I went twice in one day lol I only have pictures from brunch. For brunch, I had the eggs your way with scrambled eggs, chicken sausage, and a gluten free pancake. The food was plentiful and very good. The gluten free pancake was made out of rice flour. It was dense but still good. I personally like my sausage on the very well done side so they switched out my sausage from the one pictured. Went back for dinner and got the Half Roasted Chicken with Lemon Pan Sauce with the mini lavey mocktail. The dish was great. The greens had a bit of crunch to them. If I could change anything, I would get the sauce on the side. It was a bit overpowering but did not ruin the dish. I felt that the dish was seasoned well on its own. The mini lavey was *fine*. I wouldn't get it again. It was overpriced for the size and the taste was just fine. Service was 10/10. Bathrooms clean. Well decorated. read more

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I've been to Fresko several times. They are pretty consistent with their food, but have never been super impressed by a dish. We got the steak stroganoff, spinach artichoke, and salmon. The spinach artichoke was a bit sour and the cheese was hard. The stroganoff was good but was a bit bland, as well as the salmon dish. The salmon itself was great, but the hummus, pesto and peppers blend did not match the dish. The service was a bit inconsistent but our server was still kind. Overall, Fresko has a great atmosphere and good enough food to enjoy your time there. read more

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Came here for dinner and were seated immediately without needing a reservation. The restaurant is super fancy, and the bar looked really nice. The restrooms were clean, and the staff was friendly. I originally wanted the beef and pork bolognese tagliatelle, but I asked if they could substitute the pork since I don't eat it. Unfortunately, they couldn't because the sauce was already pre-made. Instead, I ordered pasta with butter and Parmesan. Our food came out after about 20-30 minutes, which felt a little long. The staff was attentive throughout the meal and kept our drinks filled. The buttered pasta was disappointing. It had very little flavor and needed much more Parmesan and salt. It honestly tasted like plain buttered pasta without any seasoning. My mom ordered a salad and really enjoyed it, rating it an 8/10. My other mom got the short rib tacos and thought they also needed more salt. My brother said the chicken tenders were cooked well, but since he's a picky eater, they weren't really his favorite. Overall, the service was good and the atmosphere was beautiful, but we felt that several of the dishes needed more seasoning to really bring out the flavors. read more

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Very cute spot for date night! My husband and I came here for our anniversary and absolutely loved it. The atmosphere is upscale but still cozy, with ambient lighting & modern design. I recommend the green velvet corner booth, if it's available. The staff were super friendly and attentive. We ordered a lot of food, so here's our quick rating breakdown: -crab cakes 10/10 -sensei sushi roll 10/10 -crunchy dragon roll 10/10 -vegan sushi roll 5/10 (needed v spicy mayo & was falling apart -golden dragon street noodle 9/10 (it was a bit more curry tasting than I prefer but still delicious) Loved seeing vegan options on the menu, I hope they expand these options so I can try new things. The espresso martini was excellent! They have soy milk, & mocktails! Definitely recommend for a romantic date night, a special occasion, or just grabbing cocktails & apps with the girls! read more

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We visited on a Thursday night and were immediately seated. The waiter was very nice and attentive. One friend ordered a shaved ribeye sandwich and loved it. Another had the Golden Dragon Street noodles and said they were very good. I ordered the Baja blackened chicken salad with a dressing on the side. It too, was very tasty. It had quite a bit of heat and I'm not sure if it was from the dressing or the crispy jalapeños. The food was fresh and the service was excellent. As I left, I noticed their plants needed watering so I told someone and I sure hope they did get drinks!! read more

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Shrimp with grits and the roast chicken was so delicious. This was uber drivers rec. and he was right! Fresh ingredients = Delicious food. We had a great time. read more

