My how I have missed my favorite restaurant in the Midwest! This was my first time at their new…read morelocation and it did not disappoint. Chef Lynn greeted me when I walked in and took time to chat with me. Everyone and everything here is fabulous and I will be back as often as possible. The food, service and ambiance are fabulous!

We had a good experience! The restaurant was busy when we visited, but the staff handled everything…read morewith a positive attitude. Even with a full dining room, everyone was friendly and worked hard to make sure we were taken care of. However, we spent more time there than we originally planned waiting. The food was good. You could tell the kitchen and staff were doing their best to keep up with the crowd without sacrificing quality.

Amazing creativity, highest quality. And thoroughly knowledgeable service. Small plates with the…read morefreshest local ingredients, often done with an Asian twist. We've gone to happy hour, dinner, and restaurant week. All are amazing. Happy hour and restaurant week are excellent value. Last night we had sweet corn tartlets with a savory cream and white truffle. I wanted them for dessert as well as the amuse bouche. Corn ricotta pasta and an Asian glazed beef tenderloin were standouts. Always order yuzu anything for dessert. The dining room is fairly small but with tables arranged so you're not listening to your neighbor's conversation. Natural decor (moss, branches, grasses, etc.) soften the space. Cocktails are inventive and the wine selection really interesting (in a good way). A biodynamic Spanish selection was one of the most pleasantly versatile bottles I've experienced, and the wine pairings for restaurant week were well conceived. If you're not sure what to select, staff will knowledgeably do it for you. Portland, Oregon is the city where we dine most often, and is one of America's best food cities. We did not expect this quality in Des Moines--were blown away by it--and return every time we're in town.

A must-visit Des Moines restaurant that pulls off a unique menu in a cozy interior with elite…read morecustomer service. Grace, our server, was amazing, adding so much to the entire visit. Thankful! They serve tapas style, and we grazed all night! We literally tried as much as we could, and loved the entire experience. Among my favorites were the Black Pepper Pork Noodles, Halibut Cheeks, Pea Pasta, and the Beef Fat Potstoes. But I also loved the Farm Carrots and HH Onigari. Seriously, amazing growth food, bolstered by an incredible level of customer service. Finished a great meal with terrific Dark Chocolate Gateau and Strawberry Shortcake. This is a superb place...GO!

Smash burgers are unique in flavor and trimmings with one of the best places located on Ingersoll…read morein Des Moines at Lachele's where you can order a very flavorful Smash called "Jake." The service as you enter is quick and friendly with wait staffer making sure your order is brought to you before it cools down. The neighborly atmosphere is not splashy for a diner but comfortable enough to let you enjoy your burger in friendly surroundings.

A small little place with a big personality for burgers. I love sesame seed buns so if you…read moredont...maybe don't go. Tots were good and crispy. Ask for and pay for your ranch at the counter when you order. Not a big spot so it's crowded with not a lot of space but the food is totally worth the wait!

I went twice in one day lol I only have pictures from brunch…read more 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.

I've been to Fresko several times. They are pretty consistent with their food, but have never been…read moresuper 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.

The thing you care about most in a restaurant, the food, was disappointing on 3 counts. Portions…read morewere small, prices were expensive given said portions, and it wasn't tasty. The only thing bolstering the ranking is the cookies at the end, but skip the ice cream. Service was just ok. The biggest standout was it taking forever to get the check when clearly finished. Vibe is reasonable and decor is fine but I wasn't wowed. Music including AC/DC and similar was cool. Wouldn't go again or really recommend. Might work to pop in for a drink and cookies but that's as positive as I can do.

Decided to try Clyde's Fine Dining before a show. We arrived just before 5 and they had one table…read moreavailable without a reservation. Happy Hour from 4 to 6. I had the Old Fashioned with brown sugar, orange bitters, angostura bitters, and bourbon. It's pretty sweet and smooth Old Fashioned. Very nice start and enjoyable. Decided on the CFD Burger, a double smash with American Cheese, Shaved Onion, Pickles, and Clyde's Burger Sauce. I really like the shaved onion and it gave the beef a really nice flavor. First bites were very good, but the bun became too much and the sauce in the middle too heavy. Became hard to finish. I had to ditch some bun and would get the sauce on the side. Not terrible, just not my jam. I would get the sauce on the side or try ketchup/ mustard instead. The bun is just really thick and heavy. Just not a good ratio. The fries were just ok for me and not exciting. This restaurant also has the 3% fee if you use a credit card. I checked the receipt and gave a hundred dollars and asked for change. I included a picture of the receipt. I got thirty in cash back, 5 singles, a 5, and 2 tens. I am ok with not giving the change of coins, but rounding it up and keeping the 3% fee made me feel like integrity has went down hill. Yes it's less than 5 dollars and I know the haters will say what's the big deal. Well it's a neat way to make extra cash at the customers expense. They don't remove the fee and they keep a few dollars. That's not an accident and it feels like theft. I had left $12 for the tip, but after a review I left 10% due to dishonest customer service. What's the point of paying cash on these if you still get charged? Some have said it's leftover from the Covid Days. How many restaurants are doing a 3% fee? Yes, I know it's supposed to cover the CC fee, but it is obviously not if you are paying cash. This just feels really crooked and wrong. Yes it is a very small amount, just over $4, but if you do that how many times, how many days, over a year it definitely adds up. Not sure I would go back. No I didn't talk to a manager or anyone. I had a show to catch and wasn't going to ruin a night over a fee and be late. Just be aware of the fees when paying cash. Really feel the 3% fee just makes restaurants look bad and provides more problems than it solves. Why not add a 6% fee for lights and gas next?

