Share
Where to Find New Noodles and Crafty Cocktails
 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
March 22, 2023
DINING    HOME    ARTS    SUBSCRIBE
PRESENTING SPONSOR
Building Art in Collaboration with the Client’s Design

As a design+build firm, we take a lot of pride in our architectural design work, and we love to build the projects that we design. But occasionally, we also do “build only” projects in which we bring to life another designer’s plan and help clients build something... Read more.
The menu at Pho 515 allows diners to choose their own protein adventure: shrimp and brisket, as shown, or any combination of beef, chicken, vegetables or tofu. Photo: Duane Tinkey.

FOOD AND DINING
Take a Tour of Global Noodles in the City

Writer: Karla Walsh


If you hear “pasta” and immediately think Italian, it’s time to expand your horizons. Noodle dishes have been made in hundreds of cultures for centuries, and a diverse mix of local restaurants proves the point. Consider this your bucket list of some of the best globe-trotting noodles in Greater Des Moines.

Vietnamese pho: Pho 515
Rice noodles and a bounty of fresh herbs and vegetables star in this robustly flavored broth-based soup (pictured above). You can find pho at several Vietnamese restaurants, but this recently renovated restaurant within C Fresh Market is worth seeking out. (They won the Pho King competition in 2021.)

Japanese ramen: Wasabi
At all five metro-area Wasabi locations, you can choose from five flavor variations when you’re craving this Japanese noodle soup. Try chicken wonton, spicy kimchi seafood, spicy kimchi pork, spicy seafood or the most traditional, black garlic tonkotsu ramen.

Alpine mac and cheese: Cheese Bar
A twist on the Cheese Shop’s self-proclaimed “world-famous mac,” this recipe is certainly worthy of its mountain-inspired moniker. In place of the Midwest cheeses infused into the classic recipe, the Alpine mac stars a Swiss mountain cheese blend, thinly sliced apples and sauteed onions, then comes topped with fried onions, breadcrumbs and flecks of parsley.

Thai street food: Blu Thai Food and Sushi
Though classic pad thai is on the menu, we suggest the lad na, a popular street food in Thailand consisting of wide rice noodles, stir-fried egg, carrots, onion, Chinese broccoli and garlic in a thick sweet and sour sauce. Other options include garlic and drunken noodles and pad see ew.

This story originally appeared in the current print issue of dsm. See all the photos online.

WEEKEND SECTION PRESENTED BY CATCH DES MOINES
Clockwise from top left: Chris Bohjalian, NoViolet Bulawayo, Sarah Penner and Sequoia Nagamatsu.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND
Grab Your Bookmarks: DSM Book Festival Returns

The story continues for the DSM Book Festival on Saturday. Hear from some internationally acclaimed and best-selling authors, including headliners Chris Bohjalian ("The Lioness"), NoViolet Bulawayo (“Glory”), Sarah Penner (“The Lost Apothecary”) and Sequoia Nagamatsu (“How High We Go in the Dark”).

The day begins bright and early at 9 a.m. in Capital Square, 400 Locust St. Guests will be greeted by spring book and coffee pairings from Storyhouse Bookpub and Daisy Chain Coffee while musical guest Abbie Sawyer performs on the main stage. Then there's plenty more to see and do in the packed schedule. The main event is free, but VIP tickets offer additional perks and programs to enjoy.

Throughout the event, book lovers and casual readers alike can find dozens of hands-on activities and workshops to suit their literary tastes. For other tastes, Cajun Belle, Fredrich’s Coffee, Iowa Cookie Co. and Jessen Concessions will be serving up snacks. The event wraps up at 6 p.m. early enough to head home and curl up with your newest signed copies.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

Indie Bookstore Crawl (10 a.m. Friday): Get ready for the DSM Book Festival with a tour of local bookstores and publishers. Beaverdale Books, Racoon River Press, Reading in Public Bookstore + Cafe, and Storyhouse Bookpub are all stops on the list to collect special bookmarks and cookies. Plus, participants can enter to win a VIP ticket or a $20 voucher for festival merchandise.

