Home > Des Moines Restaurants > Editorial Review > Editorial Datebook Review: Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Company

By JANET KLOCKENGA * REGISTER STAFF WRITER
OCTOBER 16, 2008

Scene: Court Avenue's cheery atmosphere with its exposed brick walls, dark woodwork and galvanized metal light fixtures makes for a comfortable lunch destination on a hectic weekday. My dining companion and I arrived at 12:09 p.m. and were seated immediately.

Food: My partner selected a small pizza (made super-thin-crust style) with his choice of green olives, Graziano sausage and mushrooms. I decided on the rather pricey but tempting grilled tuna salad. Normally I balk at $13 lunches (don't most people?), but I decided to gamble and I was not sorry. The salad truly was a wonder: four rare strips of black sesame seed-encrusted yellowfin tuna artfully arranged atop a generous portion of fresh greens with delicate carrot shreds and fresh sprouts adorning it. The salad also contained crunchy julienne zucchini and crispy fried wonton strips. It was lightly dressed with a tasty Asian vinaigrette. The cuts-like-butter tuna was delicious, and all flavors and textures played out a happy scenario as I cleaned my plate. We decided to split a piece of the Chocaholic Cheesecake, a caloric extravaganza plated atop a drizzle of strawberry glace. The berry sauce was a bit too sweet for me, and the guilt was almost overwhelming. But my dining partner pronounced it a must for next time.

On the clock: The service was good and we were in and out in less than an hour.

Price: With iced tea, my lunch came to $22, which is a bit stiff for a working girl. But next time I will forgo the cheesecake and probably order water instead of tea.

Receipt
Sesame tuna salad, $12.99
Iced tea, $2.29
Chocoholic cheesecake, $5.99
Total with tax: $22.55

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