Eastside eddies, where you can go to a racist atmosphere. Where the customers use the N-word freely…read moreas the staff laugh along and condone it! I will never ever order anything from there again or have a drink there. Now I know why I was so uncomfortable when I walk in and it would get so quiet. Proven fact that the customers drop the n-word frequently, which the staff laugh along with them joyfully and condone their comments attitude and atmosphere. How fitting for a Des Moines neighborhood bar.

This morning I wandered down I235 Eastbound to East Side Eddie's Neighborhood Bar & Grill. Not far…read moreoff the Euclid exit. Along with a regular menu they serve breakfast from 800 AM - noon on Saturdays and Sundays. The business is located in a small strip with a nice sized parking lot. I stepped inside and it was what I expected. A neighborhood bar and grill. Subtly lit. A bar and bar stools and quite a few low top tables and chairs for seating. It's seat yourself and order an pay at the table (cash or card). A server takes your order and payment can be done through your server or by a QR code available on your receipt. I walked in and took a seat at a table. I was spotted quickly and greeted. I was asked about a drink. Turns out the staff member who greeted me was actually one of the cooks. She was training a new cook and just happened to be on the floor. She passed along my drink order to the person who would be serving me who dropped by with a menu after another min or so. The breakfast menu is one page, but has all the standard bases covered. The lunch and dinner menu is a little more extensive. They have a happy hour and daily food specials. I ordered a Bloody Mary ($5.75) and the country fried steak and eggs (over medium) with white toast ($13.50) and a Coke ($3.00). A could hear a few conversations happening around me and it sounds like the new cook was having a few issues getting the system down, but both staff and customers were taking everything in stride. I heard a couple items being comped but no one was really unhappy. More like forgotten elements and nothing badly cooked... There were probably a half dozen people at the bar and two other parties at tables for breakfast while I was there. I grew up in rural Iowa and the Boondocks truck stop near Williams IA on I35 was the closest regular restaurant to us. We had a cafe in town, but it closed and reopened with new ownership every few months. As much as our family traveled small town diner and truck stop meals were a regular thing. They're not easy to find anymore. I think the neighborhood bar and grills are filling this breakfast gap...at least on the weekends. Most of us know Waveland, the Cafe on Douglas, Mullet's and so on...and the big names like Village Inn, Perkins, Denny's, etc. of course. But there are lesser known places like East Side Eddie's, the Hitchin' Post (in Bevington), the Norwood Inn, Kelly's Little Nipper and probably more that exist that I'm not aware of... Where there's no wait for a table at breakfast, the food is as good if not better, and is reasonably priced too... Well that was a tangent... Back to the food. The country fried steak and eggs plate. Everything was cooked well. I'd asked for my hashbrowns extra crispy. And in training or not they nailed it. Hashbrowns sound simple, but it's one of the most common breakfast items that I get screwed up on my order. Cold in the middle, only cooked on side, etc... These were perfect! Very well done. My eggs were a little North of over medium, but they were were fine. Love the crispy edges! Eggs are kind of an after thought for me where the hashbrowns, meat, and gravy are under a spotlight. The steak was tender. The gravy was excellent. You can tell by looking it's not the typical white country gravy. It was seasoned and littered with sausage. I drug my toast through it and cleaned every spot off my plate... Well worth the $13.50 price...! Service was great and I couldn't have asked for a better Sunday morning breakfast. Go into these neighborhood bar and grills with the right expectations. They're not going to be a 5 star atmosphere. If you're looking for that probably stick to new and shiny options or chains... But if you are looking for good people and good food. Get off the main drags and explore the many neighborhood spots throughout our metro area. I've lived in the Des Moines IA area now for 30+ years and I'm still finding and trying spots that are new to me. If I hadn't been so full from breakfast I might have stayed to check out lunch... https://www.facebook.com/eastsideeddiesbarandgrill

