Des Moines Restaurant Week 2008 starts Saturday

The first-ever Des Moines Restaurant Week, which starts Saturday and goes through Aug. 24, is the time to finally visit those fancy schmancy restaurants you've never tried.

(Update: Read about Des Moines Restaurant Week 2009.)

Thirty-three restaurants in the metro are offering diners a special deal during the week: $20.08 per head for dinner, or $20.08 for lunch for two. ($20.08. Get it?)

Many restaurants will create prix-fixe menus that will offer more plates for your pennies.

"The goal is to give people an opportunity to get out of their ruts, not go to the same restaurants all the time," said Janette Larkin, publisher for Business Publications Corporation, which conceptualized the event along with the Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"It's something that big cities all over the country do," said Tiffany Tauscheck, 29, Director of Marketing for the CVB. The organizers are hoping to encourage local people as well as out-of-town fairgoers to participate.

Plus, if you save receipts from four different dining establishments (choose your business lunch locations wisely this week), you'll be eligible for a drawing to win a trip to Puerto Rico.

Sample menus:

Centro

Insalata Caprese: Fresh sliced Iowa tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, Sunstead Farms basil, Sicilian olive oil and sea salt

Seafood Manicotti: Fresh pasta rolls filled with shrimp, crab, halibut, ricotta cheese, and herbs, baked in white sauce and topped with toasted bread crumbs

Lemon Buttermilk Panna Cotta: Cool Italian custard served with fresh blueberries and blueberry sauce

Gateway Market

Starters (Choose one)

Shrimp Papagayos: Shrimp filled with crab and queso chihuahua wrapped in grilled Thuman's Bacon

Hummus: Roasted red pepper hummus with grilled pita points, cucumbers, olives and feta cheese

Arrancini: Arborio rice croquettes filled with pepperoni, salami and mozzarella cheese

Entrees (Choose one)

Trio of Ceviche: Shrimp with avocado and tomato; red snapper cilantro and lime; scallop and crab

Taco Truck Trio: Arrachera steak with chopped onion, cilantro, lime and chile di arbol salsa; lamb barbocoa; carnitas

Slider Sampler: Memphis BBQ pork with creamy slaw; Gateway cheeseburger with caramelized onions and "Shack Sauce"; mini lobster roll

Participating restaurants include:

Alba, Azalea Restaurant & Lounge, Baratta’s, Centro, Christopher’s, Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Company, Cosi Cucina, Django, Dos Rios Cantina & Tequila Lounge, Fire Creek, Gateway Market – Woodland, Gateway Market – Village at Ponderosa, Grand Piano Bistro, Jethro’s BBQ, Jimmy’s American Café, Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse – Clive, Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse – South Des Moines, Le Jardin, Lucca, Maverick Grill, Mezzodi’s, Mojos on 86th, Nick’s Bar & Grill, Noah’s Ark Restaurant & Fireside Lounge, Raccoon River Brewing Company, Rock River Grill & Tavern, Sam & Gabes Italian Bistro, Sbrocco, Splash Seafood Bar & Grill, Torroco! Italian Grill, Trostel’s Dish, Trostel’s Greenbriar Restaurant and Tursi’s Latin King.