnocchi is made from scratch using a decades-old classic recipe from the Romozzi family from just outside of Chicago. Go for the Cooper’s Hawk Lux Pinot Noir to complement the meal. We also enjoyed the pan-roasted mahi mahi with ginger rice and coconut curry sauce (pictured above).

For your dessert: Either the chocolate cake or the key lime pie. Layered with rich, velvety hazelnut ganache, the cake pairs perfectly with the Nightjar Port-style wine. The pie is light and tangy from the fresh-squeezed citrus and topped with lime-dusted whipped cream. Add on the Cooper’s Hawk Lux Ice Wine to enhance its flavors.

View the full menu here, and book a reservation online with OpenTable or by calling 515-513-3330.

In other restaurant news, DZO Korean BBQ and Naughtea have also both recently opened, and later this year, a new fine dining restaurant, Oak Park, is scheduled to open in the 3900 block of Ingersoll Avenue. The 98-seat eatery will offer a seasonal menu of modern American cuisine. Read more on the upcoming development in this Business Record article.

DZO Korean (2611 Ingersoll Ave.) is the metro’s first Korean barbecue establishment, where guests cook their meal right at their own table using a special grill. Naughtea, at 1810 S.W. White Birch Circle, Suite 115, in Ankeny, serves up another Korean specialty, Korean corn dogs. The inside of these corn dogs consists of melty mozzarella instead of pork, and the breaded outside comes in flavors like hot Cheetos, ube cheese, sweet potato fries and others.

Chorus members serenade the audience with equal measures of euphony and showmanship. Photo: Des Moines Gay Men's Chorus.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND
A Holiday Chorus Concert for All

No silent nights here. The Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus will perform its annual winter concert for two nights this weekend on Dec. 16-17. The performance, “Come as You Are: Your Home for the Holiday,” will bring music and warmth to the chilly season, and encourage listeners to feel welcome.

Both performances will be at First United Methodist Church downtown (1001 Pleasant St.) starting at 7:30 p.m., with a reception following the concerts. Tickets can be bought in advance here for a discount, but will also be sold at the door.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

Varsity Cinema opening weekend (all weekend, times vary): The grand opening of the historic Des Moines movie theater is set for Thursday, with film showings all weekend. Check out the new horror drama starring Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig, “White Noise,” or celebrate the holidays with “Elf.” Check the theater’s website for showtimes and tickets.

Live, Local, and Loud! at xBk (Saturday and Sunday, 8 p.m. and 5 p.m.): Head to xBk for special holiday-themed performances two nights in a row featuring local artists. This free xBk programming offers no-cover concerts and livestreams to maximize accessibility to live shows. Reserve your tickets online; the Saturday show is age 18-plus only, but Sunday is open to all ages.

World Food Prize Hall of Laureates (Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.): Experience the art, architecture and legacy of the Hall of Laureates during this free winter open house. To celebrate the season, there will also be caroling by the Grace Church Ensemble, holiday treats and a meetup with Santa. To help support the Des Moines community, guests are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food donation.

Christmas at Terrace Hill (Sunday, 1-4 p.m.): Enjoy a festive holiday experience at the Iowa governor’s residence and National Historic Landmark. There will be activities for children, a photo-op with Santa Claus and a reindeer, cookies and carolers. Reservations must be made in advance. Buy tickets here.

From left: “Flour Power” by Tara Jensen; “King Arthur Baking School: Lessons and Recipes for Every Baker” by King Arthur Baking Co.; “The Wok” by J Kenji Lopez-Alt; “Masa” by Jorge Gaviria.

SHOPPING

Local Chefs Share 4 Favorite Cookbooks of 2022

Writer: Karla Walsh

If you’re seeking a last-minute holiday surprise for your food-loving BFF, a white elephant option that won’t get regifted, or a host present that will certainly be put to good use, consider a cookbook.

With this topic in mind—but also aware that the millions of books sold online and in stores can be overwhelming—I turned to a few local food pros with impressive cookbook libraries to help us narrow down the ideas. Here are their picks for the best new cookbooks of 2022.

Chelsea Smith, owner of Bread by Chelsa B., suggests “Flour Power” by Tara Jensen: “The instructions in this book are thoughtful and precise, and remind me why I fell in love with sourdough; the process connects us to the land, to our ancestors and to ourselves. Tara's book brings together all elements of the bread baking process. … I highly recommend it to anyone interested in diving into the world of bread baking.”

Nik Pugmire, executive pastry chef of Doré Bakery and the Port of Des Moines Event Group, recommends “King Arthur Baking School: Lessons and Recipes for Every Baker” by King Arthur Baking Co.: “Consider this cookbook a ‘greatest hits’ of all your favorite recipes, backed up by a team of professional bakers, chefs and instructors who fill the pages with approachable instruction and helpful insight. Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, this new cookbook will quickly become a go-to classic.”

James Richards, executive chef at Proudfoot & Bird in the Hotel Fort Des Moines, is keen on “The Wok” by J Kenji Lopez-Alt: “The recipes are home runs and have scientific facts that prove them to be. Most of the dishes require minimal equipment and make for super-simple and easy home cooking. One pan, one meal, easy cleanup means more time to spend with the people who you are cooking for. At the end of the day, isn’t that what it’s all about?”

George Formaro, chef-partner of the Orchestrate Hospitality restaurants, chooses “Masa” by Jorge Gaviria: “This cookbook is the most comprehensive book on masa (ground corn) I’ve ever seen. It shows techniques and reflections on this staple, and contains recipes for all of my favorite street snacks from Mexico, like atole (a hot drink made with masa), empanadas and quesadillas. If you were not blessed with an abuela in your life, this book is a must.”

You can also support local with a couple of new and coming-soon options from culinary aces you’ve seen in the pages of dsm. “The Clean Vegan Cookbook: 60 Whole-Food, Plant-Based Recipes to Nourish Your Body and Soul” by Jackie Akerberg is available for pre-order now and will be on sale Jan. 17. Wini Moranville’s "Everyday French Cooking: Modern French Cuisine Made Simple" was published last May; score a peek via this easy French dinner in 30 minutes.