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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

Stay tuned for more Des Moines adventures and reviews...

Flanigans

Place: Flanigans, on the corner of MLK and Ingersoll
Pitcher of Harps: $8
Patio seating: Complimentary
Awkward moment from a nosy waitress: Priceless

Waitress: Oh, aren't you two just the cutest couple...
Me: *shuffles feet awkwardly* Uh, thanks.
The Boyfriend: *laughs awkwardly*
Waitress, as she seats us on the patio: Let me guess: for such a cute couple, you two must be married?
Me: Uh, eh... well, no.
TB: *blank stare*
Me, trying to talk over the loud music: Dating, actually.
Waitress: Getting married?! Oh, I knew it!
Me: Oh, oh no, we're just dati--
Waitress, unable to hear my correction: That's so exciting! I could just tell...
Me: *blank stare*
Boyfriend: *deer in the headlights look*
Waitress leaves with our drink order, and proud look on her face.
We look at each other.
TB: So, I was thinking a winter wedding?

Fleur Cinema and Cafe / Bottle Shock

Part I: Fleur Cinema and Cafe

One of my favorite places in Des Moines is situated in a commercial plaza area near the airport and next to a HyVee. It is one of the most unlikely spots for a place like this, but it is a treasure not to be missed. Fleur Cinema and Cafe is a four-screen movie theatre which serves pop and buttery popcorn in addition to desserts and a selection of beers and wines. When most theatres are showing all the mainstream fare--which I won't deny liking--Fleur shows the lesser-known, but often more substantial releases. Oftentimes they will host indie directors and screenwriters who are promoting their films all in an artistic setting, yet one that never lets you forget you are in a theatre.



Part II: Bottle Shock

It's always nice to be able to read a review in the New York Times and be able to see the movie that night, without the inconvenience of having to catch a flight to NYC in order to do so. The Boyfriend and I agreed that the movie Bottle Shock can be best described as a red, table wine: dry, ambitious, full of varied--often incongruous--notes, yet with enough character and whimsy to make it a necessary part of a good evening. If you see this movie for any reason, it should be for Alan Rickman, who never fails to deliver a perfectly-tuned performance, whatever his roll may be.

Zen Sushi Bar

For the second time, I went to Zen Sushi Bar on Walnut Street in Des Moines. I was only recently introduced to sushi, having had my first roll on the campus of MSU in Lansing, MI. I don't claim to be a sushi fanatic--I haven't graduated to nigiri or sashimi--but I do experience the phenomenon of "sushi cravings"; they happen unexpectedly and there is little that can be done, save for a short trip downtown.

The prices at Zen are quite reasonable for a more upscale place, the average around $8 or so for a roll. Favorites so far: the Iowa and Buddha Tempura. I like to begin the meal with a bowl of miso soup, which is the perfect appetizer for this kind of experience. And if you're feeling adventurous, the Zen Signature Martini is a delicious way to top off the night.

El Bait Shop

On Sunday, The Boyfriend and I decided to put some free tickets to good use and headed out to the Iowa Cubs game at Principal Park. Needless to say, we lasted a whole 30 minutes due to the 90+ degrees in the shade. I love baseball, beer, and frozen lemonade as much as the next girl, but I do have my limits. :) We did, however, start the afternoon off right at El Bait Shop on the corner of 3rd and MLK Parkway, a local favorite.



The decor is decidely eclectic; colorful wooden tables, dark-colored booths, vintage arcade games, bicycles hanging from the ceiling, and random posters--including an impressive wall mural from the cover of the children's book, Where the Wild Things Are--adorn a renovated car garage. (For proof, there's even a brightly colored, tiled shower on one side and a working garage door on the other.) Instead of the usual burgers and fries that one would come to expect from a place like this, you can find unique Mexican fare that includes barbacoa tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and chips and salsa among other things. At since it's one block from the ball park, there really is no better place to start an afternoon of baseball, especially if it only lasts half an hour.

The Faint at People's Court

The Faint show really shook the crowd at People's Court on Sunday.

No, seriously.

The floor moved as people jumped and danced with the music at the jam-packed concert on Court Avenue. My only thought regarding the floor giving out was "what a way to go". Having been introduced to their music by a good friend, I was already a fan of their dance-driven electronica (Worked Up--music ONLY on this clip!--I Disappear, and Sealed Human, for example) but seeing them perform live was intoxicating to say the least, and well worth the $15 (check out iowatix.com to pre-order concert tickets in the Des Moines area).

Having been to Liar's Club and Legends more than my fair share, it was nice to see another aspect of the Court Avenue area. People's is located on the third floor of Court and 3rd St. and has a stage, booths, tables, chairs, dance floor and full bar area (21+ only). I would definitely see another concert there, and would especially recommend it tbecause of the ease in locating it and the generally low cost for most concerts. I would also recommend seeing someone a little more quiet and mellow, say Dick Prall or the like, unless you don't mind a possible floor collapse mid-song.

515 Alive and Court Avenue Brew

On Saturday night, The Boyfriend and I headed to downtown Des Moines for a home-grown DJ festival. Main stages included DJ Flash, DJ Bui, and DJ Misjah from Amsterdam. I have a sneaking suspicion that going a few hours earlier would've proven to be more interesting as the 9PM crowds were stumblingly drunk and certain alleyways were veritable trash heaps. The music was just so-so. As The Boyfriend and I discussed, the music the DJs were playing was fairly typical. If you want to catch my attention play something like this or maybe something that will make me want to dance. Something to always keep in mind: what gets people moving is something that makes girls feel hot when they dance to it. And everyone knows that when girls want to dance, the party starts.

