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September 9, 2014
Visit Rome on a luxury guided tour with Connie Wimer and Frank Fogerty May 25-June 3, 2015.

Ciao, Bella! 

 

Have you heard the buzz? Connie Wimer and Frank Fogarty will host a luxury guided tour to Italy May 25-June 3 in partnership with Collete Vacations. The tour will take sightseers to Rome, Assisi, Sienna, Florence, Venice and Milan, among other destinations.

Find out more at a free informational session Sept. 22 at 5:30 p.m. at Business Publications Corp. Inc., 100 Fourth St. (in the old depot building) in Des Moines. The presentation and question-and-answer session will last about an hour. If you have questions or would like to attend, please contact Jeanne Hammerstrom, [email protected], 288-4582; or Laura Stegemann, [email protected], 288-4585.

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A pleasant patio adds to the dining experience at Hy-Vee in Ankeny.

Dinner on the Patio at Hy-Vee?
Who Knew! 

By Wini Moranville

 

Sometimes when I want to try a restaurant that my husband (aka Mr. Sportcoat) might veto, I tell him I'm taking him on a "mystery trip." This was definitely the case when I dragged him out to, of all places, the Hy-Vee in Ankeny.

While he raised an eyebrow as we pulled into the parking lot, he was happy as could be a few minutes later when we were sipping wine on the pleasant patio.

Indeed, Hy-Vee has definitely said "game on" since Whole Foods Market came to town. Its Market Grille restaurants in some locations (including Waukee, Ankeny and Urbandale) have upped the ante with table service, a full bar and plenty to choose from: sushi, pasta, pizza, sandwiches, steaks (yes-steaks), seafood (such as scallops, ahi tuna, sea bass), barbecue--really, just about everything you'd expect on an American menu.

I thoroughly enjoyed a fresh and tasty burger, while Mr. Sportcoat happily tucked into the meaty ribs. What we enjoyed most, however, were the well-shaded patio with a greenscape view, the affable service and the fact that they didn't stick it to us on the wines: Prices start at $5 a glass, a price point long abandoned at most polished-casual venues.

The Hy-Vee Market Grille in Ankeny is at 2510 S.W. State St.; 963-3140. Check out their menu here.

Bill Bryson to accept the 2014 Iowa Author Award on Nov. 8.

Iowa Author Awards Dinner 

Expected to Sell Out

By Belle Du Chene

 

Tickets are expected to sell out fast for "An Evening with Bill Bryson," the 2014 Iowa Author Awards Dinner Nov. 8.

The Des Moines native and best-selling author will accept the 2014 Iowa Author Award at Des Moines Marriott Downtown (700 Grand Ave.) from 6 to 9 p.m. Bryson has written more than 20 books, including "The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid," which is based on his life growing up in Des Moines in the 1950s. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Des Moines Public Library Foundation.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Iowa Cubs owner Michael Gartner will act as emcee alongside dinner, an auction and a book signing.

Tickets are $150 ($110 tax-deductible). Table sponsorships are also available. For more information, click here or contact Dory Briles at 248-6402 or [email protected]. The form for ticket reservations can be found here and for sponsor opportunities here.
Last year's World Food & Music Festival. Photo courtesy of Downtown Community Alliance.

Global Flavors

 

Ever tried Trinidadian "pholourie"? How about Korean "bulgogi"? You'll have your chance Sept. 19-21 at the 10th Annual World Food & Music Festival, which will feature 50 international food vendors in its new location on the Walnut Street Bridge. In addition to sampling food from Trinidad and Korea, you can check out cuisine from countries such as Ethiopia, Greece, Russia, Cambodia and more. Each sample costs $1, with the option to upgrade to a full-plate portion for $5 or less.

Chef Lynn Pritchard of Table 128 Bistro & Bar and Chef Charles D'Ablaing from The Raphael Hotel in Kansas City are just two of the chefs scheduled for live cooking demonstrations. Live entertainment headliners include The Nadas, Decoy and Parranderos Latin Combo. Kids will love Beaverdale Confections' new "Chocolate Adventure," where they can learn about and taste different kinds of chocolate as they make their own chocolate lollipop.

 

Admission is free. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 19-20; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m Sept. 21. See a festival map, menu list and entertainment schedule here. -B.D.

Gary and Mary Weeks

We Have a Winner!

 

On behalf of the Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau and Des Moines Restaurant Week, we want to congratulate Gary and Mary Weeks of Ankeny, the winners of this year's prize trip for two to Bermuda. Thank you to all who participated in Restaurant Week 2014 to make this year such a success!

Correction

 

Last week's dsmWeekly contained an incorrect photo credit for Olson-Larsen Galleries' "New Work" exhibit. The image shown was done by Anna Lambrini Moisiadis and the title is "Weaving-In the Silence." For more information on the exhibit, click here. We apologize for the error.

Belle Du Chene is senior editor of dsm magazine.

Wini Moranville, author of "The Bonne Femme Cookbook: Simple, Splendid Food That French Women Cook Every Day," is a food, wine and travel writer who covers the dining scene for dsm magazine. Follow her at All Things Food DSM - Wini Moranville and catch her food segment on Fridays at 6:40 a.m. on KCWI-23's "Great Day" morning show.

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