Sweet Treat Without Wheat

You may have noticed a new vendor at the Downtown Farmer's Market this season...Sweet Treat Without Wheat.  While they leave out the gluten, their products don't lack in taste.

Owner/Chef Sarah came up with the idea for the business after creating some tasty gluten-free treats for her daughter who has celiac disease and thought others would enjoy these items too.  There is certainly a need with the number of people on gluten-free diets growing.

Her donuts, cookies, cheesecakes and even crepes have been really popular at the Farmer's Market and while the market is over for the season, you can still order these items and more by contacting them on Facebook here.

I've stopped by their tent at the market a few times and was lucky enough to stop by last month for the last Downtown Market of the season for a Hawaiian crepe (awesome choice for lunch) and a donut, yum!  Certainly a treat for those with gluten intolerance's or celiac disease, but just as good tasting for those without!

The crepes are made to order and you'd never know they were gluten-free.  Try a neutella and banana! Yum!

If you or a friend are in the market for some gluten-free deliciousness, check out Sweet Treat Without Wheat's Facebook page for more info and and to order!  You can pick up or she will deliver in the DSM area.

Their products have been so popular that they are looking to expand and in a recent Facebook Post they proclaimed that their resolution for 2014 is to spread more gluten-free goodness!  Cool!

Varsity Theater

There are a few movie theaters in the area that are a little different from the rest.  One is Fleur Cinema & Cafe which is a little different from The Varsity Theater which is located at 1207 25th St., Des Moines, but along the same lines.  Both show independent films rather than mainstream movies, but Fleur Cinema's appeal is the "hip" feel and upscale snacks.  The Varsity Theater has a, well, college feel since it is located on the Drake campus and offers cheap snacks and while the amenities aren't the latest edition, it is comfortable and clean.


The theater has a lot of history to it as it's been around since the 1930's and was quite modern at that time.  I think it's great that it's stayed open and continues to serve college students as well as the entire community.

Check the theater's website for shows and times and come support this local gem.  Make sure you bring cash or a check though since they don't take credit cards.

Admission prices are as follows:
Evening Admission: Adults $7.50
Seniors (65+) $6.00Students (with ID, Sun.-Thurs.) $6.00
Matinees $5.00

Snack prices are also very inexpensive so check out The Varsity Theater for you next date-night.  It will be less expensive and you might just see a film that you really like that you've never heard of!

Friedrichs Coffee

Located on the corner of 42nd street, on University ave in Des Moines is a cute little coffee shop.  Friedrich's is a chain, but they they offer pasties, cookies and muffins from local sources and a nice variety of coffee and smoothies. 

The shop is very welcoming and the staff is always friendly.  I tried the "canopy jumper" (or something similarly named) and it was good, unfortunately for Friedrich's though, The Juice Company is right down the street and offers better smoothies.

I'm not a coffee drinker, but my friends said they enjoyed some of the exotic brews and would come back for more.

Sometimes you are just looking for a spot to relax or do some work and have a snack, read a book or meet with friends.  If that's your goal and you are in the Drake neighborhood, check out Friedrich's.

Mars Cafe

In my mind it had only been a few months since I had last visited Mars Cafe.  Mars Cafe is in the Drake neighborhood right across the way from the college.

In my grad-school days we'd often come over to the cafe for a snack and a coffee while studying like many other students do and it was really the coolest place around to hang out.

Well, unfortunately I realized that it's now 2013, and I graduated from grad-school in 2008.  bwah-bwah......Fail.  It's now been upwards of 5 years since I've last visited the cafe.  But the good news is, it's gotten even cooler since then

I met a friend for breakfast and my has their menu grown!  From breakfast sandwiches like peanut butter and nutella and vegetarian wraps to breakfast quesadillas and more, this menu was awesome!  They carry paninis and other specialty sandwiches and lovely salads and snacks.  Awesome menu for a "coffee shop" type of cafe.  Of course they carry the caffeine-filled stuff, too. =)

Come in to the cafe to catch up with an old (or new) friend, get some work done or bring your little one in for a special breakfast.  This cafe is very welcoming, inexpensive (my quesadilla was $4.99), laid-back and tasty!  Try it!