Chef/partner Nickolas Illingworth and co-owner Mike Crownover are eager to welcome you to Lurra Cocina, downtown Des Moines' newest dining destination.

WE WERE THERE:

THE GRAND OPENING OF LURRA COCINA

By Wini Moranville

Lurra Cocina (Spanish for "earth kitchen") had its grand opening last Friday night, and it's set to become downtown's next hot spot, joining the corridor of other high-energy venues, Americana Restaurant & Lounge and Centro, just down the street.

With a vintage tile floor and reclaimed furnishings, the otherwise modern décor tips its hat to the historic nature of the building. When you go, check out the engaging use of a brick-red shipping container, employed most notably as the counter to the open kitchen.

Chef Nick Illingworth, formerly of The Cheese Shop, Table 128 and Blue Tomato Kitchen, oversees the menu of pintxos (bar snacks traditionally served on toothpicks or skewers), tapas, paella and a handful of entrees.

Because this is 2015, the bar menu spotlights craft cocktails. We stuck to the thoughtfully purveyed Spanish wines and an exemplary red Sangria, which was fruity and refreshing, with a kick. The couple next to us praised the specialty gin and tonics, made with homemade tonic and served in dashing stamped-metal vessels.

Highlights at the table included plump, fresh anchovies skewered with peppers, olives and pickles, as well as sausage-stuffed dates emboldened by a smoky tomato sauce.

And don't let the canned (versus fresh) tuna dissuade you from ordering the tuna salad-stuffed piquillo peppers. High-quality canned fish is currently on trend, and a taste of the moist, flavorful tuna in its luscious dressing will tell you why. As our astute waitress said, "This is where canned tuna started before it became awful."

Lurra Cocina is at 1420 Locust St.; 635-0952.

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Gov. "Bonestad" relaxes in his Terrace Hill office after a tough day at the Iowa Legislature.

HALLOWEEN ON THE HILL

Terrace Hill will welcome all manner of ghosts, goblins and ghouls Oct. 31 for Scare Us Hill: A Pumpkin Ball. We had a sneak peek at the impressively decked-out Victorian mansion--decorated by a team of 40 volunteers from Wells Fargo & Co.--and quickly concluded there is no local venue better suited for hosting a Halloween bash. (Did you know one of Terrace Hill's second-floor bedrooms is rumored to be haunted year-round?)

At the ball, you can enter a costume contest, enjoy appetizers and desserts, and consult a psychic about what your future holds. The event also will include music, dancing and a live auction.

Tickets are $75 per person or $40 for those under age 40. Proceeds benefit restoration efforts and programs at Terrace Hill. Find out more on the Terrace Hill website.

ON POINT

Ballet Des Moines will perform three short ballets for "Ovation: A Triple Bill," Oct. 23- 25 at Hoyt Sherman Place. Artistic director Serkan Usta, ballet mistress Lori Grooters and guest choreographer Ma Cong will each present a ballet. The show also celebrates Usta's 10th season with the company.

Tickets are $15.50-$49.50, available at the Hoyt Sherman Place box office or online.

"Ovation: A Triple Bill" will feature Ballet Des Moines' professional and pre-professional dancers.

LAUGH OF THE WEEK: CLEVER CAT

Since we've featured dogs in this space several times recently (yes, the team members who produce dsmWeekly are unabashed dog lovers), we decided it was time to give cats their due, especially one as sassy as this guy evidently is.

Wini Moranville is a food, wine and travel writer who covers the food and dining scene for dsm. Follow her at All Things Food - DSM Wini Moranville.