For the time being, my posts will no longer be about Des Moines, IA. I made a risky choice and took a job here for the time being. I am fairly certain I will be back in Des Moines before the end of the year. But until then, you can read my thoughts, reviews, and experiences about the District of Columbia here.
Having lived in Des Moines for a few months over a year, and now having lived in DC for four months, I can tell you that both have pros and cons. I've also come to realize that neither is good, neither is bad, but all experiences need to be based around loved ones. It's the only way to find value in the end.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Saturday, October 18, 2008
MGMT: We're Fated to Pretend
On October 7, I went to the MGMT concert at People's Court. If you are unfamiliar with their stuff, you should definitely check out their newest release called Oracular Spectacular. Following are some links to some of my favorite tracks: Electric Feel, Kids (unofficial), Time to Pretend, and Weekend Wars. They are from Brooklyn, have been featured on Gossip Girl, and have been remixed by Justice: if any of those reasons are not reason enough to check them out, then I don't know what is. I'm not concerned with them coming out with a junior album that is outstanding and I'm not concerned with them winning a grammy. Their music is a fun, retro throwback of David Bowie meets the BeeGees meets Jimi Hendrix meets 2008, all done by drug-induced hipsters who came of age in the 90's. I don't know--I'm not a music reviewer or a hipster. But their music makes me want to be irresponsible and do irresponsible things if only for a few moments, and that's worth something. ;) It's also great to be able to see live bands in Des Moines that are not the usual local stuff. And for $17 just down the street, it's worth a work night.
The Continental and Zzz Records
After shunning Alba, we took a left at the Lutheran Church, made a right just past the gay bar, and took a quick stop at TB's favorite, local gem, Zzz Records in the East Village. As an aspiring DJ and vinyl connoisseur, he regularly likes to check out what is available. We found Chromeo's debut "Fancy Footwork" (youtube or Itunes it: it's great) and then headed to a late dinner next door, literally.
For our entrees we also stuck with something dependable: for TB, a Blackened Chicken Sandwich on South Union foccacia, and for me, a Steak Salad with homemade (and soft!) croutons. For dessert, we finished off the night by splitting Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake. The setting itself is comfortable, yet chic, making use of the original brick walls and high ceilings. There is a piano and drum set in the front window which provided some nice, background jazz for the younger-to-middle-aged patrons who were onto their second and third drink rounds.
The Continental has been a great fall back option for us in the past. Boasting unique plates like MayTag Blue Cheese Crostinis, Panko Breaded Crabcakes, and Beef Carpachio, they offer classic, yet accessible fare. We decided on the Prosciutto-wrapped Asparagus with our respective drinks to match our personalities: Guiness for him, a Key-Lime Pie martini for me, which was the best mixed drink I have had. A martini should be drinkable, but you should be able to know there is alcohol in it. I was not disappointed.
For our entrees we also stuck with something dependable: for TB, a Blackened Chicken Sandwich on South Union foccacia, and for me, a Steak Salad with homemade (and soft!) croutons. For dessert, we finished off the night by splitting Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake. The setting itself is comfortable, yet chic, making use of the original brick walls and high ceilings. There is a piano and drum set in the front window which provided some nice, background jazz for the younger-to-middle-aged patrons who were onto their second and third drink rounds.All in all an enjoyable night, accented with enjoyable conversation with a loved one.
Alba
Not Jessica; the restaurant on East Sixth and Des Moines Street. Sorry, guys.
I experienced a new and invigorating dining experience last night--and it didn't involve the food.