Fresko in Des Moines is an absolute gem and easily one of the best dining experiences I've had in the area. From the moment we walked in, the warm, inviting atmosphere and friendly service set the tone for a great evening. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, and made excellent recommendations that really elevated the meal. We started with two appetizers--the Brussels sprouts and the Formaggio cheese flatbread--and both were phenomenal. The Brussels sprouts were cooked in a unique and creative way that gave them a depth of flavor I've rarely experienced. Honestly, they may have been the best I've had in a long time. The Formaggio flatbread was rich, cheesy, and the perfect starter to share. For the main course, we had the hanger steak served with mashed potatoes and kale. The steak was cooked perfectly--tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor--while the mashed potatoes were creamy and the kale provided a fresh, hearty complement. We paired our meal with a glass of Quilt Cabernet Sauvignon, which was a fantastic match to the flavors of the steak. From start to finish, everything was excellent--delicious food, beautiful presentation, great wine, and first-class service. Fresko is a must-visit if you're in Des Moines! read more

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My new fav spot in Des Moines! Fresko nails it all - fantastic food, incredible staff, and great ambiance! I dined here alone on a Saturday night and sat at the bar. I felt immediately welcomed by the bartenders and staff, they were super friendly and accommodating considering it was a packed house! Special shout out to Katie, I'm relatively new to Des Moines and she made me feel like I belonged. To drink, I enjoyed the berry mojito which was wonderful. It was sweet and light and super refreshing! I had the frizzled Brussel sprouts to start and I am not exaggerating when I say these might just be the best Brussel sprouts I've ever had. They were so light and crispy while bursting with flavor! The truffle aioli was a delicious addition and theres bits of onion and pork belly that take the dish to the next level! There's so much on the menu, it was hard to pick an entree. Katie recommended the seared sesame tuna and so I paired it with the flaming dragon roll. The seared tuna was full of flavor and paired to well with the crunchy and flavorful asian salad underneath. The flaming dragon roll was great, too, with the fresh seafood and spicy mayo and unagi sauces drizzled on top. The meal was so good, I've been thinking about the leftovers ever since. I had such an amazing all-around experience at Fresko, I can't recommend it enough! In the heart of downtown, it's the perfect place to take friends and family for a fresh, tasty, & high-quality meal with great vibes to start the night. I am excited to go back and try more! read more

Fresko - Frizzled Brussel Sprouts - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Had a really good meal at Fresko on a Friday night. Place was lively. Service was good. The Beef Stroganoff was amazing! Everyone at the table agreed it was the best dish we ordered. It's what I'd have if I go back again. read more

Fresko - Steak Stroganoff - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Once again Fresko exceeds all expectations with service and food/cocktails! We met Katie today and she just shines! We are never disappointed when we come here! Thank you! read more

Fresko - Craft cocktails - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Fresno delivers again. Their beet salad is absolutely delicious. I had that with the dressing and a slab of salmon on the side. Absolutely delicious!!Great bartender and good service. I sat at the bar again and it has a great vibe!! This has now become my go to when I am in Des Moines. Will definitely come back every time I am here. read more

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It has been a while since we'd been here, and even longer since I wrote a review. This visit reaffirmed my previous rating, and we had a delightful time and great food and service. On this visit it was one of our daughters and her husband with my wife and I. We were headed to the Civic Center (a half mile walk), but we gave ourselves lots of time so we didn't need to rush. We all got mixed drinks and they were DELICIOUS! I think the bar is one of the strong suits here, but as you'll read later, the food and service are right up there too! On this visit I got the Chicken Tacos. They don't come with a side, and I wasn't sure if I'd need something more (you do). I was lucky enough to mooch a couple of slices of our daughter's very Margherita Flatbread. The tacos were really good too-soft corn tortillas and fresh and tasty fixings. Our son-in-law got the Chicken Caprese Sandwich, which is one of his go-to's, and he enjoyed it this time too. My wife got the Beet and Goat Cheese Salad, and added shrimp. To their credit they toss in a lot of shrimp for the $9 upcharge - about a dozen smaller ones. For dessert my wife and I got the Molten Chocolate Cake - it was OK to share, but more of a personal serving size, as was the Smores that our kids shared. Both were good, but $9, and like I mentioned, more personally sized. Our server was great-pleasant, efficient, and right there when we needed her. One of the managers delivered drinks as well, so they were all working well together. Very open environment, but the bar area and dining area are divided from each other. Simple tables and lots of seating. read more

