dsmWeekly: October 25, 2023

Desi Bites in Urbandale serves a speedy, satisfying biryani. Photo: Desi Bites

FOOD AND DINING

On chilly nights, warm up to South Asian delights

Writer: Karla Walsh

We’ll turn back the clocks in less than two weeks, on Nov. 5 — whether we like it or not. Polling suggests that 7 in 10 Americans wish we’d ditch daylight saving time altogether, and I’m one of them.

But take heart: One way to counter the chilly darkness is with cozy bright comfort food, which is what Indian cuisine is all about. I’m a fan of local South Asian restaurants like India Star, Indian Tadka, Kathmandu, Persis Biryani Indian Grill and Spices of Nepal. But after doing some delicious research, I’ve discovered three more suburban spots that I plan to revisit and enjoy this fall and winter.

Chowrastha: This spot opened just over a year ago and is known for its bountiful lunch buffet, which starts at 11:30 p.m. every weekday. If you’re new to the cuisine or would simply like a sampler platter, this is a terrific way to dine. Don’t miss the chili paneer and whatever tandoori-style dishes they’re serving on the day you go. Find it: 5910 Ashworth Road in West Des Moines.

Desi Bites: One of 10 Desi Bites franchises across the Midwest and East Coast, this self-service, fast food-style buffet delivers on quality and quantity. If you’re just in the mood for a snack, try the vada pav, which are spicy potato fritters topped with mint chutney and tucked inside fluffy, toasted pav bread. If you’re feeding the family, pick up a Biryani Family Pack (available in chicken, egg, lamb, fish, mutton, paneer, shrimp and vegetable) which comes in a literal bucket, perfect for leftovers. Find it: 3828 100th St. in Urbandale, tucked inside Konark Grocers.

Zaika: At this place that opened in May and specializes in Punjabi cuisine, you can let your nose help you decide what to order. The fragrant daal makhani (black lentil stew), pakora (fritters) and lamb curry cooking in the kitchen act like a natural compass that will point you in the right direction. Of course, you may be tempted to order one of everything on the menu, which includes plenty of meat, poultry and plant-based options. Find it: 3209 Henry St. S.W. in Bondurant.

Eddie Kidd gives Amelia Hillman a scare in "Salem," last year's spooky production from Ballet Des Moines. Photo: Jami Milne

BEST BET

See ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ just in time for Halloween

In a really good book, the characters seem to leap off the page. That’s what Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde will do, quite literally, when Ballet Des Moines presents the world premiere of “Jekyll and Hyde” this weekend at the Temple Theater. Choreographed by Tom Mattingly, the company’s artistic director, the new ballet offers a fresh spin on the Gothic tale of good and evil that Robert Louis Stevenson published in 1886.

The company’s website features forensic-style mugshots of the cast with roles that hint at the horrors to come and will surely burnish the dancers’ resumes: Hyde’s First Victim, Hyde’s Second Victim and Snake Oil Salesman. You can still buy tickets online … if you dare.

THE WEEK AHEAD

“What the Night Tells Us,” (6 p.m. Friday): Artists Duane Slick and Martin Smick will be on hand for the opening reception of the duo’s joint installation at the Anderson Gallery at Drake University. They’ll lead a tour the following afternoon. The show remains through Dec. 15.

“Seussical the Musical,” (7 p.m. Friday; 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday): The Des Moines Playhouse opens its latest show for young audiences, the story of Horton as told by the Cat in the Hat. Never a slacker, Horton the elephant takes his egg-sitting duties seriously in the enduring Dr. Seuss mashup. The show runs through Nov. 5.

Poiesis Quartet, (7:30 p.m. Friday): The precocious young winners of the 50th annual Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition’s string division are taking a nationwide victory lap, which includes a Civic Music Association concert at Sheslow Auditorium.

Final Farmers Market, (8 a.m.-noon Saturday): The Downtown Farmers Market sells its last pumpkins and pupusas of the regular season. Looking ahead, the Downtown Winter Farmers Market moves inside Nov. 17-19 at Hy-Vee Hall.

“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” Live in Concert (7:30 p.m. Saturday): Watch the Oscar-winning movie at the Des Moines Civic Center while a turntable-scratching DJ and the all-women Broadway Sinfonietta perform its emotionally charged score, which samples Jaden Smith, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj and Post Malone.

