The Garden Grill

We don't often venture to Johnston during the lunch hour, so I was excited to try out The Garden Grill, just off of 86th street near the movie theater, for lunch last week when we had a meeting out that way.  Honestly, I didn't know what had gone in here after the diner closed.

The first impression was really nice.  White linen table cloths and a kids coloring page with a nice variety of kids meal selections.  We were seated immediately and the waitress was attentive.  There were a lot of lunch menu choices from salads to sandwiches to pasta dishes.  It was almost hard to decide.

Unfortunately, we waited a pretty long time for our entrees to arrive, at least 30 minutes and were we only had an hour for lunch, we probably wouldn't return if we were crunched for time again.  The restaurant was busy, but not enough that it would warrant that kind of wait.  I appreciate the menu selection and that they made items fresh though.

The food came out hot and looked great, but my prime rib sandwich (minus the bun) was just ok.  The seasonings were good and the horse radish sauce certainly helped, but the meat was a little tough. The sweet potato fries were very crispy and nice though,

Josh said his chicken fajita wrap could have used more seasoning.  Nathan's chicken strips were good quality and he liked the fries.

Over-all I appreciated a large menu selection, the attentive staff and hot food.  I wouldn't recommend it for a quick lunch, but would certainly go back for a relaxing meal and to check out their dinner menu.  The martini specials looked good and I would have tried one if it wasn't waaay before 5pm!  I have also been told that their Sunday brunch buffet is very good too, so if you try it out let us know what you think!

Carefree (but not calorie free) cupcakes!

If you haven't checked out The Carefree Patisserie  in Valley Junction.  I suggest you do!  Man, these cupcakes are good.  I've seen them at the Valley Junction farmers market on Thursday nights, but had never visited the store until the other day.

What a cool place!  They have some tables set up so you can enjoy a cupcake and a drink (they sell soda and juice, etc.). They also sell bake ware and other decorating supplies and cute cake-related gifts.

The prices are similar to the other cup-cake bakeries in town at about $2.75 per cupcake.  Their hours are a little more limited though, so check the hours before you head over.

I didn't know that they offered decorating classes and do birthday parties as well!  What a fun kids birthday party to decorate and eat cupcakes together.  They also do full-sized cakes for weddings and other events.

They have fun flavors that change weekly.  I got to try vanilla malt, peanut butter cup, mint and one with a peep on it (I forget which flavor that was) and they were all fabulous.  Not overly sugary and they definitely tasted home-made.  The frosting was perfect, especially the peanut butter.

They also sell pet cakes!  If you need a birthday cake for your dog, they've got you covered.

Stop in for a fun treat any day, take a class or have a kids birthday party here.  Very cool place with very good cupcakes.  Check it out!

Dishin' it up at The Drake Diner

Today's review comes to you by the lovely, Elicia Ropte.  Friend of Eat, Play, Love Des Moines, Elicia is wife to Dave (part-owner of the fantastic new 515 Brewery) and mom of two super-cute kids.  Elicia considers herself a foodie and this girl can cook!  I'd take food advice from her any day!  Thanks for the review Elicia!

The Drake Diner, named for its proximity to Drake University, is located at 1111 25^th Street in Des Moines.  The Drake Diner is locally owned and operated and has been a local favorite since the doors opened to the public in 1987.  The diner is open from 7AM-11PM Monday-Saturday and 7AM-10PM Sunday. 

The exterior is reminiscent of a retro dining car with its rounded sleek design, bright neon and a large clock above the entrance.  The interior exhibits just enough 1950s nostalgia without being tacky and is always a cozy spot to grab a bite. Breakfast on the weekends is always bustling with hungry diners and tables fill up quickly with eager customers during the weekday lunch hour.  They do accept reservations for parties larger than eight. 

The menu features an extensive list of breakfast items which are served all day with the exception of a few items, such as the oatmeal and grits only being served until 2PM.  There is a nice variety of lunch and dinner items as well.  Have room for dessert?  It doesn’t fit on the menu and tends to rotate often so ask your server for a list of the delicious daily offerings.  Beverages range from fountain soda, specialty bottled sodas, hot beverages and they even offer a selection of beers and wines.

On this particular weekday we arrived at 11:00.  I had my heart set on breakfast but my husband decided on a lunch option.  Our preschooler has always enjoyed the variety the children’s menu offers with choice of one main item, a side from a larger selection than most restaurants offer kids and a choice of beverage.  Each child’s meal also comes with a lollipop and a small toy.  This is not stated on the children’s menu, which I feel is a nice option if you would prefer your child not receive such items.  The lollipops and toys are kept behind the host stand so check with them out on your way out the door!

Our preschooler ordered mini Belgian waffles.  He received two golden and feather light waffles which were quickly drenched in syrup.  His side of choice was the fresh fruit cup which is always impressive selection of melons, green and red grapes, fresh pineapple and fresh strawberries.  Unfortunately four year olds don’t understand that mommy wants to take a photo of the meal before digging in.  My husband opted for the Portabella Mushroom Sandwich and sweet potato fries.  The large, meaty portabella mushroom cap was broiled with garlic butter and then served on a whole wheat bun.  A slice of melted Swiss cheese adorns the sandwich along with crisp lettuce, a juicy tomato slice and red onion slices.  The sandwich was served with a creamy honey jalapeño sauce and my husband declared it very tasty.  The sweet potato fries weren’t particularly note-worthy but were hot, crisp and not at all greasy.  The fries were quite a hit with our toddler.

