Cosi Cucina was recommended by a guest at the hotel I was staying at when I asked for a good dinner…read morespot. It turned out to be an excellent suggestion. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, the service was attentive, and the food exceeded our expectations. When we mentioned to our waiter that it was our first visit, he surprised us with a complimentary butternut squash dish--a thoughtful touch that set the tone for the evening. My friend and I both ordered the mushroom lasagna, which was every bit as rich and flavorful as we hoped. We also enjoyed a caprese salad and a couple of drinks, all of which rounded out the meal perfectly. By the end of the night, we found ourselves wishing we had more time in Des Moines so we could return and try the pizza selections. Cosi Cucina was a highlight of the trip. We both thought it was one of the best Italian restaurants we have ever dined at.

This is one of our favorite restaurants, hands down. You can tell they take great pride in…read moreeverything they do--it really shows in every detail. We've tried most of the menu, and everything has been consistently delicious, with generous portions every time. One of the things I love most is that the family is there working. It speaks to the level of care and standard they hold for their guests' experience. It just feels genuine, and that makes it even more special.

Went about a week ago because I had been craving a meatball sub and this place was the highest…read morerated. They're not open Sundays so I had to wait a day but oh well, they deserve a day off too. Everyone inside was very nice and I was greeted as soon as I stepped foot in. It's a very small place so it's not really possible to get confused about where to order or pay or anything. My did not come out instantly, which is good because that means to me that I got something fresh and not something sitting there for a while. Much better use of $10 than getting fast food.

First time i went, frankie was screaming at his workers, he had the female up front crying, i…read moreordered pies online and decided to walk out leaving him with my order. Food didnt look too appetizing anyways. Cant support a business who treats people like this. Frankie was not so fresh

I've driven by here on a near-daily basis on my commute. I've been to the taqueria next door…read moreseveral times--thought I would finally give Marino's a try. The lady who answered the phone was very polite. She quoted me a time of 30-35 minutes for the food. I thought that was quite awhile, but decided to proceed with the order anyhow. When I walked in, the restaurant was nearly empty. One room off to the side was dark; it looks like this was a party room in a former life. I saw a solo diner in the main dining room. It was eerily quiet in there. An older lady (whom I believe also answered the phone) was very polite and seemed like she appreciated the business. I wish I could speak more highly of the food. The portions were all very generous, but most all seemed to be lacking in flavor. The breadsticks appear to have been brushed on top with some kind of butter, but no garlic flavor was present and the bottoms had gone untouched. Just bland. The salads I saw online appeared to have had croutons on them but mine did not. The dressing itself had good flavor--likely homemade. The salad was a basic side salad otherwise. The cavatelli was off in several different ways. The pasta appeared to be actual cavatelli, but lacked the firmness I'm used to. The sauce all seemed to have been on one side of the dish. The sausage was Italian sausage. Will probably try again at some point--other reviews seem to indicate better experiences.

This place doesn't pretend to be anything other than a very good local Italian restaurant…read more Our server was friendly and helpful and guided us to a simple margarita pizza with a sweet sauce that grows on you with each bite (crust was thin and delicious).

If you want great food and a really great experience in Des Moines, this is the place. We were a…read morelarge group from Austin Texas visiting our counterparts in Urbandake and they brought us here