For awhile now I've wanted to try out an East Village restaurant called Alba, so The Boyfriend and I decided to "celebrate" my cancelled shift at J.Crew (the economy can be blamed for this) as a good excuse to get a nice dinner and try a new place. I guess the bad parking access should've been the first hint that this would not bode well. When we finally made it into the restaurant, I could barely see where I was going. Supposedly there are eclectic, vintage doors hanging from the ceiling, but who knows: the table was lit with the light from a streetlamp and a dim candle at the tables. The waitress seated us as far away from the rest of the other diners as possible (and it's a small venue). Call me old-fashioned and traditional, but when the bruschetta in their 'Small Plates' section has neither basil, fresh mozzarella, or even tomatoes but instead a selection of beans, something is awry. I searched the menu for something to jump out at me and nothing really did. TB said he could order the NY Strip (something you can order anywhere) but at $25, we already knew that a tastier and more elegant version could be found for the same price at Bistro Montage. I genuinely felt trapped. We already had the water, the menus, the table, the waitress... but then, we did something I have never done before: He pulled a few dollars out of his pocket, and placed them on the table, and then we got up and walked out. Passing our waitress on the way out, we said, "Thank you, but this isn't what we were looking for."
And that is the truth.
She'll probably think that as a young couple we didn't want to shell out some bucks for an elegant dinner. But in reality, I didn't want to feel locked into a restaurant's contemporary and experimental American food concept, and have to pay for something that just wasn't what I wanted. And it was liberating.
I experienced a new and invigorating dining experience last night--and it didn't involve the food.
For awhile now I've wanted to try out an East Village restaurant called Alba, so The Boyfriend and I decided to "celebrate" my cancelled shift at J.Crew (the economy can be blamed for this) as a good excuse to get a nice dinner and try a new place. I guess the bad parking access should've been the first hint that this would not bode well. When we finally made it into the restaurant, I could barely see where I was going. Supposedly there are eclectic, vintage doors hanging from the ceiling, but who knows: the table was lit with the light from a streetlamp and a dim candle at the tables. The waitress seated us as far away from the rest of the other diners as possible (and it's a small venue). Call me old-fashioned and traditional, but when the bruschetta in their 'Small Plates' section has neither basil, fresh mozzarella, or even tomatoes but instead a selection of beans, something is awry. I searched the menu for something to jump out at me and nothing really did. TB said he could order the NY Strip (something you can order anywhere) but at $25, we already knew that a tastier and more elegant version could be found for the same price at Bistro Montage. I genuinely felt trapped. We already had the water, the menus, the table, the waitress... but then, we did something I have never done before: He pulled a few dollars out of his pocket, and placed them on the table, and then we got up and walked out. Passing our waitress on the way out, we said, "Thank you, but this isn't what we were looking for."
And that is the truth.
She'll probably think that as a young couple we didn't want to shell out some bucks for an elegant dinner. But in reality, I didn't want to feel locked into a restaurant's contemporary and experimental American food concept, and have to pay for something that just wasn't what I wanted. And it was liberating.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Perspective
For the first time since I have had my apartment of over one year, my month-old (in apartment owning years) next-door neighbor, kindly knocked on my door and asked me to turn down my music. This would not bother me for three reasons: 1) If the said neighbor had any taste for good music, like the song I was playing at the time of the incident, which happened to be Simon Mobile Disco's Hustler; 3) If the music had actually been turned about all the way; 2) If the said neighbor was not wearing an apron. That's right. My male neighbor (who does have a wife and is not cool enough to be gay) was wearing a short, navy blue apron. This just further supports the fact that every time I come home from the office, the foyer (or foy-a, as some claim it) smells like a strange combination of baking soda and catfish; He even looked the part of the wifely, house-husband. All that is to say that at 8PM on a Friday, my pre-partying rituals were interrupted by a new neighbor who obviously didn't realize that the music wouldn't last long, and that his evening of catfish and Yahtzee could continue as every other night if he'd only waited five more minutes until I headed to the bar.
It might be time to check the housing market...
It might be time to check the housing market...
Friday, September 12, 2008
Best Work Lunches: Downtown Des Moines
When time is of the essence over your work break, the following downtown spots prove that a delicious, timely lunch is possible outside of the usual fastfood fare or frozen entrees hiding in the back of the breakroom freezer...
