The Buzz From Readers Like You
dryrub wrote about The Des Moines Social Club
Been to DMSC many times and have recently discovered their cocktails and wines - they specialize in exotic wines and cocktails using only fresh juices. Now I love my gin and tonics - and I just had a Juniperro 102 - basically a g/t with an Italian dessert wine on top - sparkling Moscato. Wow. Every night I've been there it's something new happening - I regularly go to Trivia night every Tuesday and the JG Faux show on Wednesdays. I'm not that into theatre but I just saw Christmas Carol and it was amazing! They are planning lots of theatre for next year - I'll be there! And I can take my drink into the show with me. What a cool place. I'll be there for the BASH on NYE!!!
dryrub commented on Concert series at DMSC, People's
Roxi at DMSC is like peanut butter and jelly
nana1758 wrote about Waterfront Seafood Market
I wish that i could give Waterfront two scores - one for service and one for the food. The seafood at Waterfront has always been the best in Des Moines - both in the market and the restaurant. The service however is unfortunately horrible. I was once a loyal patron but will never return after the service I received from Shawn Hanke, son of Ted the owner and the main man at the seafood counter. At 11 AM this morning, I walked in and asked for 1 lb of sushi grade salmon (as I have been doing for the past 5 years) and he said that there was someone in the back cutting it up and that it would be a minute. After 15 minutes I politely asked how much longer it would be and he said "he's back there cutting it up right now - do you want to watch him do it? You can come back here and do it yourself it you think you could do it faster." You know what Mr. Hanke - if that's the way you're going to treat your customers I'd rather not support your business and hope that others read this and will rethink their patronage. I walked out and will never return. And one more thing; as I was sitting there waiting for the salmon that never came, Shawn answered a phone call, said "Hello" and quickly handed the phone off to another employee saying - "Here - I can't understand her - she's some kind of Asian." So unfortunate considering the food is so great but I just can't support a business that treat their customers that way.
sobeit wrote about Big Shots
There is plenty wrong with this place. First a sports bar and pool hall should not be combined. What pool player wants to hear the shrieking whistle of a football game while they are trying to shoot?!! Pool players want music! The shuffleboards were probably a clearance special, because they are not level. The discs fell off the board in the exact same spot EVERYTIME. The players next to us where having the same problem with their board too. The food is beyond awful, the chic wrap I had was bland, flavorless, and room temperature. The rest of the menu was just as lame. What bar doesn't serve fries????? Let's move onto the a%@hole bartender who ran my CC for my tab and would not reverse it when I told him I wanted to pay cash and had a coupon. He claimed he couldn't reverse it. BS I've worked as a bartender and in retail and know you can so. Lazy a#@!! Plus I was charged $6.50 for a shot! This was not a fun night! Stay away!
ReallyDuh commented on Pelican Club 'Ho Ho Ho' party
EEEEEEWWWWW
Andy7635 wrote about Ridgemont, The
Stopped after catching a Bucs hockey game. Live Music and $1 draws...what a great time.
beelove1 wrote about Uncle Buck's Bar
I went to Uncle Buck's with a friend on Friday night (12-18-09). I am a black male, and my friend is a white male. We went to the dance floor to meet some other friends who were already in the club. I did the Cupid Shuffle and conversated with my friends on the dance floor. After that, I went to get me and my friend a drink and use the bathroom. Upon my return from the bathroom, I sat on a speaker on the floor and was texting on my phone! Let me tell you that there were people sitting on the speaker the whole time I was there, and there was a security guy standing on the speaker at one point!! The security guy who was standing on the speaker earlier came over and asked me to get off the speaker which I did politely! As soon as I stood up he told me that I had to leave the club, and he did not give me a reason!!! I am not one to play the RACE CARD, but read between the lines here!!! The owners of this club should not be allowed to have a license to run a club!!! I will do everything in my power to get this place shut down - TRUST ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you continue to frequent this bar, you are just as bad as the owners are...YOU SHOULD FEEL ASHAMED!!! Also, there was a black employee whom I know that was working that night...he can tell you that I am not the type who causes any problems whatsoever!!!
MegF commented on Wednesday: Woody's Smoke Shack
My fiance and I visited Woody's and just love it. Im not sure whether I would pick Flying Mango or Woody's Smoke Shack for the next time Im craving some delcious meat!
MegF has added a new playlist called Never Been, Need to go 3
Inthewater commented on Retro Christmas party at High Life Lounge
High Life, the gift that everyone loves.
Inthewater commented on Retro Christmas party at High Life Lounge
Pimp? Why yes, I think so.
DSMSara wrote about Azalea
My husband & I recently had dinner at Azalea for my birthday. While the restaurant has been around for awhile, neither of us had been there before, and I was in the mood to try something new. I was hugely disappointed. The service was HORRIBLE. For an "upscale" place like this, I expected a certain level of service. I'm not exaggerating when I say I've received better service while eating at Perkins at 3AM. First off, we had reservations for 7pm on a Saturday night. We arrived at 7, but weren't seated for 20 minutes. Which, under other circumstances wouldn't have been a big deal. However, the place was DEAD. There were only a handful of tables, so it was really irritating to have to wait as long as we did. Once we were seated we waited another 15 minutes and no one came to our table to greet us. Finally, my husband got up and asked the host what was going on. Only then did the HOST come and serve us water and take our drink order. I could (maybe) understand if our server was extremely busy, but again, the place was DEAD...it's not as if he had six other tables or anything. After the host brought us our wine, we waited another 15 minutes before our server FINALLY appeared to take our appetizer order. I asked a simple question about how a menu item was prepared and the server stumbled all over himself, couldn't answer my question and didn't offer to go ask the chef. I had to suggest he go ask someone. It was embarrassing. It's like the guy had never worked in a restaurant before. When the server came with our appetizers 20 minutes later, we had to remind him that we hadn't actually placed an order for our dinner yet. He took our order and then disappeared. Fortunately, the cheese & honeycomb appetizer was tasty, but it didn't make up for the rotten service we were getting. We waited another 45 minutes for him to bring our dinner out. (Again, my husband had to go ask the host where our dinner/server was!) We ate our dinner, which was OK, but definitely not anything to rave about. We finished our meal and our server brought us the check. Note: he brought the check before he cleared our plates or asked if we wanted dessert. It was very AKWARD. Needless to say, my husband & I will NEVER visit Azalea again. So, unless you're in the mood for mediocre food and AWFUL service, don't bother visiting Azalea.