Dia de Los Muertos, (11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday): This year, the annual Day of the Dead celebrations at the Des Moines Art Center pay homage to organized sports and their role in Mexican communities across Iowa. Enjoy games, traditional food and music, art activities and more.

ARTS AND CULTURE
Hit parade: During "An Intimate Evening with David Foster and Katharine McPhee" on April 30 at Hoyt Sherman, the Grammy-winning Canadian music producer and his wife, the American singer/actor, will perform some of their biggest hits and share personal anecdotes about some of the songs. Foster has written and produced several memorable ballads, including Celine Dion’s “The Power of Love,” Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up” and Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing,” from “The Bodyguard.” Tickets are on sale now.

ARTS AND CULTURE
AViD announcement: James Patterson, one of the world’s best-selling authors, will headline the public library’s 2024 Authors Visiting in Des Moines (AViD) series. He’s written more than 200 books, 114 of which have made the New York Times bestseller list. During his visit April 10 to the Scottish Rite Consistory, he’ll share insights into his prolific career and his upcoming nonfiction book, "The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians: True Stories of the Magic of Reading," which will be released April 8. Admission is free, on a first-come, first-served basis (so get there early) and stick around for a book signing.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Health for all: Des Moines University hosts a health screening for adults 50 and older from 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 4 at the DMU Clinic and Olsen Center, 3200 Grand Ave. The “50 and Better Health Fair” is a one-stop shop for information, exams and screenings by DMU's graduate clinical students supervised by faculty. Attendees can get flu shots; test their vision, balance and reflexes; check their feet and ankles; and learn valuable insights about health management, nutrition, medication and more. Other health organizations will be on hand to provide other wellness-related information. Bonus: The DMU String Orchestra will perform from 11:30 a.m. to noon. No registration is required.

ARTS AND CULTURE
DMACC awards alumni: The Des Moines Area Community College Alumni Association presented awards to former DMACC students in a recent ceremony. DMACC President Rob Denson (left) and DMACC Foundation Associate Director Breck Hunt (right) congratulate the recipients, including (second from left, left to right): Ako Abdul-Samad of Des Moines; Anil Mallik of West Des Moines; David J. Abram II of Carlisle; Petra Amstad of Biel-Benken, Switzerland; Sheriff Kevin Schneider of Urbandale; Belange Mutunda of College Park, Maryland; Greg Piklapp of Boone; and Kenzie Carlson of Humboldt. Mutunda received the DMACC Alumni Early Achievement Award and spoke at the association’s dinner.

Inside the glowing salt lounge, guests sit back and relax, breathing in the healing power of the pharmaceutical-grade salt. Photo: Duane Tinkey

LIFESTYLE

Get in a workout, without breaking a sweat

Writer: Hailey Allen

Brandy Gilmartin opened Inner Space at 1251 Keosauqua Way in 2019 and describes it as “a gym for your insides.” Customers can experience a range of services like yoga, reiki massage, lymphatic draining and the BioCharger, all designed to promote relaxation, healing and relief from the everyday stress of life.

In the salt lounge, guests can meditate or simply daydream in a cool, dark and quiet space surrounded by illuminated salt rocks and a layer of crushed salt on the floor. Think dreamy alien beach vibes. According to the spa’s description, the pharmaceutical-grade salt has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that ease a variety of skin and respiratory issues, including allergies.

Other services include Biomat therapy, which is sort of a new-and-improved power nap that uses negative ions to stimulate circulation and reduce inflammation. The spa also offers vibroacoustic therapy in the sound lounge, where low-frequency vibrations “penetrate deep into your body to promote relaxation and reduce stress and tension,” according to a pamphlet.

Heather Pickart, a co-owner of Inner Space and a licensed independent social worker, has an office space at the site. There she hosts therapy sessions and conducts ketamine-assisted psychotherapy to treat depression, with a doctor’s approval.

Another unusual treatment involves an FDA-approved assisted lymphatic therapy machine, which resembles two long light bulbs that rove over your skin and promote lymphatic drainage. Since the lymph system helps the body remove waste and toxins, some health experts say lymphatic drainage can be beneficial for several conditions. Gilmartin said the machine helped shrink her thyroid; in fact, it’s her go-to recommendation whenever someone asks what service to try first.

Read more about what Inner Space has to offer in this dsm story from our Sept/Oct issue.