Delicious did with upscale atmosphere. The staff was top notch and handled our large group in a timely manner. Drink selection was great with extensive wine list. The seared tuna was seared perfectly. read more

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Delicious food Great service Good for date night, girls dinner or eating with friends Good wine list read more

Came to Fresko for lunch on a Friday around 2pm as we were passing through Des Moines. Parking on the street wasn't too bad, there were a handful of meters available. We were able to be seated right away. The restaurant itself was HUGE. I wouldn't foresee much trouble with anyone else walking in during normal dining hours. Great menu options! I had the harissa chicken salad and wasn't disappointed. Ingredients seemed very fresh and were all flavorful. My partner got the caprese sandwich with a side of potatoes. The potatoes came out a little later which was a little odd, but the kitchen increased the portion. We split the cherry cheesecake for dessert. I would skip it in the future. The consistency was a little runny and the cherries tasted too artificial. Overall would recommend! read more

Fresko - Cherry cheesecake - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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It was awesome! Went during Arts Festival. Brussel Sprout appetizer was one of those things that haunt you and you crave constantly. 2 of us cleaned up the plate. Beyond Delicious. I had double bone pork chop with some amazing corn/pepper mix OMG so incredible. Daughter had scallops. Drinks were out of this world. Bob Ross and daughter had mocktail. Our waiter was one of the best I've ever had in all my 65 years. Kudos Joshua! Seriously. It was just the entire best experience! So yes, HIGHLY recommend! read more

The meal was absolutely delicious....wait staff was super friendly and the atmosphere delightfully and relaxing. A must visit if you are near or in Des Moines. Definitely one of my new favorites. read more

Fresko - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Service is good. The drinks were good the food was outstanding. I'll definitely go back read more

This is our second visit to Fresko and it does not disappoint. Lots of gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan adaptable options. I had a goat cheese and beet salad and my husband had the Baja chicken salad. Everything was super fresh and the steak added to my salad was perfectly tender. He appreciated the fried jalapeños for "added kick." We split the truffle potatoes, which were subtle and delicious. I also love when a place will take my boring drink order and make it look fancy. A+ ambience and friendly wait staff. read more

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We visited Fresko for Valentine's Day dinner with a reservation and were seated quickly. The ambiance is beautiful. The space feels modern, clean, and elevated. I would not necessarily call it romantic, but it definitely has a strong vibe for a special night out. Service felt a bit uneven. Our waiter was doing his best, but the front of house seemed slightly disorganized in our section. I ordered the Land and Sea Valentine's special, but it was entered as just the ribeye. Not a big issue, just a small disappointment. The food was very good. The steak stroganoff had perfectly cooked pasta, a flavorful sauce, and plenty of beef tips and mushrooms. My ribeye was cooked exactly right and was a great cut of meat. The garlic potatoes were excellent. For the price, the overall experience felt slightly underwhelming, though the kitchen execution is clearly strong. We would visit again, but it is not at the very top of our Des Moines list. read more

Always looking for a good restaurant to eat lunch at when downtown so decided to try Fresko! Ambiance: The restaurant offers plenty of seating, though some tables in the main dining area are a bit close together. I loved the natural light from the large windows and the high ceilings, which made the space feel open. The modern decor adds to the inviting atmosphere. Service: The service was a bit lacking--our server seemed distracted and slightly annoyed by menu questions. However, she was attentive with water refills. Food: I decided to try the Chicken Caprese sandwich that came with roasted potatoes. The sandwich was excellent, with a great balance of grilled chicken, arugula, basil pesto (which really elevated the dish), and fresh mozzarella, all served on ciabatta bread. Unfortunately, the potatoes were disappointing--too soft for my taste, as I prefer a crispier texture. Location/Parking: Fresko is located downtown, with metered street parking available. I'm looking forward to trying their dinner menu next! read more

Fresko - Seafood Ravioli - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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It was our first time visiting for our daughter day. Place was and quiet. Waiter was very friendly and helpful. He made great suggestions and even gave out daughter a dessert for her Bday. Being GF and DF he helped me select some items. Drinks and food came out quick and hot. They were delicious. Of i lived closer I would go more often. read more