Joyann Parker at Noce (7 p.m. Saturday): The Minneapolis-based blues singer/songwriter visits Des Moines for a performance at Noce. Parker’s genre-bending second album, “Out of the Dark,” was released last February and debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard Blues Chart. Tickets start at $20.

Nico Moon at Hoyt Sherman (8 p.m. Saturday): A self-described small-town Georgia boy, Niko Moon set out to capture the country-pop genre of his youth in his debut album, “Good Time,” which he’ll feature during a tour stop at Hoyt Sherman Place. A prolific songwriter, Moon has also written songs for Dierks Bentley, Zac Brown Band, Rascal Flatts and Morgan Wallen. Limited tickets are still available.

#blackexcellence comedy at Teehee's (9:30 p.m. Saturday): Join the Black Iowa Streams crew for a Comedy Kickback show, spotlighting a few of Iowa’s Black comedians. Find tickets online.

ARTS AND CULTURE
Jazz performance: Shayna Steele performs at the Temple Theater at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The jazz vocalist has backed up Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson, Rihanna and Bette Midler and was part of the original Broadway cast of "Hairspray." Her fourth studio album, “Gold Dust," releases April 21. Tickets are available through Des Moines Performing Arts.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Party time: Join us May 2 for the unveiling of the May/June issue of dsm and the annual edition of Inclusion at Mercedes Benz of Des Moines, at 9993 Hickman Road in Urbandale. Register here and visit dsm’s Facebook event for details.
SHOPPING
We dig it: Dogpatch Urban Gardens recently announced that the expansion of its urban farm and newly constructed garden center will open for business April 8. They'll sell seeds, plants, tools and supplies just in time for spring planting. Find organic seeds from Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, herb and vegetable plants and starts, and annual and perennial flowers. The property also houses a Free Food Pantry and Free Little Library. Learn more.
ARTS AND CULTURE
New album release: Des Moines vocalist Abbie Sawyer’s newest project, a women-led folk band called the Night Lights, released their first self-titled album Tuesday. Sawyer also fronts Americana folk band Abbie & the Sawyers, who plan to release their own new album on Thursday. A release show April 8 at xBk Live will celebrate both new records, with a guest appearance by the Awful Purdies from Iowa City.
In Confidence's new menu addition, the Pretty in Pink, sports fresh mint and raspberries, and tastes like a spring afternoon. Photo: In Confidence.

FOOD AND DINING
These Fresh Cocktails Will Put a Spring in Your Step

Spending your spring break in Des Moines? The Iowa weather might be unpredictable, but you can count on the city’s craft cocktail mixologists to make your staycation feel a bit more adventurous.

In Confidence: For classics with a twist, slip into this speakeasy-style bar hidden in the Hotel Fort Des Moines. The Henley Highball (Stolichnaya, apple cider, lemon, soda) is fresh and sweet and comes with its own mini spring bouquet as a garnish. Amelia’s Aviation takes gin to new heights, swapping the traditional crème de violette with hibiscus for a tart purple pick-me-up. Find fresh mint and raspberries atop the Pretty in Pink, made with Ketel Citroen, Mum Napa Brut and lime juice.

Mulberry Street Tavern: Complement your meal with anything from the wine list and you can’t go wrong. But for something with a bit more zing, order a Bisou Bisou made with Plymouth gin, ginger lime cordial and orange blossom water. Its nonalcoholic sister, the Zoo Be Zoo Be, is equally tasty with a special house tea blend.

Django: Go ahead and try the Soylent Green despite its unsettling name. Made with Armagnac, Orgeat, lemon, egg white and a healthy dash of matcha powder, this cocktail looks and tastes like a perfectly sour green apple. Or experiment with the smoky, beachy End of the Road, made with Banhez Mezcal, Cynar, Cocchi Americano, rosemary, blueberry, sea salt and orange, to really feel like you’re sipping sunshine.
Facebook
 
Twitter
 
Instagram
Business Publications Corporation Inc.

Submit news: editors@bpcdm.com
Advertising info: emilyschultz@bpcdm.com
Membership info: jasonswanson@bpcdm.com

Copyright © BPC 2023, All rights reserved.
Reproduction or use without permission of editorial or graphic content in any manner is strictly prohibited.

Email Marketing by ActiveCampaign