Good morning! Good afternoon! Good evening! Whenever you are reading this...!…read more Owned by and operated by Simon Goheen. I've eaten at Simon's before, but not in quite a while. The last time may have even been before I started writing reviews... And I don't know why. If I had to pick a metro restaurant to label as magical.... Akin to how a child sees Disney... Simon's would be that spot for me. Let's start with the basics. When you arrive at Simon's you will find a small parking lot to the West of the property. There is also some street parking available on adjacent streets and in front of the restaurant. At open there will often be a line waiting outside to get into Simon's as they unlock the doors. Reservations are available for groups of 6+. Seating inside the main restaurant is booths, low top tables, and chairs, and seats at the bar. There is a waiting area one door to the West of the main restaurant... If you like photo ops the furniture and art in the waiting area are going to be right up your alley...! I love the vibe in both the restaurant and the waiting area! Dimly lit and a very relaxed feel to both spaces. It's one of those spots where you feel comfortable in shorts and polo or in a three piece suit. This time at Simon's was with a party of nine with 530 PM reservations on a Thursday evening. I was greeted right away as I walked in and two of us were already seated. I took my seat and our server introduced herself and took drink orders as we waited for the rest of our group. Two of my friends were greeted with hugs and handshakes from Simon and our server. Say you're a regualr without saying you're a regular...! I'm not going to remember everything ordered, but here's what I can remember seeing at the table... 1x Old fashioned (mine) 1x Baked artichoke dip 2x Spicy three cheese stuffed mushrooms (I'd ordered one of these) 2x Mushroom crostini 1x Garlic cheese bread 1x Vodka pasta w/ Grazianos sausage (seafood bisque on the side) 1x Chicken parmesan 1x Pork DeBurgo 1x Cordon Bleu 1x Seafood Cioppino and side salad with the house dressing (mine) 1x Shrimp & scallops 3x I have no idea... Lol Complimentary Red Velvet Cake The appetizers hit the table. It didn't seem like much time had passed after ordering, but that's how it is when you're in great company. We'd all worked together for over a decade or more and still keep in touch. Everything was spot on! I was particularly impressed with the mushroom crostini. So savory and then the contrast of the textures between the mushroom spread itself and the toast points... So good! I enjoyed my salad with the house parmesan ranch too. Soon it was on to the main show. I can only speak to my meal and a couple of shared bites. Service throughout the meal was perfect. We couldn't have asked for better. Both our server and Simon checked on us regularly and other staff was dropping by with refills and whatever else may have been needed during the course of our meal. I hadn't had a good Seafood Cioppino since Irina's took it off their menu and I was hesitant to order it knowing how good some of the other available items are at Simon's... It didn't dissapoint. Not in the slightest... The noodles were cooked perfectly and so was the shrimp and scallops. The spicy white wine and red cream sauce had a little kick, my forehead may have glistened a little, but it wasn't overwhelming. I really enjoyed this dish. My friend seated next to me offered me a bit of his Pork DeBurgo. Served in three medallions. I could have sworn it was filet mignon... Melt in your mouth tender. I would have never expected that from a pork dish! And of course I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the red velvet cake. Offered as a complimentary end to our meal. I grew up with a great red velvet cake. My mom used to make it for every birthday in our house. Hers was moist (and yes I know some people hate that word...) and the frosting was sweet. She used more of a whipped marshmallow creme frosting instead of a traditional cream cheese base, but the idea is the same. So many people dry out red velvet cake... One bite of this dessert done well brings back SO many memories. Simply said Simon's does it right. After as close to a perfect meal as I've ever had... Some of us said our goodbyes and a few of us reconvened in the waiting area to visit a little more before taking off. Simon stopped in and chatted with us. We talked about the meal, the art on the walls, the recent changes to the waiting area itself... He was the perfect host and is everything you want to see in a business owner! Personable, attentive, and someone who realizes that the key to a successful business is doing things the right way...consistently.

I've been here a few times and usually have an ok experience. We often sat with empty glasses even…read morewhen we've gone on slow days because the wine attendants usually seem to be caught up in their own conversations. But tonight was awesome! We did a wine tasting and our attendant Gabby recommended wine that made my non wine loving husband reconsider. She found a wine he greatly enjoyed and we got a bottle just for him. She was so much fun and her knowledge was astounding. She said she'd only been there about a month but you could tell she took her job seriously. We never had an empty glass. I was super disappointed that she left before we could fully cash out because we wanted to tip her. She was super busy running back and forth between multiple guests but kept a smile on her face the whole time and still found time to talk to us like actual guests and not just paying customers. Her knowledge on the new Vinho Verde was spot on! We had to get two bottles! I definitely recommend her as a wine tasting attendant if you go there! She's amazing and very attentive!

Great service and cool wine bar vibe here! Definitely the type of place you want to come with a…read moregroup and do some wine tasting and share some nice apps. Overall the food was good, but nothing blew me away. The chicken picatta was not overly flavorful and neither was the Asian salmon. We enjoyed the crème brûlée dessert but it was a little more pudding on the inside than I usually like. Even though food is fine, the wine tasting aspect is fun and the servers are great about helping you pair wine and food and making recommendations!

