Nice restaurants in Des Moines?

[Gary T]

My sister and a friend will be spending a weekend in Des Moines, staying at the Renaissance Savery Hotel. They'd like to have a nice dinner within walking distance of the hotel. They have in mind a "general" restaurant (e.g. steaks, seafood, etc), as opposed to a specific/ethnic cuisine. Suggestions?

[Gary T]

Bump for the weekday crowd.

[Beadalin]

For a very upscale experience, go to 801 Grand. Great steaks (and seafood), but the ala carte pricing makes it add up quickly.

I'm not sure if it's still open, but Raccoon River (at 10th St. and Mulberry) is pretty good, with great pool table and one of the most interesting menus in Des Moines. You could also try the Court Avenue Brewing Company, or heck, anywhere along Court Avenue.

[photopat]

The Spaghetti Works on Court Avenue is pretty good, but it's been so long since I visited any restaurants downtown that I really don't know what else to suggest.

[Spavined Gelding]

Except for a few really expensive places like 801 Grand and the Yuppy joints along Court Ave and some pretty obscure little places, some of them in basements, the vast number of good neighborhood restaurants with really good ethnic (mostly Italian) food and Iowa beef and pork staples are outside the downtown core and beyond walking distance. There are taxies, however – Let me suggest that The Latin King on the east side, Sam and Gabe’s and The Fat Chef’s and Johnny’s or the west side and Christopher’s on the north side are all up to Chicago standards and considerably more affordable than any first class joint in Chicago. This list is far from complete – there is no reason any visitor should have to eat in a second class hotel dinning room or have to settle for a Red Lobster or an Olive Garden.

[Beadalin]

I was thinking about those too, Spavined Gelding. The bummer is that the OP specified within walking distance, which really limits the options, downtown Des Moines being what it is.

[homeskillet]

Some other good places downtown, within walking distance of the Savory, I'd recommend:

Fourty Three In the Hotel Fort Des Moines, used to be contemporary American, but last time we ate there they had a fusion tapas menu.
Splash - Good Seafood, on Locust Ave
Centro - Italian, in the Masonic Temple Performing Arts.

If you want to try a local specialty, look for the Steak de Burgo.
Already mentioned, but 801 is one of the best steakhouses in the city.

These are a bit more upscale, but worth it. If they want something more casual, there are also plenty of places around 4th St/Court Ave to explore. Tell them to pick up a Datebook or Juice for some suggestions and listings of restaurants/activities downtown.

[homeskillet]

I should ask too, when will they be in Des Moines? Downtown is always really easy to get around due to the Skywalk system. If they're in town later this spring and they're feeling adventurous, it's not that far a walk to Ingersoll Ave/Sherman Hill. They're both interesting neighborhoods to explore. Noah's Ark on Ingersoll is one of Des Moines more venerable Italian restaurants with good local specialties. Bistro Montage , also on Ingersoll, is a great place for casual French fare.

I think there's a new Tuscan place in Sherman Hill, in the old Chat Noir house (18th/Woodland). That might be worth a try as well, but I don't know much about it, can anyone elaborate?

[Gary T]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think this will be very helpful to them.

They'll be there this coming weekend. Sis's friend has a health problem that makes walking more than a few blocks difficult. They'd prefer not to take a cab, but I don't know if that's cast in stone.