Smokey's BBQ
Located downtown in the Skywalk--it's not all that bad to navigate if you have a friend--is an unassuming lunch stop (it's just across from MetaBank). No decor and no particular theme except for quality barbeque. The lines are usually quite long as it's a lunch hotspot, so get there early. My fav lunch pick: Burnt ends topped with a combination of Sassy and Firey BBQ sauce with a side of macaroni & cheese.
Centro
Call me crazy, but Des Moines is not a city I associated with fine or even remotely unique cuisine. I was, however, proved wrong by Centro, located on the NW corner of Locust and 10th. Centro can be a classy date spot by night, or a casual, and yet refined, lunch destination. For two people, splitting one of their fire-roasted pizzas (truly authentic) is a deal, or as my pick goes, getting a cup of Tomato Basil Tortellini Soup and a Centro side-salad: fresh greens tossed with balsamic vinagrette, walnuts, and gorgonzola.
South Union
Located in the same building as the beloved Centro, South Union is the ultimate soup and sandwich stop. Lines can be outrageously long, so arriving at least 15 minutes before the lunch "rush" makes all the difference. Their signature Pepper Jack Cheese Soup is a perfect ensemble of potatoes, peppers, cheese, celery and spices. Also available to patrons are small, brown bags that you can fill with bread slices to go long with your soup, free of charge and unlimited. They have a large selection of sandwiches served on their homemade foccacia bread--instantly recognizable bread which you will find at almost every surrounding restaurant--with daily specials. The BF's pick: The half-sized, triple-pepper turkey melt and cup of pepper jack cheese soup. My pick: A cup of pepper jack cheese soup and complimentary bread.
Smokey's BBQ
Located downtown in the Skywalk--it's not all that bad to navigate if you have a friend--is an unassuming lunch stop (it's just across from MetaBank). No decor and no particular theme except for quality barbeque. The lines are usually quite long as it's a lunch hotspot, so get there early. My fav lunch pick: Burnt ends topped with a combination of Sassy and Firey BBQ sauce with a side of macaroni & cheese.
Centro
Call me crazy, but Des Moines is not a city I associated with fine or even remotely unique cuisine. I was, however, proved wrong by Centro, located on the NW corner of Locust and 10th. Centro can be a classy date spot by night, or a casual, and yet refined, lunch destination. For two people, splitting one of their fire-roasted pizzas (truly authentic) is a deal, or as my pick goes, getting a cup of Tomato Basil Tortellini Soup and a Centro side-salad: fresh greens tossed with balsamic vinagrette, walnuts, and gorgonzola.
South Union
Located in the same building as the beloved Centro, South Union is the ultimate soup and sandwich stop. Lines can be outrageously long, so arriving at least 15 minutes before the lunch "rush" makes all the difference. Their signature Pepper Jack Cheese Soup is a perfect ensemble of potatoes, peppers, cheese, celery and spices. Also available to patrons are small, brown bags that you can fill with bread slices to go long with your soup, free of charge and unlimited. They have a large selection of sandwiches served on their homemade foccacia bread--instantly recognizable bread which you will find at almost every surrounding restaurant--with daily specials. The BF's pick: The half-sized, triple-pepper turkey melt and cup of pepper jack cheese soup. My pick: A cup of pepper jack cheese soup and complimentary bread.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Travels
Labor Day presented itself with a few surprises of its own this past weekend. What was supposed to be an enjoyable, relaxing, annual tradition of drinking, boating, and catching up with close friends here, 
... was actually a weekend largely spent in a hospital with my dad who suffered a massive stroke. He is doing remarkably better and has regained much of his abilities back (and most importantly is back at home). I always look forward to my visits to Michigan, which I hold to be one of the most beautiful states, so I hope the the future holds more, happier visits to there.
... was actually a weekend largely spent in a hospital with my dad who suffered a massive stroke. He is doing remarkably better and has regained much of his abilities back (and most importantly is back at home). I always look forward to my visits to Michigan, which I hold to be one of the most beautiful states, so I hope the the future holds more, happier visits to there.Stay tuned for more Des Moines adventures and reviews...
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