4.2* (out of 5) Food: 4* Atmosphere: 4* Value: 4*…read more Service: 4* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) 05/08/2026 Honestly stopped here while updating Happy Hour information in the area for happyhourdesmoines.com. We enjoyed the food and the atmosphere on previous stops and did again tonight. We had already eaten at another Happy Hour and it was too late now for Happy Hour anyway, so we opted for 'dessert' options. My wife ordered the Espresso Martini (see picture) and I went for the Tiramisu (see picture). The Espresso was very good and while the Tiramisu tasted very good, the presentation wasn't nearly as good as last time (think you'll see what I mean in the picture). We do like this place though and look forward to another stop for dinner some evening. If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow.

On the final night of our six-week road trip, before heading home to Chicago, we stayed at the…read moreDrury Inn in Iowa. Although the hotel offers an evening meal, we decided we wanted something different and ordered takeout from Dolce, conveniently located right across the parking lot. The location could not have been easier. After thousands of miles on the road, the ability to walk across the lot and pick up dinner was definitely appreciated. The restaurant itself looked very inviting. From what I could see while picking up the order, the décor was modern, comfortable, and pleasant. It seemed like a nice place to sit down and enjoy a meal. The bartender who helped me with the pickup was also exceptionally friendly and welcoming, which made a very positive first impression. As for the food, it was unfortunately a bit underwhelming. We ordered polenta with meatballs and a salad. The polenta was okay, and the meatballs were a good size, but overall the dish felt somewhat bland and lacking flavor. Nothing was bad, but nothing really stood out either. The portions were also surprisingly small. The takeout containers were only partially filled, making the meal feel a little light for the price. The salad was probably the biggest disappointment. It felt like very little attention had gone into it: mostly greens with a few toppings and some mozzarella. It wasn't terrible, just uninspired and forgettable. One detail that may seem minor but was actually appreciated was the quality of the takeout packaging and utensils. Everything was packed neatly, and the utensils were sturdy and well chosen, which made eating back at the hotel easier. Overall, Dolce left us with mixed feelings. The people were kind, the location was incredibly convenient, and the restaurant itself appeared attractive and comfortable. Unfortunately, the food simply did not live up to the same standard. It served its purpose on the last night of a long road trip, but it was not a meal we are likely to remember long after the journey itself. Oh, I ended grabbing a bite at the hotel, I was still hungry

Went in on a Saturday night around 8pm expecting some sort of energy... and it was completely…read moreempty. Not "slow." Empty. Zero tables seated and maybe two people at the bar. I was seated immediately at the bar, which was fine, but from there the experience just unraveled. The bartender seemed scattered and overwhelmed despite the lack of guests. He mentioned he'd "check on Parmesan and bread" multiple times, but neither ever arrived. I ordered a spaghetti bolognese, an Old Fashioned, and a water. The food itself was fine -- nothing spectacular, but not bad either. The bigger issue was the service and overall atmosphere. There was no presence, no attentiveness, and no sense that anyone was managing the room. At one point I was just sitting there waiting for the check with no sign of the bartender. For a Saturday night, it felt strangely lifeless. It's disappointing because the space has potential. But service and vibe matter just as much as the food -- and right now, both are missing. I hope ownership takes a closer look at what's happening here.

Somehow they managed to turn salmon into amazing, fulfilling meal loaded with rainbow of veggies!…read more Highly recommend. Lovely atmosphere and excellent service. I'd recommend salmon and their pastas!

Had a really great dinner at Opa Italian Restaurant. Everything just hit…read more The shrimp pasta was the standout -- perfectly cooked shrimp, great seasoning, and a light, flavorful sauce that didn't overpower the dish. Simple, fresh, and done right. You can tell they care about the food. The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable, and the service was friendly and attentive without being too much. Just an easy, enjoyable meal from start to finish. Definitely a spot I'd come back to when I'm in the mood for solid Italian food.

The service was fine the server was attentive. At lunch, they have a buffet.\nThere was a lot of…read moredifferent choices.We'll say italian. The food itself was meh. Meat dish was overcooked. It reminded me of going to a buffet in the seventies. Having said that, I'll have to give it up another chance.Going at night , but I wouldn't go to the buffet again.