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Amazing food! And service. I come here everytime for volleyball tournaments and it is always quality food and service. I recommend to anyone that is staying in Des Moines iowa. The crunchy shrimp roll is sweet but, its so different from anything I've ever had before. Amaze Amaze! read more

Fresko - Food. Crunchy shrimp roll and short rib tacos. - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Will say I was very disappointed today - especially since my dad flew into town to visit me and I had been raving to him about this place. My first two times coming here were super good as well so this was sad. I came for 3 items (app, entree, dessert) and the server told me all 3 items were out. Majorly disappointed- my whole entire meal was out the window. Me and my dad debated going elsewhere however wanted to give other food items a chance - the ones we did were pretty mediocre. The spinach artichoke dip was lacking flavor and not very gooey - more runny. The sandwiches we ordered were pretty plain, and the sushi we got (tasted well I will say! ) but presentation was poor and only had like 3-4 pieces of tuna on the top , the rest was avocado. Just wasn't worth the money we paid for the quality we received. Server was fine, she didn't ask how our food was (which I would've expected since she knew i was already bummed out + gave something new a try) so that was off putting. Pretty bummed as this place has been super good. read more

Fresko in Des Moines was a really great stop during our trip. The food and cocktails/drinks were amazing across the board. We ordered the beef stroganoff, sushi options, the shrimps on the barbie and the Brussels sprout appetizer - everything was flavorful, fresh, and really well prepared. The service was also amazing and very caring, which made the whole experience even better. Great atmosphere, great drinks, and overall a really enjoyable dinner. Definitely a place we'd come back to if we're in Des Moines again! read more

Hungry at 2:30 walking in Des Moines and I found a keeper... Fresko! The aesthetic is adorable. Despite it being lunch, I couldn't resist trying the pineapple old-fashioned from their inventive cocktail menu. It was an excellent choice! If they used pineapple juice versus simple, they nailed it! The service was wonderful, attentive, and friendly, I started with the tuna tartare, which was fresh and flavorful. The fruit bowl, peppered kettle chips, and beet salad rounded out a beautiful spread. read more

Fresko - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Excellent brunch menu. The Texas B&B is my favorite breakfast anywhere. ***********************+****************

Third time and this was not the same. Food was cold, got my daughter's order wrong. Service good. Room is always upbeat.

The food was high quality and it was served fairly quickly. The waiter was friendly and checked in on us several times. It was a great stop before our show. read more

The waitress we had was so sweet and very attentive. My grandmother got the black bean burger in a lettuce wrap because she wanted it vegan. I got the skewers and the beet and goat cheese salad. We were very happy with our meal. The restaurant has a great ambiance and we would definitely come back. read more

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Noisy! Slow! Uncomfortable chairs, hard seats. Can't hear any conversation. Horrible accoustics. They took a good piece of meat and ruined it with a white cream sauce, potatoes were not cooked enough. Nope, won't recommend or go there again. read more

We had reservations early, 5:45, so we definitely beat the rush of a crowd that started rolling in at 6:30ish. We got seated and our waitress came up to us. It's very spacious and contemporary inside. It was 5:55, 5 more minutes for happy hour. When we asked for the happy hour menu, she told us we would have to go sit in the bar to order that. Mind you again, not busy yet and really? If you're gonna make it inconvenient for me, I'm definitely not impressed with the customer service. On to the food, we split two apps. I've never had a bad experience with these two items and they didn't disappoint again. The mussels and chorizo have so much flavor and there's always so much. We can never finish it all. The tuna tartare is light and so much flavor. A sweet sauce and an abundance of tuna. I'll be back for those two items again specifically but I'll wait a bit. Sometimes customer service, or the lack thereof, trumps delicious food. read more