The person who checked us in seemed a little rude, but our waitress was very friendly! We placed a…read morereservation, which I would highly recommend because otherwise, there's a 1 hour and 30 minute wait. We learned that from the day before, when the front lady completely seemed to ignore us. Anyway, our food was very good, and the restaurant has a very classy, rich vibe. I got the gnocchi, but I feel like the grated cheese on top didn't really go with the pasta. Other than that, it was good, but it's just not really my type. I'd probably skip this one. Since I didn't eat much of it, I got the kids' Alfredo pasta. WOW. Chef's kiss! That was the best Alfredo I've ever had. So cheesy and saucy--definitely a MUST. The complimentary bread was also very good, but the texture made it seem like it definitely wasn't fresh. It tasted a little old, but I still ate it . My family loved their food, and the chicken was absolutely delicious. Overall, definitely a spot you should try!

Service 5/5 Food 3/5…read moreAtmosphere 4.2/5 We had a reservation for 21:00 on a Saturday evening. Our server was welcoming and courteous, but they were understaff for hosts it seemed. We were given a complimentary bread which is not pictured in my photos. For the most part the bread was already warm and not freshly made. It didn't come with butter but olive, cheese and chili flakes were provided at the table. That bread was a 2/5 given the texture and flavor. Even the way it might've been cooked could improve. The Zelda alcoholic drink was sweet and tangy. I'd recommend it if you're up for it. Bruschetta appetizer kind of disappointed us. Bread was a little overcooked and didn't have much flavor. It came with the cheese, tomatoes and onions. I'd say try a different appetizer instead. Entrees were hot when they came out. Chicken saltimbocca could be best described as rich in flavor. Had a savory chicken and a strong white wine taste to it. The fettuccine Alfredo was cheesy. Ricotta gnocchi had a strong tomato flavor to it. I enjoyed the added cheese to the gnocchi. This was cooked very well and the portion size was big I couldn't finish it. Lastly, The dessert hazelnut brownie tiramisu was cold when served. Easy to put the spoon into. Strong hazelnut flavor and great mascarpone. The bottom half has the brownie part to it. It did have some nuts at the top. The server checked on us enough but not to the point where it was overwhelming. Again they could improve on their beginner bread and bruschetta bread.

A staple in the east side of DSM, this is the place to stop. Always busy, but never a long wait…read more Many regulars for authentic flavor. I'm not a huge pasta person, so usually get the salmon. Never been disappointed. Cooked crispy with deburgo sauce and wild rice. Always leftovers too. Service is always checking on you, even when it's busy. Many times you can sit at the bar too and eat. It's a great location of people and food and dining experience The ambiance is very inviting and friendly. I'm there minimum once a month. Can't wait to go back.

Comfort food at its best. Fried chicken a d a baked potato before my birthday. Service is good and…read moreefficient. The customer base screams older crowd, but I assure you the menu has something for everyone. Feels sorta like your great aunt's house with your grandma cooking!

This is my favorite restaurant by far. Atmosphere is bright, small and easy to talk, though it does…read moreget a little loud when busy. The food is always so good. This is a small thing but I love the eclectic dishes they use. Food is always fresh and delicious. I love the steak stroganoff but I tried the osso bucco this time and it was yummy.

I'd probably give the food itself closer to three stars, but the excellent service bumps my overall…read moreexperience up to four. Our server was fantastic. He was animated, fun, and had a great personality without ever being overbearing. He was attentive throughout the meal, knew the menu well, and added a lot to the experience. The food was more hit or miss. I ordered the filet mignon, and for the price, I was disappointed. I asked for medium rare, and while the very center was somewhere between medium rare and medium, much of the outer portion was closer to medium well or even well done. It was a thick cut, but the temperature just wasn't consistent throughout the steak, and at this price point I expected the cookery to be much more precise. There were some definite highlights. The butternut squash soup was delicious, filling, and a really nice addition to the fall menu. I also enjoyed the Brussels sprouts. They were nicely roasted and had good flavor. With Calabrian chili listed in the description, I expected at least a little heat, but I didn't find them spicy at all. The interior was fine but didn't particularly stand out to me, with the exception of the doors hanging from the ceiling, which was certainly an interesting and memorable design choice.

Sabina was my sever, she did an amazing job! The beer was really good as well. I'll definitely be…read moreback

Big Grove Brewery was one of our favorite places to grab a bite and unwind while exploring Des…read moreMoines! The atmosphere is upbeat and welcoming, making it a great place to meet up with friends, enjoy a date night, or simply take a break after a day of exploring. We tried the mac & cheese stacked with BBQ and a couple of their fresh brews....everything hit the spot! (PS - Kansas City now also has a Big Grove Brewery!) If you're looking for a local brewery to add to your Des Moines itinerary, this one is definitely worth checking out!