MegF wrote about Burgie's Espresso Cafe
I stopped at the gas station on Airport road that is attached to this particular Burgies Cafe. I couldnt believe how nice it was inside! Despite being in a gas station atmosphere, It was a cozy and relaxing place to work on a few things over my lunch hour. I had a great sandwich and a coffee. I found out they brew the coffee themselves, and you can tell. It was so much better than expected! Dont be fooled like me and think this is a semi-decent gas station stop.
MegF wrote about Grove Cafe
Ive only ever eaten breakfast at the Grove, and that is a great experience! Its a small and cozy spot, unlike many restaurants youll find these days. It reminded me of a spot you would find hidden in a bigger city like Chicago or NYC. The owners and staff truly make you feel like your eating at home. The prices are amazing, most breakfast items around $5 or $6. Normally I would always choose eggs and hash browns over pancakes, but I was told that I had to try the pancackes here. I have to say they were so good, but huge! If your not a big pancake eater, I would recommend ordering a small portion. I was stuffed, but so happy when I left the Grove Cafe!
MegF commented on Coffee 101 at Mars Cafe
I would really like to start buying coffee beans from a local shop and grind myself. I just started drinking coffee, so the "101" class sounds really interesting.
crystalann04 commented on Black Eyed Peas ticket giveaway: Official rules
rock on!!!
franlinden commented on Datebook Diner: Jasmine Bowl’s food is all over the map
I had lunch at Jasmine's on Wednesday and ordered the lamb stew. I don't ordinarily eat spicey food, but this was just the right temp for me. I also ordered the crab rangoon to go, which was filled with a soft blend of cream cheese and scallions, but the tiny bits of crab were of the fake kind, I believe. I want to return to try the Thai dishes that I have heretofore avoided as the hostess told me most dishes could be ordered to the "heat' desired.
sillyrabbit commented on Top 10 hottest bacon shirts
These were terrible. Only the hand warmer one is funny.
badgersdrool commented on Out to Lunch: Mandarin Grill and Sushi Bar
My visit to the Mandarin Grill did not disappoint. The food was excellent and the servers were very polite and helpful. My wife and I started out with some sushi and crab rangoons, both of which were delicious and fresh. Our entrees came out with good portion sizes and we did not leave hungry! We will definitely be back!
MegF commented on It's the holiday season
That is a beautiful view of the East Village!
MegF wrote about GoodSons Martini and Panini
My mom and I went to lunch last week and actually first tried to eat at Flarahs, but went over to Good Sons when we realized it wasnt open. I ordered the ham and gruyere panini served with a brown, spicy mustard. It was really good-the mustard was perfect with the ham and cheese. I opted for the pasta salad as a side, which I had tried from a friends food previously. It was also delicious-with a creamy, mayo base. My mom ordered a salad with grilled chicken and really enjoyed it. She said the chicken was really good quality. Im definitely stopping back again to try more of the panini's off the menu.
AGRL25 wrote about La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant
This restaurant is single handily the grossest restaurant in all of Des Moines IA. The food was so bad I took one bite of everything and stopped eating. I went to public school I have had my share of nasty food but nothing this bad ever! If you like food with absolutely no taste that looks like it has been sitting out ALL DAY and has the most disgusting sauce slathered all over it... eat here. The staff were sitting out on the dining-room floor chatting and laughing, which is why they got a 1 star from me as well. I didn't eat my food and neither did my daughter and they would not give us any discount, Save your money eat at Wendy's, or you will mourn the loss of your $30.00 like we are right now.
relaxin commented on Out to Lunch: Mandarin Grill and Sushi Bar
I realize this is not the "old Mandarin." What others may not be considering though is maybe it was not meant to be. I agree w/ whoever wrote the online article last week for the Register, this is the classiest and most attractively decorated Chinese restaurant in town. They obviously wanted to dress the place up a little and I think they succeeded brilliantly. My wife and I had dinner there on Saturday night and the Kung Pao Shrimp was phenomenal. The shrimp were huge and the spice was perfect. The hot tea was very tasty and the two sushi rolls we had were delicious and very appealing to the eye. I think people need to remember this is a locally owned eatery and in today's economy it takes a lot of guts for a local family to open a place like this on their own w/o huge corporate backing. Please remember this when making your dining choices!!!!! We will be back again and again. Thanks "NEW Mandarin."
beersnob wrote about Benchwarmers
Benchwarmers is a total dump. The food is overpriced and crappy, the service is pathetic, unless they know you. It is dirty, old and the TVs suck. I felt like I needed to shower after I left there. I avoid meetings that are scheduled there because the place is such a pit.