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We have been big Fresko fans for years, but the last two times we went, the service and food were not good. Today was possibly the worst restaurant experience ever. We had reservations for 8 for Mother's Day. We waited over an hour for food, never saw our waitress after ordering, and received no communication or updates. Then, when the food arrived, two of our party weren't served. Bad days happen, and we would have been understanding if anyone had just talked to us. Finally, my brother went back and talked to someone, and they rudely said, "We already comped your meals 50%, what else do you want?" Well, first, we had never spoken to anyone, so we didn't know, but most importantly, that was beyond disrespectful. We weren't looking for a price break or a free meal. Just an update on the remaining food. What a terrible way to handle customers. When the manager finally stopped by our table, he said we'd get our meals for free. We don't want free food. People were working and needed to get paid. Dude, this wasn't about the transaction or the bill. It's about communication and respect. Waiting over an hour without updates? Maybe some bread or water refills would have been in order. As far as we are concerned, this was a failure on the management's part. Sure, our server could have been more present, but things were clearly unraveling in the kitchen, and no one was communicating with the front. We will not return, ever. Supporting people who can't run their businesses well, don't treat their staff kindly, and have no respect for their customers is not the kind of business we want to support. read more

What a great spot to be! Ambiance is great for a first date feel. It does get a bit loud but a great place to sit and have a great meal. The food is seasonal and locally sourced. The chef's meticulously prepare the food and know what they are making so ask for their specials! We got a small sampling for their food and it was great since we were there for an event. The drinks were all made and tasty too! The zucchini soup had roasted beans and corn and some braised pork that was savory, smooth, and crunchy! All the textures you can have in one bite! The salad was crisp, clean, and sharp with the balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect bite. The drinks was the Manhattan with blue pea flower. It does have a lemon for a bite and to change the color of the drink as well. It's cute. The Gingerbread Man inspired drink was great too. All made with fresh ingredients! Definitely a place to go and try! read more

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We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. Fantastic food, friendly and efficient service made for a great night out.

After a long work day including a field trip to farms, I came to sit at the bar for happy hour. I had 2 vodka drinks for $14, then ordered an entree to go. The staff was fantastic and the drinks well done. My entree that I ate later was very good. It was their Golden Dragon Street Noodles, with veggies and marinated tofu. Quite yummy. I would order it again. read more

Fresko - Lavender Butterfly - New American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Neat place. Seated immediately. Very nice atmosphere. Food was ok. The atmosphere and drinks are worth it.

Fresko fresh food! Farm to table style restaurant. Menu rotates many items to keep it fresh and new. There are staple items on the menu too that we have enjoyed the handful of times we have visited. Excellent place for group dining. Party room can be rented and is highly encouraged. Ordered the hanger steak and shrimp tacos. Both dishes came out hot and fresh. Very tasty! The hanger steak was a beautiful unique flavor. The caramelized onion sauce gave the steak its own taste. The crunchy onions were a perfect pair. The steak was medium rare and cooked well! Very tender. Shrimp tacos were spicy! Fully filled with shrimp and toppings. It wasn't my favorite flavor but it was good. Mr W and I dined right after enjoying a Yelp party at Fresko. Total came to $52.xx before gratuity Previous dining experiences were as expected. Consistent good service by serving team. Walking in was more pleasant this time around. In the past we've had questionable interactions with different hosts giving us a hard time about reservations and seating. Pro tip: MAKE RESERVATIONS (Walking in seems to make hostess annoyed and your seating may take much longer than anticipated) The booths found in the larger dining area are very attractive and give a fun dining feel. I've asked for a booth for my party of 6 with early reservation as well!!! ...and was not allowed even though a couple of them were open. I was not allowed to know if they were reserved prior to me or not or if it was first reservations basis. Not sure how they choose to seat guests. But it kind of gives a negative vibe. That would be my only CON of Fresko. Food and service is great but the seating situation has always been the tension. And it might be due to lack of information from the host. read more

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The bustling location in downtown Des Moines was wonderful. The restaurant is bright and comfortable. Our service was excellent. Not too slow and not too rushed. The most fabulous dish was the Seared Sesame tuna appetizer. It was perfectly cooked and the bed of slaw under the tuna was amazing! I'll order it every time. Every dish we had was clean at the end of the night -- not a morsel remained! The Tres Leche cake was average. read more

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Service was great. I was alone, so sat at the bar. Had the tuna nachos and Brussels sprouts. Delicious.