Drinks on Deck: GoodSons

Anela Skenderovic, 28, and Admira Mulic, 37, enjoy food and martinis on GoodSons' patio. (Credit: Eric Rowley/Metromix)

The scene: GoodSons is a neighborhood bar smack dab in the middle of one of Des Moines' friendliest 'hoods, Beaverdale (but perhaps I'm biased since I live just two blocks from the bar). Cyclists prop their bikes against the railing of this newly built patio and stop for a beer before they continue through the inter-urban trail that stretches down Urbandale Avenue. The long, narrow patio is deceptively large, with small two-tops close to the building and larger tables near the sidewalk.

The drinks: I skimmed the manageable wine list and settled on a refreshing glass of Quadri pinot grigio, $5. GoodSons is known as a martini and panini bar that serves a variety of pressed sandwiches (savory and sweet) and flavored martinis like lavendar/pear and key lime pie, so we asked the waitress to suggest a martini. She recommended "The Cure" ($8), a mandarin variation of a Cosmo, with $1 from each drink going to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. We agreed the drink was just sweet enough to trick you into ordering one too many.

What we saw: The patio was packed on a Friday night, as it is just about any time the weather is nice. Fortunately with two servers working the patio, the crowd didn't stop us from getting our drinks quickly. Partway through the evening, a grade-school softball team passed by to collect a few bucks for a fundraiser and the whole patio pitched in to help them out.

Whether you live in the neighborhood or not, you'll appreciate the laid-back vibe, quick service and tasty martinis at GoodSons. If you're worried about the patio being full, go before 6 p.m. or hang out inside until a spot opens. Even on a Tuesday this place could be packed if the sun's shining.