I went with what the menu stated was a Drake Diner specialty, the Santa Fe Grits.  The menu claims their creamy grits are mixed with sausage, cheddar cheese and green chiles and then are grilled and served with two eggs cooked to your specification with white or wheat toast.  Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?  I think this menu item shows a lot of potential but it could have used some tweaking in the cooking process.  I was surprised to see two dense, fully-formed patties come out to the table and was served with a small cup of salsa.  The eggs were cooked perfectly over easy.  But the Santa Fe grits were extremely dry and I was not able to detect sausage, cheese nor green chiles.  I would probably try this item again as it does sound so interesting.  Perhaps this particular Wednesday was just an off day in the kitchen.

The crowning moment in the meal, in my opinion, was the pancakes.  Drake Diner offers pumpkin pancakes but unlike many other breakfast establishments I’ve visited, the pumpkin pancakes at the Drake Diner are offered year round.  Score!  They are always a beautiful deep orange color with just the right amount of spice as not to overpower the delicate and fluffy pancakes.  I ordered the short stack in addition to my meal but I was only able to get a few bites in!  They were an astounding hit with our toddler and she nearly finished two plate-sized pancakes!

By the time we were finishing up our meal the lunch crowd was in full force.  The diner was alive with happy chatter.  The Drake Diner is deeply rooted in the community and when you visit it’s easy to see why.  As we walked to our car with full bellies and surprisingly contented and calm children, I reflected on our nearly perfect visit.

The wildest adventure in town...

There is just so much to do at the Zoo.  The Blank Park Zoo on SW 9th is one of the coolest places in Iowa.  They are open year round and there is always something to do.  



You can keep it low key by just exploring the Zoo on your own, feeding the parakeets, taking a ride on the carousel, riding the train or feeding a giraffe.  Kids can feed goats and llamas in the petting area and even ride a camel!

Zoo Tots cooking class.

Visiting the giraffes after
a fun Zoo Tots class.

Sign up for a zoo tots class, zoo tots cooking class or attend a summer camp. Come over the holidays for the Easter Eggstaravaganza or to visit Santa at Christmastime. The Night Eyes event at Halloween is also very fun and very popular.  Visit their website for information about all of the programing and come visit.


They do awesome kids birthday parties with petting zoo's and you can even rent out the facilities for weddings and other private events.  If you get hungry there is no need to leave, there are dining options with meals to please everyone.  And don't forget to visit the gift shop for souvenirs!

Getting a tattoo is one of Nathan's
favorite parts about visiting the zoo

They have redone so much over the last year from the sea lion area to the Australian outback area.  The favorites like the monkey, tiger, turtles, flamingos and ostriches are always fun to see.  If you have never been, or just haven't been in a while, take advantage of the next nice day and "Do The Zoo".

Bowling up some fun

We are lucky with some great venues to bowl in the Des Moines area!  For those that live closer to the Valley Junction area, check out Val Lanes if you haven't already.   

They have a ton of lanes and all of the normal stuff you can expect from a bowling alley like bumpers and ramps for kids, a cool arcade area, a bar and food. 

We were actually pretty impressed with the food options.  A big selection and surprisingly good quality.  I'll warn you, the french fries are addictive.  Not too greasy and crispy on the outside. Yum.

They have all electronic scoring systems and automated lanes.  The alley is clean and the staff is friendly.  Our kids had a great time even if they only lasted a few strings before moving on the the arcade area. 

While we haven't attended a birthday party here, the price looks reasonable at $9.99 per kid and the brochure says you can bring in your own food.  They also offer leagues and have a store right there to buy all sorts of gear.

They had shoes little enough for our youngest bowler (super cute by the way) which was a toddler size 6.

Tip: Ask for a lane near the arcade since the arcade area is in viewing distance of the lanes, so if the kids go to play you can still bowl or sit at your table and chat and still keep an eye on the kiddos.  

Hessen Haus

I'm pretty sure drinks taste better when they come in a gigantic boot.  The Hessen Haus, right near the Science Center in Des Moines is just an awesome place.  It's the only place in town (that I know of) that you can get some authentic German food.  They have an awesome selection of "bier" as well as all of the popular domestic favorites and a big selection of ciders too.  And they'll serve it to you in a big boot! You need to have at least three people to get served a boot though, so make sure you bring friends!  The gluten-free options are listed right on the beer menu.

They also have great food!  My friend's kid put away a whole order of the alligator fingers last time they were in, so I knew Josh would love them too. He put away his whole order too.  The mustard dipping sauce was tasty and the gator fingers were golden fried in a light batter.  Awesome.