When crowds proved too annoying, we stopped at the Court Avenue Brew patio for some drinks and appetizers. The waitress forgot our first drink orders and promptly gave us a free round on the house. Martinis (the Starburst and the Orange Wave) were decent for the cost--$4.50 for an extensive list--and the Spring Rolls had an interesting take: pulled pork, black beans and a tangy sweet & sour sauce.

To finish the night off we tried the Beer Sampler for $12. Eight samples--probably 6 oz.'s--are assembled into a round tray and accompanied with the beer list. I was pleasantly surprised by the taste. Outstanding beers were the Pale Ale, Hiefewiesen, and Two Rivers, their light beer. I would definitely recommend their brews, especially on the patio in the summer so that you can scope out the crowds rather than get stuck in them.

The Dark Knight

I swear that I tried holding off as long as I could to post my review of The Movie of the Summer (and I don't mean Mamma Mia!). Two days was about all I could handle.

Before you read this, two things: I liked it very much, so you won't find anything contrary to most other reviews. Secondly, I strongly dislike most sequels because I usually view them as sell-out attempts at cleaning out the box office (if it worked once, it should work again, right?).

When I got to the theater, almost every seat was already filled. And if it wasn't, it was filled 20 minutes before the feature began. Since I had time to think, I wondered whether these people were there to see Heath Ledger's posthumous performance or to see the second installation to Christian Bale's Batman. I also wondered the same about myself. I thought Batman Begins was a successfully ambitious interpretation of the Batman genre (that's what it is, really) and even before Heath Ledger's death I knew that I wanted to be there for it's opening night. But knowing that one of the supposedly eeriest performances was to be a man's last performance certaintly gave me a morbidly curious desire to see the film. Either way, it was well worth the $10 ticket.

The Dark Knight was darker and more tormented than the last movie. There was less emphasis placed on the gadgets and secret lairs of Batman and more emphasis placed on the inner turmoil and questions of justice that each character is subjected to. Batman becomes even more of a creature driven by inner turmoil of being a custodian of public duty. As each person he loves is pulled away from him, he becomes more and more resigned to what his destiny holds. And we have yet to see what becomes of his fate.

Even more so than the last film, this movie was driven by a strong cast. The introduction of Maggie Gyllenhaal as his childhood sweetheart, Rachel, instead of Katie Holmes was a surprisingly welcome change. Although I am still not sure why this was negotiated (perhaps motherhood or other roles interferred), Maggie delivered a much stronger and oddly more sensual element to her role than did Katie. Aaron Eckhart added the perfect sense of political duty and brashness as the District Attorney Harvey Dent. Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine reprise their solid roles as Lucius Fox and Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne's two closest mentors.

And then there is Heath.

The emotions raked up by his performance are as tormented and as confusing as The Joker himself. The story he gives for his mangled scars caused a strange twang of pity in me as I realized he must be the victim of a loveless and abusive childhood. One soon realizes that his story, like everything else, is just a game: "I'm a dog chasing cars. I don't have plans. I just do things...". A brilliant loose cannon of sorts, The Joker's character seems to evolve throughout the entire movie, something I don't think I have recently seen a character do. Good characters become evil, evil characters turn to good, but The Joker becomes even more twisted and calculating without purpose as the movie goes on. Heath portrays moments of gruesome humor with The Joker's words, followed by quiet moments of tormented fervor with his eyes alone. It is truly remarkable.

My favorite and most memorable scene of the entire movie is of The Joker riding in a stolen police car in the twilight, his head leaning out of the window. The camera angle is shaky and the lighting is dim. The sound is muted as if he is impervious to anything around him. One can almost look through the makeup and see a young man at the pinnacle of his career, driving head-on into whatever comes next in this game of life. Almost

Mediacom

Mediacom is a local cable company, which, I am sure, must be as frustrating as every other city's cable and internet provider. But after two months of waiting on-hold, two months of payments with no service received, two months of technicians missing appointments when I've taken precious vacation time from work, two months of technicians showing up at my apartment for unscheduled appointments, this girl's patience--and budget--are wearing thin. It makes me question who is really responsible for things when it comes big companies not coming through for each individual customer. Part of the frustration I have encountered is that each CSR I talk to is very congenial, very apologetic, and also very helpful (so far as they are able). They apologize, re-schedule another appointment for me, and assure me that I can be credited for the past bills. But regardless of this, someone is responsible. That's why I have decided not to take out my frustration verbally on the technician who is already several hours later than planned. No, I will promptly thank him for his assistance--not to mention working on a Sunday--and I will be at the front door for Mediacom bright and early Monday morning demanding that someone own up to this next-door injustice on my checking account and internet connection.

In the meantime, thank God for my neighbor's unsecured wireless connection.

Palmer's Deli

I have serious doubts as to whether there is anything that can beat brunch on a Saturday morning after a long, tedious work week. And I have even more serious doubts as to whether there is a better place to eat than at Palmer's Deli on Ingersoll Avenue. By far one of the most unique and fantastic "one-stop" places to go: Catering, deli, their signature made-to-order salads or "spinners", home-made desserts, and selection of wines and fountain drinks. There is a seating area outside as well as glass-topped tables inside. And, you never know who you will run into on a Saturday morning. The Boyfriend and I enjoyed our biscuits and gravy and The Ingersoll (respectively) just a few tables from Chet Culver and his kids.

Part I

My life in Des Moines... the good, the bad, and the questionable, all from the perspective of a transplanted Michigander making her way in the world.

Why Des Moines? ____ (insert: career/boyfriend/wanderlust/love for ethanol/other). But that's beside the point. What you will find here is a running commentary on one girl's time in her new state. Movies, events, what-to-see, what-not-to-see, what makes it great, run-in's with local celebs (at least by Midwest standards), music reviews, whatever it is that adds or detracts from my time here... stay tuned.