They have a large selection of sandwiches and salads, made to order soft pretzels and a ton of other snacks, appetizers and main meals including German favorites like wienerschnitzel.  You can view the menu here.

They are open for lunch and dinner and the prices are very reasonable.  I wouldn't hesitate to bring kids for lunch even though it's a bar atmosphere.  There are plenty of regular tables and the peasant plate would work for picky kids with lots of crackers, bread slices and cheese and sausage slices.

They of course have German chocolate cake for dessert as well as apple crisp that we were too full to try, but looked delicious.

They have $10 boots from 11-2 Monday through Friday and every time a train goes by, $3 jager shots!  Very fitting since the building was converted into a bier hall from a train station.  The Hessen Haus is a great place to try something different.  It's always an experience and there is no place like it close by.  If you haven't been there already, give it a shot, you'll like it.

Sam & Louie's, More than Just Pizza

One of our favorite Pizza joints in town is Sam & Louie's Pizzeria on 86th street in Urbandale in the Cobblestone Plaza.  Not only do they have great (and gluten free) pizza, it seems like they always have a Groupon, Deal Chicken or Living Social deal available to get a great deal.  They have lunch specials and kids meals and is overall a clean, family-friendly place with really good food.  



The staff is really friendly and they are happy to honor special food-related requests.  The restaurant is spacious and has never been overly-crowded when we dine.





The have a good selection of beer and wine and lots of appetizer, sandwich, salad and pasta options in addition to the pizza.  They even have some fun options like fried pickles.  Check out the lunch specials too.

We also love the party-room in the back of the restaurant for special events/meetings and birthday parties!  They actually do an awesome job with kids birthday parties for a very reasonable price.  

You get the whole whole party-room to yourselves, the kids get to make their own pizza slices, goodie bags are included and you are assigned a host for the whole event. The host plays games like bingo with the kids, takes care of the details and makes it an overall fun time.  We would totally recommend this as a place to have a kids birthday party.



We really like Sam & Louie's!  We think you will too!

Another little known Asian place - Fawn's

If you're looking for some good Asian food at a great price, head over to Des Moines' east side and try Fawn's Asian Cuisine.  It's right off of 235 at the Penn Ave exit, so it's really a short drive from anywhere in the metro.  

They serve all of your Chinese favorites like mongolian chicken or beef, beef or chicken and broccoli, etc. and have lunch specials for around $6.95 that include an entree, rice, egg roll and soup.  The food is served quick, the service is good and most importantly the food is good!

I like the broccoli chicken which comes in a white sauce with lots of fresh carrots and broccoli.  The chicken is always white meat, which is a must for me. I'm not a big fan of the mystery meat you get at some places.

Josh really likes the Pho.  He prefers the chicken to the beef, but the broth is very tasty and has a lot of soft rice noodles and fresh veggies and herbs with it.  

They also have curry dishes along with other thai favorites too like pad thai.  We haven't had a bad meal yet and can always do lunch in under an hour.

They don't have a separate kids menu, but the portions are big enough to share, or order them a chicken satay appetizer (chicken on a stick with peanut dipping sauce) or other appetizer.  The waitress will bring us a little of bowl crispy noodles on the side too which our kid likes to munch on.

If you like iced coffee, don't forget to try a "cafe soda" which is basically iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk.  Josh is addicted.  We think Fawn's is another little known great restaurant in town.  Give it shot!

Take it easy tonight, have dinner at Speakeasy

So, in case you were all wondering just which restaurant we almost Dine & Dashed at...This is it.  Totally not on purpose, but funny none-the-less (I can say that now after visions of angry staff chasing us down the street exit my mind).  

Anyway, one of the first restaurants anyone recommend to us when we moved to Iowa 8 years ago, was Chicago Speakeasy.  And I can see why.

I can safely say they have one of my favorite salad bars in the area.  Make sure you follow the arrows at the salad bar, this is something people seem to really struggle with. It's really a simple concept, and with practice we can overcome.  For most kids, they'd be happy with just the salad bar for a meal since it has any fruit, veggie, mayo-based salad and condiment you can think of and has dessert items like marshmallow salad and oreo fluff.  Yum.  The salad bar comes with most meals.  A warm loaf of bread is also delivered to your table.

Moving on to the main meals though, think meat.  Steak, chicken, pork and ribs with potatoes any way you like them or pasta.  I've also heard good things about the seafood lasagna.  You really can't go wrong.  They also have a kids menu with pasta, kid-portion of steak, etc.

Josh got the steak de burgo this time and said it was great.  I got the prime rib and the garlic-buttery sauteed mushrooms were awesome with it.  

We wrapped it up with the chocolate lava cake for desert and my 5 year old has asked for it for dinner every night since last week.

They have reasonably priced, fun cocktails and wine and beer of course.  Get there early because they can get really busy by 6:30pm.  But they have tables set up in the waiting area to relax and have a cocktail and appetizer while you're waiting for your seat, so it's not so bad if you have to wait.  There are always a lot of families there, so don't be afraid to make this a family outing, but it's nice enough for a date-night as well.  We love it! Even if we are now know as the dine & dashers ;)